Canada
Population
39.19M
Area
9,984,670 km²
GDP
$2.24T
GDP Per Capita
$56,700
Pop. Density
4/km²
Quick Facts
Currency
$Canadian dollar(CAD)
Calling Code
+1
Primary Timezone
UTC-08:00
+5 more
Languages
English, French
Driving Side
right
Demonym
Canadian
Background
Historical Trends
GDP (USD)
↑70.1% since 2006Population
↑26.8% since 2006Life Expectancy at Birth
Latest: 81.6 yearsData source: World Bank Open Data
Geography21
Location
Northern North America, bordering the North Atlantic Ocean on the east, North Pacific Ocean on the west, and the Arctic Ocean on the north, north of the conterminous US
Geographic coordinates
60 00 N, 95 00 W
Map references
North America
Area
land: 9,093,507 sq km
water: 891,163 sq km
Area - comparative
slightly larger than the US
Land boundaries
border countries: US 8,891 km (includes 2,475 km with Alaska); Denmark (Greenland) 1.3 km
Coastline
202,080 km
Maritime claims
contiguous zone: 24 nm
exclusive economic zone: 200 nm
continental shelf: 200 nm or to the edge of the continental margin
Climate
varies from temperate in south to subarctic and arctic in north
Terrain
mostly plains with mountains in west, lowlands in southeast
Elevation
lowest point: Atlantic/Pacific/Arctic Oceans 0 m
mean elevation: 487 m
Natural resources
bauxite, iron ore, nickel, zinc, copper, gold, lead, uranium, rare earth elements, molybdenum, potash, diamonds, silver, fish, timber, wildlife, coal, petroleum, natural gas, hydropower
Land use
agricultural land
agricultural land: arable land
agricultural land: permanent crops
agricultural land: permanent pasture
forest
other
Irrigated land
9,045 sq km (2015)
Major lakes (area sq km)
note - Great Lakes* area shown as Canadian waters
Major rivers (by length in km)
note: [s] after country name indicates river source; [m] after country name indicates river mouth
Major watersheds (area sq km)
Atlantic Ocean drainage: Mississippi* (Gulf of America) (3,202,185 sq km, Canada only 32,000 sq km), Nelson (Hudson Bay) (1,093,141 sq km), Saint Lawrence* (1,049,636 sq km, Canada only 839,200 sq km)
Pacific Ocean drainage: Yukon* (847,620 sq km, Canada only 823,800 sq km), Columbia* (657,501 sq km, Canada only 103,000 sq km)
Major aquifers
Northern Great Plains Aquifer
Population distribution
vast majority of the population lives in a discontinuous band within approximately 300 km (186 mi) of the southern border with the United States; the most populated province is Ontario, followed by Quebec and British Columbia
Natural hazards
volcanism: the vast majority of volcanoes in Western Canada's Coast Mountains remain dormant
Geography - note
note 2: Canada has more fresh water than any other country, and almost 9% of Canadian territory is water; Canada has at least 2 million and possibly over 3 million lakes, more than all other countries combined
People & Society33
Population
male: 19,515,416
female: 19,671,739
Nationality
adjective: Canadian
Ethnic groups
Canadian 15.6%, English 14.7%, Scottish 12.1%, French 11%, Irish 12.1%, German 8.1%, Chinese 4.7%, Italian 4.3%, First Nations 1.7%, Indian 3.7%, Ukrainian 3.5%, Metis 1.5% (2021 est.)
Languages
major-language sample(s):
The World Factbook, the indispensable source for basic information. (English)
The World Factbook, une source indispensable d'informations de base. (French)
Religions
Christian 53.3%, Muslim 4.9%, Hindu 2.3%, Sikh 2.1%, Buddhist 1%, Jewish 0.9%, Traditional (North American Indigenous) 0.2%, other religions and traditional spirituality 0.6%, none 34.6% (2021 est.)
Age structure
15-64 years: 63.4% (male 12,382,422/female 12,227,512)
65 years and over: 21% (2024 est.) (male 3,753,829/female 4,403,424)
Dependency ratios
youth dependency ratio: 23.8 (2025 est.)
elderly dependency ratio: 33.9 (2025 est.)
potential support ratio: 2.9 (2025 est.)
Median age
male: 41.4 years
female: 43.8 years
Population growth rate
0.73% (2025 est.)
Birth rate
9.12 births/1,000 population (2025 est.)
Death rate
7.75 deaths/1,000 population (2025 est.)
Net migration rate
5.91 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2025 est.)
Population distribution
vast majority of the population lives in a discontinuous band within approximately 300 km (186 mi) of the southern border with the United States; the most populated province is Ontario, followed by Quebec and British Columbia
Urbanization
rate of urbanization: 0.95% annual rate of change (2020-25 est.)
Major urban areas - population
6.372 million Toronto, 4.308 million Montreal, 2.657 million Vancouver, 1.640 million Calgary, 1.544 million Edmonton, 1.437 million OTTAWA (capital) (2023)
Sex ratio
0-14 years: 1.06 male(s)/female
15-64 years: 1.01 male(s)/female
65 years and over: 0.85 male(s)/female
total population: 0.98 male(s)/female (2024 est.)
Mother's mean age at first birth
29.4 years (2019 est.)
Maternal mortality ratio
12 deaths/100,000 live births (2023 est.)
Infant mortality rate
male: 4.5 deaths/1,000 live births
female: 4 deaths/1,000 live births
Life expectancy at birth
male: 81.9 years
female: 86.6 years
Total fertility rate
1.43 children born/woman (2025 est.)
Gross reproduction rate
0.7 (2025 est.)
Drinking water source
improved: urban
improved: rural
improved: total
unimproved: urban
unimproved: rural
unimproved: total
Health expenditure
Health expenditure (as % of national budget): 19.5% of national budget (2022 est.)
Physician density
2.82 physicians/1,000 population (2023)
Hospital bed density
2.6 beds/1,000 population (2020 est.)
Sanitation facility access
improved: urban
improved: rural
improved: total
unimproved: urban
unimproved: rural
unimproved: total
Obesity - adult prevalence rate
29.4% (2016)
Alcohol consumption per capita
beer: 3.5 liters of pure alcohol (2019 est.)
wine: 2 liters of pure alcohol (2019 est.)
spirits: 2.1 liters of pure alcohol (2019 est.)
other alcohols: 0.4 liters of pure alcohol (2019 est.)
Tobacco use
male: 12.3% (2025 est.)
female: 8% (2025 est.)
Currently married women (ages 15-49)
51.6% (2021 est.)
Education expenditure
Education expenditure (% national budget): 10.7% national budget (2022 est.)
School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education)
male: 15 years (2022 est.)
female: 17 years (2022 est.)
Government26
Country name
conventional short form: Canada
etymology: the name is probably derived from the Huron or Iroquois word kanata, meaning village or camp
Government type
federal parliamentary democracy (Parliament of Canada) under a constitutional monarchy; a Commonwealth realm; federal and state authorities and responsibilities regulated in constitution
Capital
name
geographic coordinates
time difference
daylight saving time
time zone note
etymology
Administrative divisions
10 provinces and 3 territories*; Alberta, British Columbia, Manitoba, New Brunswick, Newfoundland and Labrador, Northwest Territories*, Nova Scotia, Nunavut*, Ontario, Prince Edward Island, Québec, Saskatchewan, Yukon*
Legal system
common law system except in Quebec, where civil law based on the French civil code prevails
Constitution
amendment process: proposed by either house of Parliament or by the provincial legislative assemblies; there are 5 methods for passage though most require approval by both houses of Parliament, approval of at least two thirds of the provincial legislative assemblies and assent and formalization as a proclamation by the governor general in council; the most restrictive method is reserved for amendments affecting fundamental sections of the constitution, such as the office of the monarch or the governor general, and the constitutional amendment procedures, which require unanimous approval by both houses and by all the provincial assemblies, and assent of the governor general in council
International law organization participation
accepts compulsory ICJ jurisdiction with reservations; accepts ICCt jurisdiction
Citizenship
citizenship by descent only: yes
dual citizenship recognized: yes
residency requirement for naturalization: minimum of 3 of last 5 years resident in Canada
Suffrage
18 years of age; universal
Executive branch
head of government: Prime Minister Mark CARNEY (since 14 March 2025)
cabinet: Federal Ministry chosen by the prime minister usually from among members of his/her own party sitting in Parliament
election/appointment process: the monarchy is hereditary; governor general appointed by the monarch on the advice of the prime minister for a 5-year term; after legislative elections, the governor general usually designates the leader of the majority party or majority coalition in the House of Commons as prime minister
Legislative branch
legislative structure: bicameral
Legislative branch - lower chamber
chamber name
number of seats
electoral system
scope of elections
term in office
most recent election date
parties elected and seats per party
percentage of women in chamber
expected date of next election
Legislative branch - upper chamber
number of seats: 105 (all appointed)
percentage of women in chamber: 54.8%
Judicial branch
judge selection and term of office: chief justice and judges appointed by the prime minister in council; all judges appointed for life with mandatory retirement at age 75
subordinate courts: federal level: Federal Court of Appeal; Federal Court; Tax Court; federal administrative tribunals; Courts Martial; provincial/territorial level: provincial superior, appeals, first instance, and specialized courts
Political parties
Conservative Party of Canada or CPC
Green Party of Canada
Liberal Party of Canada
New Democratic Party
Diplomatic representation in the US
chief of mission
chancery
telephone
FAX
email address and website
consulate(s) general
trade office(s)
Diplomatic representation from the US
chief of mission
embassy
mailing address
telephone
FAX
email address and website
consulate(s) general
consulate(s)
International organization participation
ADB (nonregional member), AfDB (nonregional member), APEC, Arctic Council, ARF, ASEAN (dialogue partner), Australia Group, BIS, C, CD, CDB, CE (observer), EAPC, EBRD, EITI (implementing country), FAO, FATF, G-7, G-8, G-10, G-20, IADB, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC (national committees), ICCt, ICRM, IDA, IEA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, IGAD (partners), IHO, ILO, IMF, IMO, IMSO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, IPU, ISO, ITSO, ITU, ITUC (NGOs), MIGA, MINUSTAH, MONUSCO, NAFTA, NATO, NEA, NSG, OAS, OECD, OIF, OPCW, OSCE, Pacific Alliance (observer), Paris Club, PCA, PIF (partner), UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNFICYP, UNHCR, UNMISS, UNOOSA, UNRWA, UNTSO, UPU, USMCA, Wassenaar Arrangement, WCO, WFTU (NGOs), WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO, ZC
Independence
1 July 1867 (union of British North American colonies); 11 December 1931 (recognized by UK per Statute of Westminster)
National holiday
Canada Day, 1 July (1867)
Flag
meaning: the maple leaf is a national symbol
National symbol(s)
maple leaf, beaver
National color(s)
red, white
National coat of arms
The current design of the Royal Coat of Arms of Canada was adopted in 1921 and references the four nations that helped found Canada. England is represented with royal lions, a union flag, and a rose, and Scotland with a royal lion, a unicorn, and a thistle. Ireland’s symbols include a harp and a shamrock, and France’s symbols are a royal fleur-de-lis and a royal flag. The maple leaves are the Canadian national symbol. A red circle displays the motto Desiderantes Meliorem Patriam (Desiring a Better Country), and a blue ribbon displays A Mari usque ad Mare (From Sea to Sea).
National anthem(s)
lyrics/music: unknown
history: royal anthem, as a Commonwealth country
National heritage
selected World Heritage Site locales: L'Anse aux Meadows (c); Canadian Rocky Mountain Parks (n); Dinosaur Provincial Park (n); Historic District of Old Quebec (c); Old Town Lunenburg (c); Wood Buffalo National Park (n); Head-Smashed-In Buffalo Jump (c); Gros Morne National Park (n); Pimachiowin Aki (m)
Economy30
Economic overview
high-income economy and second-largest US trading partner; key timber, oil, and gas industries; trade uncertainties and weak business investments contributing to economic slowdown; high and growing public debt; inflation moderating but remains above target range
Real GDP (purchasing power parity)
Real GDP (purchasing power parity) 2023: $2.305 trillion (2023 est.)
Real GDP (purchasing power parity) 2022: $2.271 trillion (2022 est.)
Real GDP growth rate
Real GDP growth rate 2023: 1.5% (2023 est.)
Real GDP growth rate 2022: 4.2% (2022 est.)
Real GDP per capita
Real GDP per capita 2023: $57,500 (2023 est.)
Real GDP per capita 2022: $58,300 (2022 est.)
GDP (official exchange rate)
$2.241 trillion (2024 est.)
Inflation rate (consumer prices)
Inflation rate (consumer prices) 2023: 3.9% (2023 est.)
Inflation rate (consumer prices) 2022: 6.8% (2022 est.)
GDP - composition, by sector of origin
industry: 25.3% (2021 est.)
services: 66.4% (2021 est.)
GDP - composition, by end use
household consumption
government consumption
investment in fixed capital
investment in inventories
exports of goods and services
imports of goods and services
Agricultural products
wheat, rapeseed, maize, milk, barley, soybeans, potatoes, peas, oats, pork (2023)
Industries
transportation equipment, chemicals, processed and unprocessed minerals, food products, wood and paper products, fish products, petroleum, natural gas
Industrial production growth rate
0% (2024 est.)
Labor force
22.868 million (2024 est.)
Unemployment rate
Unemployment rate 2023: 5.5% (2023 est.)
Unemployment rate 2022: 5.3% (2022 est.)
Youth unemployment rate (ages 15-24)
male: 13.8% (2024 est.)
female: 12.1% (2024 est.)
Gini Index coefficient - distribution of family income
Average household expenditures
on alcohol and tobacco: 3.5% of household expenditures (2023 est.)
Household income or consumption by percentage share
highest 10%: 23.4% (2020 est.)
Remittances
Remittances 2023: 0% of GDP (2023 est.)
Remittances 2022: 0% of GDP (2022 est.)
Budget
expenditures: $417.421 billion (2023 est.)
Public debt
Taxes and other revenues
13.8% (of GDP) (2023 est.)
Current account balance
Current account balance 2023: -$13.764 billion (2023 est.)
Current account balance 2022: -$6.318 billion (2022 est.)
Exports
Exports 2023: $724.754 billion (2023 est.)
Exports 2022: $743.782 billion (2022 est.)
Exports - partners
USA 71%, China 5%, UK 3%, Japan 2%, Mexico 2% (2023)
Exports - commodities
crude petroleum, cars, gold, natural gas, refined petroleum (2023)
Imports
Imports 2023: $723.399 billion (2023 est.)
Imports 2022: $731.058 billion (2022 est.)
Imports - partners
USA 51%, China 11%, Mexico 6%, Germany 3%, Japan 3% (2023)
Imports - commodities
cars, trucks, vehicle parts/accessories, refined petroleum, crude petroleum (2023)
Reserves of foreign exchange and gold
Reserves of foreign exchange and gold 2023: $117.551 billion (2023 est.)
Reserves of foreign exchange and gold 2022: $106.952 billion (2022 est.)
Exchange rates
Currency
Exchange rates 2024
Exchange rates 2023
Exchange rates 2022
Exchange rates 2021
Exchange rates 2020
Energy8
Electricity access
Electricity
consumption: 555.683 billion kWh (2023 est.)
exports: 49.444 billion kWh (2023 est.)
imports: 21.77 billion kWh (2023 est.)
transmission/distribution losses: 31.784 billion kWh (2023 est.)
Electricity generation sources
fossil fuels
nuclear
solar
wind
hydroelectricity
biomass and waste
Nuclear energy
Net capacity of operational nuclear reactors: 12.71GW (2025 est.)
Percent of total electricity production: 13.7% (2023 est.)
Number of nuclear reactors permanently shut down: 8 (2025)
Coal
consumption: 20.092 million metric tons (2023 est.)
exports: 35.447 million metric tons (2023 est.)
imports: 7.03 million metric tons (2023 est.)
proven reserves: 6.582 billion metric tons (2023 est.)
Petroleum
refined petroleum consumption: 2.377 million bbl/day (2024 est.)
crude oil estimated reserves: 170.3 billion barrels (2021 est.)
Natural gas
consumption: 131.887 billion cubic meters (2023 est.)
exports: 82.537 billion cubic meters (2023 est.)
imports: 29.058 billion cubic meters (2023 est.)
proven reserves: 2.067 trillion cubic meters (2021 est.)
Energy consumption per capita
Communications6
Telephones - fixed lines
subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 28 (2024 est.)
Telephones - mobile cellular
subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 94 (2024 est.)
Broadcast media
2 public TV broadcasting networks, 1 in English and 1 in French, each with a large number of network affiliates; several private commercial networks, also with multiple network affiliates; a total of about 150 TV stations, accessible via multi-channel satellite and cable systems; mix of public and commercial radio, with over 1,000 licensed stations; public broadcaster Canadian Broadcasting Corporation (CBC) provides 4 radio networks, Radio Canada International, and radio services to ethnic populations in the north (2016)
Internet country code
.ca
Internet users
Broadband - fixed subscriptions
subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 43 (2023 est.)
Transportation6
Civil aircraft registration country code prefix
C
Airports
1,459 (2025)
Heliports
506 (2025)
Railways
standard gauge: 49,422 km (2021) 1.435-m gauge
Merchant marine
by type: bulk carrier 22, container ship 1, general cargo 78, oil tanker 15, other 600
Ports
total ports
large
medium
small
very small
size unknown
ports with oil terminals
key ports
Military & Security7
Military and security forces
Canadian Forces: Canadian Army, Royal Canadian Navy, Royal Canadian Air Force (2025)
Military expenditures
Military Expenditures 2024: 1.5% of GDP (2024 est.)
Military Expenditures 2023: 1.3% of GDP (2023 est.)
Military Expenditures 2022: 1.2% of GDP (2022 est.)
Military Expenditures 2021: 1.3% of GDP (2021 est.)
Military and security service personnel strengths
approximately 75,000 active-duty military personnel (2025)
Military equipment inventories and acquisitions
the CAF's inventory is a mix of domestically produced and imported weapons systems from Australia, Europe, Israel, the UK, and the US; in recent years, the leading supplier has been the US; Canada's defense industry develops, maintains, and produces a range of equipment, including aircraft, combat vehicles, naval vessels, and associated components; it also collaborates with the defense industries of allied countries such as the UK (2025)
Military service age and obligation
17 years of age for men and women for voluntary military service (with parental consent); 16 years of age for Reserve and Military College applicants; Canadian citizenship or permanent residence status required; service obligation 3-9 years depending on the position (2025)
Military deployments
approximately 2,000 Latvia (NATO); the CAF also has air and naval assets supporting NATO missions (2025)
Military - note
Canada is part of the North American Aerospace Defense Command (NORAD; established 1958); NORAD is a Canada/US bi-national military command responsible for monitoring and defending North American airspace; traditionally, a CAF officer has served as the deputy commander of NORAD; Canada’s defense relationship with the US extends back to the Ogdensburg Declaration of 1940, when the two countries formally agreed on military cooperation, including the establishment of the Permanent Joint Board on Defense (PJBD), which continues to be the highest-level bilateral defense forum between Canada and the US
British troops withdrew from Canada in 1871 as part of the US-UK Treaty of Washington; following the withdrawal, the first Canadian militia, known as the Royal Canadian Regiment, was organized in 1883 to protect Canadian territory and defend British interests abroad, which it did in the South African War (1899-1902), Canada’s first overseas conflict; militia units formed the backbone of the more than 425,000 Canadian soldiers that went to Europe during World War I in what was called the Canadian Expeditionary Force; the Royal Canadian Navy was created in 1910, while the Canadian Air Force was established in 1920 and became the Royal Canadian Air Force in 1924; the Canadian Army was officially founded in 1942; a unified Canadian Armed Forces was created in 1968 (2025)
Transnational Issues2
Refugees and internally displaced persons
IDPs: 1,981 (2024 est.)
stateless persons: 8,166 (2024 est.)
Illicit drugs
major precursor-chemical producer (2025)