How Many Iranians Live in Canada

Did you know that more than 250,000 Iranians live in Canada? Or did you know that Canada is one of the most favorite countries among Iranians to immigrate to? Many Iranians immigrate to other countries every year due to political, economic, and social issues that the country has been dealing with for many years. Among their favorite destinations, Canada is one of the hotspot places, as the Iranian population of Canada indicates. But just how many Iranians live in Canada? Let’s find out together.

Iranians immigrating to Canada

The Iranian diaspora is a phenomenon that refers to Iranian people who are now living outside their country, scattered across the world. Due to social and political complications that Iran is inflicted with, especially after the Iranian revolution in 1979, a significant number of people immigrate to other countries every year. This number has drastically increased in the past couple of years.

Canada is one of Iran’s favorite destinations for migration. Based on the data from Canada’s 2021 census, which is the latest conducted census, the Iranian population in Canada was declared to be 200,460 individuals, with 88,915 living in Toronto, 45,815 in Vancouver, 23,705 in Montreal, 8,185 in Ottawa, 7,350 in Hamilton, 6,385 in Calgary, 3,625 in Edmonton, 2,775 in Kitchener, Cambridge, and Waterloo, 1,460 in London, and 1,375 in Winnipeg. Of course, these numbers have increased ever since. Interestingly, many immigrants who have been in Canada for a very long time now have their own families. As a result, the population of Iranian-Candian people is also increasing. This multicultural population carries both Iranian and Canadian culture and heritage.

Now, you might wonder why Iranians prefer to immigrate to Canada or which province is home to the majority of immigrated Iranians. These are the questions that we are about to answer in this article. If you’re interested in this subject and wish to learn more, keep on reading!

Why Canada

There are many reasons why Iranians prefer Canada to any other country in the world for immigration. The following list states the most prominent reasons:

• Language
  Iranians start learning English from Middle school. Besides the mandatory subjects in schools and universities, a great number of people take regular lessons. Consequently, most people in Iran, especially the younger generation, are fluent or semi-fluent in English. Besides, Canada’s rich language diversity allows Iranians to find someone who speaks the same language very quickly!
• The life quality
  Canada has one of the largest economies in the world. In addition, it has above-average personal security, health status, job opportunities, earnings, environmental equality, and more. Furthermore, since Iranians have been living in Canada for years, there are many Iranian supermarkets, companies, and businesses that serve newly immigrated Iranians, residents, and Canadians alike. This indicates that newly arrived Iranians would not feel like outsiders, and they can access basically anything they used in Iran in Canada as well.
• The immigration programs
  Canada’s economy depends mainly on immigrants. As a result, several immigration programs encourage Iranians to come and live in Canada. Like many other countries in the world, Canada has a declining birth rate and an aging population. The government invites the young Iranian population to work and study in Canada to counterattack these issues. Many of them later on stay and obtain residency.
• Excellent opportunities for Students
  Canada offers permanent residency pathways for international students. For instance, one can obtain a Post-graduation Work Permit. That is why studying for graduate and undergraduate degrees is an excellent pathway to immigration for students. In fact, the majority of Iranians prefer this method as it has more chance of acceptance and offers easier procedures than other options.
• Multiculturalism
  Cultural diversity has been strongly promoted in Canada since the 1970s due to various political and social reasons. Consequently, Canadians are very welcoming toward other cultures and nationalities. Racial discrimination incidents occur less than in other countries due to multiculturalism. Now, Iranian communities have become a permanent part of Canadian culture to the point that traditional ceremonies such as Nowrouz and Yalda are celebrated in most of Canada’s provinces.

For the above-mentioned reasons and many others, Canada is considered to be most Iranians’ first choice when it comes to immigration.

Iranian population in Canada

As mentioned before, the Iranian population in Canada was declared to be 200,460 individuals based on the data from the 2021 census. According to this data, the following list indicates the population of Iranians in each province.

Again, based on the data from the 2021 census, the following table indicates the Iranian population in the top metropolitan areas:

Why Iranians leave their country

Political climate is one of the primary reasons why Iranians leave their country. The religious conservative government has a significant impact on people’s lives as it controls many aspects of society, including education, the legal system, and the media. As a result of such agendas, serious human rights abuses occur every year, like free speech suppression and secretive prosecutions, ultimately resulting in international sanctions.

The next prominent reason is the economic factors. Although Iran is rich in natural resources, it has struggled with economic stagnation and a high unemployment rate in recent years. Many reasons, including inflation and currency devaluation, have caused Iranians great difficulty. A lot of people are struggling to make ends meet. As a result, the majority of the working class is inflicted with depression and hopelessness.

These factors, plus several cultural and social issues, have made it difficult for individuals, especially the younger generation, to make a life of their own and see an ounce of opportunity to make a better future for themselves. Consequently, many Iranians decide to leave the country in search of a better life and greater freedom.

Conclusion

Over the past few decades, the number of Iranians living in Canada has witnessed significant growth. The primary reason is this country’s welcoming and inclusive culture, which offers numerous opportunities for immigrants. Indeed, Canada is one of the most attractive destinations for Iranians seeking a better life due to its favorable economic prospects, social support networks, quality education system, etc.

As the Iranian diaspora in Canada continues to evolve and contribute to the nation’s multicultural fabric, fostering inclusivity and embracing diverse experiences is crucial. By doing so, Canada can further strengthen its bonds with its Iranian population and continue to benefit from their rich contributions to society.

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