Canadian Muslim Community Growing, Highly Educated, and Deeply Engaged, New National Report Finds

The Institute of Islamic Studies (IIS), in partnership with Islamic Relief Canada (IRC), has released a landmark data report mapping the demographic, socioeconomic, and social landscape of Canadian Muslims.

Titled Canadian Muslim Demographics, Socioeconomics, Social Attitudes, and Experiential Outcomes, the report offers one of the most comprehensive analyses to date of Canada’s diverse and rapidly evolving Muslim communities.

The study draws on weighted data from multiple national sources — including the 2021 Canadian Census, the 2011 National Household Survey, the 2024 IIS Survey of Muslims in Canada, and the 2016 Environics Institute Survey — to trace population trends, social attitudes, economic realities, and community experiences.

A Rapidly Growing, Young, and Diverse Population

The report confirms that Canadian Muslims represent one of the fastest-growing populations in the country.

Growth is occurring not only through immigration but also through domestic births, with nearly one in three Muslims now Canadian-born.

Second- and third-generation Muslims are increasing sharply, contributing to a demographic shift that is reshaping community identity.

The research also highlights increasing diversity.

Arab, Black, South Asian, and other racialized groups continue to make up expanding segments of the Muslim population, reflecting Canada’s broader multicultural dynamics.

High Education Levels, Ongoing Employment Barriers

Canadian Muslims show strong levels of educational attainment, with nearly 43% holding a bachelor’s degree or higher — surpassing the national average.

Despite these achievements, the report points to persistent barriers in the labour market, particularly for Muslim women and Black Muslims, who face disproportionate challenges in securing equitable employment and advancement.

Economic Progress Marked by Inequality

While the data reveals signs of economic resilience and gradual income improvements, Muslim households remain more likely to fall below the low-income cut-off than non-Muslim Canadians.

Economic experiences differ significantly by region and ethnicity, underscoring the need for targeted policies and community support initiatives.

Deep Faith, Strong Community Bonds, and Active Citizenship

The findings underline what many observers see in mosques and community centres across the country: Canadian Muslims report strong ties to religious practice, community life, and civic participation.

High rates of volunteerism, charitable giving, and engagement in local institutions reflect a community committed to contributing positively to Canadian society.

At the same time, many respondents report experiences of discrimination or feelings of underrepresentation, pointing to ongoing social challenges amid rising concerns about Islamophobia.

Leaders Emphasize Importance of Data-Driven Insight

Community and academic leaders say the report provides crucial tools for understanding and supporting Canadian Muslims in an evidence-based way.

“This report is a landmark contribution to our understanding of Muslims in Canada — their stories, their realities, and their aspirations,” said Tufail Hussain, CEO of Islamic Relief Canada. “Reliable, data-driven insights like these help us move beyond assumptions and stereotypes, allowing communities, organizations, policymakers, and institutions to understand — and then serve — Canadian Muslims more effectively.”

Anver M. Emon, Director of the Institute of Islamic Studies, underscored the importance of this research at a time of heightened public concern.

“While IIS’s mission is centered on the study of Islam and Muslims around the world, its research endeavours also center the study of Muslims in Canada so as to support innovative research on the past, present, and future of Canada,” he said. “A data-driven analysis of Canadians, in particular Canadian Muslim[s] in a time of rising Islamophobia, is the kind of work needed to support a more inclusive society.”

A Foundational Resource for Policymakers and Community Leaders

By offering clear, reliable data on evolving demographics and lived experiences, the IIS–IRC report aims to strengthen decision-making, strategy development, and policy formation — both within Muslim organizations and across sectors that serve diverse Canadian populations.

The full report is now available for stakeholders, researchers, and community members seeking deeper insight into the realities and aspirations of Canada’s Muslim communities.

Report and Appendix (Data Tables)
The full report can be viewed here.

The appendix - as a list of data tables - can be viewed here (opens a .xlsx file).