Focus on Geography Series, 2021 Census of Population
Canada
5.0%
In 2021, there were 1,807,250 Indigenous people in Canada, making up 5.0% of the population.
58.0%
The majority of the Indigenous population reported a single Indigenous identity—either First Nations, Métis or Inuk (Inuit). Of the Indigenous population in Canada, 58.0% (1,048,405) were First Nations people, 34.5% (624,215) were Métis, and 3.9% (70,540) were Inuit.
71.8%
Within the First Nations population, 71.8% (753,115) had Registered or Treaty Indian status, as defined under the Indian Act. The other 28.2% (295,290) of the First Nations population did not have Registered or Treaty Indian status.
28,860
In addition to those who reported a single Indigenous identity, 28,860 people reported more than one Indigenous identity and 35,225 were defined as having an Indigenous identity that was not included elsewhere.
Total population by Indigenous identity and Registered or Treaty Indian status, Canada, 2021
| Indigenous identity | Number | Percent (%) |
|---|---|---|
| Total – Population by Indigenous identity | 36,328,475 | 100.0 |
| Indigenous identity | 1,807,250 | 5.0 |
| Single Indigenous responses | 1,743,165 | 4.8 |
| First Nations (North American Indian) | 1,048,405 | 2.9 |
| First Nations (Registered or Treaty Indian) | 753,115 | 2.1 |
| First Nations (not a Registered or Treaty Indian) | 295,290 | 0.8 |
| Métis | 624,215 | 1.7 |
| Inuk (Inuit) | 70,540 | 0.2 |
| Multiple Indigenous responses | 28,860 | 0.1 |
| Indigenous responses not included elsewhere | 35,225 | 0.1 |
| Non-Indigenous identity | 34,521,225 | 95.0 |
Distribution of the Indigenous population by population centre size, Canada, 2021
Distribution of the First Nations population with Registered or Treaty Indian status by residence on or off reserve, Canada, 2021
Distribution of the Inuit population by residence inside or outside Inuit Nunangat, Canada, 2021
Younger
In general, the Indigenous population in Canada is younger than the non-Indigenous population.
25.4%
Indigenous children aged 14 and under represented 25.4% of the total Indigenous population, while non-Indigenous children aged 14 and under accounted for 16.0% of the non-Indigenous population.
33.6
The average age of the Indigenous population in Canada was 33.6 years, compared with 41.8 years for the non-Indigenous population.
32.5
The average age was 32.5 years for First Nations people; it was 35.9 years for Métis; and it was 28.9 years for Inuit.
Age distribution by Indigenous identity, Canada, 2021
Top 15 census metropolitan areas and census agglomerations by Indigenous population, Canada, 2021
Selected Indigenous language indicators for First Nations people, Métis and Inuit, Canada, 2021
Top 10 most common Indigenous languages spoken for the Indigenous population, Canada, 2021
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