In 2011, 1.4 million people with an Aboriginal identity

The population who had an Aboriginal identity grew by 20.1% between 2006 and 2011^Note 7 to reach 1.4 million in 2011, representing 4.3% of Canada’s overall population.^Note 8 During the same period, the growth of the non-Aboriginal population was much smaller, at 5.2%.
According to all the projection scenarios for the Aboriginal identity population, that population should continue to grow more rapidly than the non-Aboriginal population, mainly because of higher fertility.
Between 2011 and 2031, the average annual growth rate of the Aboriginal identity population could range between 1.1% and 2.2%, while that of the non-Aboriginal population could be around 1.0%. The population with an Aboriginal identity could therefore reach between 1.7 million and 2.2 million by 2031, accounting for between 4.0% and 5.3% of the overall population.

Notes

Note 7.

Data on the Aboriginal population showing changes in proportions between the 2011 National Household Survey and the 2006 Census data have been adjusted to account for incompletely enumerated Indian reserves in 2006 and/or 2011. Moreover, the 2006 Census data have been adjusted to the same universe used for the 2011 National Household Survey (population in private households).

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Note 8.

Some Indian reserves and settlements did not participate in the 2011 National Household Survey as enumeration was either not permitted, it was interrupted before completion, or because of natural events (e.g., forest fires). These reserves are referred to as 'incompletely enumerated reserves.' There were 36 reserves out of 863 inhabited reserves in the 2011 National Household Survey that were incompletely enumerated. Data for these 36 Indian reserves and Indian settlements are not included in the 2011 National Household Survey tabulations. While the impact of the missing data tends to be small for national-level and most provincial/territorial statistics, it can be significant for some smaller areas. Most of the people living on incompletely enumerated reserves are First Nations Registered Indians, and consequently, the impact of incomplete enumeration will be greatest on data for First Nations people and for persons registered under the Indian Act.

Return to note 8 referrer

Date modified:: 2016-02-19

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Canadian Demographics at a Glance

In 2011, 1.4 million people with an Aboriginal identity

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