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Indicators of Well-being in Canada


Canadians in Context - Immigration

How many are we?

  1. Population Size and Growth

Where do we live?

  1. Geographic Distribution

What is the make-up of our population?

  1. Aging Population
  2. Immigration
  3. Aboriginal Population
  4. People with Disabilities
  5. Households and Families

What are our perceptions?

  1. Perceptions and Life Satisfaction

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This section provides information on immigration. In particular, it discusses the Place of Birth of immigrants, the Foreign-born Population, and the proportion of Immigrant Urban Settlement.


Immigration

According to the 2006 Canadian Census, more than 200 different ethnic origins were reported. This diversity continues to be a prominent feature of Canada. Immigration is the most important component of Canada's population growth, and changes in the origins of new immigrants suggest that Canada will continue to be a diverse country. In 2006, nearly 2 million people, or 6.3% of the total population, were immigrants who had arrived during the previous 10 years.


Place of Birth

The place of birth of Canada's immigrants has changed over the last half century. Before 1961, the vast majority (90.5%) came from European countries. More recent arrivals to Canada are more likely to have come from places other than Europe. Between 2001 and 2006, the majority of immigrants arrived from Asia (58.3%), while only 16.1% of immigrants came from European countries.


This Chart contains data for Place of birth of immigrants, Canada, before 1961, and 2001-2006. Information is available in table below 2001-2006 (Oceania and other countries) = 0.7 2001-2006 (Caribbean, Central and South America) = 10.8 2001-2006 (Africa) = 10.6 2001-2006 (Asia) = 58.3 2001-2006 (Europe) = 16.1 2001-2006 (United States) = 3.5 Before 1961 (Oceania and other countries) = 0.4 Before 1961 (Caribbean, Central and South America) = 1.4 Before 1961 (Africa) = 0.5 Before 1961 (Asia) = 3.2 Before 1961 (Europe) = 90.5 Before 1961 (United States) = 3.9 (percent) Place of birth of immigrants, Canada, before 1961, and 2001-2006

Source: Statistics Canada. Immigration in Canada: A portrait of the Foreign-Born Population, 2006 Census. Ottawa, Statistics Canada, 2007. (Cat. No. 97-557-XIE).


Warning: This data table may contain very wide content. Horizontal scrolling may be necessary.

Place of birth of immigrants, Canada, before 1961, and 2001-2006 (percent)
Before 19612001-2006
United States3.93.5
Europe90.516.1
Asia3.258.3
Africa0.510.6
Caribbean, Central and South America1.410.8
Oceania and other countries0.40.7

Foreign-born Population

The proportion of Canada's population born outside the country rose to 19.8% in 2006, the highest since 1931, when 22.2% of the population was foreign-born (meaning that a person at one time was a landed immigrant to Canada). During the past century, more than 13 million immigrants arrived in Canada, and more arrived in the 1990s than in any other decade.


This Chart contains data for Foreign-born population, Canada, selected years, 1871-2006. Information is available in table below 2006 = 19.8 2001 = 18.4 1991 = 16.1 1971 = 15.3 1951 = 14.7 1931 = 22.2 1911 = 22.0 1891 = 13.3 1871 = 16.1 (percent) Foreign-born population, Canada, selected years, 1871-2006

Source: HRSDC calculations based on Statistics Canada. For 1871 to 1971, Statistics Canada. Historical Statistics, Estimated Population and Immigration Arrivals (Persons) (CANSIM Table 75-0001). Ottawa: Statistics Canada, 2006; and Statistics Canada. Historical statistics, country of birth of other British-born and foreign-born population, every 10 years (foreign-born persons unless otherwise noted) (CANSIM Table 75-0022). Ottawa: Statistics Canada, 2006; and for 2006, Statistics Canada. Immigration in Canada: A Portrait of Foreign-born Population, 2006 Census, available from: http://www12.statcan.ca/english/census06/analysis/immcit/foreign_born.cfm (cited December 4, 2007).


Warning: This data table may contain very wide content. Horizontal scrolling may be necessary.

Foreign-born population, Canada, selected years, 1871-2006 (percent)
187118911911193119511971199120012006
16.113.322.022.214.715.316.118.419.8

In 2006, the proportions of foreign-born residents in Ontario (28.3%) and British Columbia (27.5%) were both higher than the national average (19.8%). The same was true for several large urban areas in those provinces. Notably, 45.7% of Toronto's population and 39.6% of Vancouver's population were foreign born. Also, in Calgary Alberta, 23.6% of the population was foreign-born.


This Chart contains data for Foreign-born population, by region, 2006. Information is available in table below NU = 1.6 NT = 6.9 YK = 10.0 BC = 27.5 AB = 16.2 SK = 5.0 MB = 13.3 ON = 28.3 QC = 11.5 NB = 3.7 NS = 5.0 PE = 3.6 NL = 1.7 CAN = 19.8 (percent) Foreign-born population, by region, 2006

Source: HRSDC calculations based on Statistics Canada. Population by immigrant status and period of immigration, 2006 counts, for Canada, provinces and territories, available at: http://www12.statcan.ca/english/census06/data/highlights/immigration/table403.cfm (cited December 4, 2007).


Warning: This data table may contain very wide content. Horizontal scrolling may be necessary.

Foreign-born population, by region, 2006 (percent)
CANNLPENSNBQCONMBSKABBCYKNTNU
19.81.73.65.03.711.528.313.35.016.227.510.06.91.6

Immigrant Urban Settlement

Between 2001 and 2006, the vast majority of new immigrants (93.7%) settled in one of Canada's major cities. In that period, 68.9% of new immigrants settled in either Toronto (40.4%), Vancouver (13.7%), or Montréal (14.9%). This is an increase from the 1970s, when 58% of immigrants settled in these three cities.


This Chart contains data for Population living in a large urban area, 2006. Information is available in table below Total Canadian population = 67.5 2001-2006 immigrants = 93.7 (percent) Population living in a large urban area, 2006

Source: HRSDC calculations based on Statistics Canada. Population by immigrant status and period of immigration, 2006 counts, for Canada and Census metropolitan areas and census agglomeration, available at: http://www12.statcan.ca/english/census06/data/highlights/Immigration/Table403.cfm (cited December 4, 2007).


Warning: This data table may contain very wide content. Horizontal scrolling may be necessary.

Population living in a large urban area, 2006 (percent)
2001-2006 immigrantsTotal Canadian population
93.767.5

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Date Modified:
2013-05-24