Key Insights

World Population Review reports that Montreal’s ethnic diversity has significantly increased in 2024, with visible minorities now making up 31% of the population. This is a sharp rise from 5% in 1981. According to Statisa, Montreal remains a predominantly French-speaking city, with over 71% of residents identifying French as their first language. However, English also holds a strong presence (20.4%), and bilingualism ( 6.7%) is widespread in workplaces and public spaces. As per Institut de la statistique du Québec (ISQ), immigrants made up 30.7% of Montreal’s workforce in 2021. In comparison, immigrants made up 17% of Quebec’s workforce as a whole in 2023.

Montreal has experienced a significant rise in diversity over the past few decades. The World Population Review reports that 31% of its population now identifies as a visible minority.

Population growth has also surged recently, particularly in Montreal’s downtown core. According to La Presse, the city’s population increased by 100,000 people in 2023, making it the fastest-growing major urban centre in Quebec.

This diversity extends into the workforce as well. The New Lines Institute reports that immigrants accounted for 30.7% of Montreal’s labour force in 2021.

Nationally, Statistics Canada found that racialised workers made up 8.2% of Canada’s labour force in 2022. South Asians, Chinese, and Black Canadians make up the largest groups of these racialised workers.

Trends in Montreal’s Diversity Over Time

Montreal has long been a major destination for immigrants, which makes it one of Canada’s most diverse cities.

According to Statista, immigration to Montreal steadily increased from 2002 to 2013. However, there was a notable drop in immigration numbers between 2012/2013 and 2014/2015, with arrivals declining from 47,881 to 39,167.

Following this decline, immigration numbers rebounded in 2015/2016. However, from that point onward, immigration levels experienced another downward trend until 2020/2021.

This decline coincided with global disruptions, including the COVID-19 pandemic, which significantly affected migration patterns worldwide. 

Despite these fluctuations, immigration to Montreal surged again in 2021/2022, reaching 49,460 new arrivals.

Immigrant Population and Trends in Montreal 

According to Institut de la statistique du Québec (ISQ), Montreal has experienced a significant population boom. There was a 5.3% increase in just a year, largely due to the post-pandemic resumption of immigration. 

This has made the city the fastest-growing major urban centre in Quebec.

In line with this, La Presse reports that Montreal’s population grew by 100,000 people in 2023, surpassing all other major cities in Quebec.

ISQ experts further explain that Montreal’s downtown core, specifically the Ville-Marie borough, has seen a remarkable 14% population surge between 2022 and 2023. In just a year, its population grew from 103,017 to 117,823.

Other boroughs, such as Côte-des-Neiges–NDG and Montreal North, have also experienced notable population increases.

Linguistic Diversity in Montreal 

Over 71% of the city’s population reported French as their first language, according to a Statista study in 2021. English still maintains a significant presence, with 20.4% of residents identifying it as their primary language.

Beyond those who speak only French or English, 6.7% of the population reported using both languages as their primary means of communication. 

This bilingualism is especially prominent in workplaces, educational institutions, and public spaces, where both languages are frequently required in daily interactions.

In contrast, 1.6% of Montrealers spoke a first language other than French or English. This highlights Montreal’s growing linguistic diversity and multicultural influence.

Looking at the broader provincial context, 46.4% of Quebec residents were bilingual in French and English in 2021.

As Montreal continues to grow and attract newcomers worldwide, its linguistic diversity is likely to evolve further.

Religious Diversity in Montreal

Montreal’s religious landscape reflects its changing cultural diversity. According to Statistics Canada, Catholicism remained the dominant faith, with approximately 675,695 individuals (34.5% of the population) identifying as Catholic in 2021.

However, religious diversity in Montreal continues to expand. The Muslim community has grown significantly from 2011 to 2021, making up 11.9% of the city’s population or roughly 233,440 individuals.

At the same time, secularism is on the rise. In 2021, 30.1% of Montrealers (approximately 590,145 individuals) reported having no religious affiliation or identified with secular perspectives.

Additionally, the category of “Other Christians” has risen from 5.9% to 8.6%, suggesting a shift toward smaller or non-traditional Christian denominations.

In contrast, traditional Protestant denominations such as Anglican, Baptist, Lutheran, and Presbyterian have declined from 2011 to 2021. 

Diversity in Montreal’s Workforce

Montreal stands out as one of the most diverse urban centres in Canada. In fact, the New Lines Institute reports that immigrants made up 30.7% of the city’s workforce in 2021. This is significantly higher than Quebec’s provincial average of 17% in 2023.

Additionally, Montreal’s workforce reflects the growing diversity of Canada’s labour market. According to Statistics Canada, 8.2% of all Canadian workers (nearly 5.9 million people) identified as racialised in 2022.

This number is made up of 1.6 million South Asians, 1.0 million Chinese, and 871,800 Black Canadians. 

Furthermore, 70.6% of racialised Canadian workers participated in the labour force, compared to 63.5% of non-racialized workers. Similarly, employment rates were higher among racialised workers (66.0%) than non-racialized workers (60.4%).

The data also highlights that in certain racialised groups (such as Chinese, Black, and Filipino communities), women outnumbered men in the workforce. They made up nearly half (47.6%) of all Canadian workers in 2022.

Social and Economic Impact of Diversity

Montreal has long been recognised for its rich social diversity and economic vitality. As reported by Montréal.ca, the city introduced the “Montreal 2030” in 2018 as an economic development strategy aimed towards innovation and commerce.

The city’s ability to attract diverse international talent is a major factor behind this success. Canada’s immigration system that emphasises skilled labour, family reunification, and refugee protection has attracted millions of immigrants from around the world. 

According to Institut de la statistique du Québec (ISQ), immigrants made up 30.7% of its labor force in 2021, compared to just 17% for Quebec as a whole in 2023. 

Quebec’s immigration policies also sustain this workforce. The province’s 2024-2025 Immigration Plan maintains an annual intake of 50,000 newcomers, helping graduates from the Québec Experience Program (PEQ). 

The said program also allows foreign students educated in Quebec to gain permanent residency in Canada. 

Challenges and Opportunities for a Diverse Montreal

Montreal’s diversity is one of its greatest strengths. One notable initiative is Closed Doors Day, an awareness campaign launched in January 2020 in collaboration with the Newcomer Office (BINAM).

This event encouraged major employers to acknowledge and overcome biases that hinder access to employment for racialised and immigrant workers.

In addition to awareness campaigns, the city has implemented policies such as the Equal Access to Employment Program. The program is designed to promote fair hiring practices for underrepresented groups.

To further institutionalize these efforts, Montreal also established the Office of the Commissioner for Combating Racism and Systemic Discrimination. 

While diversity in Montreal presents many opportunities, there are also challenges, particularly in ensuring equal opportunities for all residents.

According to the City of Montreal, employment inequity remains a pressing issue. It has prevented many immigrants and individuals from multicultural backgrounds from fully integrating into the workforce.

Fortunately, the increasing number of immigrants in Montreal is presenting many great opportunities for people worldwide. 

References

• CityNews Everywhere (2024). Montreal sees population increase, due to immigration: ISQ study. https://montreal.citynews.ca/2024/01/10/montreal-population-increase/ 
• Cogito (2023). Leaving no one behind: Montréal’s strategies for an inclusive future. https://oecdcogito.blog/2023/09/22/leaving-no-one-behind-montreals-strategies-for-an-inclusive-future/ 
• Commission des droits (n.d.). Learn more about equal access employment programs. https://www.cdpdj.qc.ca/en/our-services/activities-and-services/learn-more-about-equal-access-employment-programs 
• Council of Europe (2020). Integrating migrants in the job market: Launch of the Closed Doors Day campaign. https://www.coe.int/en/web/interculturalcities/-/integrating-migrants-in-the-job-market-launch-of-the-closed-doors-day-campaign 
• Council of Europe (n.d.). The City of Montreal creates an Office of the Commissioner for Combating Racism and Systemic Discrimination. https://www.coe.int/en/web/interculturalcities/-/the-city-of-montreal-creates-an-office-of-the-commissioner-for-combating-racism-and-systemic-discrimination 
• Institut de la statistique du Québec (2024). Montréal 2030: A First Strategic Plan. https://montreal.ca/en/articles/montreal-2030-first-strategic-plan-8318 
• La Presse (2024. La population de Montréal rebondit. https://www.lapresse.ca/actualites/grand-montreal/2024-01-10/estimation-de-l-isq/la-population-de-montreal-rebondit.php 
• Montreal.ca. Montréal 2030: A First Strategic Plan. https://montreal.ca/en/articles/montreal-2030-first-strategic-plan-8318
• New Lines Institute (2025). Place and Purpose Drove Montreal’s Cultural Evolution. https://newlinesinstitute.org/political-systems/place-and-purpose-drove-montreals-cultural-evolution/
• New Lines Institute (2024). Montreal as a Technological Hub: The Impact of Diversity and Immigration on Innovation and Global Reach in a Cosmopolitan Core. https://newlinesinstitute.org/future-frontiers/montreal-as-a-technological-hub-the-impact-of-diversity-and-immigration-on-innovation-and-global-reach-in-a-cosmopolitan-core/
• Statista (2025). Distribution of people living in Montréal, Québec in Canada in 2021, by first official language spoken and gender. https://www.statista.com/statistics/1339075/population-montreal-canada-official-language-spoken-gender/
• Statista (2025). Number of people immigrating to Montréal, Québec in Canada from 2001 to 2022. https://www.statista.com/statistics/1338610/immigrants-montreal-canada/ 
• Statistics Canada. Distribution (in percentage) of main religious groups, Montréal (Territoire équivalent), 2011 and 2021. https://www12.statcan.gc.ca/census-recensement/2021/as-sa/fogs-spg/alternative.cfm?topic=10&lang=e&dguid=2021A00032466&objectId=2_1 
• Statistics Canada (2023). A salute to Canadian workers. https://www.statcan.gc.ca/o1/en/plus/4420-salute-canadian-workers