The Canadian cities SA expats love the most
Canada is one of the top 5 destinations for South Africa’s emigrant communities. Which cities do they love the most?
Canada is one of the countries with the highest number of South African migrants in its population.
Here is a look at where South Africans who move to Canada are living.
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SOUTH AFRICAN EX-PATS
The countries that are now home to the most South African expats include the United Kingdom, Australia, the United States of America, New Zealand and Canada.
| Rank | Country | Number of South Africans |
| 1 | United Kingdom | 218 180 |
| 2 | Australia | 206 730 |
| 3 | United States of America | 139 332 |
| 4 | New Zealand | 71 382 |
| 5 | Canada | 51 590 |
SA expats in other countries. Source: BusinessTech
OPEN FOR MIGRATION
The South Africans moving to Canada choose the country for various reasons.
The fact that the country has a need for skilled workers is one of these. It has one of the world’s strongest economies but it also has one of the world’s oldest populations and lowest birth rates.
Hence the need to welcome migrants.
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SOUTH AFRICANS CHOOSING CANADA
According to Sable International’s Citizenship and Immigration Director, John Dunn, Canada was one of the top five countries South Africans emigrated to in 2023.
BusinessTech says that South Africans have traditionally scored highly in its Express Entry Program for skilled workers.
This is due to English language skills, the ability to obtain skilled work and educational credentials.
SA EX-PATS IN CANADA
According to data from Canada’s latest census, 51 590 South Africans live in that country. The expansive country has 9 provinces.
Data reveals that most South Africans in Canada are now living in urban centres.
This census was conducted three years ago (2021) so these figures might have changed slightly.
| Position | City | Province | Number of SA expats |
| 1 | Toronto | Ontario | 13 165 |
| 2 | Vancouver | British Columbia | 9005 |
| 3 | Calgary | Alberta | 3590 |
| 4 | Edmonton | Alberta | 2595 |
| 5 | Hamilton | Ontario | 1590 |
| 6 | Ottawa | Ontario | 1335 |
| 7 | Victoria | British Columbia | 1245 |
| 8 | Montreal | Quebec | 770 |
| 9 | Kelowna | British Columbia | 770 |
Where South African ex-pats in Canada live. Source: Census 2021
WHERE SOUTH AFRICANS LIVE
Courtesy of census data, it is possible to determine where South Africans in Canada are living.
SA expats seem to have a preference for the province of Ontario. Almost half, or 21 540, of all South Africans in the North American country, are based in the province of Ontario.
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