First Nations people, Métis and Inuit in Canada

Release date: September 21, 2022
More information PDF version
Infographic: First Nations people, Métis and Inuit in Canada
Description: First Nations people, Métis and Inuit in Canada

In 2021, the Census of Population counted more than 1.8 million (1,807,250) Indigenous people in Canada, making up 5% of the country’s total population.

The Indigenous population grew by 9.4% from 2016 to 2021.

First Nations population count: 1,048,405
Growth (2016 to 2021): +9.7%
Among the 753,110 First Nations people with Registered or Treaty Indian status, 41% lived on reserve and 59% lived off reserve.


Table 1
Table summary
This table displays the results of Table 1. The information is grouped by Geography (appearing as row headers), Distribution of the First Nations population (appearing as column headers).
Geography Distribution of the First Nations population
Newfoundland and Labrador 2.7%
Prince Edward Island 0.2%
Nova Scotia 2.7%
New Brunswick 2.0%
Quebec 11.1%
Ontario 23.9%
Manitoba 12.9%
Saskatchewan 11.6%
Alberta 13.9%
British Columbia 17.2%
Yukon 0.7%
Northwest Territories 1.2%
Nunavut 0.0%

Métis population count: 624,220
Growth (2016 to 2021): +6.3%
224,655 people reported membership in a Métis organization or settlement.


Table 2
Table summary
This table displays the results of Table 2. The information is grouped by Geography (appearing as row headers), Distribution of the Métis population (appearing as column headers).
Geography Distribution of the Métis population
Newfoundland and Labrador 1.2%
Prince Edward Island 0.1%
Nova Scotia 3.4%
New Brunswick 1.6%
Quebec 9.8%
Ontario 21.6%
Manitoba 15.5%
Saskatchewan 10.1%
Alberta 20.4%
British Columbia 15.7%
Yukon 0.2%
Northwest Territories 0.5%
Nunavut 0.0%

Inuit population count: 70,545
Growth (2016 to 2021): +8.5%
The majority of Inuit lived in Inuit Nunangat (69.0%).


Table 3
Table summary
This table displays the results of Table 3. The information is grouped by Geography (appearing as row headers), Distribution of the Inuit population (appearing as column headers).
Geography Distribution of the Inuit population
Inuit Nunangat
Nunatsiavut 3%
Nunavik 18%
Nunavut 44%
Inuvialuit region 4%
Outside Inuit Nunangat 31%

Note: The growth rates for the period from 2016 to 2021 were adjusted for incompletely enumerated reserves and settlements.

Source: Statistics Canada, Census of Population, 2021.

More information

Note of appreciation

Canada owes the success of its statistical system to a long-standing partnership between Statistics Canada, the citizens of Canada, its businesses, governments and other institutions. Accurate and timely statistical information could not be produced without their continued co-operation and goodwill.

Standards of service to the public

Statistics Canada is committed to serving its clients in a prompt, reliable and courteous manner. To this end, the Agency has developed standards of service which its employees observe in serving its clients.

Copyright

Published by authority of the Minister responsible for Statistics Canada.

© His Majesty the King in Right of Canada, as represented by the Minister of Industry, 2022

Use of this publication is governed by the Statistics Canada Open Licence Agreement.

Catalogue no. 11-627-M

Frequency: Occasional

Ottawa

Date modified: