Gujarati emerges as third most-spoken language among Indian immigrants in Canada

Gujarati has become the third most common language among Indian immigrants in Canada, trailing only Punjabi and Hindi, according to recent data from Statistics Canada. Since 1980, approximately 87,900 Gujarati-speaking individuals have moved to Canada, with a marked increase in the past decade. From 2016 to 2021, 26% of Gujarati-speaking immigrants arrived, numbering 22,935 individuals during this period. By comparison, Punjabi speakers led the count with 75,475 immigrants, while 35,170 Hindi speakers also settled in Canada.

This trend highlights the growth trajectory of the Gujarati-speaking population, which experienced a significant 26% increase between 2011 and 2021. Punjabi speakers, who also grew by 22% in the same period, remained the largest linguistic group, while Hindi-speaking immigrants saw an exceptional surge of 114%. Additional data showed a decline in migration among Kutchi speakers, another language from Gujarat, with numbers dropping from 460 speakers between 2001 and 2010 to 370 in the following decade.

The rising influx of Gujarati-speaking immigrants can be traced back to 2011 when Canada became a preferred destination amid tighter immigration policies in other English-speaking nations. "The U.S. was a top choice for years, but challenging visa processes and high costs posed barriers. Canada’s straightforward permanent residency process and comparatively lower educational costs turned it into an appealing option, especially for students,” Immigration consultant Sameer Yadav told TOI.

Historical data reflects this shift: Gujarati-speaking immigrants totaled 13,365 between 1991 and 2000, increasing to 29,620 in the following decade and further reaching 37,405 from 2011 to 2021.

However, recent adjustments to Canada’s immigration policies have led to new challenges for prospective immigrants from Gujarat. A visa consultant in Ahmedabad noted an 80% decline in visa applications, attributing the decrease to Canada’s increased housing challenges, job market saturation, and stricter permanent residency requirements. "With fewer visa opportunities, inquiries from students and professionals have plummeted, leaving most applications from those already in Canada seeking family reunification,” the consultant added.

As the dynamics of immigration evolve, these figures underscore shifting trends in language demographics among Indian communities in Canada and signal potential challenges in sustaining these numbers amid changing immigration landscapes.