Communications
Broadband - fixed subscriptions [time series]
total: 17 million (2023 est.) subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 43 (2023 est.)
Broadcast media [time series]
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 [time series]
.ca
Internet users [time series]
percent of population: 94% (2023 est.)
Telephones - fixed lines [time series]
total subscriptions: 11 million (2024 est.) subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 28 (2024 est.)
Telephones - mobile cellular [time series]
total subscriptions: 37.4 million (2024 est.) subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 94 (2024 est.)
Economy
Agricultural products [time series]
wheat, rapeseed, maize, milk, barley, soybeans, potatoes, peas, oats, pork (2023) note: top ten agricultural products based on tonnage
Average household expenditures [time series]
on food: 9.7% of household expenditures (2023 est.) on alcohol and tobacco: 3.5% of household expenditures (2023 est.)
Budget [time series]
revenues: $428.312 billion (2023 est.) expenditures: $417.421 billion (2023 est.) note: central government revenues (excluding grants) and expenditures converted to US dollars at average official exchange rate for year indicated
Current account balance [time series]
-$10.349 billion (2024 est.) -$13.764 billion (2023 est.) -$6.318 billion (2022 est.) note: balance of payments - net trade and primary/secondary income in current dollars
Economic overview [time series]
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
Exchange rates [time series]
Canadian dollars (CAD) per US dollar - 1.369 (2024 est.) 1.35 (2023 est.) 1.302 (2022 est.) 1.254 (2021 est.) 1.341 (2020 est.)
Exports [time series]
$727.831 billion (2024 est.) $724.754 billion (2023 est.) $743.782 billion (2022 est.) note: balance of payments - exports of goods and services in current dollars
Exports - commodities [time series]
crude petroleum, cars, gold, natural gas, refined petroleum (2023) note: top five export commodities based on value in dollars
Exports - partners [time series]
USA 71%, China 5%, UK 3%, Japan 2%, Mexico 2% (2023) note: top five export partners based on percentage share of exports
GDP (official exchange rate) [time series]
$2.241 trillion (2024 est.) note: data in current dollars at official exchange rate
GDP - composition, by end use [time series]
household consumption: 54.4% (2023 est.) government consumption: 20.9% (2023 est.) investment in fixed capital: 22.9% (2023 est.) investment in inventories: 1% (2023 est.) exports of goods and services: 33.3% (2023 est.) imports of goods and services: -33.3% (2023 est.) note: figures may not total 100% due to rounding or gaps in data collection
GDP - composition, by sector of origin [time series]
agriculture: 1.6% (2021 est.) industry: 25.3% (2021 est.) services: 66.4% (2021 est.) note: figures may not total 100% due to non-allocated consumption not captured in sector-reported data
Gini Index coefficient - distribution of family income [time series]
29.9 (2020 est.) note: index (0-100) of income distribution; higher values represent greater inequality
Household income or consumption by percentage share [time series]
lowest 10%: 3.5% (2020 est.) highest 10%: 23.4% (2020 est.) note: % share of income accruing to lowest and highest 10% of population
Imports [time series]
$733.778 billion (2024 est.) $723.399 billion (2023 est.) $731.058 billion (2022 est.) note: balance of payments - imports of goods and services in current dollars
Imports - commodities [time series]
cars, trucks, vehicle parts/accessories, refined petroleum, crude petroleum (2023) note: top five import commodities based on value in dollars
Imports - partners [time series]
USA 51%, China 11%, Mexico 6%, Germany 3%, Japan 3% (2023) note: top five import partners based on percentage share of imports
Industrial production growth rate [time series]
0% (2024 est.) note: annual % change in industrial value added based on constant local currency
Industries [time series]
transportation equipment, chemicals, processed and unprocessed minerals, food products, wood and paper products, fish products, petroleum, natural gas
Inflation rate (consumer prices) [time series]
2.4% (2024 est.) 3.9% (2023 est.) 6.8% (2022 est.) note: annual % change based on consumer prices
Labor force [time series]
22.868 million (2024 est.) note: number of people ages 15 or older who are employed or seeking work
Public debt [time series]
61.3% of GDP (2023 est.) note: central government debt as a % of GDP
Real GDP (purchasing power parity) [time series]
$2.341 trillion (2024 est.) $2.305 trillion (2023 est.) $2.271 trillion (2022 est.) note: data in 2021 dollars
Real GDP growth rate [time series]
1.5% (2024 est.) 1.5% (2023 est.) 4.2% (2022 est.) note: annual GDP % growth based on constant local currency
Real GDP per capita [time series]
$56,700 (2024 est.) $57,500 (2023 est.) $58,300 (2022 est.) note: data in 2021 dollars
Remittances [time series]
0% of GDP (2024 est.) 0% of GDP (2023 est.) 0% of GDP (2022 est.) note: personal transfers and compensation between resident and non-resident individuals/households/entities
Reserves of foreign exchange and gold [time series]
$119.778 billion (2024 est.) $117.551 billion (2023 est.) $106.952 billion (2022 est.) note: holdings of gold (year-end prices)/foreign exchange/special drawing rights in current dollars
Taxes and other revenues [time series]
13.8% (of GDP) (2023 est.) note: central government tax revenue as a % of GDP
Unemployment rate [time series]
6.5% (2024 est.) 5.5% (2023 est.) 5.3% (2022 est.) note: % of labor force seeking employment
Youth unemployment rate (ages 15-24) [time series]
total: 13% (2024 est.) male: 13.8% (2024 est.) female: 12.1% (2024 est.) note: % of labor force ages 15-24 seeking employment
Energy
production: 50.687 million metric tons (2023 est.) 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.)
Electricity [time series]
installed generating capacity: 161.988 million kW (2023 est.) 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 access [time series]
electrification - total population: 100% (2022 est.)
Electricity generation sources [time series]
fossil fuels: 18.9% of total installed capacity (2023 est.) nuclear: 13.7% of total installed capacity (2023 est.) solar: 1.4% of total installed capacity (2023 est.) wind: 6% of total installed capacity (2023 est.) hydroelectricity: 58.6% of total installed capacity (2023 est.) biomass and waste: 1.4% of total installed capacity (2023 est.)
Energy consumption per capita [time series]
311.599 million Btu/person (2023 est.)
Natural gas [time series]
production: 194.105 billion cubic meters (2023 est.) 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.)
Nuclear energy [time series]
Number of operational nuclear reactors: 17 (2025) 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)
Petroleum [time series]
total petroleum production: 5.688 million bbl/day (2023 est.) refined petroleum consumption: 2.377 million bbl/day (2024 est.) crude oil estimated reserves: 170.3 billion barrels (2021 est.)
Environment
Carbon dioxide emissions [time series]
585.853 million metric tonnes of CO2 (2023 est.) from coal and metallurgical coke: 32.486 million metric tonnes of CO2 (2023 est.) from petroleum and other liquids: 294.196 million metric tonnes of CO2 (2023 est.) from consumed natural gas: 259.171 million metric tonnes of CO2 (2023 est.)
Climate [time series]
varies from temperate in south to subarctic and arctic in north
Environmental issues [time series]
air pollution and acid rain from vehicle emissions, coal-burning, and metal smelting severely affecting lakes and forests; seawater pollution from agriculture, industry, mining, and forestry
Geoparks [time series]
total global geoparks and regional networks: 5 global geoparks and regional networks: Perce; Stonehammer; Tumbler Ridge; Cliffs of Fundy; Discovery (2023)
International environmental agreements [time series]
party to: Air Pollution, Air Pollution-Heavy Metals, Air Pollution-Multi-effect Protocol, Air Pollution-Nitrogen Oxides, Air Pollution-Persistent Organic Pollutants, Air Pollution-Sulphur 85, Air Pollution-Sulphur 94, Antarctic-Environmental Protection, Antarctic-Marine Living Resources, Antarctic Treaty, Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Paris Agreement, Comprehensive Nuclear Test Ban, Desertification, Endangered Species, Environmental Modification, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Marine Dumping-London Convention, Marine Dumping-London Protocol, Nuclear Test Ban, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Wetlands signed, but not ratified: Air Pollution-Volatile Organic Compounds, Marine Life Conservation
Land use [time series]
agricultural land: 6.5% (2023 est.) arable land: 4.3% (2023 est.) permanent crops: 0% (2023 est.) permanent pasture: 2.1% (2023 est.) forest: 42% (2023 est.) other: 51.4% (2023 est.)
Methane emissions [time series]
energy: 2,787.3 kt (2022-2024 est.) agriculture: 1,049.8 kt (2019-2021 est.) waste: 816.7 kt (2019-2021 est.) other: 39.3 kt (2019-2021 est.)
Particulate matter emissions [time series]
6.7 micrograms per cubic meter (2019 est.)
Total renewable water resources [time series]
2.902 trillion cubic meters (2022 est.)
Total water withdrawal [time series]
municipal: 4.869 billion cubic meters (2022 est.) industrial: 27.357 billion cubic meters (2022 est.) agricultural: 3.859 billion cubic meters (2022 est.)
Urbanization [time series]
urban population: 81.9% of total population (2023) rate of urbanization: 0.95% annual rate of change (2020-25 est.)
Waste and recycling [time series]
municipal solid waste generated annually: 25.103 million tons (2024 est.) percent of municipal solid waste recycled: 23.1% (2022 est.)
Geography
total : 9,984,670 sq km land: 9,093,507 sq km water: 891,163 sq km
Area - comparative [time series]
slightly larger than the US
Climate [time series]
varies from temperate in south to subarctic and arctic in north
Coastline [time series]
202,080 km note: the Canadian Arctic Archipelago -- consisting of 36,563 islands, several of them among the world's largest -- gives Canada the longest coastline in the world
Elevation [time series]
highest point: Mount Logan 5,959 m lowest point: Atlantic/Pacific/Arctic Oceans 0 m mean elevation: 487 m
Geographic coordinates [time series]
60 00 N, 95 00 W
Geography - note [time series]
note 1: second-largest country in the world (after Russia) and largest in the Americas; strategic location between Russia and US via north polar route; approximately 90% of the population is concentrated within 160 km (100 mi) of the US border 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
Irrigated land [time series]
9,045 sq km (2015)
Land boundaries [time series]
total: 8,892 km border countries (2): US 8,891 km (includes 2,475 km with Alaska); Denmark (Greenland) 1.3 km
Land use [time series]
agricultural land: 6.5% (2023 est.) arable land: 4.3% (2023 est.) permanent crops: 0% (2023 est.) permanent pasture: 2.1% (2023 est.) forest: 42% (2023 est.) other: 51.4% (2023 est.)
Location [time series]
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
Major aquifers [time series]
Northern Great Plains Aquifer
Major lakes (area sq km) [time series]
fresh water lake(s): Huron* - 35,972 sq km; Great Bear Lake - 31,328 sq km; Superior* - 28,754 sq km; Great Slave Lake - 28,568 sq km; Lake Winnipeg - 24,387 sq km; Erie* - 12,776 sq km; Ontario* - 9,790 sq km; Lake Athabasca - 7,935 sq km; Reindeer Lake - 6,650 sq km; Nettilling Lake - 5,542 sq km note - Great Lakes* area shown as Canadian waters
Major rivers (by length in km) [time series]
Mackenzie - 4,241 km; Yukon river source (shared with the US [m]) - 3,185 km; Saint Lawrence river mouth (shared with US) - 3,058 km; Nelson - 2,570 km; Columbia river source (shared with the US [m]) - 1,953 km; Churchill - 1,600 km; Fraser - 1,368 km; Ottawa - 1,271 km; Athabasca - 1,231 km; North Saskatchewan - 1,220 km; Liard - 1,115 km note: [s] after country name indicates river source; [m] after country name indicates river mouth
Major watersheds (area sq km) [time series]
Arctic Ocean drainage: Mackenzie (1,706,388 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) note: watersheds shared with the US shown with *
Map references [time series]
North America
Maritime claims [time series]
territorial sea: 12 nm contiguous zone: 24 nm exclusive economic zone: 200 nm continental shelf: 200 nm or to the edge of the continental margin
Natural hazards [time series]
continuous permafrost in north is a serious obstacle to development; cyclonic storms form east of the Rocky Mountains, a result of the mixing of air masses from the Arctic, Pacific, and North American interior, and produce most of the country's rain and snow east of the mountains volcanism: the vast majority of volcanoes in Western Canada's Coast Mountains remain dormant
Natural resources [time series]
bauxite, iron ore, nickel, zinc, copper, gold, lead, uranium, rare earth elements, molybdenum, potash, diamonds, silver, fish, timber, wildlife, coal, petroleum, natural gas, hydropower
Population distribution [time series]
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
Terrain [time series]
mostly plains with mountains in west, lowlands in southeast
Government
Administrative divisions [time series]
10 provinces and 3 territories*; Alberta, British Columbia, Manitoba, New Brunswick, Newfoundland and Labrador, Northwest Territories*, Nova Scotia, Nunavut*, Ontario, Prince Edward Island, Qu bec, Saskatchewan, Yukon*
Capital [time series]
name: Ottawa geographic coordinates: 45 25 N, 75 42 W time difference: UTC-5 (same time as Washington, DC, during Standard Time) daylight saving time: +1hr, begins second Sunday in March; ends first Sunday in November time zone note: Canada has six time zones etymology: the city lies on the south bank of the Ottawa River, from which it derives its name; the river name comes from the Algonquin word adawe , meaning "to trade"
Citizenship [time series]
citizenship by birth: yes citizenship by descent only: yes dual citizenship recognized: yes residency requirement for naturalization: minimum of 3 of last 5 years resident in Canada
Constitution [time series]
history: consists of unwritten and written acts, customs, judicial decisions, and traditions dating from 1763; the written part of the constitution consists of the Constitution Act of 29 March 1867, which created a federation of four provinces, and the Constitution Act of 17 April 1982 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
Country name [time series]
conventional long form: none conventional short form: Canada etymology: the name is probably derived from the Huron or Iroquois word kanata , meaning village or camp
Diplomatic representation from the US [time series]
chief of mission: Ambassador Pete HOEKSTRA (since 29 April 2025) embassy: 490 Sussex Drive, Ottawa, Ontario K1N 1G8 mailing address: 5480 Ottawa Place, Washington DC 20521-5480 telephone: [1] (613) 688-5335 FAX: [1] (613) 241-7845 email address and website: OttawaNIV@state.gov https://ca.usembassy.gov/ consulate(s) general: Calgary, Halifax, Montreal, Quebec City, Toronto, Vancouver consulate(s): Winnipeg
Diplomatic representation in the US [time series]
chief of mission: Ambassador Kirsten HILLMAN (since 17 July 2020) chancery: 501 Pennsylvania Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20001 telephone: [1] (844) 880-6519 FAX: [1] (202) 682-7738 email address and website: ccs.scc@international.gc.ca https://www.international.gc.ca/country-pays/us-eu/washington.aspx?lang=eng consulate(s) general: Atlanta, Boston, Chicago, Dallas, Denver, Detroit, Los Angeles, Miami, Minneapolis, New York, San Francisco, Seattle trade office(s): Houston, Palo Alto (CA), San Diego; note - there are trade offices in the Consulates General
Executive branch [time series]
chief of state: King CHARLES III (since 8 September 2022); represented by Governor General Mary SIMON (since 26 July 2021) 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 note: the governor general position is largely ceremonial
description: two vertical bands of red on each side, with a white square between them; a large 11-pointed red maple leaf is centered in the white square meaning: the maple leaf is a national symbol
Government type [time series]
federal parliamentary democracy (Parliament of Canada) under a constitutional monarchy; a Commonwealth realm; federal and state authorities and responsibilities regulated in constitution
Independence [time series]
1 July 1867 (union of British North American colonies); 11 December 1931 (recognized by UK per Statute of Westminster)
International law organization participation [time series]
accepts compulsory ICJ jurisdiction with reservations; accepts ICCt jurisdiction
International organization participation [time series]
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
Judicial branch [time series]
highest court(s): Supreme Court of Canada (consists of the chief justice and 8 judges) 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 note: in 1999, the Nunavut Court -- a circuit court with the power of a provincial superior court, as well as a territorial court -- was established to serve isolated settlements
Legal system [time series]
common law system except in Quebec, where civil law based on the French civil code prevails
Legislative branch [time series]
legislature name: Parliament of Canada - Parlement du Canada legislative structure: bicameral
Legislative branch - lower chamber [time series]
chamber name: House of Commons number of seats: 343 (all directly elected) electoral system: plurality/majority scope of elections: full renewal term in office: 4 years most recent election date: 4/28/2025 parties elected and seats per party: Liberal Party (169); Conservative Party (144); Bloc Québécois (BQ) (22); Other (30) percentage of women in chamber: 30.3% expected date of next election: October 2029
Legislative branch - upper chamber [time series]
chamber name: Senate number of seats: 105 (all appointed) percentage of women in chamber: 54.8%
National anthem(s) [time series]
title: "O Canada" lyrics/music: Adolphe-Basile ROUTHIER [French], Robert Stanley WEIR [English]/Calixa LAVALLEE history: adopted 1980; originally written in 1880, it served as an unofficial anthem for many years; the original version had four verses, but the anthem today officially consists of one verse in French and one in English _____ title: "God Save the King" lyrics/music: unknown history: royal anthem, as a Commonwealth country
National coat of arms [time series]
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 color(s) [time series]
red, white
National heritage [time series]
total World Heritage Sites: 22 (10 cultural, 11 natural, 1 mixed) (2021) 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)
National holiday [time series]
Canada Day, 1 July (1867)
National symbol(s) [time series]
maple leaf, beaver
Political parties [time series]
Bloc Qu b cois Conservative Party of Canada or CPC Green Party of Canada Liberal Party of Canada New Democratic Party
Suffrage [time series]
18 years of age; universal
Introduction
Background [time series]
A land of vast distances and rich natural resources, Canada became a self-governing dominion in 1867, while retaining ties to the British crown. Canada gained legislative independence from Britain in 1931 and formalized its constitutional independence from the UK when it passed the Canada Act in 1982. Economically and technologically, the nation has developed in parallel with the US, its neighbor to the south across the world's longest international border. Canada faces the political challenges of meeting public demands for quality improvements in health care, education, social services, and economic competitiveness, as well as responding to the particular concerns of predominantly francophone Quebec. Canada also aims to develop its diverse energy resources while maintaining its commitment to the environment.
Military and Security
Military - note [time series]
the Canadian Armed Forces (CAF) are responsible for external security; the CAF s core missions include detecting, deterring, and defending against threats to or attacks on Canada; the military also provides assistance to civil authorities and law enforcement as needed for such missions as counterterrorism, search and rescue, and responding to natural disasters or other major emergencies; it regularly participates in bilateral and multinational training exercises with a variety of partners, including NATO (Canada is one of the original members) and the US; the CAF also contributes to international peacekeeping, stability, humanitarian, combat, and capacity building operations, principally through NATO, but also with the UN and other security partners 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)
Military and security forces [time series]
Canadian Forces: Canadian Army, Royal Canadian Navy, Royal Canadian Air Force (2025) note 1: the CAF is comprised of both a Regular Force and a Reserve Force; the Reserve Force is comprised of the Primary Reserve, Canadian Rangers, Cadet Organizations Administration and Training Service, and the Supplementary Reserve; the Canadian Rangers are part of the Army Reserve Force and provide a limited presence in Canada's northern, coastal, and isolated areas for sovereignty, public safety, and surveillance roles note 2: the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP or "Mounties") are under the Department of Public Safety; the Coast Guard is under the Department of Fisheries and Oceans
Military and security service personnel strengths [time series]
approximately 75,000 active-duty military personnel (2025)
Military deployments [time series]
approximately 2,000 Latvia (NATO); the CAF also has air and naval assets supporting NATO missions (2025) note: in 2024, Canada announced plans to have a full 2,000-person brigade deployed to Latvia by 2026
Military equipment inventories and acquisitions [time series]
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 expenditures [time series]
2% of GDP (2025 est.) 1.5% of GDP (2024 est.) 1.3% of GDP (2023 est.) 1.2% of GDP (2022 est.) 1.3% of GDP (2021 est.)
Military service age and obligation [time series]
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) note 1: Canada opened up all military occupations to women in 2001; women in 2024 comprised about 16% of the CAF note 2: the CAF offers waivers to foreign nationals applying for military service only in exceptional cases to individuals on international military exchanges, for example, or to candidates who have specialized skills in high demand
People and Society
Age structure [time series]
0-14 years: 15.5% (male 3,098,478/female 2,929,148) 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)
Alcohol consumption per capita [time series]
total: 8 liters of pure alcohol (2019 est.) 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.)
Birth rate [time series]
9.12 births/1,000 population (2025 est.)
Currently married women (ages 15-49) [time series]
51.6% (2021 est.)
Death rate [time series]
7.75 deaths/1,000 population (2025 est.)
Dependency ratios [time series]
total dependency ratio: 57.7 (2025 est.) youth dependency ratio: 23.8 (2025 est.) elderly dependency ratio: 33.9 (2025 est.) potential support ratio: 2.9 (2025 est.)
Drinking water source [time series]
urban: 99.3% of population (2022 est.) rural: 99.1% of population (2022 est.) total: 99.2% of population (2022 est.) urban: 0.7% of population (2022 est.) rural: 0.9% of population (2022 est.) total: 0.8% of population (2022 est.)
Education expenditure [time series]
4.9% of GDP (2022 est.) 10.7% national budget (2022 est.)
Ethnic groups [time series]
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.) note: percentages add up to more than 100% because respondents were able to identify more than one ethnic origin
Gross reproduction rate [time series]
0.7 (2025 est.)
Health expenditure [time series]
11.2% of GDP (2022) 19.5% of national budget (2022 est.)
Hospital bed density [time series]
2.6 beds/1,000 population (2020 est.)
Infant mortality rate [time series]
total: 3.8 deaths/1,000 live births (2025 est.) male: 4.5 deaths/1,000 live births female: 4 deaths/1,000 live births
Languages [time series]
English (official) 87.1%, French (official) 29.1%, Chinese languages 4.2%, Spanish 3.2%, Punjabi 2.6%, Arabic 2.4%, Tagalog 2.3%, Italian 1.5% (2022 est.) 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)
Life expectancy at birth [time series]
total population: 84.2 years (2024 est.) male: 81.9 years female: 86.6 years
Major urban areas - population [time series]
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)
Maternal mortality ratio [time series]
12 deaths/100,000 live births (2023 est.)
Median age [time series]
total: 42.8 years (2025 est.) male: 41.4 years female: 43.8 years
Mother's mean age at first birth [time series]
29.4 years (2019 est.)
Nationality [time series]
noun: Canadian(s) adjective: Canadian
Net migration rate [time series]
5.91 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2025 est.)
Obesity - adult prevalence rate [time series]
29.4% (2016)
Physician density [time series]
2.82 physicians/1,000 population (2023)
Population [time series]
total: 39,187,155 (2025 est.) male: 19,515,416 female: 19,671,739
Population distribution [time series]
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
Population growth rate [time series]
0.73% (2025 est.)
Religions [time series]
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.)
Sanitation facility access [time series]
urban: 98.6% of population (2022 est.) rural: 98.8% of population (2022 est.) total: 98.6% of population (2022 est.) urban: 1.4% of population (2022 est.) rural: 1.2% of population (2022 est.) total: 1.4% of population (2022 est.)
School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education) [time series]
total: 16 years (2022 est.) male: 15 years (2022 est.) female: 17 years (2022 est.)
Sex ratio [time series]
at birth: 1.05 male(s)/female 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.)
Tobacco use [time series]
total: 10.1% (2025 est.) male: 12.3% (2025 est.) female: 8% (2025 est.)
Total fertility rate [time series]
1.43 children born/woman (2025 est.)
Urbanization [time series]
urban population: 81.9% of total population (2023) rate of urbanization: 0.95% annual rate of change (2020-25 est.)
Space
Key space-program milestones [time series]
1959-1962 - launched first domestically built sounding rocket (Black Brant 1); first domestically designed and built satellite (Alouette) launched by US 1972-1973 - first domestic communications satellites (Anik A-1 and Anik A-2) launched by US, making Canada first country to employ satellites for domestic communications 1970s - began participating in US Space Shuttle (first Canadian in space on Shuttle in 1984) and US Mars probe/exploration programs 1995 - first Canadian-built, radar-capable remote sensing satellite (Radarsat-1) launched by US 2019 - began participating in US/NASA Lunar Gateway orbital station program; launched constellation of remote sensing satellites (RADARSAT Constellation Mission) 2020 - signed the US-led Artemis Accords for space exploration (active participant in planned Moon missions under the Artemis program)
Space agency/agencies [time series]
Canadian Space Agency (CSA; established 1989) (2025)
Space launch site(s) [time series]
developing commercial space port sites in Nova Scotia and Newfoundland (2025) note: the Churchill Rocket Research Range in Manitoba was used for rocket testing from 1956-1985
Space program overview [time series]
has a national space strategy and a long history of developing space-related technologies; designs, builds, operates, and tracks communications, remote sensing (RS), multi-mission, and scientific/testing satellites; has an astronaut program; involved in the development and production of advanced communications systems, lunar rovers, planetary probes, robotics, sensors, and space telescopes; participates in international space programs, including the International Space Station, the Hubble Space Telescope, the Square Kilometer Array radio telescope, and the James Webb Space Telescope; Cooperating State of the ESA since 1979 and participates in a variety of ESA programs, such as the Copernicus Earth observation project; works with numerous foreign space agencies and commercial entities, including those of Argentina, Brazil, individual ESA and EU member states, Japan, India, and particularly the US; has an active commercial space sector (2025)
Terrorism
Terrorist group(s) [time series]
Hizballah; Islamic State of Iraq and ash-Sham (ISIS) note: details about the history, aims, leadership, organization, areas of operation, tactics, targets, weapons, size, and sources of support of the group(s) appear(s) in the Terrorism reference guide
Transnational Issues
Illicit drugs [time series]
USG identification: major precursor-chemical producer (2025)
Refugees and internally displaced persons [time series]
refugees: 561,551 (2024 est.) IDPs: 1,981 (2024 est.) stateless persons: 8,166 (2024 est.)
Transportation
Airports [time series]
1,459 (2025)
Civil aircraft registration country code prefix [time series]
C
Heliports [time series]
506 (2025)
Merchant marine [time series]
total: 716 (2023) by type: bulk carrier 22, container ship 1, general cargo 78, oil tanker 15, other 600
total ports: 284 (2024) large: 4 medium: 14 small: 58 very small: 149 size unknown: 59 ports with oil terminals: 59 key ports: Argentia, Canaport (St. John), Halifax, Hamilton, Montreal, New Westminster, Pond Inlet, Prince Rupert, Quebec, Sept Iles, St. John, Sydney, Thunder Bay, Toronto, Trois Rivieres, Vancouver, Victoria Harbor, Windsor
Railways [time series]
total: 49,422 km (2021) note: 129 km electrified (2021) standard gauge: 49,422 km (2021) 1.435-m gauge