Toronto is undoubtedly one of Canada’s most lively and diverse cities. It’s commonly called New York North, as it’s a central spot for business, education, and entertainment.
In a city that flourishes with opportunities, the options are limitless! You can explore various career paths like advertising, SEO marketing, or even life coaching. This is why many individuals contemplate moving to Toronto or investing in the city’s real estate market. If you’re curious about the city’s population or contemplating a move, continue reading.
Toronto serves as the capital city of the Ontario province and holds the title of Canada’s most populous city, boasting an estimated population exceeding 2.8 million people. Ranking as the fourth largest city in North America, Toronto is strategically located in the southern part of Ontario, near the US border. Recognized as a global center for business, finance, arts, and culture, it attracts a significant portion of Canada’s population, with around 19% calling Toronto home. The city’s rich cultural diversity, shaped by its migration history, welcomes people from various countries to contribute to the vibrant tapestry of Toronto.
What is the population of Toronto Canada in 2023?
At present, the population of Toronto is projected to reach 2,887,677 (approximately 2.89 million) by the close of 2023. According to the Canadian Census, the city experiences an annual population growth rate of 0.93%. This positions Toronto as the swiftest growing metropolitan area in both Canada and the United States in terms of population. Additionally, Toronto holds the distinction of being the most populated city in Canada and the fourth most populous city in North America.
Reflecting on the past eleven years of Toronto’s population, the growth rate has remained consistently robust, fluctuating between 0.77% and 1.15%. This translates to an annual addition of approximately 20,980 to 30,920 individuals to the overall population. The city has attracted a significant number of workers seeking employment opportunities, playing a pivotal role in this population surge. Additionally, Toronto stands out as a favored destination for immigrants, with 2015 marking a particularly notable year for strong population growth at 1.15%.
| Year | Population | Growth Rate |
| 2011 | 2,615,060 | n/a |
| 2012 | 2,636,040 | 0.80% |
| 2013 | 2,658,200 | 0.84% |
| 2014 | 2,679,930 | 0.82% |
| 2015 | 2,710,850 | 1.15% |
| 2016 | 2,732,571 | 0.80% |
| 2017 | 2,754,100 | 0.79% |
| 2018 | 2,775,200 | 0.77% |
| 2019 | 2,797,900 | 0.83% |
| 2020 | 2,819,723 | 0.78% |
| 2021 | 2,841,987 | 0.79% |
| 2022 | 2,863,880 | 0.77% |
How ethnically diverse is Toronto?
Toronto boasts numerous ethnic neighborhoods. As per the World Population Review, almost half of the city’s population consists of foreign-born individuals. Visible minority groups contribute to 49% of the city’s population. Remarkably, Toronto secures the second-highest percentage of foreign-born residents globally, trailing only behind Miami.
Demographics of Toronto
As per the Canadian census, Toronto stands out as an exceptionally diverse city, home to a vast array of ethnic and cultural groups. In 2016, the top three most prevalent ethnic origins were Chinese (12.5%), English (12.3%), and Canadian (12%).
Back in 2016, the U.N. Development Program placed Toronto second on its list of cities with the highest proportions of foreign-born populations, coming in just after Miami in the United States. Notably, Toronto outranked other multicultural cities or countries like Los Angeles, Vancouver, New York, and Singapore.
The primary languages spoken in Toronto encompass English, French, Chinese, and Italian. Chinese and Italian, though not official languages, are commonly used in professional settings. Regarding religious affiliations in Toronto, the breakdown is as follows: No religion (24.2%), Christian (54.1%), Muslim (8.2%), Hindu (5.6%), Jewish (3.8%), Buddhist (2.7%), Sikh (0.8%), and Other (0.6%).
In terms of age distribution in 2016, individuals aged 14 years and under constituted 14.5% of the population, while those aged 65 years and over accounted for 15.6%. The median age stood at 39.3 years. The population’s gender distribution showed that 48% are male, and 52% are female, with women outnumbering men in all age groups 15 and older.
The leading three occupations and their respective numbers of individuals are: Business, finance, and administration occupations (258,870), education, law, and social, community and government services occupations (186,795), and Sales and service occupations (345,145). Notably, 101,275 people work from home, 9,045 work outside Canada, 156,250 people have no fixed work location, and 1,094,805 people work at their usual place of employment. Regarding industries, the top three are Manufacturing (105,285), Retail (141,535), and Professional, scientific, and technical services (175,685).
What Percentage of Toronto is Immigrants?
Canada has a distinct history shaped by immigration, with millions of individuals choosing to make various cities in the country their new home, a trend that persists to this day.
The growth of Canada’s population is attributed to the influx of immigrants granted permanent residence in the country from 2016 to 2021. As per Statistics Canada, immigrants constituted a substantial 71.1% of the population residing in households during that period.
In a noteworthy shift, India claimed the leading position as the birthplace of new Canadian immigrants for the first time in years, making up 18.6%. Following closely were the Philippines at 11.4% and China at 8.9%.
As of 2021, the records indicate that a remarkable 9 out of 10 Canadian immigrants have chosen to settle in three of the city’s primary urban centers. Specifically, 29.5% are in Toronto, 12.2% in Montreal, and 11.7% in Vancouver.
Therefore, Toronto accommodates the most significant segment of the total Canadian immigrant population. In fact, immigrants constitute 46.6%, or nearly half, of the city’s overall population.
Breaking it down, four municipalities in Toronto stand out, with more than half of their population comprised of immigrants. These include Markham (58.6%), Richmond Hill (58.2%), Mississauga (53.2%), and Brampton (52.9%).
What will be the population of Toronto in 2030?
According to Population Demographics, it is estimated that the population of Toronto will reach 3.5 million by 2030. This represents a substantial 30% increase from the current population.
Read More: Toronto Slang Words Guide – A Linguistic Journey
Read More: 50 Things To Do in Toronto: A City That Buzzes with Life
Facts About Toronto
- The Toronto Stock Exchange holds the position as the third-largest in North America and ranks as the seventh-largest globally in terms of capitalization.
- Indeed, the Toronto Zoo holds the title as the largest in Canada, providing a home for over 16,000 creatures encompassing 491 different species.
- Toronto secured its place as one of the most liveable cities globally.
- The multicultural population of the Greater Toronto Area (GTA) is anticipated to reach 9 million people by the year 2036.
- The lowest reported temperature in Toronto was recorded at -31.3 degrees Celsius (without wind chill) back in 1943.
- Toronto holds the distinction of being the sole Canadian city to participate in seven major league sports.
- In areas like Little Italy, Little Portugal, and Chinatown, you’ll find street signs displaying information in both English and another language, aside from French.
- Toronto Pearson International Airport stands as Canada’s busiest airport, with a notable 41 million passengers passing through its terminals in 2015.