Is Sydney One Of The Most Multicultural Cities In The World Now?

From different traditions, cultural events, and languages to a mouthwatering array of cuisines, Sydney wears its multiculturalism well. You can move from Cabramatta’s Vietnamese bakeries to Harris Park’s Indian sweet shops, Lakemba’s Ramadan nights to Ashfield’s dumpling corridors, all within a single day. No doubt, we’re a city shaped as much by migration as we are by our coastline.

But can Sydney genuinely sit alongside heavyweights like New York and London when it comes to global cultural mix? In some ways, yes—but it definitely shows up differently. Where those cities thrive on density and constant collision, Sydney’s multiculturalism feels a little more decentralised, playing out suburb by suburb.

We think the challenge isn’t necessarily about whether Sydney is multicultural, it clearly is, but rather how we platform those stories beyond the postcode lines.

What The Statistics Say About Sydney’s Multicultural Mix

Nearly 40% of Greater Sydney’s population was born overseas. If you look at the City and Western Sydney, those figures go up to 50% and 54%, respectively. And, with Greater Sydney’s population projected to rise from 1.4 million in 2021 to 6.3 million in 2041, an additional 1.7 million new residents are expected to come from overseas.

In the city area alone, nearly 35% speak a language other than English at home, with Mandarin, Cantonese, Thai, Spanish, and Indonesian among the most common of around 250 different languages spoken. 

You’d be forgiven for assuming that most non-Australian-born residents in Australia hail from England, but recent migration patterns across the country suggest that India is likely to overtake that statistic when the next census rolls around. Immigration from Nepal and Bhutan has also risen significantly, and other prominent countries on the list include China, the Philippines, Vietnam, Colombia, Pakistan, and Iran. And assuming many of these migrants will continue to make Sydney home, this will lead to more awesome benefits of living in a multicultural city where refugee-owned restaurants and Lakemba’s Ramadan night markets thrive.

Where Does Sydney Rank On Multiculturalism Compared To Other Big Cities?

This depends on how you look at things. If we go by the percentage of residents born overseas, Sydney ranks fourth, behind Dubai, Miami, and Toronto. But, if you look at it purely by number of residents, we slip to fifth behind New York, Los Angeles, London, and Dubai.

But if we’re talking about cultural diversity, the number of languages spoken might be a better indicator. New York leads the charge here with about 700, while London is believed to have around 300, and Toronto around 200. There’s debate about how accurate this data is, though, as it’s hard to quantify things like language v dialects. Plus, some countries and cities are more densely populated and have a large number of indigenous languages and dialects, compared with foreign languages spoken by migrants and their descendants. It all contributes to multiculturalism, but in different ways.

So, basically, it’s hard to define the most multicultural city in the world using just one metric. But when you combine a few, it’s safe to say we’re probably among the top 10 (at least according to World Population Review, anyway).

Where To Get A Taste Of Sydney’s Multicultural Charms

While you could reasonably argue that true multiculturalism would result in a more eclectic blend of cultures and ethnicities in every suburb (an argument we’ve passionately made over several Stone & Woods in the past), there’s also something nice about different areas having distinct characters and cultures. And, if you’re interested in food in particular, exploring some of these hotspots is a pretty good way to spend an evening or a weekend.

So, if you fancy channelling your inner Anthony Bourdain to find a good feed, here are some of our top recommendations. 

Cabramatta

Around 38% of the population in this South Western Sydney suburb is Vietnamese, according to the most recent census data. Often referred to as “Little Saigon”, it’s a go-to hub for Vietnamese food (go figure), along with some Cambodian and Chinese delights. 

For yum cha, we recommend Vinh Phat. For the best banh mi in Sydney, check out Vinata’s Hot Bread. And, for a dessert fix like no other, make sure you stop at What The Fudge Cafe. 

Auburn

If you love Middle Eastern, Turkish, and Afghan food, it’s worth adding Auburn to your to-do list. The latest census data noted Chinese, Nepalese, and Turkish as the top ancestries for residents in the area, along with 99 different languages. 

If you’re in the market for a good Persian restaurant, check out Darband. From kebabs to slow-cooked stews to their signature saffron rice, you won’t be disappointed.

Blacktown

Over 44% of Blacktown’s residents were born overseas, covering over 180 birthplaces and 129 ancestries. The top countries of origin for Blacktown residents are India, the Philippines, New Zealand, Fiji, and China. Blacktown residents also speak 185 languages, with English, Filipino/Tagalog, Punjabi, Hindi, Arabic and Gujarati among the most common.

Top food options in Blacktown include Gursha for Ethiopian cuisine and Smoking Gringos for birria tacos.

Harris Park

If you have a hankering for proper Indian food, then this spot right next to Parramatta station should definitely be on your list. Around 45% of the population here is Indian-born, and the supermarkets, restaurants, street food vendors, and clothing stores reflect that. 

If you want a place with an impressively huge vegetarian menu, check out Chatkazz. And, if you fancy some sweet treats to take away afterwards, pop into the sister store, Chatkazz Sweets & Namkeen, a few doors down. 

Image credit: Darband | Instagram