Lithuanians in Canada – Interesting Statistics (from the 2021 Census)

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There are 52,040 people of Lithuanian ethnic origin (self-identified) living in Canada. We are a small portion of Canada’s population of 40 million people. Lithuania is a country with a population (2.7 million) roughly equal to that of Canada’s largest city (Toronto – 2.81 million).

Source: Statistics Canada, 2021 Census of Population, Statistics Canada catalogue no. 98-10-0338-01.

Lithuanians in the European Union

The proportion of Lithuanians in the Canadian population (.2%) is smaller than the proportion of Lithuanians in the European Union (.6%):


Source: United Nations, Department of Economic and Social Affairs, Population Division, “World Population Prospects: The 2019 Revision”

Ethnic Groups in Canada

And compare our small population of 52 thousand Lithuanians with the 19 largest ethnic groups in Canada:


Source: Statistics Canada. Table 98-10-0338-01  Ethnic or cultural origin by generation status: Canada, provinces and territories, census metropolitan areas and census agglomerations with parts.

Distribution of Lithuanians in Canada: By Province

We live in almost every province and territory of Canada, although most of the 52 thousand Canadian Lithuanians live in Ontario.

Source: Statistics Canada, 2021 Census of Population, Statistics Canada catalogue no. 98-10-0338-01.

Distribution of Lithuanians in Canada: By City

Along with other Canadians we now live primarily in Canada’s cities.

Source: Statistics Canada, 2021 Census of Population, Statistics Canada catalogue no. 98-10-0338-01.

Lithuanian Canadians by Age Group

The Canadian census showed that, in 2021, the Lithuanian population in Canada is predominantly in the working adult age group, with a second large group nearing or at retirement. Although the school age group is small, there is a growing population of children.

Source: Statistics Canada, 2021 Census of Population, Statistics Canada catalogue no. 98-10-0338-01.

Education

We are a well educated population. Of the 49 thousand Lithuanian Canadian responses to the 2016 Census education questions, including all age groups, the largest group had a university degree at bachelor or advanced level. (no data available from the 2021 Census)

Source: Statistics Canada, 2016 Census of Population, Statistics Canada catalogue no. 98-400-X2016189.

Immigration since 1980

We have come to Canada in waves:

  • a first wave prior to World War II
  • a second wave, primarily of displaced persons, after World War II
  • a third wave following Lithuania’s independence in 1990

Now we come to Canada for a variety of reasons:

Source: Statistics Canada, 2021 Census of Population, Statistics Canada catalogue no. 98-10-0317-01.

For additional information on immigration consult Statistics Canada.

The Generations of Lithuanians in Canada

On the chart below the third generation (and beyond) is the largest segment.

Source: Statistics Canada, 2021 Census of Population, Statistics Canada catalogue no. 98-10-0338-01.

Language and Culture

In the population of 52,040 people who identify as having a Lithuanian origin, use of the Lithuanian language is rare.

Source: Statistics Canada, 2021 Census of Population, Statistics Canada catalogue no. 98-410-0182-01,98-410-0529-01,  98-10-0338-01.

Language schools across Canada facilitate Lithuanian language retention. We maintain our heritage through a network of social, religious and cultural groups across Canada. For additional language and cultural resources please visit: The Lithuanian Canadian Community (Kanados Lietuvių Bendruomenė).

Click here to see the questionnaire used by Statistics Canada to collect data for the charts.

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