Middle Eastern Canadians

Canadians of Middle Eastern ancestry

Ethnic group

Middle Eastern Canadians

Population distribution of Middle Eastern Canadians by census division, 2021 census

Total population
1,690,015[1]
4.7% of the total Canadian population (2021)
Regions with significant populations
Southern Ontario, Southern Quebec, Southwestern BC, Central Alberta
Languages
Canadian English * Canadian French *
Arabic * Persian * Armenian * Turkish * Hebrew
Other Middle Eastern languages
Religion

* Islam (51.2%)
* Christianity (25.3%)
* Irreligion (18.5%)
* Judaism (3.1%)
* Others (1.9%)[2]

Related ethnic groups
Middle Eastern Americans * Arab Canadians * West Asian Canadians * Asian Canadians

Middle Eastern Canadians are Canadians who were either born in or can trace their ancestry to the Middle East (MENA region), which includes both West Asia and North Africa.

## History

[edit]

This section needs expansion. You can help by adding to it. (May 2021)

|

* Middle Eastern Canadian
* Population History

Year| Pop.| ±%

|
|

2011| 1,036,175| —
2016| 1,364,560| +31.7%
2021| 1,690,015| +23.9%

* Source: Statistics Canada
* [1][3][4]

### Initial settlement

[edit]

Individuals from the Middle East first arrived in Canada in 1882, when a group of Syrian-Lebanese[5] immigrants settled in Montreal.[6] These early Arab immigrants were mostly Christian and arrived primarily from the Levant (modern-day Lebanon, Syria, Palestine, and Jordan).[7][8][9]

In 1901, approximately 2,000 immigrants from Greater Syria, encompassing modern-day Syria, Lebanon, Jordan, and Palestine, settled in Canada.[10]

### 20th century

[edit]

During World War I, Middle Eastern Canadians of Turkish origin were placed in "enemy alien" internment camps.[11]

The Middle Eastern Canadian population grew rapidly during the latter half of the 20th century; the 1979 Iranian Revolution resulted in a spike of immigration to Canada from the West Asian country.[12]

### 21st century

[edit]

The Syrian refugee crisis during the 2010s fueled further growth to the already existing Syrian population; increased immigration from the West Asian country resulted in Syria becoming the third highest source country of immigration to Canada adding 35,000 Syrians becoming permanent residents in 2016.[13]

## Demography

[edit]

### Ethnic and national origins

[edit]

Middle Eastern Canadians Demography by Ethnic and National Origins (2011−2021)  Ethnic/National
Origins  | Origins
Region  | 2021[1] | 2016[3] | 2011[4]

|
|
|
|

Pop. | % | Pop. | % | Pop. | %
Arab, n.o.s. | West Asia  | 263,710  | 15.6%  | 111,405  | 8.16%  | 94,640  | 9.13%
Lebanese | West Asia  | 210,605  | 12.46%  | 219,555  | 16.09%  | 190,275  | 18.36%
Iranian | West Asia  | 200,465  | 11.86%  | 210,405  | 15.42%  | 163,290  | 15.76%
Egyptian | North Africa  | 105,245  | 6.23%  | 99,140  | 7.27%  | 73,250  | 7.07%
Moroccan | North Africa  | 99,980  | 5.92%  | 103,945  | 7.62%  | 71,910  | 6.94%
Syrian | West Asia  | 98,250  | 5.81%  | 77,045  | 5.65%  | 40,840  | 3.94%
Persian | West Asia  | 80,340  | 4.75%  | —  | —  | —  | —
Turkish | West Asia  | 76,745  | 4.54%  | 63,955  | 4.69%  | 55,430  | 5.35%
Algerian | North Africa  | 73,770  | 4.37%  | 67,335  | 4.93%  | 49,110  | 4.74%
Armenian | West Asia  | 68,850  | 4.07%  | 63,810  | 4.68%  | 55,740  | 5.38%
Iraqi | West Asia  | 59,300  | 3.51%  | 70,920  | 5.2%  | 49,680  | 4.79%
Palestinian | West Asia  | 45,905  | 2.72%  | 44,820  | 3.28%  | 31,245  | 3.02%
Berber | North Africa  | 41,700  | 2.47%  | 37,065  | 2.72%  | 25,885  | 2.5%
Israeli | West Asia  | 35,345  | 2.09%  | 28,735  | 2.11%  | 15,010  | 1.45%
Tunisian | North Africa  | 30,465  | 1.8%  | 25,650  | 1.88%  | 15,125  | 1.46%
Kurdish | West Asia  | 23,130  | 1.37%  | 16,315  | 1.2%  | 11,685  | 1.13%
Coptic | North Africa  | 22,570  | 1.34%  | 3,535  | 0.26%  | 3,570  | 0.34%
Kabyle | North Africa  | 20,565  | 1.22%  | —  | —  | —  | —
Assyrian | West Asia  | 19,685  | 1.16%  | 13,830  | 1.01%  | 10,810  | 1.04%
Sudanese | North Africa  | 17,485  | 1.03%  | 19,965  | 1.46%  | 16,595  | 1.6%
North African, n.o.s. | North Africa  | 16,315  | 0.97%  | —  | —  | —  | —
Jordanian | West Asia  | 13,225  | 0.78%  | 14,250  | 1.04%  | 9,425  | 0.91%
Chaldean | West Asia  | 12,115  | 0.72%  | —  | —  | —  | —
Azerbaijani | West Asia  | 9,915  | 0.59%  | 6,425  | 0.47%  | 4,580  | 0.44%
Yemeni | West Asia  | 8,115  | 0.48%  | 6,645  | 0.49%  | 3,945  | 0.38%
Libyan | North Africa  | 7,945  | 0.47%  | 7,740  | 0.57%  | 5,515  | 0.53%
West Asian origins, n.i.e. | West Asia  | 7,645  | 0.45%  | 25,280  | 1.85%  | 16,540  | 1.6%
Georgian | West Asia  | 5,850  | 0.35%  | 4,775  | 0.35%  | 3,155  | 0.3%
Cypriot | West Asia  | 4,830  | 0.29%  | 5,655  | 0.41%  | 4,815  | 0.46%
Saudi Arabian | West Asia  | 3,935  | 0.23%  | 6,810  | 0.5%  | 7,955  | 0.77%
Kuwaiti | West Asia  | 2,375  | 0.14%  | 2,240  | 0.16%  | 2,240  | 0.22%
Circassian | West Asia  | 1,390  | 0.08%  | —  | —  | —  | —
Yazidi | West Asia  | 1,140  | 0.07%  | —  | —  | —  | —
Omani | West Asia  | 660  | 0.04%  | —  | —  | —  | —
North African origins, n.i.e. | North Africa  | 450  | 0.03%  | 6,115  | 0.45%  | 2,875  | 0.28%
Maure | North Africa  | —  | —  | 1,195  | 0.09%  | 1,040  | 0.1%
West Asian origins  | West Asia  | 1,253,525  | 74.17%  | 992,875  | 72.76%  | 771,300  | 74.44%
North African origins  | North Africa  | 436,490  | 25.83%  | 371,685  | 27.24%  | 264,875  | 25.56%
Middle Eastern
Canadian Population  | Total  | 1,690,015  | 100%  | 1,364,560  | 100%  | 1,036,175  | 100%

### Language

[edit]

The vast majority of Middle Eastern Canadians speak West Asian and North African languages as a mother tongue or second language. The top five Middle Eastern languages spoken in Canada include Arabic, Persian, Hebrew, Turkish, and Armenian.

Knowledge of Middle Eastern languages in Canada (2001−2021)  Language | 2021[14][15] | 2016[16] | 2011[17][18] | 2006[19] | 2001[20]

|
|
|
|
|

Pop. | % | Pop. | % | Pop. | % | Pop. | % | Pop. | %
Arabic  | 838,045  | 55.97%  | 629,055  | 55.62%  | 470,965  | 54.94%  | 365,085  | 53.77%  | 290,280  | 53.93%
Persian  | 326,285  | 21.79%  | 252,320  | 22.31%  | 196,110  | 22.88%  | 154,385  | 22.74%  | 111,705  | 20.75%
Hebrew  | 83,205  | 5.56%  | 75,020  | 6.63%  | 70,695  | 8.25%  | 67,390  | 9.93%  | 63,670  | 11.83%
Turkish  | 78,500  | 5.24%  | 50,775  | 4.49%  | 44,080  | 5.14%  | 36,935  | 5.44%  | 32,520  | 6.04%
Armenian  | 44,500  | 2.97%  | 41,295  | 3.65%  | 36,235  | 4.23%  | 35,260  | 5.19%  | 32,905  | 6.11%
Berber  | 42,835  | 2.86%  | 29,460  | 2.61%  | 7,430  | 0.87%  | 2,235  | 0.33%  | —  | —
Aramaic  | 39,660  | 2.65%  | 26,860  | 2.38%  | —  | —  | —  | —  | —  | —
Kurdish  | 24,035  | 1.61%  | 15,290  | 1.35%  | 11,815  | 1.38%  | 9,185  | 1.35%  | 7,145  | 1.33%
Azerbaijani  | 9,870  | 0.66%  | 5,450  | 0.48%  | —  | —  | 2,455  | 0.36%  | —  | —
Coptic  | 3,690  | 0.25%  | —  | —  | —  | —  | —  | —  | —  | —
Georgian  | 3,010  | 0.2%  | 2,150  | 0.19%  | —  | —  | —  | —  | —  | —
Iranian languages, n.i.e. | 1,830  | 0.12%  | —  | —  | —  | —  | —  | —  | —  | —
Semitic languages, n.i.e. | 1,760  | 0.12%  | 3,220  | 0.28%  | 19,975  | 2.33%  | 6,035  | 0.89%  | —  | —
Total  | 1,497,225  | 100%  | 1,130,895  | 100%  | 857,305  | 100%  | 678,965  | 100%  | 538,225  | 100%

### Religion

[edit]

Religious affiliation amongst Middle Eastern Canadians (2021)[2]

1. Islam (51.2%)
2. Christianity (25.3%)
3. Irreligion (18.49%)
4. Judaism (3.07%)
5. Other religions (1.94%)

Islam, Christianity, and Judaism are the dominant religions among the Middle Eastern Canadian population.[2]

Religious affiliation amongst Middle Eastern Canadians (2021)[2] Ethnic/National
Origins  | Islam | Christianity | Irreligion | Judaism | Others  | Total

|
|
|
|
|
|

Pop. | % | Pop. | % | Pop. | % | Pop. | % | Pop. | % | Pop. | %
Arab, n.o.s. | 212,610  | 80.62%  | 30,145  | 11.43%  | 18,755  | 7.11%  | 270  | 0.1%  | —  | —  | 263,710  | 15.6%
Lebanese | 63,255  | 30.03%  | 104,945  | 49.83%  | 36,465  | 17.31%  | 785  | 0.37%  | —  | —  | 210,605  | 12.46%
Iranian | 89,940  | 44.87%  | 12,435  | 6.2%  | 85,705  | 42.75%  | 870  | 0.43%  | —  | —  | 200,465  | 11.86%
Egyptian | 40,495  | 38.48%  | 51,525  | 48.96%  | 11,260  | 10.7%  | 1,600  | 1.52%  | —  | —  | 105,245  | 6.23%
Moroccan | 68,925  | 68.94%  | 2,735  | 2.74%  | 12,815  | 12.82%  | 15,300  | 15.3%  | —  | —  | 99,980  | 5.92%
Syrian | 47,895  | 48.75%  | 39,115  | 39.81%  | 9,365  | 9.53%  | 595  | 0.61%  | —  | —  | 98,250  | 5.81%
Persian | 33,105  | 41.21%  | 5,835  | 7.26%  | 34,545  | 43%  | 365  | 0.45%  | —  | —  | 80,340  | 4.75%
Turkish | 42,300  | 55.12%  | 9,070  | 11.82%  | 23,075  | 30.07%  | 1,465  | 1.91%  | —  | —  | 76,745  | 4.54%
Algerian | 59,485  | 80.64%  | 2,110  | 2.86%  | 11,395  | 15.45%  | 525  | 0.71%  | —  | —  | 73,770  | 4.37%
Armenian | 710  | 1.03%  | 56,290  | 81.76%  | 11,145  | 16.19%  | 430  | 0.62%  | —  | —  | 68,850  | 4.07%
Iraqi | 27,445  | 46.28%  | 24,270  | 40.93%  | 4,625  | 7.8%  | 2,085  | 3.52%  | —  | —  | 59,300  | 3.51%
Palestinian | 32,895  | 71.66%  | 8,605  | 18.75%  | 4,155  | 9.05%  | 110  | 0.24%  | —  | —  | 45,905  | 2.72%
Berber | 32,490  | 77.91%  | 765  | 1.83%  | 8,180  | 19.62%  | 130  | 0.31%  | —  | —  | 41,700  | 2.47%
Israeli | 205  | 0.58%  | 3,345  | 9.46%  | 7,805  | 22.08%  | 23,730  | 67.14%  | —  | —  | 35,345  | 2.09%
Tunisian | 23,715  | 77.84%  | 810  | 2.66%  | 5,125  | 16.82%  | 760  | 2.49%  | —  | —  | 30,465  | 1.8%
Kurdish | 15,010  | 64.89%  | 995  | 4.3%  | 6,605  | 28.56%  | 45  | 0.19%  | —  | —  | 23,130  | 1.37%
Coptic | 175  | 0.78%  | 22,210  | 98.4%  | 155  | 0.69%  | 30  | 0.13%  | —  | —  | 22,570  | 1.34%
Kabyle | 15,385  | 74.81%  | 575  | 2.8%  | 4,515  | 21.95%  | 0  | 0%  | —  | —  | 20,565  | 1.22%
Assyrian | 75  | 0.38%  | 18,835  | 95.68%  | 670  | 3.4%  | 25  | 0.13%  | —  | —  | 19,685  | 1.16%
Sudanese | 11,345  | 64.88%  | 4,880  | 27.91%  | 1,190  | 6.81%  | 10  | 0.06%  | —  | —  | 17,485  | 1.03%
North African, n.o.s. | 11,655  | 71.44%  | 990  | 6.07%  | 2,735  | 16.76%  | 870  | 5.33%  | —  | —  | 16,315  | 0.97%
Jordanian | 9,500  | 71.83%  | 2,590  | 19.58%  | 1,075  | 8.13%  | 15  | 0.11%  | —  | —  | 13,225  | 0.78%
Chaldean | 70  | 0.58%  | 11,885  | 98.1%  | 160  | 1.32%  | 0  | 0%  | —  | —  | 12,115  | 0.72%
Azerbaijani | 3,765  | 37.97%  | 940  | 9.48%  | 4,400  | 44.38%  | 470  | 4.74%  | —  | —  | 9,915  | 0.59%
Yemeni | 6,800  | 83.8%  | 155  | 1.91%  | 545  | 6.72%  | 575  | 7.09%  | —  | —  | 8,115  | 0.48%
Libyan | 7,075  | 89.05%  | 160  | 2.01%  | 485  | 6.1%  | 205  | 2.58%  | —  | —  | 7,945  | 0.47%
West Asian origins, n.i.e. | 1,755  | 22.96%  | 3,465  | 45.32%  | 1,655  | 21.65%  | 125  | 1.64%  | —  | —  | 7,645  | 0.45%
Georgian | 195  | 3.33%  | 3,580  | 61.2%  | 1,610  | 27.52%  | 380  | 6.5%  | —  | —  | 5,850  | 0.35%
Cypriot | 290  | 6%  | 3,590  | 74.33%  | 920  | 19.05%  | 10  | 0.21%  | —  | —  | 4,830  | 0.29%
Saudi Arabian | 3,125  | 79.42%  | 180  | 4.57%  | 595  | 15.12%  | 0  | 0%  | —  | —  | 3,935  | 0.23%
Kuwaiti | 1,925  | 81.05%  | 170  | 7.16%  | 265  | 11.16%  | 0  | 0%  | —  | —  | 2,375  | 0.14%
Circassian | 880  | 63.31%  | 140  | 10.07%  | 350  | 25.18%  | 0  | 0%  | —  | —  | 1,390  | 0.08%
Yazidi | 30  | 2.63%  | 35  | 3.07%  | 0  | 0%  | 35  | 3.07%  | —  | —  | 1,140  | 0.07%
Omani | 555  | 84.09%  | 20  | 3.03%  | 75  | 11.36%  | 0  | 0%  | —  | —  | 660  | 0.04%
North African origins, n.i.e. | 280  | 62.22%  | 130  | 28.89%  | 40  | 8.89%  | 0  | 0%  | —  | —  | 450  | 0.03%
Total Middle Eastern
Canadian Population  | 865,360  | 51.2%  | 427,525  | 25.3%  | 312,460  | 18.49%  | 51,815  | 3.07%  | 32,855  | 1.94%  | 1,690,015  | 100%

## Geographical distribution

[edit]

Middle Eastern population by province or territory (2016)  Province / territory | Population  | Percentage

|
|

Ontario[21] | 610,005  | 4.6%
Quebec[22] | 465,920  | 5.8%
Alberta[23] | 120,590  | 3%
British Columbia[24] | 109,400  | 2.4%
Nova Scotia[25] | 19,235  | 2.1%
Manitoba[26] | 15,540  | 1.3%
Saskatchewan[27] | 11,605  | 1.1%
New Brunswick[28] | 8,035  | 1.1%
Newfoundland and Labrador[29] | 3,290  | 0.6%
Prince Edward Island[30] | 1,830  | 1.3%
Northwest Territories[31] | 390  | 0.9%
Yukon[32] | 230  | 0.7%
Nunavut[33] | 130  | 0.4%
Canada[3] | 1,366,190  | 4%

## See also

[edit]

* Armenian Canadians
* Algerian Canadians
* Assyrian Canadians
* Berber Canadians
* Coptic Canadians
* Egyptian Canadians
* Iranian Canadians
* Iraqi Canadians
* Israeli Canadians
* Kurdish Canadians
* Lebanese Canadians
* Libyan Canadians
* Moroccan Canadians
* Palestinian Canadians
* Syrian Canadians
* Turkish Canadians
* Tunisian Canadians

## Notes

[edit]

## References

[edit]

1. ^ a b c Government of Canada, Statistics Canada (2022-10-26). "Ethnic or cultural origin by gender and age: Canada, provinces and territories, census metropolitan areas and census agglomerations with parts". www12.statcan.gc.ca. Retrieved 2024-10-06.
2. ^ a b c d Government of Canada, Statistics Canada (2023-05-10). "Religion by ethnic or cultural origins: Canada, provinces and territories and census metropolitan areas with parts". www12.statcan.gc.ca. Retrieved 2025-06-15.
3. ^ a b c Government of Canada, Statistics Canada (2019-06-17). "Ethnic Origin (279), Single and Multiple Ethnic Origin Responses (3), Generation Status (4), Age (12) and Sex (3) for the Population in Private Households of Canada, Provinces and Territories, Census Metropolitan Areas and Census Agglomerations, 2016 Census - 25% Sample Data". www12.statcan.gc.ca. Retrieved 2024-10-06.
4. ^ a b Government of Canada, Statistics Canada (2019-01-23). "Ethnic Origin (264), Single and Multiple Ethnic Origin Responses (3), Generation Status (4), 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 2025-06-15.
5. ^ Marsh, James H. (1999). The Canadian Encyclopedia. The Canadian Encyclopedia. ISBN 978-0-7710-2099-5.
6. ^ "History of Recent Arab Immigration to Canada".
7. ^ Eid, Paul (2007-07-10). Being Arab: Ethnic and Religious Identity Building Among Second Generation Youth in Montreal. McGill-Queen's Press - MQUP. ISBN 978-0-7735-6037-6.
8. ^ "History". Canadian Arab Institute. Retrieved 2025-04-19.
9. ^ "History of Recent Arab Immigration to Canada". 2013-07-25. Archived from the original on 25 July 2013. Retrieved 2025-04-19.
10. ^ "pelicanmigration". Pelican Migration Consultants. 2023-11-04. Retrieved 2025-04-19.
11. ^ "First World War Timeline". The Canadian Encyclopedia. Retrieved May 3, 2020.
12. ^ "Iranians". The Canadian Encyclopedia. Retrieved May 3, 2020.
13. ^ IRCC (2017). "2017 Annual Report to Parliament on Immigration". Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada. Government of Canada. Table 3: Permanent Residents Admitted in 2016, by Top 10 Source Countries. Retrieved May 19, 2021.
14. ^ Government of Canada, Statistics Canada (2022-08-17). "Knowledge of languages by age and gender: Canada, provinces and territories, census metropolitan areas and census agglomerations with parts". www12.statcan.gc.ca. Retrieved 2025-06-18.
15. ^ Government of Canada, Statistics Canada (2022-08-17). "Census Profile, 2021 Census of Population Profile table Canada [Country] Language". www12.statcan.gc.ca. Retrieved 2025-06-18.
16. ^ Government of Canada, Statistics Canada (2017-02-08). "Census Profile, 2016 Census: Canada [Country] and Canada [Country] Language". www12.statcan.gc.ca. Retrieved 2025-06-18.
17. ^ Government of Canada, Statistics Canada (2013-09-11). "NHS Profile, Canada, 2011 Non-official languages spoken". www12.statcan.gc.ca. Retrieved 2025-06-18.
18. ^ Government of Canada, Statistics Canada (2012-10-24). "2011 Census of Population Language". www12.statcan.gc.ca. Retrieved 2025-06-18.
19. ^ Government of Canada, Statistics Canada. "Various Languages Spoken (147), Age Groups (17A) and Sex (3) for the Population of Canada, Provinces, Territories, Census Metropolitan Areas and Census Agglomerations, 2006 Census - 20% Sample Data". Retrieved 2025-06-18.
20. ^ Government of Canada, Statistics Canada. "Various Non-official Languages Spoken (76), Age Groups (13) and Sex (3) for Population, for Canada, Provinces, Territories, Census Metropolitan Areas and Census Agglomerations, 2001 Census - 20% Sample Data". Retrieved 2025-06-18.
21. ^ "Census Profile, 2016 Census Ontario [Province] and Canada [Country]". Statistics Canada. Retrieved May 3, 2020.
22. ^ "Census Profile, 2016 Census Quebec [Province] and Canada [Country]". Statistics Canada. Retrieved May 3, 2020.
23. ^ "Census Profile, 2016 Census Alberta [Province] and Canada [Country]". Statistics Canada. Retrieved May 3, 2020.
24. ^ "Census Profile, 2016 Census British Columbia [Province] and Canada [Country]". Statistics Canada. Retrieved May 3, 2020.
25. ^ "Census Profile, 2016 Census Nova Scotia [Province] and Canada [Country]". Statistics Canada. Retrieved May 3, 2020.
26. ^ "Census Profile, 2016 Census Manitoba [Province] and Canada [Country]". Statistics Canada. Retrieved May 3, 2020.
27. ^ "Census Profile, 2016 Census Saskatchewan [Province] and Canada [Country]". Statistics Canada. Retrieved May 3, 2020.
28. ^ "Census Profile, 2016 Census New Brunswick [Province] and Canada [Country]". Statistics Canada. Retrieved May 3, 2020.
29. ^ "Census Profile, 2016 Census Newfoundland and Labrador [Province] and Canada [Country]". Statistics Canada. Retrieved May 3, 2020.
30. ^ "Census Profile, 2016 Census Prince Edward Island [Province] and Canada [Country]". Statistics Canada. Retrieved May 3, 2020.
31. ^ "Census Profile, 2016 Census Northwest Territories [Territory] and Canada [Country]". Statistics Canada. Retrieved May 3, 2020.
32. ^ "Census Profile, 2016 Census Yukon [Territory] and Canada [Country]". Statistics Canada. Retrieved May 3, 2020.
33. ^ "Census Profile, 2016 Census Nunavut [Territory] and Canada [Country]". Statistics Canada. 8 February 2017. Retrieved May 3, 2020.

*[Pop.]: Population
*[±%]: Percent change
*[%]: percentage
*[n.o.s.]: The abbreviation "n.o.s." means "not otherwise specified." This category includes responses indicating North African origins, not otherwise specified (e.g., "North African").
*[n.i.e.]: The abbreviation "n.i.e." means "not included elsewhere." This category includes specific North African origins, not included elsewhere (e.g., "Masalit," "Nuba").