The US and Canada have been immigrant hubs for generations now and that has greatly impacted the cultures and demographics of both North American nations. In the USA, mass immigration from Latin America has been the predominant source of migration since the 1960s with Mexico being the most common country of birth for immigrants in over half of all US states and 40 states out of 50 having a Latin American nation as its most common foreign country of birth.
Canada, in contrast, has historically had most of its immigration come from the Old World, particular Europe and Asia. From the late 1700s until 2011, the United Kingdom was the most common country of birth for foreign nationals until India took over the top spot starting in the 2011 national census, which is now followed by other Asian nations like China, Philippines, and Pakistan, in addition to the UK.
The most common countries of birth for immigrants in the US (2020 census):
1. Mexico (11 million)
2. India (2.7 million)
3. China (2.3 million)
4. Philippines (2.1 million)
5. El Salvador (1.5 million)
The most common countries of birth for immigrants in Canada (2021 census):
1. India (898k)
2. Philippines (720k)
3. China (716k)
4. United Kingdom (499k)
5. Pakistan (256k)
Interesting to see Philippines so well represented. Anyone have the history of that?
What dataset did you use for Canada? It looks a bit odd.
Ah, so much for a ‘melting pot’… more like a maple syrup blend!
In Ontario where I live the Indians working at Tim Hortons are so numerous there is a new word for them. Timmigrants.
What’s got the Brits coming to The Yukon?
I’m from BC and I’d think it would be split between India and China. I’d lean towards India having a slighter bigger percentage as well.
Why are so many from the UK moving to the Yukon Territory?
PEI has a Chinese problem? Are they buying up properties under the locals a la Vancouver?
Aren’t there any people in Canada born in the USA?
![Most Common Country of Origin for Foreign-Born Nationals in the USA and Canada [OC]](https://www.europesays.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/4xdjqw4nwuyf1-1080x1024.png)
10 comments
[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Immigration_to_the_United_States#Demography](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Immigration_to_the_United_States#Demography) – USA
[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Canada_immigration_statistics](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Canada_immigration_statistics) – Canada
The US and Canada have been immigrant hubs for generations now and that has greatly impacted the cultures and demographics of both North American nations. In the USA, mass immigration from Latin America has been the predominant source of migration since the 1960s with Mexico being the most common country of birth for immigrants in over half of all US states and 40 states out of 50 having a Latin American nation as its most common foreign country of birth.
Canada, in contrast, has historically had most of its immigration come from the Old World, particular Europe and Asia. From the late 1700s until 2011, the United Kingdom was the most common country of birth for foreign nationals until India took over the top spot starting in the 2011 national census, which is now followed by other Asian nations like China, Philippines, and Pakistan, in addition to the UK.
The most common countries of birth for immigrants in the US (2020 census):
1. Mexico (11 million)
2. India (2.7 million)
3. China (2.3 million)
4. Philippines (2.1 million)
5. El Salvador (1.5 million)
The most common countries of birth for immigrants in Canada (2021 census):
1. India (898k)
2. Philippines (720k)
3. China (716k)
4. United Kingdom (499k)
5. Pakistan (256k)
Interesting to see Philippines so well represented. Anyone have the history of that?
What dataset did you use for Canada? It looks a bit odd.
Ah, so much for a ‘melting pot’… more like a maple syrup blend!
In Ontario where I live the Indians working at Tim Hortons are so numerous there is a new word for them. Timmigrants.
What’s got the Brits coming to The Yukon?
I’m from BC and I’d think it would be split between India and China. I’d lean towards India having a slighter bigger percentage as well.
Why are so many from the UK moving to the Yukon Territory?
PEI has a Chinese problem? Are they buying up properties under the locals a la Vancouver?
Aren’t there any people in Canada born in the USA?
Comments are closed.