Muslim Demographics

According to Statistics Canada and the Pew Research Center

  • Muslims in Canada have quadrupled from 253,300 in 1991 to just over 1 million in 2011 and are currently estimated at 1.7 million. They represent 3.2% of the total population, up from 2% recorded in the 2001 Census.

  • The Muslim population is considered to be one of Canada’s fastest-growing. They are forecast to reach 2.7 million by 2030, which would make up 6.6% of the projected total population.

  • Currently, 55% of Muslims reside in Ontario (primarily concentrated in the Greater Toronto Area and accounts for over 5% of the GTA population), 19% reside in Quebec, 10% in BC, and 9% in Alberta.

  • According to the 2011 census, Muslims are the youngest ethnocultural group in the country. In 2011, the median age of Canada’s Muslim population was 29 years, compared to the Canadian median of around 40.

  • 37% of Muslims in Canada are of South Asian descent, 21% of Arab descent, 14% of West Indian descent, and 28% are of other ethnicities such as African, Chinese, etc.

  • 60% of Muslims are married, 32% have never been married and 8% are separated, divorced, or widowed.

A growth chart over the last 30 years shows that the Muslim population has tended to double every ten years with an average growth rate of approximately 5% per annum.

Muslim Population

Year

Muslim Population

Growth per Decade

Source

1991 

256,000 

-- 

Census 1991

2001 

579,000 

56% 

Census 2001

2011 

1,054,000 

45% 

NHS 2013 

2021

1,717,000

63% 

Estimated

2030 

2,300,000 

34%

Forecast 

If further information on Muslim Demographics is required, an analysis document can be obtained by contacting us. Our research is largely based on census information provided by Statistics Canada, Government of Canada.

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