Did you know that nearly one in five adult Indians in Canada lives with their parents?

When it comes to Indians in Canada, nearly one in five adults live under the same roof as their parents.

That’s according to a survey from Statistics Canada, which says that 19 percent of people of Indian ethnic or cultural origin live with their parents/children. The stats are sourced from Canada’s 2021 census.

But multigenerational living doesn’t just stop with Indians in Canada – other South Asian and global immigrant communities also show strong patterns of living together across generations, reflecting cultural traditions and practical needs.

Indians in Canada: keeping It in the family

For Indians in Canada, living with parents or grandparents isn’t unusual—it’s a continuation of a cultural norm from the subcontinent. Census data highlights the linguistic diversity behind these households:

• Punjabi and Sikh households: 36.6% of Sikhs and 34.2% of Punjabis live in multigenerational homes.
• Tamil households: 21.7 percent of Tamil ethnicity or origin also live with their families.

Living together allows families to share finances, support each other emotionally, and pass down cultural traditions, from language to festivals to cuisine. For many, this setup is a way to blend modern Canadian life with deeply rooted Indian values.

Other South Asian communities

Other South Asian groups also show strong intergenerational living patterns:

• Pakistani households: 19.3% live in multigenerational homes.
• Sri Lankan households: 18.7% follow the same pattern.

Interestingly, the number is higher for Afghan communities, where 34.7% of the populations lives with their parents or children. These communities often share similar cultural values: respect for elders, strong family bonds, and reciprocal caregiving. Financial and practical considerations also play a role, particularly for recent immigrants navigating housing costs in Canada.

The rest of the world: Caribbean, Middle East, and beyond

Intergenerational living isn’t limited to South Asia. Census data shows strong prevalence among immigrants from other regions:

• Caribbean: 27.9% of people born here live in intergenerational households.
• West Central Asia and the Middle East: 29.6% co-reside with parents.
• Southeast Asia: 31.9% live in multigenerational households.

These patterns often reflect cultural norms from home countries, as well as practical reasons like sharing housing costs and caregiving responsibilities. Overall, multigenerational living remains an important part of immigrant life in Canada.

Why families choose to live together

Across communities, several key reasons drive intergenerational households:

• Economic support and housing affordability – Rising rents and property prices make shared living a smart financial choice.
• Education and career transition – Young adults can focus on studies or career-building with parental support.
• Caregiving and health needs – Parents may require support; adult children may benefit from childcare or assistance with household management.
• Cultural and familial values – Respect for elders, cultural continuity, and family cohesion remain central.
• Life transitions – Divorce, relocation, or job changes often prompt temporary or long-term co-residence.

Where do most intergenerational families live?

In 2021, there were 7.1 million people living in intergenerational households, that is, households composed of parents and their adult children aged 20 and over, with no other generations of the family present. This living arrangement represented the situation of one in five (19.5%) people living in private households in 2021.

Close to half (46.3%) of the population in Canada’s intergenerational households resided in Ontario—an overrepresentation given that the province was home to 38.6% of the country’s total population. Within the province, this living arrangement was most prevalent in the large census metropolitan areas of Toronto (27.0%), Oshawa (24.6%), Windsor (24%), Hamilton (24%) and Barrie (22.9%). These areas generally have relatively high housing prices, proximity to post-secondary institutions and relatively high shares of immigrant and racialized groups—characteristics which are associated with young adults living with their parents.

Similarly, the population living in multigenerational households was higher in British Columbia (17.7%) compared to its share of Canada’s total population (13.5%). Together, Ontario and British Columbia were home to two-thirds (67.9%) of all people living in multigenerational households in 2021.

But for Indians in Canada and other immigrant communities alike, living under one roof is more than convenience—it’s a blend of tradition, practicality, and familial love.

– Gautam Viswanathan, Deputy Editor, The Inspired Indian