# Demographics of Alberta

Alberta has experienced a relatively high rate of growth in recent years, due in large part to its economy. Between 2003 and 2004, the province saw high birthrates (on par with some larger provinces such as British Columbia), relatively high immigration, and a high rate of interprovincial migration when compared to other provinces. Approximately 81% of the population live in urban areas and only about 19% live in rural areas. The Calgary–Edmonton Corridor is the most urbanized area in Alberta and is one of Canada's four most urban regions. Many of Alberta's cities and towns have also experienced high rates of growth in recent history. From a population of 73,022 in 1901, Alberta has grown to 4,262,635 in 2021 and in the process has gone from less than 1.5% of Canada's population to 11.5%. It is the fourth most populated province in Canada. Between the 2016 and 2021 censuses, the Alberta population grew by 4.8%.

## Population history

| Year | Population | Five-year % change | Ten-year % change | Percentage of Canadian pop. | Rank among provinces |
| 1901 | 73,022† | n/a | n/a | 1.4 | 9 |
| 1911 | 374,295 | n/a | 412.6 | 5.2 | 7 |
| 1921 | 588,454 | n/a | 57.2 | 6.7 | 5 |
| 1931 | 731,605 | n/a | 24.3 | 7.0 | 4 |
| 1941 | 796,169 | n/a | 8.8 | 6.9 | 5 |
| 1951 | 939,501 | n/a | 18.0 | 6.7 | 4 |
| 1956 | 1,123,116 | 19.5 | n/a | n/a | 4 |
| 1961 | 1,331,944 | 18.6 | 41.8 | 7.3 | 4 |
| 1969 | 1,463,203 | 9.9 | 30.3 | n/a | 4 |
| 1971 | 1,627,875 | 11.3 | 22.2 | 7.5 | 4 |
| 1976 | 1,838,035 | 12.9 | 25.6 | n/a | 4 |
| 1981 | 2,237,724 | 21.7 | 37.5 | 9.2 | 4 |
| 1986 | 2,365,830 | 5.7 | 28.7 | 9.3 | 4 |
| 1991 | 2,545,553 | 7.6 | 13.8 | 9.3 | 4 |
| 1996 | 2,696,826 | 5.9 | 14.0 | 9.3 | 4 |
| 2001 | 2,974,807 | 10.3 | 16.9 | 9.9 | 4 |
| 2006 | 3,290,350 | 10.6 | 22.0 | 10.4 | 4 |
| 2011 | 3,645,257 | 10.8 | 22.5 | 10.9 | 4 |
| 2016 | 4,067,175 | 11.6 | 23.6 | 11.6 | 4 |
| 2021 | 4,262,635 | 4.8 | 16.9 | 11.5 | 4 |
† 1901 population for District of Alberta, part of the then-named North-West Territories.

## Population geography
### Census metropolitan areas

As of the 2011 census, Alberta had two census metropolitan areas (CMAs) recognized by Statistics Canada. A third one was added in the 2016 census.
The following is a list of the recent population history of the Calgary and Edmonton CMAs.
| CMA name | 2021 | 2016 | 2011 | 2006 | 2001 | 1996 | Census division |
| Calgary | 1,481,806 | 1,374,655 | 1,214,839 | 1,079,310 | 951,395 | 821,628 | Division No. 6 |
| Edmonton | 1,418,118 | 1,297,280 | 1,159,869 | 1,034,945 | 937,845 | 862,597 | Division No. 11 |
The third CMA added in 2016 is Lethbridge, and its population history is as follows:
| CMA name | 2021 | 2016 | Census division |
| Lethbridge | 123,847 | 113,920 | Division No. 2 |
The fourth CMA added in 2021 is Red Deer, and its population history is as follows:
| CMA name | 2021 | Census division |
| Red Deer | 100,844 | Division No. 8 |
CMA notes:
* ↑ In the 2006 census, the 2001 population of the Calgary was adjusted to 951,494 due to a boundary expansion.

### Census subdivisions

As of the 2006 census, Alberta had 453 census subdivisions (municipalities and municipal equivalents) recognized by Statistics Canada. The following is a list of those census subdivisions with a population of 10,000 or greater.
| Name | Municipal status | 2011 | 2006 | 2001 | 1996 | Notes |
| Calgary | City | 1,096,833 | 988,193 | 878,866 | 768,082 | |
| Edmonton | City | 812,201 | 730,372 | 666,104 | 616,306 | |
| Strathcona County | Specialized municipality | 92,490 | 82,511 | 71,986 | 64,176 | Located within the Edmonton CMA |
| Red Deer | City | 90,564 | 82,772 | 67,707 | 60,075 | |
| Lethbridge | City | 83,517 | 74,637 | 67,374 | 63,053 | |
| Wood Buffalo | Specialized municipality | 65,565 | 51,496 | 41,466 | 35,213 | |
| St. Albert | City | 61,466 | 57,719 | 53,081 | 46,888 | Located within the Edmonton CMA |
| Medicine Hat | City | 60,005 | 56,997 | 51,249 | 46,783 | |
| Grande Prairie | City | 55,032 | 47,076 | 36,983 | 31,140 | |
| Airdrie | City | 42,564 | 28,927 | 20,382 | 15,946 | Located within the Calgary CMA |
| Rocky View County | Municipal district | 36,461 | 34,171 | 30,688 | 23,326 | Located within the Calgary CMA |
| Parkland County | Municipal district | 30,568 | 29,265 | 27,252 | 24,769 | Located within the Edmonton CMA |
| Spruce Grove | City | 26,171 | 19,496 | 15,983 | 14,271 | Located within the Edmonton CMA |
| Okotoks | Town | 24,511 | 17,145 | 11,664 | 8,510 | |
| Leduc | City | 24,279 | 16,967 | 15,032 | 14,305 | Located within the Edmonton CMA |
| Foothills No. 31 | Municipal district | 21,258 | 19,736 | 16,764 | 13,714 | |
| County of Grande Prairie No. 1 | Municipal district | 20,347 | 17,970 | 15,638 | 13,750 | |
| Sturgeon County | Municipal district | 19,578 | 18,621 | 18,067 | 15,945 | Located within the Edmonton CMA |
| Fort Saskatchewan | City | 19,051 | 14,957 | 13,121 | 12,408 | Located within the Edmonton CMA |
| Red Deer County | Municipal district | 18,351 | 19,108 | 18,639 | 17,126 | |
| Lloydminster | City | 18,032 | 15,910 | 13,148 | 11,317 | Population totals do not include the part of the city located within Saskatchewan |
| Cochrane | Town | 17,580 | 13,780 | 11,798 | 7,424 | Located within Calgary CMA |
| Camrose | City | 17,286 | 15,620 | 14,854 | 13,728 | |
| Stony Plain | Town | 15,051 | 12,363 | 9,589 | 8,274 | Located within the Edmonton CMA |
| Chestermere | Town | 14,824 | 9,564 | 3,414 | 1,911 | |
| Beaumont | Town | 13,284 | 8,961 | 7,006 | 5,810 | Located within the Edmonton CMA |
| Cold Lake | City | 13,839 | 11,991 | 11,520 | 4,089 | |
| Brooks | City | 13,676 | 12,498 | 11,604 | 10,093 | |
| Leduc County | Municipal district | 13,541 | 12,730 | 12,528 | 12,361 | Located within the Edmonton CMA |
| High River | Town | 12,920 | 10,716 | 9,345 | 7,359 | |
| Wetaskiwin | City | 12,525 | 11,673 | 11,154 | 10,959 | |
| Mountain View County | Municipal district | 12,359 | 12,391 | 12,134 | 11,277 | |
| Sylvan Lake | Town | 12,327 | 10,208 | 7,493 | 5,178 | |
| Strathmore | Town | 12,305 | 10,225 | 7,621 | 5,282 | |
| Canmore | Town | 12,288 | 12,039 | 10,792 | 8,354 | |
| Clearwater County | Municipal district | 12,278 | 11,826 | 11,505 | 10,915 | |
| Lacombe | City | 11,707 | 10,742 | 9,384 | 8,018 | |
| Yellowhead County | Municipal district | 11,469 | 10,045 | 9,881 | 9,352 | |
| Bonnyville No. 87 | Municipal district | 11,191 | 10,194 | 9,473 | 17,352 | |
| Mackenzie County | Specialized municipality | 10,927 | 10,002 | 8,829 | 7,980 | |
| County of Wetaskiwin No. 10 | Municipal district | 10,866 | 10,535 | 10,695 | 10,467 | |
| Lacombe County | Municipal district | 10,312 | 10,451 | 10,159 | 10,081 | |
| Lethbridge County | Municipal district | 10,061 | 10,302 | 9,930 | 9,290 | |

### Designated places
## Vital statistics
## Ethnic origins

The ethnicities most commonly reported in the 2021 Census are shown in the table below. The percentages add up to more than 100% because of multiple responses.
Ethnic groups in Alberta (1941–2021) :
| Ethnic group | 2021 | 2021 | 2001 | 2001 | 1941$^{:2–3}$ | 1941$^{:2–3}$ |
| Ethnic group | Pop. | % | Pop. | % | Pop. | % |
| English | 766,070 | 18.34% | 753,190 | 25.61% | 191,934 | 24.11% |
| German | 641,025 | 15.34% | 576,350 | 19.6% | 77,721 | 9.76% |
| Scottish | 631,015 | 15.1% | 556,575 | 18.92% | 112,540 | 14.14% |
| Irish | 561,915 | 13.45% | 461,065 | 15.68% | 83,876 | 10.53% |
| Canadian | 484,655 | 11.6% | 813,485 | 27.66% | — | — |
| Ukrainian | 343,640 | 8.23% | 285,725 | 9.71% | 71,868 | 9.03% |
| French | 341,755 | 8.18% | 333,705 | 11.35% | 42,979 | 5.4% |
| Filipino | 203,955 | 4.88% | 36,235 | 1.23% | — | — |
| First Nations | 188,315 | 4.51% | 144,040 | 4.9% | 12,565 | 1.58% |
| Chinese | 177,990 | 4.26% | 108,050 | 3.67% | 3,122 | 0.39% |
| Dutch | 174,625 | 4.18% | 149,225 | 5.07% | 20,429 | 2.57% |
| Polish | 169,925 | 4.07% | 137,625 | 4.68% | 26,845 | 3.37% |
| Indian | 155,700 | 3.73% | 61,180 | 2.08% | 48 | 0.01% |
| Norwegian | 154,535 | 3.7% | 120,045 | 4.08% | 29,628 | 3.72% |
| Métis | 115,455 | 2.76% | 63,620 | 2.16% | 8,808 | 1.11% |
| Italian | 98,730 | 2.36% | 67,655 | 2.3% | 4,872 | 0.61% |
| Russian | 97,890 | 2.34% | 62,750 | 2.13% | 19,316 | 2.43% |
| Swedish | 92,970 | 2.23% | 78,565 | 2.67% | 20,505 | 2.58% |
| Welsh | 76,810 | 1.84% | 59,470 | 2.02% | 10,896 | 1.37% |
| Danish | 56,190 | 1.34% | 50,465 | 1.72% | 12,284 | 1.54% |
| Hungarian | 51,360 | 1.23% | 41,535 | 1.41% | 7,892 | 0.99% |
| Spanish | 40,170 | 0.96% | 19,295 | 0.66% | 135 | 0.02% |
| Pakistani | 39,535 | 0.95% | 5,450 | 0.19% | — | — |
| Vietnamese | 39,395 | 0.94% | 21,490 | 0.73% | — | — |
| Punjabi | 37,585 | 0.9% | 3,785 | 0.13% | — | — |
| Austrian | 36,220 | 0.87% | 27,910 | 0.95% | 7,513 | 0.94% |
| African | 34,225 | 0.82% | 7,115 | 0.24% | 926 | 0.12% |
| Mennonite | 31,565 | 0.76% | — | — | — | — |
| Romanian | 31,530 | 0.75% | 20,235 | 0.69% | 4,206 | 0.53% |
| Sikh | 28,860 | 0.69% | — | — | — | — |
| Lebanese | 28,480 | 0.68% | 17,660 | 0.6% | — | — |
| Mexican | 25,450 | 0.61% | 3,345 | 0.11% | 1 | 0% |
| Korean | 24,165 | 0.58% | 7,925 | 0.27% | — | — |
| Swiss | 22,450 | 0.54% | 17,460 | 0.59% | — | — |
| Belgian | 21,985 | 0.53% | 14,925 | 0.51% | 2,919 | 0.37% |
| Portuguese | 21,415 | 0.51% | 13,885 | 0.47% | 42 | 0.01% |
| Hindu | 20,535 | 0.49% | — | — | — | — |
| Czech | 19,730 | 0.47% | 15,765 | 0.54% | 8,177 | 1.03% |
| Icelandic | 19,720 | 0.47% | 13,065 | 0.44% | 1,077 | 0.14% |
| Finnish | 18,705 | 0.45% | 12,730 | 0.43% | 3,452 | 0.43% |
| Japanese | 18,605 | 0.45% | 11,945 | 0.41% | 578 | 0.07% |
| Somali | 16,310 | 0.39% | 1,385 | 0.05% | — | — |
| Jamaican | 15,620 | 0.37% | 7,925 | 0.27% | — | — |
| Nigerian | 14,600 | 0.35% | 1,245 | 0.04% | — | — |
| Jewish | 14,405 | 0.34% | 15,435 | 0.52% | 4,164 | 0.52% |
| Greek | 13,980 | 0.33% | 9,110 | 0.31% | 605 | 0.08% |
| Croatian | 13,720 | 0.33% | 8,565 | 0.29% | 1,704 | 0.21% |
| Ethiopian | 13,505 | 0.32% | 1,460 | 0.05% | — | — |
| Muslim | 12,420 | 0.3% | — | — | — | — |
| Colombian | 11,115 | 0.27% | 950 | 0.03% | — | — |
| Eritrean | 11,010 | 0.26% | 1,180 | 0.04% | — | — |
| Iranian | 10,545 | 0.25% | 3,130 | 0.11% | — | — |
| Slovak | 10,525 | 0.25% | 6,810 | 0.23% | — | — |
| Afghan | 10,380 | 0.25% | 1,805 | 0.06% | — | — |
| Egyptian | 9,585 | 0.23% | 2,290 | 0.08% | — | — |
| Syrian | 9,520 | 0.23% | 1,265 | 0.04% | 428 | 0.05% |
| Total responses | 4,177,720 | 98.01% | 2,941,150 | 98.87% | 796,169 | 100% |
| Total population | 4,262,635 | 100% | 2,974,807 | 100% | 796,169 | 100% |
| Note: Totals greater than 100% due to multiple origin responses |||||||

### Future projections

Panethnic origin projections in Alberta (2031–2041) :
| Panethnic group | 2031 | 2031 | 2036 | 2036 | 2041 | 2041 |
| Panethnic group | Pop. | % | Pop. | % | Pop. | % |
| European | 3,122,000 | 56.6% | 3,178,000 | 52.89% | 3,219,000 | 49.6% |
| South Asian | 533,000 | 9.66% | 649,000 | 10.8% | 763,000 | 11.76% |
| Southeast Asian | 441,000 | 7.99% | 528,000 | 8.79% | 619,000 | 9.54% |
| Indigenous | 404,000 | 7.32% | 442,000 | 7.36% | 480,000 | 7.4% |
| African | 331,000 | 6% | 406,000 | 6.76% | 480,000 | 7.4% |
| East Asian | 311,000 | 5.64% | 352,000 | 5.86% | 392,000 | 6.04% |
| Middle Eastern | 188,000 | 3.41% | 233,000 | 3.88% | 280,000 | 4.31% |
| Latin American | 107,000 | 1.94% | 126,000 | 2.1% | 144,000 | 2.22% |
| Other/multiracial | 78,000 | 1.41% | 95,000 | 1.58% | 112,000 | 1.73% |
| Projected Alberta population | 5,516,000 | 100% | 6,009,000 | 100% | 6,490,000 | 100% |

## Visible minorities and Indigenous peoples

Indigenous and visible minority identity (2021):
Visible minority and Indigenous population (2021 Canadian census) :
| Population group | Population group | Population | % |
| European | European | 2,731,825 | 65.4% |
| Visible minority group | South Asian | 297,650 | 7.1% |
| Visible minority group | Chinese | 164,235 | 3.9% |
| Visible minority group | Black | 177,940 | 4.3% |
| Visible minority group | Filipino | 216,710 | 5.2% |
| Visible minority group | Arab | 69,505 | 1.7% |
| Visible minority group | Latin American | 66,520 | 1.6% |
| Visible minority group | Southeast Asian | 54,005 | 1.3% |
| Visible minority group | West Asian | 25,075 | 0.6% |
| Visible minority group | Korean | 24,365 | 0.6% |
| Visible minority group | Japanese | 13,560 | 0.3% |
| Visible minority group | Visible minority, n.i.e. | 12,100 | 0.3% |
| Visible minority group | Multiple visible minorities | 39,745 | 1.0% |
| Total visible minority population | Total visible minority population | 1,161,420 | 27.8% |
| Indigenous group | First Nations (North American Indian) | 145,640 | 3.5% |
| Indigenous group | Métis | 127,470 | 3.1% |
| Indigenous group | Inuk (Inuit) | 2,945 | 0.1% |
| Indigenous group | Multiple Indigenous responses | 4,785 | 0.1% |
| Indigenous group | Indigenous responses n.i.e. | 3,620 | 0.1% |
| Total Indigenous population | Total Indigenous population | 284,470 | 6.8% |
| Total population | Total population | 4,177,715 | 100.0% |

## Languages
### Knowledge of languages

Knowledge of official languages of Canada in Alberta (2016) :
| Language | Language | Percent | Percent |
| English only | English only | 91.86% | 91.86% |
| French only | French only | 0.10% | 0.10% |
| English and French | English and French | 6.57% | 6.57% |
| Neither English nor French | Neither English nor French | 1.47% | 1.47% |
The question on knowledge of languages allows for multiple responses. The following figures are from the 2021 Canadian Census and the 2016 Canadian Census, and lists languages that were selected by at least one per cent of respondents.
Knowledge of languages in Alberta :
| Language | 2021 | 2021 | 2016 | 2016 |
| Language | Pop. | % | Pop. | % |
| English | 4,109,720 | 98.37% | 3,916,805 | 98.46% |
| French | 260,415 | 6.23% | 264,720 | 6.65% |
| Tagalog | 172,625 | 4.13% | 138,440 | 3.48% |
| Punjabi | 126,385 | 3.03% | 90,485 | 2.27% |
| Spanish | 116,070 | 2.78% | 104,445 | 2.63% |
| Hindi | 94,015 | 2.25% | 61,290 | 1.54% |
| Mandarin | 82,095 | 1.97% | 70,510 | 1.77% |
| Arabic | 76,760 | 1.84% | 62,730 | 1.58% |
| Cantonese | 74,960 | 1.79% | 74,770 | 1.88% |
| German | 65,370 | 1.56% | 83,010 | 2.09% |
| Urdu | 51,545 | 1.23% | 41,235 | 1.04% |

### Mother tongue

Languages of Alberta (2021):
Of the 4,221,835 singular responses to the 2021 census question concerning mother tongue, the languages most commonly reported were:
Mother tongue in Alberta :
| Language | 2021 | 2021 | 2016 | 2016 | 2011 | 2011 | 2006 | 2006 | 2001 | 2001 |
| Language | Pop. | % | Pop. | % | Pop. | % | Pop. | % | Pop. | % |
| English | 3,235,065 | 76.6% | 2,972,670 | 74.71% | 2,780,200 | 78.37% | 2,576,670 | 79.99% | 2,379,515 | 81.84% |
| Tagalog (Filipino/Pilipino) | 138,160 | 3.27% | 98,360 | 2.47% | 60,085 | 1.69% | 29,740 | 0.92% | 11,705 | 0.40% |
| Chinese | 128,160 | 3.04% | 119,710 | 3.01% | 105,470 | 2.97% | 97,275 | 3.02% | 78,205 | 2.69% |
| Cantonese | 62,835 | 1.49% | 59,580 | 1.50% | 34,985 | 0.99% | 32,485 | 1.01% | 26,255 | 0.90% |
| Mandarin | 58,535 | 1.39% | 49,990 | 1.26% | 19,325 | 0.54% | 12,135 | 0.38% | 5,580 | 0.19% |
| Min Nan languages (Teochow, Fukien, Taiwanese) | 3,080 | 0.07% | 3,075 | 0.08% | 785 | 0.02% | 400 | 0.01% | N | N |
| Hakka | 1,075 | 0.03% | 940 | 0.02% | 325 | 0.01% | 425 | 0.01% | 570 | 0.02% |
| Chinese, n.o.s. | 1,960 | 0.05% | N | N | N | N | N | N | N | N |
| Panjabi (Punjabi) | 103,965 | 2.46% | 68,315 | 1.72% | 49,940 | 1.41% | 36,320 | 1.13% | 22,535 | 0.78% |
| French | 88,010 | 2.08% | 70,440 | 1.77% | 68,545 | 1.93% | 61,225 | 1.90% | 58,645 | 2.02% |
| Spanish | 67,865 | 1.61% | 54,685 | 1.37% | 44,020 | 1.24% | 29,125 | 0.90% | 19,820 | 0.68% |
| German | 65,835 | 1.56% | 63,570 | 1.60% | 80,905 | 2.28% | 84,505 | 2.62% | 78,040 | 2.68% |
| Arabic | 57,170 | 1.35% | 40,695 | 1.02% | 28,000 | 0.79% | 20,495 | 0.64% | 15,390 | 0.53% |
| Urdu | 35,905 | 0.85% | 26,860 | 0.68% | 19,900 | 0.56% | 11,275 | 0.35% | 4,910 | 0.17% |
| Hindi | 26,975 | 0.64% | 16,495 | 0.41% | 12,290 | 0.35% | 8,985 | 0.28% | 6,315 | 0.22% |
| Vietnamese | 26,930 | 0.64% | 23,015 | 0.58% | 21,195 | 0.60% | 19,350 | 0.60% | 16,680 | 0.57% |
| Niger-Congo languages | 25,230 | 0.60% | 15,515 | 0.30% | N | N | N | N | N | N |
| Yoruba | 5,565 | 0.13% | 3,215 | 0.08% | N | N | N | N | N | N |
| Swahili | 3,800 | 0.09% | 2,390 | 0.06% | 1,455 | 0.04% | 850 | 0.03% | 380 | 0.01% |
| Igbo | 2,530 | 0.06% | 1,160 | 0.03% | 900 | 0.03% | N | N | N | N |
| Akan (Twi) | 2,280 | 0.05% | 1,765 | 0.04% | 1,100 | 0.04% | 345 | 0.01% | N | N |
| Kinyarwanda (Rwanda) | 1,395 | 0.03% | 770 | 0.02% | 440 | 0.01% | 60 | 0.01% | N | N |
| Rundi (Kirundi) | 895 | 0.02% | 570 | 0.01% | 290 | 0.01% | 50 | 0.01% | N | N |
| Selected Aboriginal languages | 24,630 | 0.58% | 22,970 | 0.58% | 22,005 | 0.62% | 20,890 | 0.65% | 18,470 | 0.64% |
| Cree | 16,445 | 0.41% | 17,125 | 0.43% | 16,745 | 0.47% | 17,215 | 0.53% | 15,105 | 0.52% |
| Blackfoot | 4,800 | 0.11% | 3,385 | 0.09% | 3,035 | 0.09% | 3,015 | 0.09% | 2,630 | 0.09% |
| Dene | 1,425 | 0.03% | 1,570 | 0.04% | 1,680 | 0.05% | 1,585 | 0.05% | 1,495 | 0.05% |
| Ojibway | 485 | 0.01% | 630 | 0.02% | 455 | 0.01% | 615 | 0.02% | 645 | 0.02% |
| Korean | 21,020 | 0.50% | 17,400 | 0.44% | 13,885 | 0.39% | 10,845 | 0.33% | 6,330 | 0.22% |
| Russian | 20,280 | 0.48% | 17,465 | 0.44% | 13,840 | 0.38% | 10,145 | 0.31% | 6,980 | 0.29% |
| Ukrainian | 19,885 | 0.47% | 21,215 | 0.53% | 24,575 | 0.69% | 29,455 | 0.91% | 33,970 | 1.17% |
| Polish | 19,345 | 0.46% | 19,780 | 0.50% | 19,890 | 0.56% | 21,990 | 0.68% | 20,635 | 0.71% |
| Gujarati | 18,675 | 0.44% | 12,775 | 0.32% | 8,675 | 0.24% | 6,280 | 0.19% | 4,910 | 0.17% |
| Persian | 17,635 | 0.42% | 14,835 | 0.37% | 10,655 | 0.30% | 7,700 | 0.24% | 3,700 | 0.13% |
| Dutch | 14,420 | 0.34% | 16,005 | 0.40% | 17,950 | 0.51% | 19,980 | 0.62% | 19,575 | 0.67% |
| Somali | 12,310 | 0.29% | 9,425 | 0.24% | 5,515 | 0.16% | 3,130 | 0.10% | 810 | 0.03% |
| Tigrinya | 11,510 | 0.27% | 5,755 | 0.14% | 2,460 | 0.07% | N | N | N | N |
| Italian | 11,180 | 0.26% | 11,475 | 0.29% | 11,960 | 0.34% | 13,095 | 0.41% | 13,935 | 0.48% |
| Portuguese | 11,090 | 0.26% | 8,565 | 0.22% | 7,380 | 0.21% | 7,205 | 0.22% | 6,110 | 0.21% |
| Malayalam | 10,720 | 0.25% | 6,230 | 0.16% | 2,760 | 0.08% | 1,550 | 0.05% | 1,055 | 0.04% |
| Ilocano | 9,765 | 0.23% | 5,750 | 0.14% | 3,010 | 0.08% | 1,885 | 0.06% | N | N |
| Amharic | 9,610 | 0.22% | 7,015 | 0.18% | 5,110 | 0.14% | 2,785 | 0.09% | 1,100 | 0.04% |
| Bengali | 9,125 | 0.22% | 6,940 | 0.17% | 5.030 | 0.14% | 2,710 | 0.08% | 1,190 | 0.04% |
| Romanian | 8,205 | 0.19% | 8,255 | 0.21% | 6,550 | 0.18% | 4,370 | 0.14% | 2,890 | 0.10% |
| Cebuano and other Bisayan languages | 6,780 | 0.16% | 5,025 | 0.13% | 3,255 | 0.09% | 1,370 | 0.04% | N | N |
| Nepali | 6,645 | 0.16% | 4,995 | 0.13% | 1,605 | 0.05% | N | N | N | N |
| Tamil | 6,450 | 0.15% | 4,650 | 0.11% | 2,645 | 0.07% | 1,385 | 0.04% | 1,110 | 0.04% |
| Hungarian | 5,950 | 0.14% | 6,505 | 0.16% | 6,700 | 0.19% | 6,770 | 0.21% | 6,985 | 0.24% |
| Japanese | 5,290 | 0.13% | 4,575 | 0.11% | 4,560 | 0.13% | 4,555 | 0.14% | 3,625 | 0.12% |
| Croatian | 4,865 | 0.12% | 4,425 | 0.11% | 3,960 | 0.11% | 4,150 | 0.13% | 4,195 | 0.14% |
| Serbian | 4,530 | 0.11% | 4,115 | 0.10% | 3,560 | 0.10% | 3,090 | 0.10% | 2,125 | 0.07% |
| Oromo language | 4,030 | 0.10% | 2,615 | 0.07% | 1,405 | 0.04% | N | N | N | N |
| Turkish | 3,860 | 0.09% | 2,760 | 0.07% | 2,460 | 0.07% | 1,605 | 0.05% | 810 | 0.03% |
| Afrikaans | 3,730 | 0.09% | 3,050 | 0.08% | 2,420 | 0.07% | N | N | N | N |
| Telugu | 3,550 | 0.08% | 2,130 | 0.05% | 1,245 | 0.03% | N | N | N | N |
| Scandinavian languages | 3,535 | 0.08% | 3,750 | 0.09% | 4,935 | 0.14% | 6,045 | 0.19% | 6,795 | 0.23% |
| Danish | 2,040 | 0.05% | 2,225 | 0.06% | 2,805 | 0.08% | 3,510 | 0.11% | 3,615 | 0.12% |
| Swedish | 855 | 0.02% | 785 | 0.02% | 950 | 0.03% | 1,145 | 0.04% | 1,345 | 0.05% |
| Norwegian | 640 | 0.02% | 740 | 0.02% | 1,180 | 0.03% | 1,245 | 0.04% | 1,670 | 0.06% |
| Pashto | 3,435 | 0.08% | 2,340 | 0.06% | 1,850 | 0.05% | 1,175 | 0.04% | 275 | 0.01% |
| Greek | 3,330 | 0.08% | 3,285 | 0.08% | 2,965 | 0.08% | 3,305 | 0.10% | 2,765 | 0.10% |
| Sindhi (includes Kacchi) | 3,260 | 0.08% | 2,835 | 0.07% | 2,560 | 0.07% | 2,000 | 0.06% | 1,990 | 0.07% |
| Sinhalese | 3,215 | 0.08% | 2,935 | 0.07% | 1,940 | 0.05% | 835 | 0.03% | N | N |
| Hiligaynon | 3,090 | 0.07% | 1,160 | 0.03% | N | N | N | N | N | N |
| Czech | 3,000 | 0.07% | 2,715 | 0.07% | 2,880 | 0.08% | 3,100 | 0.08% | 3,520 | 0.12% |
| Creole | 2,770 | 0.07% | 2,120 | 0.05% | 1,560 | 0.05% | 415 | 0.01% | 250 | 0.01% |
| Albanian | 2,625 | 0.06% | 2,435 | 0.06% | 1,685 | 0.05% | N | N | N | N |
| Thai | 2,255 | 0.05% | 1,700 | 0.04% | 1,375 | 0.04% | 190 | 0.01% | N | N |
In addition to the table above, other mother tongues in Alberta include (including languages with more than 422 people, or 0.01 per cent of respondents):
* 2,120 Bosnian;
* 2,100 Slovak;
* 2,070 Khmer (Cambodian);
* 1,720 Pampangan;
* 1,655 Marathi;
* 1,495 Indonesian;
* 1,470 Kurdish;
* 1,435 Nilo-Saharan languages;
* 1,390 Bulgarian;
* 1,355 Sign languages;
* 1,155 Lao;
* 1,135 Hebrew;
* 1,020 Neo-Aramaic;
* 865 Kannada;
* 815 Finnish;
* 810 Karenic languages;
* 745 Tibetan;
* 730 Bilen;
* 715 Waray;
* 635 Mongolian;
* 635 Pangasinan;
* 625 Slovenian;
* 590 Armenian;
* 570 Lithuanian;
* 545 Burmese;
* 545 Malay;
* 425 Macedonian;
In addition to the single-language responses detailed above, about 88,765 people reported having more than one mother tongue. There were 74,515 responses of both English and a non-official language; 2,785 of both French and a non-official language; 10,005 of both English and French; and 1,455 of English, French and a non-official language.

## Religion

Religious affiliation (2021):
Christian sub-affiliation (2021):
Just under 50 percent of Albertans identify as Christian, while over 40 percent of residents identify with no religion. The largest denominations are the Roman Catholic, United, Anglican, Lutheran, and Eastern Orthodox and Oriental Orthodox Churches.
Just over 1 percent of Albertans are members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, descended from pioneers who emigrated from Utah around the turn of the 20th century; there are three temples in the province. Alberta also has large numbers of Pentecostal, Presbyterians, and evangelical Christians.
There are significant numbers of Mennonites and Hutterites, which are communal Anabaptist sects. There are also many Jehovah's Witnesses and Reformed Christians, as well a significant population of Seventh-day Adventists in and around Lacombe where the Canadian University College is located.
Alberta is also home to several Eastern Rite Churches as part of the legacy of Eastern European immigrants, including the Ukrainian Catholic Eparchy of Edmonton, and the Ukrainian Orthodox Diocese of Edmonton and Western Canada. There are 500 Doukhobors living in their few communities across Southern Alberta.
Many people of the Hindu, Sikh, and Muslim faiths also make Alberta their home; one of the largest Sikh temples in Canada is located just outside Edmonton. Most of Alberta's Jewish population of 11,390 lives in Calgary and Edmonton.
Alberta's second largest religion, Islam, has roots that include Canada's first mosque, Al-Rashid Mosque, built in 1938 led by a Lebanese woman named Hilwie Hamdon.
| Religion (2021) | Denomination | Congregation | Proportion |
| Christian | | 2,009,820 | 48.1% |
| | Anglican Church | 95,560 | 2.3% |
| | Baptist | 44,605 | 1.1% |
| | Catholic | 833,025 | 19.9% |
| | Eastern Orthodox and Oriental Orthodox | 63,775 | 1.5% |
| | Jehovah's Witnesses | 18,185 | 0.4% |
| | Latter Day Saints | 47,125 | 1.1% |
| | Lutheran | 78,925 | 1.9% |
| | Methodist | 9,640 | 0.2% |
| | Pentecostal | 53,900 | 1.3% |
| | Presbyterian | 22,850 | 0.5% |
| | Reformed | 14,735 | 0.4% |
| | United Church | 153,820 | 3.7% |
| | Other Christian | 541,520 | 15.2% |
| Muslim | | 202,535 | 4.8% |
| Sikh | | 103,600 | 2.5% |
| Hindu | | 78,520 | 1.9% |
| Buddhist | | 42,830 | 1.0% |
| Jewish | | 11,390 | 0.3% |
| Other religions | | 33,220 | 0.8% |
| Aboriginal spirituality | | 19,755 | 0.5% |
| No religious affiliation | | 1,676,045 | 40.1% |
    ^1 Statistics Canada. 2022. Alberta (table). National Household Survey (NHS) Profile. 2021 National Household Survey. Released October 26, 2022.
Religious groups in Alberta (1981–2021) :
| Religious group | 2021 | 2021 | 2011 | 2011 | 2001 | 2001 | 1991 | 1991 | 1981 | 1981 |
| Religious group | Pop. | % | Pop. | % | Pop. | % | Pop. | % | Pop. | % |
| Christianity | 2,009,820 | 48.11% | 2,152,200 | 60.32% | 2,099,435 | 71.38% | 1,928,745 | 76.56% | 1,903,205 | 85.98% |
| Irreligion | 1,676,045 | 40.12% | 1,126,130 | 31.56% | 694,840 | 23.62% | 496,150 | 19.69% | 260,015 | 11.75% |
| Islam | 202,535 | 4.85% | 113,445 | 3.18% | 49,045 | 1.67% | 31,000 | 1.23% | 16,865 | 0.76% |
| Sikhism | 103,600 | 2.48% | 52,335 | 1.47% | 23,470 | 0.8% | 13,550 | 0.54% | 5,985 | 0.27% |
| Hinduism | 78,520 | 1.88% | 36,845 | 1.03% | 15,965 | 0.54% | 10,770 | 0.43% | 7,360 | 0.33% |
| Buddhism | 42,830 | 1.03% | 44,410 | 1.24% | 33,410 | 1.14% | 20,745 | 0.82% | 6,200 | 0.28% |
| Indigenous spirituality | 19,755 | 0.47% | 15,100 | 0.42% | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| Judaism | 11,390 | 0.27% | 10,900 | 0.31% | 11,085 | 0.38% | 9,950 | 0.39% | 10,655 | 0.48% |
| Other | 33,220 | 0.8% | 16,605 | 0.47% | 13,900 | 0.47% | 8,270 | 0.33% | 2,355 | 0.11% |
| Total responses | 4,177,715 | 98.01% | 3,567,975 | 97.88% | 2,941,150 | 98.87% | 2,519,180 | 98.96% | 2,213,650 | 98.92% |
| Total population | 4,262,635 | 100% | 3,645,257 | 100% | 2,974,807 | 100% | 2,545,553 | 100% | 2,237,724 | 100% |

## Migration
### Immigration

Alberta immigration statistics$^{:239}$$^{:108}$ :
| Year | Immigrant percentage | Immigrant population | Total population |
| 1901 | 42.8% | 31,240 | 73,022 |
| 1911 | 56.8% | 212,426 | 374,295 |
| 1921 | 46.5% | 273,364 | 588,454 |
| 1931 | 41.8% | 305,738 | 731,605 |
| 1941 | 32.5% | 258,387 | 796,169 |
| 1951 | 25.5% | 240,016 | 939,501 |
| 1961 | 21.7% | 288,749 | 1,331,944 |
| 1971 | 17.3% | 282,260 | 1,627,870 |
The 2021 census reported that immigrants (individuals born outside Canada) comprise 970,975 persons or 23.2 percent of the total population of Alberta.
Immigrants in Alberta by country of birth :
| Country of birth | 2021 | 2021 | 2016 | 2016 | 2011 | 2011 | 2006 | 2006 | 2001 | 2001 | 1921$^{:314–315}$ | 1921$^{:314–315}$ |
| Country of birth | Pop. | % | Pop. | % | Pop. | % | Pop. | % | Pop. | % | Pop. | % |
| Philippines | 167,735 | 17.3% | 123,830 | 14.7% | 69,575 | 10.8% | 36,630 | 7% | 24,800 | 5.7% | — | — |
| India | 122,145 | 12.6% | 91,660 | 10.8% | 59,020 | 9.2% | 38,610 | 7.3% | 24,670 | 5.6% | 300 | 0.1% |
| China | 61,390 | 6.3% | 57,695 | 6.8% | 49,595 | 7.7% | 41,495 | 7.9% | 27,630 | 6.3% | 3,422 | 1.3% |
| United Kingdom | 56,675 | 5.8% | 59,215 | 7% | 58,245 | 9% | 60,210 | 11.4% | 59,510 | 13.6% | 90,131 | 33% |
| Pakistan | 30,815 | 3.2% | 28,080 | 3.3% | 19,110 | 3% | 12,095 | 2.3% | 5,415 | 1.2% | — | — |
| United States | 30,540 | 3.1% | 30,460 | 3.6% | 31,050 | 4.8% | 28,325 | 5.4% | 27,510 | 6.3% | 99,879 | 36.5% |
| Vietnam | 27,875 | 2.9% | 27,080 | 3.2% | 26,020 | 4% | 24,270 | 4.6% | 22,005 | 5% | — | — |
| Nigeria | 21,065 | 2.2% | 12,405 | 1.5% | 5,575 | 0.9% | 1,740 | 0.3% | 985 | 0.2% | — | — |
| Hong Kong | 18,725 | 1.9% | 19,115 | 2.3% | 17,300 | 2.7% | 17,455 | 3.3% | 18,600 | 4.2% | — | — |
| Mexico | 17,985 | 1.9% | 15,665 | 1.9% | 10,755 | 1.7% | 5,970 | 1.1% | 3,880 | 0.9% | — | — |
| Germany | 16,635 | 1.7% | 19,200 | 2.3% | 20,085 | 3.1% | 21,570 | 4.1% | 21,845 | 5% | 14,587 | 5.3% |
| South Korea | 16,180 | 1.7% | 13,850 | 1.6% | 9,575 | 1.5% | 8,120 | 1.5% | 5,290 | 1.2% | — | — |
| Poland | 15,595 | 1.6% | 16,930 | 2% | 16,335 | 2.5% | 19,165 | 3.6% | 19,680 | 4.5% | 2,959 | 1.1% |
| Ethiopia | 14,420 | 1.5% | 10,565 | 1.2% | 6,375 | 1% | 3,655 | 0.7% | 1,370 | 0.3% | — | — |
| Netherlands | 12,730 | 1.3% | 14,035 | 1.7% | 15,290 | 2.4% | 16,715 | 3.2% | 17,385 | 4% | 1,765 | 0.6% |
| Colombia | 10,385 | 1.1% | 9,535 | 1.1% | 6,860 | 1.1% | 3,155 | 0.6% | 945 | 0.2% | — | — |
| Syria | 9,975 | 1% | 4,800 | 0.6% | 1,185 | 0.2% | 975 | 0.2% | 610 | 0.1% | 109 | 0% |
| Lebanon | 9,960 | 1% | 10,390 | 1.2% | 8,390 | 1.3% | 7,530 | 1.4% | 6,870 | 1.6% | — | — |
| Eritrea | 9,720 | 1% | 4,815 | 0.6% | 2,805 | 0.4% | 965 | 0.2% | 845 | 0.2% | — | — |
| South Africa | 8,960 | 0.9% | 7,355 | 0.9% | 6,010 | 0.9% | 4,950 | 0.9% | 4,025 | 0.9% | 230 | 0.1% |
| Ukraine | 8,915 | 0.9% | 8,150 | 1% | 6,430 | 1% | 5,435 | 1% | 5,170 | 1.2% | 2,165 | 0.8% |
| Iran | 8,865 | 0.9% | 8,910 | 1.1% | 5,595 | 0.9% | 3,995 | 0.8% | 2,400 | 0.5% | — | — |
| Jamaica | 8,695 | 0.9% | 6,845 | 0.8% | 4,340 | 0.7% | 3,755 | 0.7% | 3,705 | 0.8% | 110 | 0% |
| Somalia | 8,545 | 0.9% | 7,060 | 0.8% | 3,395 | 0.5% | 2,120 | 0.4% | 795 | 0.2% | — | — |
| Russia | 7,470 | 0.8% | 7,260 | 0.9% | 5,900 | 0.9% | 4,850 | 0.9% | 3,635 | 0.8% | 11,572 | 4.2% |
| Romania | 7,190 | 0.7% | 7,725 | 0.9% | 6,235 | 1% | 5,165 | 1% | 3,920 | 0.9% | 3,073 | 1.1% |
| Italy | 6,990 | 0.7% | 8,115 | 1% | 8,050 | 1.2% | 8,705 | 1.7% | 9,830 | 2.2% | 2,486 | 0.9% |
| El Salvador | 6,940 | 0.7% | 7,255 | 0.9% | 5,535 | 0.9% | 5,475 | 1% | 4,695 | 1.1% | — | — |
| Egypt | 6,760 | 0.7% | 5,320 | 0.6% | 3,120 | 0.5% | 2,140 | 0.4% | 1,490 | 0.3% | — | — |
| Afghanistan | 6,585 | 0.7% | 5,190 | 0.6% | 4,345 | 0.7% | 3,305 | 0.6% | 1,695 | 0.4% | — | — |
| Iraq | 6,215 | 0.6% | 5,935 | 0.7% | 3,825 | 0.6% | 2,300 | 0.4% | 1,490 | 0.3% | — | — |
| Kenya | 6,070 | 0.6% | 5,120 | 0.6% | 4,005 | 0.6% | 3,425 | 0.6% | 2,875 | 0.7% | — | — |
| Bangladesh | 6,035 | 0.6% | 5,085 | 0.6% | 3,680 | 0.6% | 1,835 | 0.3% | 690 | 0.2% | — | — |
| Nepal | 4,970 | 0.5% | 3,915 | 0.5% | 1,260 | 0.2% | 490 | 0.1% | 115 | 0% | — | — |
| Sri Lanka | 4,930 | 0.5% | 4,835 | 0.6% | 3,295 | 0.5% | 1,600 | 0.3% | 1,330 | 0.3% | — | — |
| Venezuela | 4,800 | 0.5% | 4,335 | 0.5% | 1,930 | 0.3% | 1,350 | 0.3% | 500 | 0.1% | — | — |
| Fiji | 4,690 | 0.5% | 4,625 | 0.5% | 4,140 | 0.6% | 3,975 | 0.8% | 3,395 | 0.8% | — | — |
| Tanzania | 4,660 | 0.5% | 4,510 | 0.5% | 4,465 | 0.7% | 4,035 | 0.8% | 4,435 | 1% | — | — |
| Bosnia and Herzegovina | 4,335 | 0.4% | 4,555 | 0.5% | 3,720 | 0.6% | 3,505 | 0.7% | 3,065 | 0.7% | 282 | 0.1% |
| Ireland | 4,225 | 0.4% | 3,940 | 0.5% | 2,795 | 0.4% | 2,475 | 0.5% | 2,840 | 0.6% | 7,374 | 2.7% |
| Chile | 4,215 | 0.4% | 4,255 | 0.5% | 4,305 | 0.7% | 4,345 | 0.8% | 3,775 | 0.9% | — | — |
| Sudan | 4,145 | 0.4% | 2,580 | 0.3% | 4,625 | 0.7% | 3,400 | 0.6% | 1,055 | 0.2% | — | — |
| Malaysia | 3,990 | 0.4% | 4,260 | 0.5% | 3,500 | 0.5% | 3,215 | 0.6% | 2,855 | 0.7% | — | — |
| Australia | 3,690 | 0.4% | 3,360 | 0.4% | 2,745 | 0.4% | 2,480 | 0.5% | 2,370 | 0.5% | 251 | 0.1% |
| Brazil | 3,800 | 0.4% | 2,545 | 0.3% | 1,740 | 0.3% | 1,130 | 0.2% | 750 | 0.2% | — | — |
| Japan | 3,380 | 0.3% | 3,060 | 0.4% | 2,935 | 0.5% | 2,265 | 0.4% | 1,730 | 0.4% | 374 | 0.1% |
| Total immigrants | 970,975 | 23.2% | 845,215 | 21.2% | 644,115 | 18.1% | 527,030 | 16.2% | 438,335 | 14.9% | 273,364 | 46.5% |
| Total responses | 4,177,715 | 98% | 3,978,145 | 97.8% | 3,567,975 | 97.9% | 3,256,355 | 99% | 2,941,150 | 98.9% | 588,454 | 100% |
| Total population | 4,262,635 | 100% | 4,067,175 | 100% | 3,645,257 | 100% | 3,290,350 | 100% | 2,974,807 | 100% | 588,454 | 100% |

### Recent immigration

The 2021 Canadian census counted a total of 193,170 people who immigrated to Alberta between 2016 and 2021.
Recent immigrants to Alberta by place of birth (2016 to 2021) :
| Rank | Country | Population | % of recent immigrants |
| 1 | Philippines | 47,605 | 24.6% |
| 2 | India | 31,815 | 16.5% |
| 3 | Nigeria | 9,840 | 5.1% |
| 4 | China | 9,495 | 4.9% |
| 5 | Syria | 7,295 | 3.8% |
| 6 | United States | 5,175 | 2.7% |
| 7 | Eritrea | 5,120 | 2.7% |
| 8 | Mexico | 4,165 | 2.2% |
| 9 | Pakistan | 4,080 | 2.1% |
| 10 | Ethiopia | 3,960 | 2.1% |
| 11 | United Kingdom | 3,800 | 2% |
| 12 | South Korea | 3,430 | 1.8% |
| 13 | Iran | 3,260 | 1.7% |
| 14 | Nepal | 2,620 | 1.4% |
| 15 | Jamaica | 2,130 | 1.1% |

### Interprovincial migration

Over the past five decades, Alberta has had the highest net increase from interprovincial migration of any province. However, it typically experiences population decline during economic downturns, as it did during the 1980s. Oil is the main industry driving interprovincial migration to Alberta, as many Canadians move to Alberta to work on the oil fields. Interprovincial migration to Alberta rises and drops dependent of the price of oil. There was a dramatic reduction after the 2014 drop in oil prices.
Interprovincial migration in Alberta :
| | In-migrants | Out-migrants | Net migration |
| 2009–10 | 57,958 | 61,229 | −3,271 |
| 2010–11 | 63,975 | 55,532 | 8,443 |
| 2011–12 | 80,837 | 53,185 | 27,652 |
| 2012–13 | 84,602 | 46,004 | 38,598 |
| 2013–14 | 87,307 | 51,925 | 35,382 |
| 2014–15 | 81,540 | 59,946 | 21,594 |
| 2015–16 | 56,978 | 72,086 | −15,108 |
| 2016–17 | 50,396 | 65,955 | −15,559 |
| 2017–18 | 55,147 | 58,394 | −3,247 |
| 2018–19 | 65,778 | 60,236 | 5,542 |
| 2019–20 | 85,919 | 77,519 | 8,400 |
Source: Statistics Canada