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Visible minorities to account for almost 60% of Metro Vancouver's population by 2031: StatsCan

In 20 years, the majority of Metro Vancouver residents will be a visible minority, according to projections by Statistics Canada.

In 20 years, the majority of Metro Vancouver residents will be a visible minority, according to projections by Statistics Canada.

About 59% of the region's population is projected to belong to a visible minority with the Chinese population being the largest ethnic group.

The Chinese population is estimated to rise to 809,000, accounting for 23% of the region's population, up from 18% in 2006.

In B.C., Metro Vancouver will remain the most diverse city, followed by Abbotsford, which is projected to see 39% of its population belonging to a visible minority. Kelowna and Victoria will remain largely a Caucasian population with only 10% and 17%, respectively belonging to a visible minority.

Nationally, Toronto will be the most diverse city with 63% of the population belonging to a visible minority group, up from 42% in 2006.

Immigration, slightly higher fertility and a younger demographic are some of the key drivers of Canada's increasing diversity.

The population of foreign-born Canadians is estimated to rise to between 25% and 28% from 20% in 2006. About 46% of Canadians aged 15 or over will be foreign-born, up from 39% in 2006.

As a result, the make up Canadian-born citizens will change with 47% of second-generation Canadians belonging to a visible minority group, up from 24%.

Overall, about a third of the population in Canada could be a visible minority with South Asians becoming the largest visible minority group in Canada by 2031.