Eritrean Canadians
It has been suggested that Ethiopian Canadians be merged into this article. (Discuss) Proposed since November 2025. |
| Total population | |
|---|---|
| 36,290 | |
| Regions with significant populations | |
| Toronto · Calgary · Edmonton · Winnipeg · Ottawa | |
| Languages | |
| Tigrinya · Tigre · Arabic · Saho · Bilen · Canadian English · Canadian French | |
| Religion | |
| Eritrean Orthodox · Eritrean Catholic · Sunni Islam | |
| Related ethnic groups | |
| Eritreans, Ethiopians, Ethiopian Canadians, Eritrean Americans, Ethiopian Americans |
Eritrean Canadians are a hyphenated ethnicity of Canadians who are of full or partial Eritrean national origin, heritage and/or ancestry, Canadian citizens of Eritrean descent, or an Eritrea-born person who resides in Canada. According to the 2021 Canadian census, 36,290 Canadians reported Eritrean ancestry.[1]
History
[edit | edit source]Eritreans began to arrive in Canada as refugees from the Eritrean War of Independence in the late 1970s.[2] After Eritrea gained independence in 1991,
Demographics
[edit | edit source]According to the 2011 Canadian Census, approximately 13,430 people reported Eritrean ancestry.[3] This number increased to 25,255 by 2016 and further increased to 36,290 in 2021. However, accurate numbers of Eritrean refugees are difficult to estimate because many Eritreans who fled before Eritrea's independence had identified as or were considered Ethiopian.[2]
Geographic distribution
[edit | edit source]The following table lists Canadian provinces by their Eritrean population.
| Rank | State | Population (2021)[1] |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | File:Flag of Ontario.svg Ontario | 17,165 |
| 2 | File:Flag of Alberta.svg Alberta | 11,010 |
| 3 | File:Flag of Manitoba.svg Manitoba | 3,345 |
| 4 | File:Flag of British Columbia.svg British Columbia | 2,245 |
| 5 | File:Flag of Saskatchewan.svg Saskatchewan | 1,235 |
| 6 | File:Flag of Quebec.svg Quebec | 800 |
| 7 | File:Flag of Newfoundland and Labrador.svg Newfoundland and Labrador | 180 |
| 8 | File:Flag of Nova Scotia.svg Nova Scotia | 135 |
| 9 | File:Flag of New Brunswick.svg New Brunswick | 115 |
| 10 | File:Flag of the Northwest Territories.svg Northwest Territories | 45 |
| 11 | File:Flag of Nunavut.svg Nunavut | 10 |
| 12* | File:Flag of Prince Edward Island.svg Prince Edward Island | 0 |
| 12* | File:Flag of Yukon.svg Yukon | 0 |
Toronto
[edit | edit source]The largest group of Eritreans in Canada are located in Toronto. As of 2021, approximately 9,380 people of Eritrean descent live in the Toronto CMA.[4] The Eritrean Canadian Community Centre and Eritrean Canadian Association of Ontario are located in Toronto.[5][6]
Calgary
[edit | edit source]The second largest group of Eritreans in Canada are located in Calgary. As of 2021, approximately 5,395 people of Eritrean descent live in the Calgary CMA.[7] The Eritrean Canadian Community Association of Calgary was founded in 1983.[8]
Edmonton
[edit | edit source]As of 2021, approximately 4,605 people of Eritrean descent live in the Edmonton CMA.[9]
Winnipeg
[edit | edit source]As of 2021, approximately 3,070 people of Eritrean descent live in the Winnipeg CMA.[10]
Ottawa-Gatineau (National Capital Region)
[edit | edit source]As of 2021, approximately 2,095 people of Eritrean descent live in Ottawa, Ontario and 2,135 live in Ottawa-Gatineau.[11]
Notable people
[edit | edit source]- Shannon-Ogbani Abeda - Bobsledder, alpine skier.
- Simon Bairu - Retired long-distance runner.
- Grace Mahary - Model.
- Amanuel Melles - community organizer.
- SAFE - Rapper, singer, songwriter.
See also
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- Demographics of Eritrea
- Religion in Eritrea
- Eritrean Americans
- Foreign relations of Eritrea
- Habesha Peoples
- Ethiopian Canadians
- Ethiopian Americans
References
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