Canada really is a country of immigration.
This started as a post on my social channels. Here's that version.
Where people in Canada were born
About 8.8 million people living in Canada were born somewhere else, according to the UN's latest migrant stock estimates (mid-2024).
The top three birthplaces:
- India: about 1.0 million
- Philippines: about 836,000
- China: about 772,000
The rest of the top 10 on the graphic: the United Kingdom (about 428,000), Pakistan (267,000), the United States (257,000), Iran (205,000), Hong Kong (205,000), Italy (183,000) and Vietnam (180,000).
Now flip it around
About 1.3 million Canadian-born people live abroad, and 7 in 10 of them are in the U.S. The U.K. and Australia come next, a long way back (about 82,000 and 57,000).
So we bring the world in, and when we leave, most of us just go south.
What this means for you if you're moving here
Here in Greater Vancouver, I help a lot of people relocating here, whether they're brand new to Canada or Canadians coming home after years away. Everyone's "where are you from?" story is a little different, and that mix is a big part of what makes this place special.
If you're a newcomer planning a move, start with my guide to relocating to Greater Vancouver. If you need a place to rent when you land, my relocation rental service for tenants covers all of Greater Vancouver, including the Tri-Cities, BC. The fee is $1,500 + GST, paid by the tenant ($750 non-refundable at the start, $750 once a rental is secured), so please reach out 4-6 weeks before your move. Ready to buy instead? My page for home buyers walks through how I help.
Where were you born, or where did your family come from?