Focus on Geography Series, 2021 Census of Population

Toronto, City

Immigrant Status

According to the 2021 Census, 1,286,145 people, that is, 46.6% of the population, were foreign-born (immigrants), 1,329,900 (48.2%) were Canadian-born (non-immigrants) and 145,240 (5.3%) were non-permanent residents.

Recent Immigrants

Among immigrants in 2021, 198,040 came between 2016 and 2021. These recent immigrants made up 15.4% of the immigrant population.

Place of birth

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

Percentage of the immigrant population Toronto (City), Ontario [PR], Canada, 2011 to 2021

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

Top places of birth of immigrants, Toronto (City), 2016 and 2021
2016 2021
Number % Rank Number % Rank
Immigrant population 1,266,000 100.0 ... 1,286,145 100.0 ...
Philippines 118,775 9.4 2 132,980 10.3 1
China 131,480 10.4 1 129,750 10.1 2
India 79,225 6.3 3 102,155 7.9 3
Sri Lanka 52,900 4.2 4 47,895 3.7 4
Jamaica 45,075 3.6 6 42,655 3.3 5
Italy 45,520 3.6 5 37,705 2.9 6
Iran 36,445 2.9 10 37,185 2.9 7
Hong Kong 38,825 3.1 8 36,855 2.9 8
United Kingdom 40,300 3.2 7 35,585 2.8 9
Portugal 38,575 3.0 9 34,360 2.7 10

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

Top places of birth of recent immigrants, Toronto (City), 2016 and 2021
2016 2021
Number % Rank Number % Rank
Recent immigrants (2016: 2011 to 2016 / 2021: 2016 to 2021) 187,950 100.0 ... 198,040 100.0 ...
India 20,100 10.7 3 40,205 20.3 1
Philippines 31,730 16.9 1 24,910 12.6 2
China 23,195 12.3 2 18,525 9.4 3
Pakistan 6,725 3.6 5 5,745 2.9 4
Iran 10,930 5.8 4 5,230 2.6 5
United States of America 4,015 2.1 8 5,125 2.6 6
Bangladesh 5,795 3.1 6 4,760 2.4 7
Syria 3,260 1.7 11 4,685 2.4 8
Nigeria 2,550 1.4 14 4,535 2.3 9
Brazil 1,910 1.0 19 4,205 2.1 10

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

Population by generation status and median age, Toronto (City), 2016 and 2021
2016 2021
Number % Median age Number % Median age
Total population in private households 2,691,665 100.0 38.8 2,761,285 100.0 39.6
First generation (born abroad) 1,377,465 51.2 47.6 1,462,090 52.9 47.6
Second generation (born in Canada with at least one parent born abroad) 740,175 27.5 25.0 741,035 26.8 26.4
Third generation or more (born in Canada with both parents born in Canada) 574,020 21.3 34.8 558,160 20.2 36.0
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