Iranian Canadians’ Share of the Canadian Muslim Population

Data from the 2021 Census of Population indicates a significant increase in the Muslim population within Canada, which rose from 2.0% of the total population in 2001 to 4.9% in 2021, totaling 1,775,715 people.

According to Statistics Canada, this demographic is characterized by a relatively young age profile, with a median age of 30 years compared to the total Canadian population’s median age of 41.2 years. In 2021, 26.3% of the Muslim population was between 0 and 14 years old, while only 16.5% of the general Canadian population fell within that same age bracket.

Demographic Composition and Origins

The Muslim population in Canada is composed of various racialized groups and countries of birth. In 2021, South Asians represented the largest racialized group at 37.6%, followed by Arabs at 32.2%, West Asians at 13.0%, and Black people at 11.6%.

Regarding birthplaces, approximately 29.5% of Canada’s total Muslim population was born in Canada. Among those born outside the country, the most frequent countries of birth include:

• Pakistan (12.7%)
• Iran (5.8%)
• Morocco (4.2%)
• Algeria (4.2%)

The Iranian Canadian Community

Canadians of Iranian origin, also referred to as Persian Canadians, numbered 280,805 according to the 2021 census, representing 0.8% of the total Canadian population. Among this group, 262,625 are Persian-speaking Canadians.

The Iranian Canadian community is predominantly Shia Islam and irreligious, though minorities include the Baháʼí Faith, Zoroastrianism, Mandaeism, Judaism, Christianity (Catholicism and Protestantism), Sunni Islam, and Agnosticism.

Geographically, the main Iranian Canadian communities are located in Southern Ontario, British Columbia, and Quebec. Based on 2016 census data, significant populations resided in the following areas:

• Greater Toronto Area: 97,110 people
• Greater Vancouver Area: 46,255 people
• Greater Montreal Area: 23,410 people

Other regions with significant populations include Richmond Hill, North Vancouver, and Ottawa. The community speaks a variety of languages, including Persian, Canadian English, Canadian French, Kurdish, Azerbaijani, Armenian, and Mandaic.

Regional Distribution of Muslims in Canada

Muslims reside across all Canadian provinces and territories. In 2021, the provinces with the highest proportions of the Muslim population were Ontario at 6.7%, Quebec at 5.1%, and Alberta at 4.8%. Conversely, Nunavut had the smallest proportion at 0.4%.

The identification of the Muslim population in the 2021 Census includes individuals who reported their religion as Muslim (not otherwise specified), as well as those who specified Shi’a Muslim, Sunni Muslim, Ahmadi Muslim, or Ibadi Muslim.