Profile of Muslims in Canada: Challenges & Opportunities

January 27, 2025
JFA Admin
Reports

January 6, 2025

Population

1,775,710 Muslims in Canada (2021) up from 1,053,945 in 2011.
4.9% of the total national population, up from 3.2% in 2011.
Overwhelmingly urban.
Over half live in Ontario (53.1%, a slight reduction since 2011 indicating internal migration patterning).
Greater Toronto Area and Montreal, Ottawa, Vancouver, and cities in Alberta. Canadian North population is low (505 people) but did increase by 38.3% since 2011.

Immigration

Immigration:
- 1991-2001: 13.7% of all
  immigrants were Muslims.
- 2011: This rose to 18%.
- 2021 Census: 63.1% of total
  Muslims being immigrants.
The majority of Muslim immigrants come from Asia (approximately 64.7%), especially Pakistan, Iran, Syria, Bangladesh, Afghanistan, India, Lebanon, and Iraq.
Significant numbers also come from Saudi Arabia, Turkey, UAE, Jordan, Kuwait, and Palestinian territories.
African-origin Muslim immigrants (29.1%) are from Morocco, Algeria, Somalia, Egypt, and Tunisia.
Smaller groups come from South America, the Caribbean, Europe, and Oceania.

High-Density Areas

GTA: Currently 10.2% of the total population and expected to rise to 13.2% by 2036 (StatsCan).
Quebec: Especially Montreal, which comprises 8.9% of the city’s total population.
Ottawa now replaces Vancouver as 3rd place, contending with Calgary and Edmonton.

Language and Diversity

Arabic: Most common mother language, followed by Urdu, Bengali, Persian, Somali, and Turkish.
Bilingualism: 95% of Muslims in Canada can converse in either or both official languages.
Visible Minorities:
- 89.2% of Canadian Muslims
  identify as a “visible minority.”
- Over 60 ethnocultural groups are
  represented.
- Dominated by South Asians
  (37.6%), Arabs (32.2%), West Asians (13%), and Black Muslims
  (11.6%, an increase from 9% in 2011).
- Indigenous Muslims: 1,840, up
  from 1,065 in 2011, mainly female (58%).

Age and Cultural Identity

Young population.
31.5% were born in Canada, the US, or Europe (28% of that was Canada specifically).
“No Arab country ranks in the top three source countries of Muslim populations, by birth” (StatsCan 2021).

Education

60% of Muslims over the age of 15 have post-secondary education, including trade, college, or university (the latter being the largest).
44% of working-age Muslim men and women hold degrees, compared to only 25.8% of the Canadian national average.

Employment

13.9% unemployment rate among Muslims, higher than Sikhs, Hindus, and other minorities, but second to Indigenous communities.
12% self-employed.
Muslims earn up to 25% less than the Canadian national salary average, face lower pension incomes, and are overrepresented in rental economies.
Only 62% of Canadian-born Muslim professionals are employed in their trained fields.

Intersecting Challenges

Discriminatory hiring and retention practices.
Housing discrimination, lack of halal financing options.
High cost of living, with larger families facing added financial strain.

Halal Industry Growth

Halal Food Market Size: In 2022, the Canadian halal food market was valued at approximately $10.39 billion. Projections indicate that this market will reach around $18.34 billion by 2032, with a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 5.90% from 2023 to 2032.
Retail Expansion: Major grocery chains in Canada, such as Walmart, Costco, and Sobeys, have responded to the growing demand by stocking more halal-certified products, introducing halal store brands, and adapting existing products to meet halal requirements.

Canadian Grocer
Consumer Perception: Despite the increased availability, a 2014 survey indicated that approximately 65% of halal food consumers felt that food companies and leading food chains were insufficient in meeting their halal demands, suggesting room for further market development.

Mosques / Islamic Centres in Canada

As of December 1, 2024, Canada is home to 755 mosques, reflecting the growth and diversification of the Muslim population across the country.

Provincial Distribution:

While specific data on the number of mosques per province is limited, the distribution of the Muslim population offers insight into where mosques are likely concentrated:

Ontario: With approximately 581,950 Muslims, Ontario has the largest Muslim community, suggesting a significant number of mosques, particularly
in urban centers like Toronto, which alone hosts over 100 mosques.
Quebec: Home to about 243,430 Muslims, with a substantial concentration in Montreal, indicating a considerable number of mosques to serve the community.
Alberta: Approximately 113,445 Muslims reside here, with cities like Calgary and Edmonton hosting notable mosques, including the historic Al-Rashid Mosque in Edmonton, established in 1938 as Canada’s oldest purpose-built mosque.
British Columbia: With around 79,310 Muslims, the province has several mosques, particularly in the Greater Vancouver area.

Strengths of Canadian Muslims

Resilience and Adaptability: Despite systemic barriers, Canadian Muslims exhibit significant resilience. Initiatives to combat Islamophobia and promote youth empowerment indicate community-driven solutions.
Education and Skill Levels: High levels of educational attainment position Muslims as a vital intellectual and professional resource for Canada.
Cultural Richness: The diversity within the Muslim community fosters rich cultural exchanges and interfaith dialogue.
Youth Demographics: A young population offers potential for long-term contributions to Canada’s economic and social fabric.

Challenges Faced by Canadian Muslims

Economic Disparities: Persistent unemployment and underemployment undermine the economic stability of Muslim families, impacting future generations.
Limited Representation: Political underrepresentation and poor media portrayals restrict the community’s influence in shaping policies and public perceptions.
Lack of Cohesion: Cultural and sectarian differences, while a strength in diversity, sometimes hinder unified community initiatives.
Islamophobia: Systemic and social prejudices reduce opportunities and create barriers to full societal participation.

Additional Trends and Challenges

Issues parsing identities and navigating integration.
Economic precarity impacts Muslims sooner and harder due to systemic Islamophobia.
Schooling and education choices are constrained by Islamophobia and high costs of Islamic education.
Family wellness issues include mental health and kinship support.
Muslims report feeling isolated within their communities and broader Canadian society.
Lack of political representation and limited media visibility perpetuate stereotypes.
Community resilience and youth empowerment initiatives are growing but require greater support.