Focus on Geography Series, 2021 Census of Population

Vancouver, City

Immigrant Status

According to the 2021 Census, 274,365 people, that is, 42.2% of the population, were foreign-born (immigrants), 333,185 (51.2%) were Canadian-born (non-immigrants) and 42,830 (6.6%) were non-permanent residents.

Recent Immigrants

Among immigrants in 2021, 41,360 came between 2016 and 2021. These recent immigrants made up 15.1% of the immigrant population.

Place of birth

The top three places of birth among immigrants living in Vancouver (City) in 2021 were China, the Philippines, and Hong Kong. Among recent immigrants living in Vancouver (City), they were China, the Philippines, and India.

Percentage of the immigrant population Vancouver (City), British Columbia [PR], Canada, 2011 to 2021

Top places of birth of immigrants, Vancouver (City), 2016 and 2021

Top places of birth of immigrants, Vancouver (City), 2016 and 2021
2016 2021
Number % Rank Number % Rank
Immigrant population 262,765 100.0 ... 274,365 100.0 ...
China 66,760 25.4 1 63,275 23.1 1
Philippines 28,480 10.8 2 29,930 10.9 2
Hong Kong 24,695 9.4 3 25,480 9.3 3
India 13,000 4.9 4 14,640 5.3 4
United Kingdom 12,965 4.9 5 12,895 4.7 5
Viet Nam 11,935 4.5 6 12,120 4.4 6
Taiwan 8,920 3.4 8 9,870 3.6 7
United States of America 9,290 3.5 7 9,790 3.6 8
Iran 7,380 2.8 9 8,775 3.2 9
Korea, South 5,695 2.2 10 6,495 2.4 10

Top places of birth of recent immigrants, Vancouver (City), 2016 and 2021

Top places of birth of recent immigrants, Vancouver (City), 2016 and 2021
2016 2021
Number % Rank Number % Rank
Recent immigrants (2016: 2011 to 2016 / 2021: 2016 to 2021) 37,335 100.0 ... 41,360 100.0 ...
China 9,350 25.0 1 5,930 14.3 1
Philippines 6,400 17.1 2 4,445 10.7 2
India 1,890 5.1 3 3,685 8.9 3
United Kingdom 1,790 4.8 5 2,415 5.8 4
United States of America 1,805 4.8 4 2,300 5.6 5
Brazil 480 1.3 14 1,820 4.4 6
Ireland 940 2.5 10 1,690 4.1 7
Korea, South 1,230 3.3 7 1,250 3.0 8
Iran 1,610 4.3 6 1,215 2.9 9
Mexico 1,015 2.7 9 1,215 2.9 9

Population by generation status and median age, Vancouver (City), 2016 and 2021

Population by generation status and median age, Vancouver (City), 2016 and 2021
2016 2021
Number % Median age Number % Median age
Total population in private households 618,210 100.0 39.2 650,380 100.0 39.2
First generation (born abroad) 299,190 48.4 47.6 327,870 50.4 46.8
Second generation (born in Canada with at least one parent born abroad) 159,210 25.8 28.6 160,910 24.7 29.2
Third generation or more (born in Canada with both parents born in Canada) 159,805 25.8 36.0 161,595 24.8 37.2
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