Ethnic Demographics Of Canada (1951 And 1986)

Ethnic Demographics Of Canada (1951 And 1986)

Canadian Ethnic Demographic Data

This image contains two pie charts I created using data from Statistics Canada and the 1986 Canadian Census, the first of which shows the ethnic distribution (along the lines of those with Chinese Ancestry, those with African Ancestry, and the rest of the Canadian population) of Canada in 1951 and the second of which showing 1986 (with the additional category of those with Caribbean Ancestry). It is important to note that when using the term “*Black” for the first chart, this is to replace a derogatory word used in describing Black Canadians, and in the second chart this is to signify all those of “Black Origin” (as according to the Census). From the first chart, it is clear that the overwhelming majority of of the Canadian Population was neither Chinese (0.2%) nor *Black (0.1%), which is meant to demonstrate how outnumbered, and thus more easily marginalized, these diasporas were in the mid-20th century. The second graph displays a significant increase of these groups in just a few decades (combining to form 3% of the population), signifying the growth of a more established and long-term community of these diaspora in Canada, and thus a greater ability to mobilize their communities nationally and push for civic rights.

William Henry

The following sources were used in creation of this graph:

Statistics Canada. “Distribution of the population, by ethnic group, census years 1941, 1951 and 1961.” Government of Canada. Modified August 17, 2009.
https://www65.statcan.gc.ca/acyb02/1967/acyb02_19670197014-eng.htm.


White, Pamela. 1986 Census Of Canada: Ethnic Diversity In Canada. Catalogue 98-132. 1990: 1-50. Ottawa, Ontario. Reproduced by the Library and Archives of Canada in 1999. Government of Canada Publications, accessed November 5, 2025.
https://publications.gc.ca/collections/collection_2013/statcan/rh-hc/CS98-132-1990-eng.pdf.

William Henry

November 25, 2025

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