Immigration and language in Canada, 2011 and 2016
3 Newfoundland and Labrador

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3.1 First official language spoken (FOLS)

Table 3.1
Population by first official language spoken and period of immigration, Newfoundland and Labrador, 2011 and 2016
Table summary
This table displays the results of Population by first official language spoken and period of immigration. The information is grouped by First official language spoken (appearing as row headers), 2011, 2016, Non-immigrants, Immigrants, Total
population, Total
immigrants, Recent
2006 to 2011 and Recent
2011 to 2016, calculated using number and percent units of measure (appearing as column headers).
First official language spoken	2011				2016
	Non-immigrants	Immigrants		Total population	Non-immigrants	Immigrants		Total population
	Non-immigrants	Total immigrants	Recent 2006 to 2011	Total population	Non-immigrants	Total immigrants	Recent 2011 to 2016	Total population
	number
English	494,550	8,810	2,055	505,015	494,210	11,200	3,110	508,985
French	1,530	185	35	1,730	1,910	360	130	2,330
Neither	330	175	120	520	290	525	435	935
Total	496,400	9,160	2,220	507,270	496,405	12,075	3,675	512,250
	percentage
English	99.6	96.2	92.6	99.6	99.6	92.8	84.6	99.4
French	0.3	2.0	1.6	0.3	0.4	3.0	3.5	0.5
Neither	0.1	1.9	5.4	0.1	0.1	4.3	11.8	0.2
Total	100.0	100.0	100.0	100.0	100.0	100.0	100.0	100.0
Notes: The “English-French” category has been equally redistributed between the “English” and “French” categories. Data on non-permanent residents are only included in the "Total population". Sources: Statistics Canada, 2011 National Household Survey and 2016 Census of Population.

More than 9 out of 10 immigrants had English as their first official language spoken

In Newfoundland and Labrador, more than 9 in 10 immigrants (92.8%) had English as their first official language spoken (FOLS) in 2016, compared with 3.0% who had French and 4.3% who had neither language.

Of the 3,675 recent immigrants who settled in Newfoundland and Labrador between 2011 and 2016, 84.6% (3,110 people) had English as their FOLS, 3.5% (130 people) had French, and 11.8% (435 people) had neither language.

Increase in the proportion of immigrants who had neither English nor French as their first official language spoken

Between 2011 and 2016, the percentage of immigrants who had English as their FOLS decreased from 96.2% to 92.8%. In contrast, the proportion of those who had French as their FOLS rose from 2.0% to 3.0% over this period. In addition, the share of those who had neither of these two languages as their FOLS increased from 1.9% in 2011 to 4.3% in 2016. The growth in the latter group is likely due to the increase in the number of refugees who arrived in the country during this period.

Increase in the share of recent immigrants who had French as their first official language spoken

The proportion of recent immigrants who had English as their FOLS fell 7.9 percentage points from 92.6% in 2011 to 84.6% in 2016. In contrast, those who had French as their FOLS rose from 1.6% to 3.5% over this period. In addition, the share of those who had neither English nor French as their FOLS rose 6.4 percentage points over this period, from 5.4% to 11.8%.

Proportion of non-immigrants with French as their first official language spoken was much lower than for immigrants

In 2016, almost all (99.6%) non-immigrants had English as their FOLS, much higher than the proportion of recent immigrants (84.6%) and higher than all immigrants (92.8%). Furthermore, 0.4% of all non-immigrants had French as their FOLS, a much lower percentage than for recent immigrants (3.5%) and all immigrants (3.0%).

3.2 Mother tongue

Table 3.2
Immigrants by mother tongue and period of immigration, Newfoundland and Labrador, 2011 and 2016
Table summary
This table displays the results of Immigrants by mother tongue and period of immigration. The information is grouped by Mother tongue (appearing as row headers), 2011, 2016, Recent
2006 to 2011, Established
before 2006, Total , Recent
2011 to 2016, Established before 2011 and Total, calculated using number and percent units of measure (appearing as column headers).
Mother tongue	2011			2016
	Recent 2006 to 2011	Established before 2006	Total	Recent 2011 to 2016	Established before 2011	Total
	number
English	780	4,640	5,415	940	4,545	5,480
French	20	95	110	80	185	265
Other languages	1,425	2,215	3,635	2,655	3,680	6,340
Total	2,220	6,940	9,160	3,675	8,405	12,075
	percent
English	35.1	66.9	59.1	25.6	54.1	45.4
French	0.9	1.4	1.2	2.2	2.2	2.2
Other languages	64.2	31.9	39.7	72.2	43.8	52.5
Total	100.0	100.0	100.0	100.0	100.0	100.0
Notes: The “Other languages” category refers to languages other than English and French. These include Aboriginal, immigrant and sign languages. Multiple responses have been equally redistributed between the “English”, “French” and “Other languages” categories. This table does not include data on non-permanent residents. Sources: Statistics Canada, 2011 National Household Survey and 2016 Census of Population.

Increase in the proportion of recent and established immigrants who reported a language other than English or French as their mother tongue

In Newfoundland and Labrador, 72.2% of recent immigrants reported a language other than English or French as their mother tongue in 2016, up from 2011 (64.2%). Similarly, the proportion of established immigrants who reported a language other than English or French as their mother tongue rose from 31.9% in 2011 to 43.8% in 2016, an increase of 11.9 percentage points.

Higher percentage of recent and established immigrants who reported French as their mother tongue

Between 2011 and 2016, the proportion of recent immigrants whose mother tongue is French rose from 0.9% to 2.2%, while the percentage of recent immigrants with an English mother tongue fell from 35.1% to 25.6%.

The share of established immigrants who reported French as their mother tongue increased from 1.4% in 2011 to 2.2% in 2016. In contrast, the proportion of those who reported English as their mother tongue fell 12.8 percentage points over this period, from 66.9% to 54.1%.

The increase in the share of immigrants who reported French as their mother tongue is mostly attributable to the increasing number of immigrants from France and other countries where French is one of the official languages.

3.3 Language spoken most often at home

Table 3.3
Immigrants by language spoken most often at home and period of immigration, Newfoundland and Labrador, 2011 and 2016
Table summary
This table displays the results of Immigrants by language spoken most often at home and period of immigration. The information is grouped by Language spoken most often at home (appearing as row headers), 2011, 2016, Recent
2006 to 2011, Established
before 2006, Total , Recent
2011 to 2016, Established before 2011 and Total, calculated using number and percent units of measure (appearing as column headers).
Language spoken most often at home	2011			2016
	Recent 2006 to 2011	Established before 2006	Total	Recent 2011 to 2016	Established before 2011	Total
	number
English	1,210	5,990	7,200	1,750	6,725	8,475
French	5	70	75	70	105	175
Other languages	990	885	1,875	1,860	1,580	3,435
Total	2,220	6,940	9,160	3,675	8,405	12,075
	percent
English	54.5	86.3	78.6	47.6	80.0	70.2
French	0.2	1.0	0.8	1.9	1.2	1.4
Other languages	44.6	12.8	20.5	50.6	18.8	28.4
Total	100.0	100.0	100.0	100.0	100.0	100.0
Notes: The “Other languages” category refers to languages other than English and French. These include Aboriginal, immigrant and sign languages. Multiple responses have been equally redistributed between the “English”, “French” and “Other languages” categories. This table does not include data on non-permanent residents. Sources: Statistics Canada, 2011 National Household Survey and 2016 Census of Population.

In 2016, 45.4% of immigrants in Newfoundland and Labrador reported English as their mother tongue, while 70.2% of them reported speaking mainly English at home. Conversely, 1.4% of immigrants reported speaking French most often at home, compared with 2.2% of them who reported French as their mother tongue.

Just over 7 in 10 immigrants reported speaking English or French most often at home

In 2016, just over 7 in 10 immigrants (71.6%) reported speaking English or French most often at home, down from 2011 (79.4%). The proportion of immigrants who spoke French most often at home increased from 0.8% in 2011 to 1.4% in 2016. In contrast, the share of immigrants who reported speaking mainly English at home fell from 78.6% to 70.2% during this period.

Increase in the proportion of recent immigrants who reported speaking French most often at home

In 2016, 50.6% of recent immigrants reported mainly speaking a language other than English or French at home, up from 2011 (44.6%). Similarly, 1.9% of recent immigrants reported speaking French most often at home, up from 2011 (0.2%). However, 47.6% of recent immigrants reported speaking English at home in 2016, down from 2011 (54.5%).

3.4 Knowledge of official languages by mother tongue

Table 3.4
Immigrants' knowledge of official languages, by mother tongue and period of immigration, Newfoundland and Labrador, 2011 and 2016
Table summary
This table displays the results of Immigrants' knowledge of official languages. The information is grouped by Mother tongue (appearing as row headers), Knowledge of official languages, 2011, 2016, Recent
2006 to 2011, Established
before 2006, Total
Immigrants, Recent
2011 to 2016 and Established before 2011, calculated using percent units of measure (appearing as column headers).
Mother tongue	Knowledge of official languages	2011			2016
		Recent 2006 to 2011	Established before 2006	Total Immigrants	Recent 2011 to 2016	Established before 2011	Total Immigrants
		percent
English	English	94.9	89.8	90.5	93.6	90.4	91.0
	French	0.0	0.0	0.0	0.0	0.0	0.0
	English and French	5.8	10.1	9.5	5.9	9.7	9.0
	Neither	0.0	0.0	0.0	0.0	0.0	0.0
	Total	100.0	100.0	100.0	100.0	100.0	100.0
French	English	0.0	0.0	0.0	0.0	8.1	5.7
	French	50.0	0.0	0.0	0.0	5.4	3.8
	English and French	25.0	100.0	95.5	100.0	89.2	92.5
	Neither	0.0	0.0	0.0	0.0	0.0	0.0
	Total	100.0	100.0	100.0	100.0	100.0	100.0
Other languages	English	87.0	83.5	85.0	77.8	88.1	83.8
	French	0.0	0.0	0.0	0.4	0.0	0.2
	English and French	3.9	14.0	10.0	5.5	9.6	7.9
	Neither	8.4	2.5	4.8	16.6	2.3	8.3
	Total	100.0	100.0	100.0	100.0	100.0	100.0
Total	English	89.2	86.6	87.2	80.3	87.5	85.3
	French	0.5	0.0	0.1	0.3	0.1	0.2
	English and French	5.0	12.7	10.8	7.6	11.3	10.2
	Neither	5.2	0.9	1.9	12.0	1.0	4.3
	Total	100.0	100.0	100.0	100.0	100.0	100.0
Notes: Multiples responses have been equally redistributed between the “English”, “French” and “Other languages” categories. The “Other languages” category refers to languages other than English and French. These include Aboriginal, immigrant and sign languages. This table does not include data on non-permanent residents. Sources: Statistics Canada, 2011 National Household Survey and 2016 Census of Population.

Decrease in the share of recent immigrants who could conduct a conversation in English or French

In Newfoundland and Labrador, 88.2% of the 3,675 recent immigrants reported being able to conduct a conversation in English or French in 2016, down from 2011 (94.6%).^{Note 1} This means that just over 1 in 10 recent immigrants (12.0%) reported not being able to conduct a conversation in either of the country’s official languages, up from 2011 (5.2%). In 2016, 80.3% of recent immigrants could conduct a conversation in English only, 0.3% in French only, and 7.6% in English and French.

Thus, the share of recent immigrants who could conduct a conversation in French (French + English and French) was 7.9% in 2016, up from 2011 (5.4%).

The increase in the proportion of immigrants who reported knowing neither English nor French is likely due to the increase in the number of refugees, particularly among recent immigrants with a mother tongue other than English or French.

A small share (1.0%) of established immigrants could not conduct a conversation in English or French

Among the 8,400 established immigrants, 98.9% could conduct a conversation in English or French in 2016, slightly down from 2011 (99.3%). In 2016, 87.5% of these immigrants knew English only, 0.1% French only, and 11.3% English and French. Thus, 1.0% of these immigrants could not conduct a conversation in English or French, a share that has remained relatively unchanged from 2011 (0.9%).

The share of established immigrants who could conduct a conversation in French (French + English and French) was 11.4% in 2016, down from 2011 (12.7%).

Increase in English–French bilingualism among recent immigrants whose mother tongue is a language other than English or French

The rate of English–French bilingualism among recent immigrants whose mother tongue is English rose from 5.8% in 2011 to 5.9% in 2016. The proportion who reported they could conduct a conversation only in English (and not in French) decreased slightly during this period, going from 94.9% to 93.6%.

In 2016, 5.5% of recent immigrants whose mother tongue is a language other than English or French reported being bilingual (English–French), up from 2011 (3.9%).

Increase in the proportion of recent immigrants whose mother tongue is a language other than English or French who could not conduct a conversation in English or French

Between 2011 and 2016, the proportion of recent immigrants whose mother tongue is a language other than English or French who knew only English (and not French) decreased from 87.0% to 77.8%, while the share of those who knew neither English nor French increased from 8.4% to 16.6%.

The 85 recent immigrants with French as their mother tongue all reported being able to conduct a conversation in English and French in 2016.

3.5 Top countries of birth

3.5.A Recent and established immigrants with French as their first official language spoken (FOLS)

Table 3.5.A.1
Top countries of birth of recent immigrants^{Table 3.5.A.1 Note 1} with French as their first official language spoken,^{Table 3.5.A.1 Note 2} Newfoundland and Labrador, 2011 and 2016
Table summary
This table displays the results of Top countries of birth of recent immigrants with French as their first official language spoken Rank, Country of birth, Number and percent (appearing as column headers).
	Rank	Country of birth	Number	Percent
2011 National Household Survey^{Table 3.5.A.1 Note 3}	1	Democratic Republic of the Congo	20	57.1
	2	Algeria	10	28.6
	2	Total	30	85.7
2016 Census of Population^{Table 3.5.A.1 Note 3}	1	France	45	52.9
	2	Burkina Faso	15	17.6
	3	Egypt	10	11.8
	4	Libya	10	11.8
	5	Morocco	10	11.8
	6	Syria	10	11.8
	6	Total	100	100.0
Note 1 “Recent immigrant” refers to an immigrant who obtained his or her landed immigrant or permanent resident status in the five years prior to a given census. In the 2016 Census, the period extends between January 1, 2011, and May 10, 2016. Return to note 1 referrer Note 2 The immigrant population with French as their first official language spoken (FOLS) does not include the population that has both English and French as their FOLS. Return to note 2 referrer Note 3 In order to ensure the confidentiality of the responses collected, the data for the top 10 countries of birth are not shown. Return to note 3 referrer Notes: To ensure the confidentiality of responses collected for the 2016 Census of Population, a random rounding process is used to alter the values reported in individual cells. As a result, when these data are summed or grouped, the total value may not match the sum of the individual values, since the total and subtotals are independently rounded. Similarly, percentage distributions, which are calculated on rounded data, may not necessarily add up to 100%. This table does not include data on non-permanent residents. Sources: Statistics Canada, 2011 National Household Survey and 2016 Census of Population.

Table 3.5.A.2
Top countries of birth of established immigrants^{Table 3.5.A.2 Note 1} with French as their first official language spoken,^{Table 3.5.A.2 Note 2} Newfoundland and Labrador, 2011 and 2016
Table summary
This table displays the results of Top countries of birth of established immigrants with French as their first official language spoken Rank, Country of birth, Number and percent (appearing as column headers).
	Rank	Country of birth	Number	Percent
2011 National Household Survey^{Table 3.5.A.2 Note 3}	1	France	50	43.5
	2	Algeria	5	4.3
	2	Total	55	47.8
2016 Census of Population	1	France	85	42.5
	2	Saint Pierre and Miquelon	20	10.0
	3	Algeria	15	7.5
	4	Austria	10	5.0
	5	Belgium	10	5.0
	6	Switzerland	10	5.0
	7	Côte d'Ivoire	10	5.0
	8	Nigeria	10	5.0
	9	Rwanda	10	5.0
	10	Cameroon	10	5.0
	10	Total	190	95.0
Note 1 “Established immigrant” refers to an immigrant who obtained landed immigrant or permanent resident status at least five years prior to a given census. In the 2016 Census, it is an immigrant who obtained landed immigrant or permanent resident status before 2011. Return to note 1 referrer Note 2 The immigrant population with French as their first official language spoken (FOLS) does not include the population that has both English and French as their FOLS. Return to note 2 referrer Note 3 In order to ensure the confidentiality of the responses collected, the data for the top 10 countries of birth are not shown. Return to note 3 referrer Notes: To ensure the confidentiality of responses collected for the 2016 Census of Population, a random rounding process is used to alter the values reported in individual cells. As a result, when these data are summed or grouped, the total value may not match the sum of the individual values, since the total and subtotals are independently rounded. Similarly, percentage distributions, which are calculated on rounded data, may not necessarily add up to 100%. This table does not include data on non-permanent residents. Sources: Statistics Canada, 2011 National Household Survey and 2016 Census of Population.

In 2016, there were 90 recent immigrants and 195 established immigrants in Newfoundland and Labrador whose first official language spoken is French.

3.5.B Recent immigrants with English as their first official language spoken (FOLS)

Table 3.5.B
Top countries of birth of recent immigrants^{Table 3.5.B Note 1} with English as their first official language spoken,^{Table 3.5.B Note 2} Newfoundland and Labrador, 2011 and 2016
Table summary
This table displays the results of Top countries of birth of recent immigrants with English as their first official language spoken Rank, Country of birth, Number and percent (appearing as column headers).
	Rank	Country of birth	Number	Percent
2011 National Household Survey	1	United States	245	11.9
	2	Pakistan	180	8.8
	3	China	165	8.0
	4	United Kingdom	160	7.8
	5	Republic of South Africa	120	5.8
	6	Bhutan	115	5.6
	7	India	90	4.4
	8	Nepal	90	4.4
	9	Philippines	80	3.9
	10	Bangladesh	70	3.4
	10	Total	1,315	64.0
2016 Census of Population	1	Philippines	585	19.0
	2	China	235	7.6
	3	United States	195	6.3
	4	India	170	5.5
	5	United Kingdom	160	5.2
	6	Nigeria	125	4.1
	7	Egypt	105	3.4
	8	Pakistan	85	2.8
	9	Iraq	70	2.3
	10	Jamaica	65	2.1
	10	Total	1,795	58.4
Note 1 “Recent immigrant” refers to an immigrant who obtained his or her landed immigrant or permanent resident status in the five years prior to a given census. In the 2016 Census, the period extends between January 1, 2011, and May 10, 2016. Return to note 1 referrer Note 2 The immigrant population with English as their first official language spoken (FOLS) does not include the population that has both English and French as their FOLS. Return to note 2 referrer Notes: To ensure the confidentiality of responses collected for the 2016 Census of Population, a random rounding process is used to alter the values reported in individual cells. As a result, when these data are summed or grouped, the total value may not match the sum of the individual values, since the total and subtotals are independently rounded. Similarly, percentage distributions, which are calculated on rounded data, may not necessarily add up to 100%. This table does not include data on non-permanent residents. Sources: Statistics Canada, 2011 National Household Survey and 2016 Census of Population.

Top countries of origin

In 2016, 43.7%^{Note 2} of recent immigrants whose first official language spoken is English were from the Philippines (19.0%), China (7.6%), the United States (6.3%), India (5.5%) or the United Kingdom (5.2%).

Decline in the proportion of recent immigrants from Asia (including the Middle East)

In 2016, 37.2% of English-speaking^{Note 3} recent immigrants were from Asia (including the Middle East), compared with 38.4% in 2011.

In 2016, 5 of the top 10 countries of birth of English-speaking recent immigrants were Asian countries (including those in the Middle East).

3.5.C Established immigrants with English as their first official language spoken (FOLS)

Table 3.5.C
Top countries of birth of established immigrants^{Table 3.5.C Note 1} with English as their first official language spoken,^{Table 3.5.C Note 2} Newfoundland and Labrador, 2011 and 2016
Table summary
This table displays the results of Top countries of birth of established immigrants with English as their first official language spoken Rank, Country of birth, Number and percent (appearing as column headers).
	Rank	Country of birth	Number	Percent
2011 National Household Survey	1	United Kingdom	2,325	34.6
	2	United States	1,325	19.7
	3	China	335	5.0
	4	Germany	280	4.2
	5	India	275	4.1
	6	Ireland	180	2.7
	7	Iran	110	1.6
	8	Netherlands	75	1.1
	9	Russian Federation	75	1.1
	10	Hong Kong	75	1.1
	10	Total	5,055	75.2
2016 Census of Population	1	United Kingdom	2,055	25.5
	2	United States	1,340	16.6
	3	China	505	6.3
	4	India	460	5.7
	5	Germany	325	4.0
	6	Philippines	265	3.3
	7	Ireland	150	1.9
	8	Pakistan	150	1.9
	9	Iraq	145	1.8
	10	Russian Federation	120	1.5
	10	Total	5,515	68.5
Note 1 “Established immigrant” refers to an immigrant who obtained landed immigrant or permanent resident status at least five years prior to a given census. In the 2016 Census, it is an immigrant who obtained landed immigrant or permanent resident status before 2011. Return to note 1 referrer Note 2 The immigrant population with English as their first official language spoken (FOLS) does not include the population that has both English and French as their FOLS. Return to note 2 referrer Notes: To ensure the confidentiality of responses collected for the 2016 Census of Population, a random rounding process is used to alter the values reported in individual cells. As a result, when these data are summed or grouped, the total value may not match the sum of the individual values, since the total and subtotals are independently rounded. Similarly, percentage distributions, which are calculated on rounded data, may not necessarily add up to 100%. This table does not include data on non-permanent residents. Sources: Statistics Canada, 2011 National Household Survey and 2016 Census of Population.

The proportion of English-speaking established immigrants from Europe and the United States fell 13.8 percentage points, from 63.3% in 2011 to 49.6% in 2016. Conversely, the share of immigrants from Asian countries (including those in the Middle East) rose 7.1 percentage points over the same period, from 11.8% to 18.9%.

Notes

Date modified:: 2019-01-28

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Immigration and language in Canada, 2011 and 2016
3 Newfoundland and Labrador

Archived Content

3.1 First official language spoken (FOLS)

3.2 Mother tongue

3.3 Language spoken most often at home

3.4 Knowledge of official languages by mother tongue

3.5 Top countries of birth

3.5.A Recent and established immigrants with French as their first official language spoken (FOLS)

3.5.B Recent immigrants with English as their first official language spoken (FOLS)

3.5.C Established immigrants with English as their first official language spoken (FOLS)

Notes

Immigration and language in Canada, 2011 and 2016 3 Newfoundland and Labrador

Archived Content

3.1 First official language spoken (FOLS)

3.2 Mother tongue

3.3 Language spoken most often at home

3.4 Knowledge of official languages by mother tongue

3.5 Top countries of birth

3.5.A Recent and established immigrants with French as their first official language spoken (FOLS)

3.5.B Recent immigrants with English as their first official language spoken (FOLS)

3.5.C Established immigrants with English as their first official language spoken (FOLS)

Notes

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Immigration and language in Canada, 2011 and 2016
3 Newfoundland and Labrador