British Isles Descendants in Canada

The most recent issue of Canada’s History had the following information in a box: St Patrick’s Day in Canada, on page 13.

Number of Canadians, in millions, who identify as descendants of Irish immigrants. They comprise about twelve percent of the population.

4.4 million is from the 2021 Census of Canada at  Statistics Canada. Table 98-10-0338-01  Ethnic or cultural origin by generation status: Canada, provinces and territories, census metropolitan areas and census agglomerations with parts https://www150.statcan.gc.ca/t1/tbl1/en/tv.action?pid=9810033801.

Let’s dig further into those census statistics for the British Isles, including Ireland, remaining aware that they are self reported

Of the 4.4 million reporting Irish ancestry 3.8 million were multi-ethnic. The Irish diaspora in Canada is 87% of the population of Ireland.

Scotland has similarities with Ireland. Rounded to two figures Canada’s Scots ethnic ancestry population is also 4.4 million and its diaspora in Canada 80% of the population of Scotland.

Of the 5.3 million Canadians claiming English ancestry 4.2 million are multi-ethnic. The English diaspora were only 9% of the home country population.

By contrast, nearly half a million Canadians claim Welsh ancestry, that’s 15% of the home country population.

The table is a summary of the census results with the hime country population addded.

In total 10.7 million Canadians and Canadian residents claim British Isles, 10.4 million North American and 7.0 million Asian origins.