Canada Muslim Insights

In the 2021 Canadian census, 4.9% of the population identified as Muslim, a significant increase from 2.0% in 2001, with nearly 1.8 million people reporting Islam as their religion.

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Canada's Ethnocultural and Religious Diversity

Muslim Population Census Data

Canada is known for its ethnocultural and religious diversity, with every Canadian contributing to this rich landscape.

Data on the origins and religions of the population have been collected by the Census of Canada since 1871. The 2021 Census of Population provided data for over 100 religions practised in Canada.

Growth of the Muslim Population

Muslims in Canada Over the Years

The proportion of Canada's population who reported being Muslim has more than doubled in 20 years, rising from 2.0% (579,640 people) in 2001 to 4.9% (1,775,715 people) in 2021.

Diversity Within the Muslim Population

Ethnic and Regional Distribution

In 2021, South Asians (37.6%) were the largest racialized group among the Muslim population, followed by Arabs (32.2%), West Asians (13.0%), and Black people (11.6%).

Close to 3 in 10 (29.5%) of Canada's Muslim population were born in Canada, while 12.7% were born in Pakistan, 5.8% in Iran, 4.2% in Morocco, and 4.2% in Algeria.

Languages Spoken at Home

Linguistic Diversity Among Muslims

Close to half (47.3%) of the Muslim population reported English as being the language spoken most often at home in 2021. Arabic (18.1%), French (15.3%), and Urdu (13.0%) were among the top languages spoken most often at home.

Explore more data in the infographic: The Muslim Population in Canada.

Canada Muslim Insights

We provide world class data on the Muslim population in Canada

Muslim Population Growth

The proportion of Muslims in Canada has more than doubled in the past 20 years, reaching 4.9% of the total population in 2021.

Diversity Within the Muslim Population

South Asians (37.6%) and Arabs (32.2%) make up the largest racialized groups among Muslims in Canada.

Age Distribution

The Muslim population in Canada is relatively young, with a median age of 30 years compared to 41.2 years for the total population.

Muslim Population Across Canada

Ontario (6.7%), Quebec (5.1%), and Alberta (4.8%) have the highest Muslim population proportions in the country.

Languages Spoken at Home

English (47.3%), Arabic (18.1%), French (15.3%), and Urdu (13.0%) are the top languages spoken at home by Muslims in Canada.

Explore More Data

Check out the infographic on the Muslim population in Canada for more in-depth insights and statistics.