Notable people
 | This section is empty. You can help by adding to it. (November 2025) |
| Total population | |
|---|---|
| 3,740 (2021) [1] 3,105 in Greater Vancouver [2] | |
| Regions with significant populations | |
| Vancouver (city proper) | 935 |
| Languages | |
| Bengali • English | |
| Religion | |
| Predominantly Islam; minority Hinduism | |
| Related ethnic groups | |
| Bangladeshi Canadians • Bengali Canadians | |
Bangladeshi British Columbians are residents of British Columbia, Canada, of Bangladeshi origin or descent. Most live in the Lower Mainland, particularly Metro Vancouver. According to the 2021 Canadian census, 3,740 people in British Columbia reported Bangladeshi ethnic origin. [1]
Migration from the Bengal region to British Columbia began in the 1960s. The first known permanent Bengali settler in the Lower Mainland was materials engineer Dr. Asoke Chaklader, who arrived in 1960 to join the University of British Columbia. [3] The 1970s saw increased arrivals due to family reunification and the aftermath of the 1971 Bangladesh Liberation War. Growth slowed in the 1980s–1990s but resumed in the 2000s with skilled workers in technology and healthcare. [3]
The community is highly educated; many early migrants held postgraduate degrees in engineering, medicine, or IT. [3] [4] The majority are Muslim, with a Hindu minority, and most speak Bengali at home. [3]
Bangladeshi British Columbians celebrate Pohela Boishakh (Bengali New Year), Eid, and Durga Puja. Community members have organised rallies in Vancouver in response to political developments in Bangladesh, including the 2024 student protests. [5]
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