Arab singles in Canada, city by city
HeyArab, Editorial teamUpdated Oct 28, 20262 min read
There are a lot more Arab singles in Canada than most people guess. The community has tripled in twenty years, it's young, and it's spread across some very different cities. Here's where people are, who they are, and how to meet someone who gets where you're from.
How many Arab singles live in Canada?
The 2021 census counted 795,665 people of Arab origin in Canada, or 2.2% of the country. That's more than three times the 233,255 counted in 2001. The median age was 30.2, so a big share of the community is at the age people start dating seriously.
Almost a third of Arabs in Canada speak both English and French. Plenty speak Arabic at home too, often mixed with the other two in the same sentence.
Where the community lives
Quebec and Ontario hold most of it, about 42% and 40%. Alberta comes next with almost 10%.
- Montreal290,070
- Toronto145,815
- Ottawa Gatineau78,815
- Calgary34,855
- Edmonton34,660
- Windsor29,000
Statistics Canada, 2021 Census
Montreal and Windsor stand out for their share. Arabs are about 7% of each city, so you're far more likely to meet someone through friends there. In Calgary or Edmonton the community is smaller and more spread out, and an app does more of the work.
Arab singles in Montreal
Montreal has the biggest Arab community in Canada. Lebanese families have been there for generations, and the city also has a big North African community, with many Moroccan and Algerian families. Many people switch between French, Arabic and English all day.
If that's you, see our pages on Moroccan singles, Algerian singles and Lebanese singles.
Arab singles in Toronto and Ottawa
Toronto's community is smaller in share but large in number, and it's very mixed: Lebanese, Egyptian, Syrian, Iraqi, Palestinian and more. Ottawa Gatineau sits on the line between Ontario and Quebec, so you'll hear both languages.
Who the community is
Across Canada, the biggest groups by origin are:
- Lebanese, about 17%
- Egyptian, about 9%
- Syrian and Moroccan, about 9% each
- Algerian, about 6%
That mix matters on a date. A Lebanese Christian from Montreal and a Syrian Muslim from Mississauga share a lot, and still grew up with different rules at home.
How to meet Arab singles in Canada
Most people still meet through family, friends, the mosque or church, and community events. Those work best in Montreal and Toronto, where there's a lot going on.
HeyArab helps when your circle runs out. Your profile shows where your family is from and the languages you speak. You can add your religion if you want, and say how involved your family is. You can also block your phone contacts so your cousins and coworkers never see you, which matters in a community where everyone knows everyone.
Read more about how HeyArab compares in our guide to the best Arab dating apps.