Jewish population in Canada

The Jewish population in Canada is one of the largest in the world, ranking fourth globally after Israel, the United States, and France. According to various sources, the size of the Jewish community in Canada as of recent estimates ranges between 335,000 and 400,000 individuals, depending on the criteria used for identification.

• Population Estimates: The 2021 Canadian census reported 335,295 Canadians identifying as Jewish by religion, an increase from 329,500 in 2011^[1][2]. When including those who identify as Jewish by ethnicity (with no religious affiliation), the total rises to approximately 393,500, as per the census analysis^[1]. Other estimates, such as those from the Berman Jewish DataBank and World Jewish Congress, place the population at around 391,665 to 393,000 in 2020^[3], while sources like the Institute for Jewish Policy Research and World Population Review cite figures close to 400,000^[4][5].
• Geographic Distribution: Canadian Jewry is highly concentrated in specific regions. Over 98% of Jews live in just five provinces: Ontario, Quebec, British Columbia, Manitoba, and Alberta^[1]. Nearly half of Canada’s Jewish population resides in Toronto, with about one-quarter in Montreal^[1]. Other significant urban centers include Vancouver (around 6%), Ottawa, Winnipeg (each over 3%), and Calgary (2%)^[1]. Ontario hosts the largest share with 196,100 Jews, followed by Quebec with 84,530, and British Columbia with 26,845^[2].
• Demographic Trends: The Jewish population in Canada has shown modest growth, largely driven by immigration. Between 2011 and 2021, the national Jewish population grew by 1.8%, with British Columbia seeing the fastest growth at 16% (adding 3,715 Jewish residents)^[2]. While Toronto and Montreal metropolitan areas saw slight declines, their municipal populations grew, indicating a shift toward urban centers^[2]. Montreal’s Jewish population, which had been declining since the 1970s, showed a small increase to 90,250 in 2021, the first gain in 50 years^[6].
• Immigration and Diversity: Immigration plays a significant role in sustaining the community. Between 1980 and 2021, an average of 1,500 Jews by religion immigrated to Canada annually, with major source countries including Israel, the United States, Ukraine, Russia, Morocco, and South Africa^[1]. About 27.1% of Canadian Jews by religion are immigrants^[1]. The community is predominantly Ashkenazi, with a notable Sephardic minority, especially in Montreal, often of North African origin^[3]. Additionally, around 3.6% of Canadian Jews (14,000) identify as part of a visible minority group^[1].
• Cultural and Linguistic Aspects: Language data from the 2021 census highlights the prominence of Hebrew over Yiddish among Canadian Jews, with 83,205 claiming knowledge of Hebrew compared to 20,155 for Yiddish, reflecting educational trends and immigration patterns^[1]. Yiddish remains more common among Haredi communities and older generations, while Hebrew is emphasized in Jewish day schools^[1].

Overall, Canada’s Jewish community remains vibrant and influential, contributing significantly to the country’s cultural and public life, with ongoing growth supported by immigration despite challenges like below-replacement fertility rates and an aging population^[1][3].

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• https://thecjn.ca/news/canada-jewish-census/           
• https://www.jewishindependent.ca/quick-look-at-canadian-jews/    
• https://www.worldjewishcongress.org/en/about/communities/ca   
• https://www.jpr.org.uk/countries/how-many-jews-in-canada 
• https://worldpopulationreview.com/country-rankings/jewish-population-by-country 
• https://thecjn.ca/news/montreal-jewish-population/