Demographics of British Columbia

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See also: Demographics of Canada

Canada British Columbia Density 2016

British Columbia is a Canadian province with a population of over 5.7 million people. The province represents about 13.2% of the Canadian population. Most of the population is between the ages of 15 and 49. About 60 percent of British Columbians have European descent with significant Asian and Aboriginal minorities. Just under 30% of British Columbians are immigrants. Over half of the population is irreligious, with Christianity and Sikhism being the most followed religions.

## Vital statistics

[edit]

British Columbia vital statistics since 1971[1] | Total population  | Live births  | Deaths  | Natural change  | Crude birth rate (per 1000)  | Crude death rate (per 1000)  | Natural change (per 1000)  | Total fertility rate

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1971  | 2,240,500  | 34,500  | 17,800  | 16,700  | 15.40  | 7.94  | 7.45  |
1972  | 2,302,100  | 34,600  | 17,900  | 16,700  | 15.03  | 7.78  | 7.25  | 1.966
1973  | 2,367,300  | 34,500  | 18,800  | 15,600  | 14.57  | 7.94  | 6.59  | 1.875
1974  | 2,442,600  | 36,200  | 19,400  | 16,800  | 14.82  | 7.94  | 6.88  | 1.769
1975  | 2,499,600  | 36,100  | 19,100  | 17,000  | 14.44  | 7.64  | 6.80  | 1.756
1976  | 2,533,900  | 36,200  | 18,200  | 18,000  | 14.29  | 7.18  | 7.10  | 1.690
1977  | 2,570,300  | 36,700  | 18,900  | 17,800  | 14.28  | 7.35  | 6.93  | 1.649
1978  | 2,615,200  | 38,000  | 19,100  | 18,900  | 14.53  | 7.30  | 7.23  | 1.630
1979  | 2,665,200  | 38,900  | 19,200  | 19,700  | 14.60  | 7.21  | 7.39  | 1.637
1980  | 2,745,900  | 40,900  | 19,700  | 21,200  | 14.89  | 7.17  | 7.72  | 1.615
1981  | 2,826,600  | 42,700  | 20,200  | 22,500  | 15.10  | 7.14  | 7.96  | 1.619
1982  | 2,876,500  | 42,400  | 20,300  | 22,100  | 14.74  | 7.06  | 7.68  | 1.664
1983  | 2,907,500  | 43,700  | 20,400  | 23,300  | 15.03  | 7.02  | 8.02  | 1.631
1984  | 2,947,200  | 43,500  | 20,800  | 22,700  | 14.76  | 7.06  | 7.71  | 1.661
1985  | 2,975,100  | 42,400  | 21,400  | 21,000  | 14.25  | 7.19  | 7.06  | 1.675
1986  | 3,003,600  | 42,200  | 21,300  | 20,900  | 14.05  | 7.09  | 6.96  | 1.623
1987  | 3,048,700  | 41,900  | 22,700  | 19,200  | 13.75  | 7.44  | 6.30  | 1.609
1988  | 3,114,800  | 43,600  | 22,600  | 21,000  | 13.99  | 7.26  | 6.74  | 1.659
1989  | 3,196,700  | 45,200  | 23,300  | 21,900  | 14.13  | 7.29  | 6.85  | 1.696
1990  | 3,292,100  | 45,100  | 23,700  | 21,300  | 13.70  | 7.20  | 6.48  | 1.663
1991  | 3,373,800  | 46,100  | 24,300  | 21,800  | 13.66  | 7.21  | 6.46  | 1.696
1992  | 3,468,800  | 46,000  | 25,600  | 20,300  | 13.26  | 7.38  | 5.86  | 1.663
1993  | 3,567,800  | 46,400  | 25,500  | 20,900  | 13.01  | 7.15  | 5.86  | 1.651
1994  | 3,676,100  | 47,000  | 26,300  | 20,700  | 12.78  | 7.15  | 5.63  | 1.645
1995  | 3,777,400  | 46,900  | 27,000  | 19,900  | 12.42  | 7.15  | 5.27  | 1.619
1996  | 3,874,300  | 45,300  | 27,600  | 17,700  | 11.69  | 7.12  | 4.57  | 1.529
1997  | 3,948,600  | 43,600  | 27,900  | 15,700  | 11.04  | 7.07  | 3.98  | 1.461
1998  | 3,983,100  | 42,600  | 27,800  | 14,800  | 10.70  | 6.98  | 3.72  | 1.441
1999  | 4,011,400  | 41,600  | 27,700  | 13,900  | 10.37  | 6.90  | 3.47  | 1.418
2000  | 4,039,200  | 40,400  | 27,900  | 12,500  | 10.00  | 6.91  | 3.09  | 1.388
2001  | 4,076,900  | 39,900  | 28,800  | 11,200  | 9.79  | 7.06  | 2.75  | 1.376
2002  | 4,100,500  | 40,500  | 28,700  | 11,800  | 9.87  | 7.00  | 2.88  | 1.412
2003  | 4,124,400  | 40,200  | 29,900  | 10,300  | 9.75  | 7.25  | 2.50  | 1.415
2004  | 4,155,600  | 40,700  | 30,400  | 10,300  | 9.80  | 7.31  | 2.48  | 1.436
2005  | 4,196,100  | 41,200  | 30,400  | 10,800  | 9.82  | 7.25  | 2.57  | 1.455
2006  | 4,241,800  | 42,400  | 31,000  | 11,400  | 10.00  | 7.31  | 2.69  | 1.490
2007  | 4,291,000  | 44,100  | 32,000  | 12,100  | 10.28  | 7.46  | 2.82  | 1.537
2008  | 4,349,300  | 44,700  | 31,400  | 13,300  | 10.28  | 7.22  | 3.06  | 1.531
2009  | 4,410,500  | 44,600  | 31,400  | 13,200  | 10.11  | 7.12  | 2.99  | 1.500
2010  | 4,465,600  | 43,900  | 31,700  | 12,200  | 9.83  | 7.10  | 2.73  | 1.451
2011  | 4,503,800  | 43,800  | 32,300  | 11,500  | 9.72  | 7.17  | 2.55  | 1.434
2012  | 4,570,900  | 44,200  | 32,900  | 11,300  | 9.67  | 7.20  | 2.47  | 1.428
2013  | 4,634,900  | 43,900  | 33,200  | 10,700  | 9.48  | 7.17  | 2.31  | 1.399
2014  | 4,712,700  | 44,500  | 34,800  | 9,600  | 9.44  | 7.38  | 2.04  | 1.393
2015  | 4,765,500  | 44,700  | 35,600  | 9,100  | 9.38  | 7.47  | 1.91  | 1.394
2016  | 4,861,300  | 45,000  | 38,400  | 6,600  | 9.26  | 7.90  | 1.36  | 1.369
2017  | 4,934,200  | 44,300  | 38,100  | 6,200  | 8.98  | 7.72  | 1.26  | 1.318
2018  | 5,021,000  | 43,400  | 38,600  | 4,900  | 8.64  | 7.69  | 0.95  | 1.256
2019  | 5,111,000  | 43,100  | 39,200  | 3,900  | 8.43  | 7.67  | 0.76  | 1.209
2020  | 5,176,100  | 42,900  | 42,800  | 100  | 8.29  | 8.27  | 0.02  | 1.175
2021  | 5,226,700  | 43,000  | 45,600  | −2,700  | 8.22  | 8.72  | −0.52  | 1.153
2022  | 5,356,300  | 41,000  | 45,100  | −4,100  | 7.65  | 8.42  | −0.77  | 1.058
2023  | 5,519,000  | 41,800  | 43,100  | −1,300  | 7.57  | 7.81  | −0.24  | 1.040
2024  | 5,682,100  | 43,000  | 43,200  | −200  | 7.57  | 7.60  | −0.04  | 1.052
British Columbia total fertility rate projections[1] | Total population  | Total fertility rate

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2026  | 5,812,800  | 1.076
2027  | 5,901,600  | 1.082
2028  | 5,997,300  | 1.086
2029  | 6,093,500  | 1.088
2030  | 6,189,400  | 1.088
2031  | 6,284,800  | 1.085
2032  | 6,379,700  | 1.082
2033  | 6,473,900  | 1.077
2034  | 6,567,600  | 1.071
2035  | 6,660,500  | 1.065
2036  | 6,752,800  | 1.057
2037  | 6,844,200  | 1.049
2038  | 6,934,700  | 1.041
2039  | 7,024,200  | 1.031
2040  | 7,112,500  | 1.022
2041  | 7,199,400  | 1.012
2042  | 7,284,800  | 1.002
2043  | 7,368,900  | 0.991
2044  | 7,451,500  | 0.981
2045  | 7,532,800  | 0.970
2046  | 7,612,800  | 0.959

## Age structure

[edit]

| Males  | Females

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Age group  | Number  | Percent  | Number  | Percent
0–4  | 111,015  | 2.22%  | 105,805  | 2.12%
5–9  | 125,810  | 2.52%  | 118,485  | 2.37%
10–14  | 132,425  | 2.65%  | 123,365  | 2.47%
15–19  | 131,245  | 2.62%  | 122,445  | 2.45%
20–24  | 151,505  | 3.03%  | 143,145  | 2.86%
25–29  | 170,500  | 3.41%  | 166,585  | 3.33%
30–34  | 178,925  | 3.58%  | 179,660  | 3.59%
35–39  | 175,175  | 3.5%  | 178,175  | 3.56%
40–44  | 156,480  | 3.13%  | 163,260  | 3.26%
45–49  | 149,520  | 2.99%  | 160,515  | 3.21%
50–54  | 158,540  | 3.17%  | 170,460  | 3.41%
55–59  | 172,520  | 3.45%  | 183,825  | 3.68%
60–64  | 170,210  | 3.40%  | 184,920  | 3.7%
65–69  | 152,705  | 3.05%  | 166,700  | 3.33%
70–74  | 130,370  | 2.61%  | 141,995  | 2.84%
75–79  | 86,060  | 1.72%  | 95,015  | 1.9%
80–84  | 55,285  | 1.11%  | 65,780  | 1.32%
85-89  | 32,315  | 0.65%  | 42,005  | 0.84%
90-94  | 13,715  | 0.27%  | 23,120  | 0.46%
95-99  | 2,865  | 0.06%  | 6,925  | 0.14%
100+  | 330  | <0.01%  | 1,185  | 0.02%
Totals | 2,457,515 |  49.14% | 2,543,365 | 50.86%
Source: 2021 Census of Population[2]

## Population history

[edit]

This graph was using the legacy Graph extension, which is no longer supported. It needs to be converted to the new Chart extension.

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Year  | Population  | Five year
% change  | Ten year
% change  | Rank among
provinces

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1851 | 55,000 | n/a | n/a | n/a
1861 | 51,524 | n/a | −6.3 | n/a
1871 | 36,247 | n/a | −29.7 | 7
1881 | 49,459 | n/a | 36.4 | 8
1891 | 98,173 | n/a | 98.5 | 8
1901 | 178,657 | n/a | 82.0 | 6
1911 | 392,480 | n/a | 119.7 | 6
1921 | 524,582 | n/a | 33.7 | 6
1931 | 694,263 | n/a | 32.3 | 6
1941 | 817,861 | n/a | 17.8 | 4
1951 | 1,165,210 | n/a | 42.5 | 3
1956 | 1,398,464 | 20.0 | n/a | 3
1961 | 1,629,082 | 16.5 | 39.8 | 3
1966 | 1,873,674 | 15.0 | 34.0 | 3
1971 | 2,184,620 | 16.6 | 34.1 | 3
1976 | 2,466,610 | 12.9 | 31.6 | 3
1981 | 2,744,467 | 11.3 | 25.6 | 3
1986 | 2,883,370 | 5.1 | 16.9 | 3
1991 | 3,282,061 | 13.8 | 19.6 | 3
1996 | 3,724,500 | 13.5 | 29.2 | 3
2001 | 3,907,738 | 4.9 | 19.1 | 3
2006 | 4,113,487 | 5.4 | 10.4 | 3
2011 | 4,400,057 | 7.0 | 12.6 | 3
2016 | 4,648,055 | 5.6 | 13.0 | 3
2021 | 5,000,879 | 7.6 | 13.7 | 3

Source: Statistics Canada[3]

## Ethnic origins

[edit]

Part of a series on

Ethnicity in British Columbia

* Chinese
* French
* Germans

* Indians/South Asians
* Japanese

* * *

* v
* t
* e

First-generation immigrants from the British Isles remain a strong component of local society despite the end of special immigration status for British subjects in the 1960s. Also present in large numbers relative to other Canadian cities (except Toronto) is a diverse background of European ethnicities, with many first- and second-generation immigrants, notably Germans, Ukrainians, Scandinavians, Yugoslavs and Italians. Third-generation Europeans are generally of mixed lineage, traditionally intermarrying with other ethnic groups more than in any other Canadian province.

In recent decades, the proportion of people with Chinese and Indian ethnicity has risen sharply, specifically in the Lower Mainland. This has led to an extremely diverse population compared to many other provinces, especially the neighbouring prairie provinces.

Note: The following statistics represent both single (e.g., "German") and multiple (e.g., "part Chinese, part English") responses to the 2006 and 2016 Census, and thus add up to more than 100%.

Ethnic groups in British Columbia (2006–2016)  Ethnic group  | 2016[4] | 2006[5]

|
|

Pop. | % | Pop. | %
English | 1,203,540  | 26.39%  | 1,207,245  | 29.63%
Canadian | 866,530  | 19%  | 720,200  | 17.67%
Scottish | 860,775  | 18.88%  | 828,145  | 20.32%
Irish | 675,135  | 14.80%  | 618,120  | 15.17%
German | 603,265  | 13.23%  | 561,570  | 13.78%
Chinese | 540,155  | 11.84%  | 432,435  | 10.60%
French | 388,815  | 8.53%  | 361,215  | 8.86%
Indian | 309,315  | 6.78%  | 232,370  | 5.70%
Ukrainian | 229,205  | 5.03%  | 197,265  | 4.84%
Indigenous peoples of North America | 220,245  | 4.83%  | 193,060  | 4.74%
Dutch (Netherlands) | 213,670  | 4.69%  | 196,420  | 4.82%
Italian | 166,095  | 3.64%  | 143,155  | 3.51%
Polish | 149,635  | 3.28%  | 128,360  | 3.15%
Norwegian | 138,430  | 3.04%  | 129,420  | 3.18%
Russian | 131,060  | 2.87%  | 114,105  | 2.80%
Welsh | 113,905  | 2.5%  | 104,275  | 2.56%
Swedish | 110,030  | 2.41%  | 104,025  | 2.55%
Filipino | 158,215  | 3.47%  | 94,255  | 2.3%
Métis | 90,515  | 1.98%  | 62,570  | 1.5%
American (USA) | 78,170  | 1.71%  | 66,765  | 1.6%
Spanish | 64,470  | 1.41%  | 52,640  | 1.3%
Korean | 63,300  | 1.39%  | 51,860  | 1.3%
Danish | 58,205  | 1.28%  | 56,125  | 1.4%
Hungarian (Magyar) | 56,535  | 1.24%  | 49,870  | 1.2%
Japanese | 51,150  | 1.12%  | 41,585  | 1.0%
Austrian | 48,510  | 1.06%  | 46,620  | 1.1%
Iranian | 47,985  | 1.05%  | 29,265  | 0.7%
Portuguese | 41,770  | 0.92%  | 34,660  | 0.9%
Vietnamese | 41,435  | 0.91%  | 30,835  | 0.8%
Punjabi | 38,725  | 0.85%  | 18,525  | 0.5%
Finnish | 34,150  | 0.75%  | 29,875  | 0.7%
Swiss | 31,390  | 0.69%  | 28,240  | 0.7%
Romanian | 31,250  | 0.69%  | 25,670  | 0.6%
Icelandic | 26,410  | 0.58%  | 22,110  | 0.5%
Greek | 24,460  | 0.54%  | 21,770  | 0.5%
Croatian | 23,845  | 0.52%  | 18,815  | 0.5%
Czech | 23,375  | 0.51%  | 21,150  | 0.5%
Belgian | 19,980  | 0.44%  | 17,510  | 0.4%
Jewish | 17,580  | 0.39%  | 30,830  | 0.8%

### Projections

[edit]

Pan−ethnic origin projections (2031–2041)  | 2031[6][7] | 2036[6][7] | 2041[6][7]

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Population  | %  | Population  | %  | Population  | %

European[8]
| 3,145,000  | 51.46%  | 3,112,000  | 48.23%  | 3,060,000  | 45.37%

East Asian
| 977,000  | 15.99%  | 1,072,000  | 16.61%  | 1,160,000  | 17.2%

Chinese
| 789,000 |  12.91%  | 861,000 |  13.34%  | 927,000 |  13.75%

Korean
| 125,000 |  2.05%  | 143,000 |  2.22%  | 161,000 |  2.39%

Japanese
| 63,000 |  1.03%  | 68,000 |  1.05%  | 72,000 |  1.07%

South Asian
| 748,000  | 12.24%  | 860,000  | 13.33%  | 958,000  | 14.21%

Indigenous
| 399,000  | 6.53%  | 429,000  | 6.65%  | 456,000  | 6.76%

First Nations
| 246,000 |  4.03%  | 262,000 |  4.06%  | 278,000 |  4.12%

Metis
| 142,000 |  2.32%  | 155,000 |  2.4%  | 166,000 |  2.46%

Inuit
| 2,000 |  0.03%  | 2,000 |  0.03%  | 3,000 |  0.04%

Other
Indigenous
| 9,000 |  0.15%  | 10,000 |  0.15%  | 10,000 |  0.15%

Southeast Asian
| 366,000  | 5.99%  | 421,000  | 6.52%  | 475,000  | 7.04%

Filipino
| 277,000 |  4.53%  | 323,000 |  5.01%  | 369,000 |  5.47%

Other
Southeast Asian
| 89,000 |  1.46%  | 98,000 |  1.52%  | 106,000 |  1.57%

Middle Eastern
| 169,000  | 2.77%  | 199,000  | 3.08%  | 227,000  | 3.37%

Arab
| 55,000 |  0.9%  | 65,000 |  1.01%  | 74,000 |  1.1%

West Asian
| 114,000 |  1.87%  | 134,000 |  2.08%  | 153,000 |  2.27%

Latin American
| 108,000  | 1.77%  | 124,000  | 1.92%  | 139,000  | 2.06%

African
| 101,000  | 1.65%  | 118,000  | 1.83%  | 134,000  | 1.99%

Other
| 99,000  | 1.62%  | 117,000  | 1.81%  | 135,000  | 2%
Projected British Columbia population | 6,111,000 | 100% | 6,453,000 | 100% | 6,744,000 | 100%

### Indo-Canadians

[edit]

Main article: Indo-Canadians in British Columbia

## Visible minorities and Indigenous peoples

[edit]

Note: Statistics Canada defines visible minorities as defined in the Employment Equity Act which defines visible minorities as "persons, other than Aboriginal peoples, who are non-Caucasian in race or non-white in colour".

Population of British Columbia by visible minority and indigenous identity (2021):[9]

1. European Canadian (59.7%)
2. Visible minority (34.4%)
3. Indigenous (5.90%)

Largest panethnic groups in British Columbia by percentage of total population by census division, 2021 census Visible minority and Indigenous population (2021 Canadian census)[10]

Population group | Population | %
European[a] | 2,936,245 | 59.7%
Visible minority group
| South Asian | 473,965 | 9.6%
Chinese | 550,590 | 11.2%
Black | 61,760 | 1.3%
Filipino | 174,280 | 3.5%
Arab | 28,010 | 0.6%
Latin American | 65,970 | 1.3%
Southeast Asian | 71,785 | 1.5%
West Asian | 69,270 | 1.4%
Korean | 72,815 | 1.5%
Japanese | 44,120 | 0.9%
Visible minority, n.i.e. | 18,080 | 0.4%
Multiple visible minorities | 58,840 | 1.2%
Total visible minority population | 1,689,490 | 34.4%
Indigenous group
| First Nations (North American Indian) | 180,085 | 3.7%
Métis | 97,860 | 2.0%
Inuk (Inuit) | 1,720 | 0.0%
Multiple Indigenous responses | 5,980 | 0.1%
Indigenous responses n.i.e. | 4,560 | 0.1%
Total Indigenous population | 290,210 | 5.9%
Total population | 4,915,945 | 100.0%

## Languages

[edit]

### Knowledge of languages

[edit]

Knowledge of official languages of Canada in British Columbia (2016)

Language |  | Percent
English only |

| 89.77%
French only |

| 0.04%
English and French |

| 6.85%
Neither English nor French |

| 3.35%

The question on knowledge of languages allows for multiple responses. The following figures are from the 2021 Canadian Census and the 2016 Canadian Census, and lists languages that were selected by at least one per cent of respondents.

Knowledge of languages in British Columbia  Language  | 2021[11] | 2016

|
|

Pop. | % | Pop.  | %
English | 4,753,280  | 96.69%  | 4,560,235  | 96.60%
French | 327,350  | 6.66%  | 314,225  | 6.89%
Punjabi | 315,000  | 6.41%  | 244,485  | 5.36%
Mandarin | 312,625  | 6.36%  | 265,635  | 5.83%
Cantonese | 246,045  | 5.01%  | 234,445  | 5.14%
Spanish | 143,900  | 2.93%  | 115,115  | 2.52%
Hindi | 134,950  | 2.75%  | 81,330  | 1.78%
Tagalog | 133,780  | 2.72%  | 113,265  | 2.48%
German | 84,325  | 1.72%  | 95,005  | 2.08%
Korean | 69,935  | 1.42%  | 57,490  | 1.26%
Iranian Persian[b] | 61,525  | 1.25%  | 49,835  | 1.09%

### Mother tongue

[edit]

Figures shown are for the number of single language responses and the percentage of total single-language responses. Numerous other languages were also counted, but only languages with more than 2,000 native speakers are shown.

Language  | 2016 Census  | %  | 2006 Census  | %

|
|
|
|

English | 3,170,110 | 70.5% | 2,875,770 | 71.5%
Punjabi | 198,805 | 4.4% | 158,750 | 3.9%
Cantonese | 193,530 | 4.3% | 131,245 | 3.3%
Mandarin | 186,325 | 4.1% | 72,160 | 1.8%
Tagalog (Filipino) | 78,770 | 1.8% | 50,425 | 1.3%
German | 66,885 | 1.5% | 86,690 | 2.2%
French | 55,325 | 1.2% | 54,745 | 1.4%
Korean | 52,160 | 1.2% | 46,500 | 1.2%
Spanish | 47,010 | 1.0% | 34,075 | 0.9%
Persian | 43,470 | 1.0% | 28,150 | 0.7%
Vietnamese | 27,150 | 0.6% | 24,560 | 0.7%
Hindi | 26,720 | 0.6% | 23,240 | 0.6%
Russian | 25,955 | 0.6% | 19,320 | 0.5%
Italian | 22,680 | 0.5% | 27,020 | 0.7%
Japanese | 21,350 | 0.5% | 20,040 | 0.5%
Dutch | 21,020 | 0.5% | 26,355 | 0.7%
Arabic | 17,480 | 0.4% | 8,440 | 0.2%
Portuguese | 17,450 | 0.4% | 14,385 | 0.4%
Polish | 16,910 | 0.4% | 17,565 | 0.4%
Chinese, n.o.s. | 10,050 | 0.2% | 132,755 | 3.2%
Urdu | 9,885 | 0.2% | 7,025 | 0.2%
Hungarian | 9,025 | 0.2% | 10,670 | 0.3%
Romanian | 8,730 | 0.2% | 6,335 | 0.2%
Ukrainian | 8,630 | 0.2% | 12,285 | 0.3%
Croatian | 7,475 | 0.2% | 8,505 | 0.2%
Serbian | 7,045 | 0.2% | 6,180 | 0.2%
Gujarati | 6,895 | 0.2% | 6,565 | 0.2%
Greek | 6,115 | 0.1% | 6,620 | 0.2%
Czech | 5,920 | 0.1% | 6,000 | 0.1%
Ilocano | 5,240 | 0.1% | 3,100 | 0.1%
Danish | 4,665 | 0.1% | 6,720 | 0.2%
Malay | 3,895 | 0.1% | 3,100 | 0.1%
Finnish | 3,760 | 0.1% | 4,770 | 0.1%
Tamil | 3,615 | 0.1% | 3,200 | 0.1%
Slovak | 3,400 | 0.1% | 3,490 | 0.1%
Turkish | 3,145 | 0.1% | 2,255 | 0.1%
Swedish | 2,520 | 0.1% | 2,875 | 0.1%
Athabaskan languages | 2,310 | 0.1% | 3,500 | 0.1%
Salish languages | 2,270 | 0.1% | 3,190 | 0.1%
Norwegian | 2,005 | 0.1% | 3,275 | 0.1%
Source: Statistics Canada 2006 & 2016 Census[12][13]

## Religion

[edit]

Religion in British Columbia (2021)[14]

1. Irreligious (52.2%)
2. Christian (34.4%)
3. Sikh (5.90%)
4. Muslim (2.60%)
5. Buddhist (1.70%)
6. Hindu (1.70%)
7. Jewish (0.50%)
8. Other (1.00%)

The largest denominations by number of adherents according to the 2021 census were Irreligion (atheist, agnostic, and so on.) with 2,559,250 (52.2%); Christianity with 1,684,870 (34.4%); Sikhism with 290,870 (5.9%); Islam with 125,915 (2.6%); Buddhism with 83,860 (1.7%); and Hinduism with 81,320 (1.7%).

Religious groups in British Columbia (1981–2021)  Religious group  | 2021[15] | 2011[16] | 2001[17] | 1991[18] | 1981[19]

|
|
|
|
|

Pop. | % | Pop. | % | Pop. | % | Pop. | % | Pop. | %
Irreligion | 2,559,250  | 52.06%  | 1,908,285  | 44.13%  | 1,388,300  | 35.88%  | 987,990  | 30.42%  | 568,170  | 20.94%
Christianity | 1,684,870  | 34.27%  | 1,930,415  | 44.64%  | 2,124,605  | 54.92%  | 2,073,095  | 63.84%  | 2,048,000  | 75.47%
Sikhism | 290,870  | 5.92%  | 201,110  | 4.65%  | 135,310  | 3.5%  | 74,545  | 2.3%  | 40,940  | 1.51%
Islam | 125,915  | 2.56%  | 79,310  | 1.83%  | 56,220  | 1.45%  | 24,925  | 0.77%  | 12,715  | 0.47%
Buddhism | 83,860  | 1.71%  | 90,620  | 2.1%  | 85,540  | 2.21%  | 36,430  | 1.12%  | 11,190  | 0.41%
Hinduism | 81,320  | 1.65%  | 45,795  | 1.06%  | 31,495  | 0.81%  | 18,140  | 0.56%  | 8,980  | 0.33%
Judaism | 26,850  | 0.55%  | 23,130  | 0.53%  | 21,230  | 0.55%  | 16,565  | 0.51%  | 14,685  | 0.54%
Indigenous spirituality | 11,570  | 0.24%  | 10,295  | 0.24%  | —  | —  | —  | —  | —  | —
Other | 51,440  | 1.05%  | 35,500  | 0.82%  | 26,180  | 0.68%  | 15,825  | 0.49%  | 5,940  | 0.22%
Total responses  | 4,915,945  | 98.3%  | 4,324,455  | 98.28%  | 3,868,875  | 99.01%  | 3,247,505  | 98.95%  | 2,713,615  | 98.88%
Total population  | 5,000,879  | 100%  | 4,400,057  | 100%  | 3,907,738  | 100%  | 3,282,061  | 100%  | 2,744,467  | 100%

## Migration

[edit]

### Immigration

[edit]

British Columbia immigration[20]: 239 [21]: 108 Year  | Immigrant percentage  | Immigrant population  | Total population

|
|
|

1881  | 27.8%  | 13,751  | 49,459
1891  | 42%  | 41,210  | 98,173
1901  | 44.2%  | 79,045  | 178,657
1911  | 59.4%  | 233,158  | 392,480
1921  | 49.7%  | 260,536  | 524,582
1931  | 46%  | 319,529  | 694,263
1941  | 37.3%  | 304,729  | 817,861
1951  | 29.1%  | 339,197  | 1,165,210
1961  | 26%  | 423,132  | 1,629,082
1971  | 22.7%  | 496,660  | 2,184,620

The 2021 census reported that immigrants (individuals born outside Canada) comprise 1,425,715 persons or 29.0 percent of the total population of British Columbia.[2]

Immigrants in British Columbia by country of birth  Country of birth  | 2021[22][2] | 2016[23] | 2011[24][25] | 2006[26][27] | 2001[28][29] | 1921[30]: 314–315

|
|
|
|
|
|

Pop. | % | Pop. | % | Pop. | % | Pop. | % | Pop. | % | Pop. | %
China  | 217,975  | 15.3%  | 199,990  | 15.5%  | 167,530  | 14.1%  | 145,315  | 13%  | 107,450  | 10.6%  | 21,523  | 8.3%
India  | 197,115  | 13.8%  | 162,645  | 12.6%  | 143,340  | 12%  | 119,265  | 10.7%  | 92,430  | 9.2%  | 1,841  | 0.7%
Philippines  | 131,645  | 9.2%  | 112,100  | 8.7%  | 96,560  | 8.1%  | 69,200  | 6.2%  | 51,130  | 5.1%  | —  | —
United Kingdom  | 116,530  | 8.2%  | 123,810  | 9.6%  | 130,730  | 11%  | 137,460  | 12.3%  | 141,370  | 14%  | 142,968  | 54.9%
Hong Kong  | 78,855  | 5.5%  | 74,210  | 5.7%  | 74,635  | 6.3%  | 78,060  | 7%  | 88,720  | 8.8%  | —  | —
United States  | 59,920  | 4.2%  | 57,780  | 4.5%  | 57,975  | 4.9%  | 56,560  | 5.1%  | 54,410  | 5.4%  | 34,926  | 13.4%
South Korea  | 47,520  | 3.3%  | 41,515  | 3.2%  | 37,730  | 3.2%  | 34,395  | 3.1%  | 22,635  | 2.2%  | —  | —
Iran  | 45,975  | 3.2%  | 37,160  | 2.9%  | 30,050  | 2.5%  | 22,755  | 2%  | 18,450  | 1.8%  | —  | —
Taiwan  | 40,445  | 2.8%  | 38,900  | 3%  | 42,045  | 3.5%  | 42,195  | 3.8%  | 44,940  | 4.5%  | —  | —
Vietnam  | 32,390  | 2.3%  | 27,875  | 2.2%  | 25,845  | 2.2%  | 26,375  | 2.4%  | 25,675  | 2.5%  | —  | —
Germany  | 30,910  | 2.2%  | 35,050  | 2.7%  | 35,100  | 2.9%  | 40,695  | 3.6%  | 41,260  | 4.1%  | 2,952[c] | 1.1%
Netherlands  | 16,070  | 1.1%  | 18,225  | 1.4%  | 20,645  | 1.7%  | 23,130  | 2.1%  | 24,055  | 2.4%  | 515  | 0.2%
South Africa  | 15,380  | 1.1%  | 13,380  | 1%  | 12,815  | 1.1%  | 12,090  | 1.1%  | 11,015  | 1.1%  | 573  | 0.2%
Japan  | 14,940  | 1%  | 13,360  | 1%  | 12,355  | 1%  | 10,945  | 1%  | 9,090  | 0.9%  | 10,934  | 4.2%
Poland  | 14,305  | 1%  | 15,115  | 1.2%  | 14,620  | 1.2%  | 16,165  | 1.4%  | 17,090  | 1.7%  | 874  | 0.3%
Italy  | 13,410  | 0.9%  | 15,405  | 1.2%  | 15,980  | 1.3%  | 19,215  | 1.7%  | 20,200  | 2%  | 4,847  | 1.9%
Mexico  | 13,385  | 0.9%  | 10,375  | 0.8%  | 8,775  | 0.7%  | 6,385  | 0.6%  | 5,135  | 0.5%  | —  | —
Pakistan  | 13,345  | 0.9%  | 10,665  | 0.8%  | 8,570  | 0.7%  | 8,195  | 0.7%  | 5,475  | 0.5%  | —  | —
Russia  | 12,170  | 0.9%  | 10,915  | 0.8%  | 8,795  | 0.7%  | 8,375  | 0.7%  | 6,285  | 0.6%  | 4,354  | 1.7%
Ukraine  | 9,450  | 0.7%  | 7,505  | 0.6%  | 7,060  | 0.6%  | 6,565  | 0.6%  | 5,605  | 0.6%  | 6,157[d] | 2.4%
Romania  | 9,370  | 0.7%  | 9,000  | 0.7%  | 8,005  | 0.7%  | 7,360  | 0.7%  | 6,135  | 0.6%  | 306  | 0.1%
Malaysia  | 8,845  | 0.6%  | 8,435  | 0.7%  | 8,310  | 0.7%  | 8,290  | 0.7%  | 7,695  | 0.8%  | —  | —
Brazil  | 8,765  | 0.6%  | 3,800  | 0.3%  | 2,875  | 0.2%  | 2,055  | 0.2%  | 1,640  | 0.2%  | —  | —
Portugal  | 7,785  | 0.5%  | 8,215  | 0.6%  | 8,135  | 0.7%  | 9,365  | 0.8%  | 9,980  | 1%  | —  | —
Ireland  | 7,360  | 0.5%  | 5,885  | 0.5%  | 5,175  | 0.4%  | 4,195  | 0.4%  | 4,715  | 0.5%  | 10,823  | 4.2%
France  | 7,025  | 0.5%  | 5,705  | 0.4%  | 5,340  | 0.4%  | 4,760  | 0.4%  | 4,445  | 0.4%  | 1,389  | 0.5%
Iraq  | 7,000  | 0.5%  | 5,550  | 0.4%  | 3,430  | 0.3%  | 2,230  | 0.2%  | 1,540  | 0.2%  | —  | —
Syria  | 6,540  | 0.5%  | 2,845  | 0.2%  | 725  | 0.1%  | 585  | 0.1%  | 385  | 0%  | 107[e] | 0%
Afghanistan  | 6,250  | 0.4%  | 5,040  | 0.4%  | 3,520  | 0.3%  | 3,615  | 0.3%  | 2,275  | 0.2%  | —  | —
El Salvador  | 5,775  | 0.4%  | 5,425  | 0.4%  | 5,635  | 0.5%  | 4,990  | 0.4%  | 5,100  | 0.5%  | —  | —
Total immigrants  | 1,425,715  | 29%  | 1,292,675  | 28.3%  | 1,191,875  | 27.6%  | 1,119,215  | 27.5%  | 1,009,815  | 26.1%  | 260,536  | 49.7%
Total responses  | 4,915,945  | 98.3%  | 4,560,240  | 98.1%  | 4,324,455  | 98.3%  | 4,074,385  | 99%  | 3,868,875  | 99%  | 524,582  | 100%
Total population  | 5,000,879  | 100%  | 4,648,055  | 100%  | 4,400,057  | 100%  | 4,113,487  | 100%  | 3,907,738  | 100%  | 524,582  | 100%

### Recent immigration

[edit]

A large number of immigrants have lived in British Columbia for 30 years or less.[4]

The 2021 Canadian census counted a total of 197,420 people who immigrated to British Columbia between 2016 and 2021.[2]

Recent immigrants to British Columbia by country of birth (2016 to 2021)[2]

Country of birth  | Population  | % recent immigrants
India  | 39,390  | 20%
China  | 31,445  | 15.9%
Philippines  | 21,225  | 10.8%
United States  | 8,760  | 4.4%
United Kingdom  | 7,670  | 3.9%
South Korea  | 7,225  | 3.7%
Iran  | 5,850  | 3%
Brazil  | 5,125  | 2.6%
Syria  | 4,955  | 2.5%
Australia  | 3,280  | 1.7%
Total | 197,420 | 100%

### Interprovincial migration

[edit]

Number of Years each Provinces and Territories had with positive interprovincial immigration since 1971

Main article: Interprovincial migration in Canada

British Columbia has also traditionally been gaining from interprovincial migration. Over the last 50 years, British Columbia had 12 years of negative interprovincial immigration: the lowest in the country. The only time the province significantly lost population to this phenomenon was during the 1990s, when it had a negative interprovincial migration for 5 consecutive years.[31]

Interprovincial migration in British Columbia  | In-migrants  | Out-migrants  | Net migration

|
|
|

2009–2010  |  49,469  |  40,741  |  8,728
2010–2011  |  47,854  |  44,433  |  3,421
2011–2012  |  48,593  |  51,304  |  −2,711
2012–2013  |  43,830  |  45,698  |  −1,868
2013–2014  |  52,281  |  42,806  |  9,475
2014–2015  |  61,026  |  40,647  |  20,379
2015–2016  |  63,788  |  37,215  |  26,573
2016–2017  |  57,210  |  38,376  |  18,834
2017–2018  |  55,300  |  41,311  |  13,989
2018–2019  |  55,612  |  49,501  |  6,111
2019–2020  |  71,180  |  61,122  |  10,058

Source: Statistics Canada[32]

## See also

[edit]

Demographics of Canada's provinces and territories

* Demographics of Canada
* Population of Canada by province and territory
* Demographics of Vancouver
* Demographics of Abbotsford, British Columbia
* 2013 Quick Wins ethnic outreach scandal

## Notes

[edit]

1. ^ Statistic includes all persons that did not make up part of a visible minority or an Indigenous identity.
2. ^ Includes Persian not otherwise specified
3. ^ Including Austria
4. ^ Including Galicia
5. ^ Including Lebanon

## References

[edit]

1. ^ a b Services, Ministry of Citizens'. "Vital Statistics - Province of British Columbia". www2.gov.bc.ca. Retrieved 2025-05-08.
2. ^ a b c d e Government of Canada, Statistics Canada (2022-10-26). "Census Profile, 2021 Census of Population". www12.statcan.gc.ca. Retrieved 2022-12-04.
3. ^ Statistics Canada – Population
4. ^ a b "Census Profile, 2016 Census British Columbia [Province]". Retrieved 25 November 2018.
5. ^ "2006 Canadian Census". Statistics Canada. Archived from the original on January 1, 2013. Retrieved September 21, 2014.
6. ^ a b c Government of Canada, Statistics Canada (2022-09-08). "Projected population by racialized group, generation status and other selected characteristics (x 1,000)". www12.statcan.gc.ca. Retrieved 2022-10-01.
7. ^ a b c Government of Canada, Statistics Canada (2021-10-06). "Projected population by Indigenous identity, age group, sex, area of residence, provinces and territories, and projection scenario, Canada (x 1,000)". www12.statcan.gc.ca. Retrieved 2022-10-01.
8. ^ Statistic includes all persons that did not make up part of a visible minority or an aboriginal identity.
9. ^ Government of Canada, Statistics Canada (2022-10-26). "Census Profile, 2021 Census of Population". www12.statcan.gc.ca. Retrieved 2023-07-04.
10. ^ Government of Canada, Statistics Canada (2022-10-26). "Census Profile, 2021 Census of Population". www12.statcan.gc.ca. Retrieved 2023-07-04.
11. ^ Government of Canada, Statistics Canada (2022-08-17). "Census Profile, 2021 Census of Population Profile table British Columbia [Province]". www12.statcan.gc.ca. Retrieved 2022-08-17.
12. ^ "Detailed Mother Tongue (148), Single and Multiple Language Responses (3) and Sex (3) for the Population of Canada, Provinces, Territories, Census Metropolitan Areas and Census Agglomerations, 2006 Census – 20% Sample Data". Statistics Canada. 2007. Archived from the original on 2008-12-20. Retrieved 2019-03-30.
13. ^ "Census Profile, 2016 Census British Columbia [Province]". Statistics Canada. 2019.
14. ^ "Census Profile, 2021 Census of Population". Statistics Canada. October 26, 2022. Retrieved November 12, 2022.
15. ^ Government of Canada, Statistics Canada (2022-10-26). "Census Profile, 2021 Census of Population". www12.statcan.gc.ca. Retrieved 2023-04-14.
16. ^ Government of Canada, Statistics Canada (2015-11-27). "NHS Profile". www12.statcan.gc.ca. Retrieved 2023-04-14.
17. ^ Government of Canada, Statistics Canada (2019-07-02). "2001 Community Profiles". www12.statcan.gc.ca. Retrieved 2023-04-14.
18. ^ Government of Canada, Statistics Canada (2019-03-29). "Data tables, 1991 Census R9101 – Population by Religion (29), Showing Age Groups (13) Education (20% Data) – Canada, provinces and territories, census divisions and census subdivisions". www12.statcan.gc.ca. Retrieved 2023-04-14.
19. ^ Government of Canada, Statistics Canada (2013-04-03). "1981 Census of Canada 20 per cent data base : highlight information on ethnicity, place of birth, citizenship, income, language, immigration, religion, shelter costs". www12.statcan.gc.ca. Retrieved 2023-04-14.
20. ^ Government of Canada, Statistics Canada (2013-04-03). "Sixth census of Canada, 1921 . Vol. II: Ages, conjugal condition, birthplace, birthplace of parents, year of immigration and naturalization, language spoken, literacy, school attendance, blindness and deaf-mutism". www12.statcan.gc.ca. Retrieved 2023-01-10.
21. ^ Government of Canada, Statistics Canada (4 September 2022). "1971 Census of Canada : population : vol. I – part 3 = Recensement du Canada 1971 : population : vol. I – partie 3. Birthplace. TABLE 42. Population Bom Outside Canada, Showing Numerical and Percentage Distribution, for Canada and Provinces, 1921–1971". www12.statcan.gc.ca. Retrieved 2023-01-10.
22. ^ Government of Canada, Statistics Canada (2023-06-21). "Place of birth and period of immigration by gender and age: Province or territory". www12.statcan.gc.ca. Retrieved 2023-10-15.
23. ^ Government of Canada, Statistics Canada (2019-06-17). "Data tables, 2016 Census Immigrant Status and Period of Immigration (11), Place of Birth (272), Age (7A) and Sex (3) for the Population in Private Households of Canada, Provinces and Territories, Census Divisions and Census Subdivisions, 2016 Census – 25% Sample Data". www12.statcan.gc.ca. Retrieved 2023-03-04.
24. ^ Government of Canada, Statistics Canada (2019-01-23). "2011 National Household Survey: Data tables Profile – Immigration and Ethnocultural Diversity, and Aboriginal Peoples for Canada, Provinces, Territories, Census Divisions and Census Subdivisions, National Household Survey, 2011". www12.statcan.gc.ca. Retrieved 2023-03-04.
25. ^ Government of Canada, Statistics Canada (2019-01-23). "2011 National Household Survey: Data tables Citizenship (5), Place of Birth (236), Immigrant Status and Period of Immigration (11), Age Groups (10) and Sex (3) for the Population in Private Households of Canada, Provinces, Territories, Census Metropolitan Areas and Census Agglomerations, 2011 National Household Survey". www12.statcan.gc.ca. Retrieved 2023-11-11.
26. ^ Government of Canada, Statistics Canada (2009-03-23). "Place of birth for the immigrant population by period of immigration, 2006 counts and percentage distribution, for Canada, provinces and territories – 20% sample data". www12.statcan.gc.ca. Retrieved 2023-03-04.
27. ^ Government of Canada, Statistics Canada (2020-05-01). "2006 Census Topic-based tabulations Immigrant Status and Period of Immigration (8) and Place of Birth (261) for the Immigrants and Non-permanent Residents of Canada, Provinces, Territories, Census Metropolitan Areas and Census Agglomerations, 2006 Census – 20% Sample Data". www12.statcan.gc.ca. Retrieved 2023-03-04.
28. ^ Government of Canada, Statistics Canada (2013-12-23). "2001 Census Topic-based tabulations Immigrant Status and Period of Immigration (10A) and Place of Birth of Respondent (260) for Immigrants and Non-permanent Residents, for Canada, Provinces, Territories, Census Metropolitan Areas and Census Agglomerations, 2001 Census – 20% Sample Data". www12.statcan.gc.ca. Retrieved 2023-03-04.
29. ^ Government of Canada, Statistics Canada (2013-12-23). "2001 Census Topic-based tabulations Selected Places of Birth (85) for the Immigrant Population, for Canada, Provinces, Territories, Census Metropolitan Areas and Census Agglomerations, 1996 and 2001 Censuses – 20% Sample Data". www12.statcan.gc.ca. Retrieved 2023-03-04.
30. ^ Government of Canada, Statistics Canada (2013-04-03). "Sixth census of Canada, 1921 . v. 2. Population: age, conjugal condition, birthplace, immigration, citizenship, language, educational status, school attendance, blindness and deaf mutism". www12.statcan.gc.ca. Retrieved 2023-12-02.
31. ^ "Interprovincial Migration in Canada: Quebeckers Vote with Their Feet" (PDF). www.fraserinstitute.org. Retrieved 2018-12-26.
32. ^ Statistics Canada, table 051-0012: Interprovincial migrants, by age group and sex, Canada, provinces and territories, annual.

* v
* t
* e

Demographics of Canada (by province or territory)

Provinces|

* Alberta
* British Columbia
* Manitoba
* New Brunswick
* Newfoundland and Labrador
* Nova Scotia
* Ontario
* Prince Edward Island
* Quebec
* Saskatchewan

Territories|

* Northwest Territories
* Nunavut
* Yukon

* v
* t
* e

Ethnic origins of people in Canada

Canada|

* Indigenous
* First Nations
* by band
* Inuit
* Métis
* Canadian ethnicity
* French Canadians
* Acadians
* Québécois
* British
* English
* Scottish
* Welsh
* Newfoundlander
* Irish Canadians
* Black Loyalist

Africa|

| East Africa|

* Eritrean
* Ethiopian
* Somali
* South Sudanese

|

North Africa|

* Arab/Berber
* Algerian
* Egyptian
* Coptic
* Libyan
* Moroccan
* Sudanese
* Tunisian

Southern Africa|

* South African
* Zimbabwean

West Africa|

* Ghanaian
* Nigerian
* Igbo
* Yoruba

Americas|

| North America|

* American
* Guatemalan
* Mexican
* Salvadoran

|

Caribbean|

* Barbadian
* Cuban
* Dominican
* Guyanese
* Haitian
* Jamaican
* Puerto Rican
* Trinidadian and Tobagonian

South America|

* Argentine
* Brazilian
* Chilean
* Colombian
* Peruvian
* Uruguayan
* Venezuelan

Asia|

| Central Asia|

* Afghan
* Kazakh
* Tajik
* Tatar
* Uzbek

|

East Asia|

* Chinese
* Hong Kong
* Taiwan
* Japanese
* Korean
* Mongolian
* Tibetan

South Asia|

* Bangladeshi
* Indian
* Anglo-Indian
* Punjabi
* Tamil
* Nepali
* Pakistani
* Punjabi
* Romani
* Sri Lankan
* Tamil

Southeast Asia|

* Cambodian
* Filipino
* Indonesian
* Laotian
* Malaysian
* Singaporean
* Thai
* Vietnamese

West Asia|

* Arab
* Iraqi
* Jordanian
* Lebanese
* Palestinian
* Saudi
* Syrian
* Yemeni
* Armenian
* Assyrian
* Azerbaijani
* Georgian
* Iranian
* Jewish
* Israeli
* Kurdish
* Turkish

Europe|

| Central Europe|

* Austrian
* Czech
* German
* Hungarian
* Polish
* Slovak
* Slovenian
* Swiss

|

Eastern Europe|

* Belarusian
* Russian
* Ukrainian

Northern Europe|

* Nordic and Scandinavian
* Danish
* Finnish
* Icelandic
* Norwegian
* Swedish
* Estonian
* Latvian
* Lithuanian

Southeast Europe|

* Albanian
* Bosnian
* Bulgarian
* Croatian
* Greek
* Macedonian
* Montenegrin
* Romanian
* Serbian
* Yugoslav

Southern Europe|

* Italian
* Maltese
* Portuguese
* Spanish
* Basque

Western Europe|

* Belgian
* Flemish
* British
* Cornish
* English
* Scotch-Irish
* Scottish
* Welsh
* Dutch
* French
* Acadians
* Breton
* Québécois
* Irish
* Luxembourger

Oceania|

* Australian
* Hawaiian
* New Zealander

*[v]: View this template
*[t]: Discuss this template
*[e]: Edit this template
*[Pop.]: Population
*[%]: percentage
*[n.i.e.]: not included elsewhere