South Asian communities already form the largest racialised group in Canada, with almost 2.6 million people and 7.1% of the total population in 2021 – nearly four times their size in 1996. New projections show this growth will continue, reshaping immigration, labour markets and public policy.
Statistics Canada’s new portrait of South Asian populations in Canada gives rare, disaggregated detail on origins, education, work and income. This article explains what those findings mean for Canada’s immigration system and long-term planning.
On this page you will find
- How fast South Asian populations are growing in Canada
- Where South Asian immigrants come from and how they arrive
- Education, jobs and income trends for South Asian communities
- Gender gaps and multigenerational family patterns
- What all this means for future immigration and labour policy
- Answers to common questions about South Asian immigration trends
South Asian Populations Are Growing Faster Than Canada as a Whole
In 1996, about 669,000 people in Canada identified as South Asian, or 2.4% of the population. By 2021, this had risen to almost 2.6 million, or 7.1%. This means South Asian populations have nearly quadrupled in just 25 years, far outpacing overall population growth.
Projections suggest that by 2041, South Asians could number between 4.7 million and 6.5 million people. At that point, they could make up 11.0% to 12.5% of everyone living in Canada. These numbers confirm that South Asians will remain central to Canada’s demographic and economic story.
For immigration policy, this growth reinforces that decisions made now on selection, settlement and anti-racism will shape a large share of Canada’s future workforce and families.
Where South Asians in Canada Come From
The new study shows that South Asian populations in Canada are far more diverse than many people assume.
In 2021:
- About 6 in 10 South Asians were born in Southern Asia
- About 3 in 10 were born in Canada
- About 1 in 10 were born in other regions of the world
Among those born in South Asia, the main places of birth were:
- India – 44% of all South Asians in Canada
- Pakistan – 9%
- Sri Lanka – 5%
- Bangladesh – 3%
Outside South Asia, birthplaces include Gulf countries such as the United Arab Emirates and Saudi Arabia, African countries such as Tanzania, Kenya and Uganda, Caribbean states such as Guyana and Trinidad and Tobago, the United Kingdom, Fiji and the United States.
Roughly 29% of South Asians were born in Canada in 2021. Among them, the largest group had parents born in India, followed by parents born in Pakistan, Sri Lanka and Canada. This highlights a sizeable and growing second-generation population whose experiences will shape the future of Canadian society and politics.
How South Asians Come to Canada – The Dominance of Economic Immigration
The portrait confirms that economic immigration pathways drive most South Asian migration to Canada. Among South Asian immigrants who arrived between 1980 and 2021, more than half entered as economic immigrants. This share rises to about two-thirds for those who arrived between 2011 and 2021.
From 1980 to 2021:
- Economic immigrants formed the majority of South Asian immigrants from India, Pakistan and Bangladesh
- South Asians from Sri Lanka followed a different pattern – many arrived as refugees or through family sponsorship, alongside a smaller economic stream
This pattern matters for immigration policy. It shows that:
- Canada already relies heavily on South Asian applicants to fill economic immigration quotas
- Different South Asian subgroups experience distinct pathways – from refugee protection to high-skilled Express Entry candidates
- Changes to selection criteria, including language, work experience and education, will have an immediate effect on South Asian communities
Ethnic, Cultural and Linguistic Diversity Within South Asian Communities
South Asians in Canada reported more than 145 ethnic or cultural origins on the 2021 Census. These include identities linked to country of birth and also to regional, linguistic or historical roots.
Examples include:
- Indian and Punjabi among those born in India, and their Canadian-born children
- Sri Lankan and Tamil among people with Sri Lankan roots
- Pakistani origins among those born in Pakistan and their Canadian-born children
- Fijian and Indo-Fijian origins among South Asians born in Oceania
- Guyanese origins among South Asians born in Caribbean and Latin American countries
Linguistic diversity is also striking. Mother tongues commonly include English, Punjabi, Urdu, Hindi, Tamil, Gujarati and Bengali, among others. This has clear implications for public services, health care, schooling and community programming.
Family Structures and Multigenerational Households
The study reveals that South Asian populations are more likely to live in households with children and extended family.
In 2021:
- About 45% of South Asians lived in two-parent families with children
- About 20% lived in multigenerational households
Across Canada as a whole, only around 7% of people lived in multigenerational households. For South Asians born in India, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Canada and Oceania, between about 19% and 24% lived with multiple generations under one roof.
This has direct links to:
- Housing demand for larger homes and suites
- Urban planning in cities with large South Asian populations
- Informal care systems for children and older adults
These patterns also influence financial decisions, savings rates and intergenerational transfers within families.
Education – South Asians Are Highly Educated but Not Always Fully Utilised
South Asians aged 25 to 54 have much higher rates of university education than the non-racialised, non-Indigenous population. In 2021, 58% had a bachelor’s degree or higher, compared with 32% of their non-racialised, non-Indigenous counterparts.
This high educational attainment holds across many places of birth, including:
- India – about 63% with a bachelor’s degree or higher
- Pakistan – about 61%
- Africa – about 58%
- Europe – about 59%
- Canada – about 56%
South Asians born in the United States showed the highest proportion with a university degree.
Some groups, such as those born in Sri Lanka, the Caribbean, Central and South America, Oceania and Bhutan, had lower formal education levels. Many in these groups were also less likely to be economic immigrants.
Second-generation patterns are critical. Canadian-born South Asians with Sri Lankan parents, for example, had higher university attainment than their parents and even slightly higher than other Canadian-born South Asians. This suggests strong intergenerational mobility, especially when settlement and education systems work effectively.
Employment – Strong Outcomes for Men, Gaps for Women
Labour market data show both successes and challenges.
For people aged 25 to 54 in May 2021:
- South Asian men had an employment rate similar to non-racialised, non-Indigenous men
- South Asian women had an employment rate around 10 percentage points lower than their non-racialised, non-Indigenous counterparts
More recent Labour Force Survey data for mid-2025 show a similar pattern – strong employment for South Asian men, but a persistent gap for South Asian women.
Outcomes also differ by country of birth. Men and women born in India tend to have higher employment and lower unemployment than those born in Pakistan, Bangladesh or Sri Lanka. This reflects differences in immigration category, language skills, credentials and local networks.
For immigration policy, this means:
- Economic selection is working well to bring in highly employable workers
- Gender-based barriers and caregiving responsibilities still limit many South Asian women
- Targeted supports could improve labour market outcomes without changing selection rules
What This Means for Canada’s Immigration and Labour Policies
The new portrait has direct implications for immigration design and long-term planning.
Key takeaways for policymakers include:
- South Asians will remain a core source of economic immigrants, especially through Express Entry and provincial nominee programs
- High education levels support Canada’s shift towards skills-based immigration, particularly in STEM, health and professional services
- Gender gaps in employment point to the need for better childcare, anti-discrimination measures and targeted employment services
- Multigenerational and larger households will shape housing, transit and urban planning in cities with large South Asian communities
- Disaggregated data are essential – treating all South Asians as one group hides important differences by origin, generation and gender
The portrait also fits directly into Canada’s Anti-Racism Strategy and the federal Disaggregated Data Action Plan, both of which aim to design fairer policies using better data.
For immigrants and applicants, the message is clear: South Asian skills, education and work experience will remain in high demand, but success in Canada also depends on how policies address barriers faced by certain subgroups, especially women and those in less advantaged admission categories.
FAQ
Why are South Asians so important to Canada’s immigration future?
South Asians already form the largest racialised group in Canada and could reach up to 12.5% of the population by 2041. They arrive mainly through economic immigration, bring high education levels and play major roles in key sectors. This makes them central to Canada’s long-term workforce planning.
Are most South Asian immigrants coming through Express Entry?
The study does not focus on specific programs such as Express Entry, but it shows that economic immigration streams dominate South Asian migration, especially in recent decades. This likely includes federal economic programs, provincial nominee programs and some pilot initiatives that select skilled workers from South Asian countries.
Do all South Asian groups have the same outcomes in Canada?
No. Outcomes vary by country of birth, admission category and gender. For example, many immigrants from India, Pakistan and Bangladesh arrive as economic immigrants, while more from Sri Lanka came as refugees or sponsored family members. Employment and education levels also differ, so policy responses need to be tailored.
Why is there a gap between South Asian men’s and women’s employment?
South Asian men tend to have employment rates similar to other men in Canada, while South Asian women face lower employment. This gap likely reflects a mix of factors, including childcare responsibilities, cultural expectations, discrimination and challenges in recognizing foreign credentials. Targeted supports can help close this gap over time.
How will this portrait change immigration or anti-racism policy?
The portrait supports Canada’s Anti-Racism Strategy and the Disaggregated Data Action Plan by providing detailed evidence. Policymakers can use these findings to refine selection criteria, settlement services and labour market measures, with a focus on fairness and better outcomes for different South Asian subgroups and future generations.
