What is the population of Canada in 2026?
Canada has a population of 41,651,653 people (2025 estimate), which is 38th in the world and about 0.50% of the global total.
Population 2025
41,651,653
0.50% of world population
World Bank, 2025Annual Growth
+0.94%
+391,109 people a year
World Bank, 2025Density
5/km²
8,788,700 km² land area
World Bank, 2023Median Age
40.6 years
Life expectancy 82.1 years
Our World in Data, 2025About Canada
Canada is the world's second-largest country by total area, stretching from the Atlantic to the Pacific and northward into the Arctic Ocean. Despite its vast size, Canada has a relatively small population of 39 million, making it one of the least densely populated countries. Known for its natural beauty, multicultural society, and high quality of life, Canada consistently ranks among the world's most livable countries and has the 9th-largest economy globally.
Country Facts
- Capital
- Ottawa
- Continent
- North America
- ISO codes
- CA · CAN
- Demonym
- Canadian
- Currency
- Canadian dollar (CAD $)
- Government
- Constitutional monarchy, Federation, Parliamentary system
- State inception
- 1867
- Time zone
- UTC−07:00
- Driving side
- Right
- Calling code
- +1
- Internet TLD
- .ca
- Land neighbours
- 1
Languages
- English
- French
Religions
- Christianity (53.3%)
- None (34.6%)
- Islam (4.9%)
- Hinduism (2.3%)
- Sikhism (2.1%)
- Buddhism (1.0%)
- Judaism (0.9%)
Demographics
Canada's population is highly urbanized, with over 82% living in cities, primarily along the U.S. border. Immigration drives over 80% of population growth, with Canada accepting more than 400,000 new permanent residents annually. The median age of 41.1 years reflects an aging population. Canada is officially bilingual (English and French), with French predominating in Quebec. Visible minorities comprise about 26% of the population.
Economy
Not published for Canada: Poverty Rate.
Canada has a highly developed mixed economy with abundant natural resources. Key sectors include oil and gas, mining, forestry, agriculture, manufacturing, and services. The economy is deeply integrated with the United States through the USMCA trade agreement. Canada is the world's fourth-largest oil producer and a major exporter of timber, wheat, and minerals. The tech sector is growing, particularly in Toronto, Vancouver, and Montreal.
Major exports
- Petroleum
- Automobiles
- Gold
- Natural gas
- Lumber
- Aluminum
- Wheat
- Canola oil
- Aerospace products
- Minerals
Major imports
- Automobiles
- Machinery
- Electronics
- Plastics
- Pharmaceuticals
- Clothing
- Furniture
- Fruits
Health
Education
Not published for Canada: Literacy Rate.
Environment
Infrastructure
Quality of Life
Geography
Canada spans six time zones and contains vast wilderness, including boreal forests, the Rocky Mountains, Arctic tundra, and numerous lakes (including 20% of the world's freshwater). The country has the longest coastline in the world at 202,080 km. Most of the population lives within 200 km of the U.S. border. Northern Canada is largely uninhabited permafrost and tundra.
Natural resources
- Petroleum
- Natural gas
- Iron ore
- Nickel
- Zinc
- Copper
- Gold
- Lead
- Rare earth elements
- Molybdenum
- Potash
- Diamonds
- Silver
- Fish
- Timber
- Uranium
- Hydropower
Climate
- Varies: arctic in north, temperate in south
Military
Age & Gender Distribution
Population by five-year age band, UN World Population Prospects 2024.
Male Female
- Age 0–14
- 15.1%
- Age 15–64
- 65.1%
- Age 65+
- 19.8%
| Age band | Male | Female |
|---|---|---|
| 100+ | 2,616 | 11,415 |
| 95-99 | 23,726 | 63,197 |
| 90-94 | 100,185 | 183,540 |
| 85-89 | 233,871 | 334,819 |
| 80-84 | 435,517 | 537,210 |
| 75-79 | 719,116 | 820,159 |
| 70-74 | 944,034 | 1,035,193 |
| 65-69 | 1,178,332 | 1,245,909 |
| 60-64 | 1,328,224 | 1,366,880 |
| 55-59 | 1,243,990 | 1,266,523 |
| 50-54 | 1,202,888 | 1,224,839 |
| 45-49 | 1,230,632 | 1,256,820 |
| 40-44 | 1,344,927 | 1,348,737 |
| 35-39 | 1,410,078 | 1,379,343 |
| 30-34 | 1,468,892 | 1,397,650 |
| 25-29 | 1,440,185 | 1,333,836 |
| 20-24 | 1,249,729 | 1,197,652 |
| 15-19 | 1,104,591 | 1,071,570 |
| 10-14 | 1,077,145 | 1,031,813 |
| 5-9 | 1,031,990 | 982,876 |
| 0-4 | 964,293 | 917,489 |
Population History & Projection (1950–2100)
Observed population to 2024, then the UN medium-variant projection.
| Year | Population |
|---|---|
| 1950 | 13,741,747 |
| 1960 | 17,898,790 |
| 1970 | 21,440,022 |
| 1980 | 24,533,776 |
| 1990 | 27,789,443 |
| 2000 | 30,891,803 |
| 2010 | 34,196,899 |
| 2020 | 38,171,902 |
| 2030 | 41,655,589 |
| 2040 | 43,951,417 |
| 2050 | 45,621,882 |
| 2060 | 47,145,289 |
| 2070 | 48,857,807 |
| 2080 | 50,449,270 |
| 2090 | 51,956,748 |
| 2100 | 53,612,234 |
History
Indigenous peoples have inhabited Canada for at least 15,000 years. European exploration began with Norse settlements around 1000 CE, followed by French and British colonization. Canada became a self-governing dominion within the British Empire in 1867 through Confederation. The country achieved full sovereignty gradually, with the Constitution Act of 1982 ending all British legislative authority.
Culture
Canadian culture emphasizes multiculturalism, officially adopted as policy in 1971. Ice hockey is the national winter sport, with the NHL being hugely popular. Canadian contributions to music, literature, film, and comedy have global reach. Indigenous art and culture are increasingly recognized and celebrated. French-Canadian culture in Quebec maintains a distinct identity within the Canadian mosaic.
Current Challenges
Canada faces challenges including Indigenous reconciliation, housing affordability in major cities, healthcare wait times, and environmental concerns in the oil sands. Climate change is affecting the Arctic and increasing wildfire risk. An aging population and regional economic disparities require policy attention. Managing immigration integration while meeting economic needs presents ongoing challenges.
Future Outlook
Canada aims to increase its population to 100 million by 2100, primarily through immigration. The country is investing in clean energy transition while managing oil and gas resources. Reconciliation with Indigenous peoples and addressing historical injustices are national priorities. Canada's stable democracy, strong institutions, and diverse economy position it well for the future despite climate and demographic challenges.
Highlights
What Canada Is Known For
- World's longest coastline
- 20% of world's freshwater
- 22 UNESCO World Heritage Sites
- World's second-largest country
- First country to legalize recreational cannabis nationally (G7)
Interesting Facts About Canada
- Canada has more lakes than the rest of the world combined
- The world's longest highway, the Trans-Canada, is 7,821 km long
- Canadians consume more macaroni and cheese than any other nation
- The Canadian Rockies contain the world's best dinosaur fossil sites
- Basketball was invented by a Canadian, James Naismith
- Alert, Nunavut is the northernmost permanently inhabited place in the world
- Canada has the world's longest skating rink (Rideau Canal at 7.8 km)
How Canada Compares
Population against the ten most populous countries.
| Name | Population |
|---|---|
| India | 1.46B |
| China | 1.41B |
| United States | 341.8M |
| Indonesia | 285.7M |
| Pakistan | 255.2M |
| Nigeria | 237.5M |
| Brazil | 212.8M |
| Bangladesh | 175.7M |
| Russia | 143.5M |
| Ethiopia | 135.5M |
| Canada | 41.7M |
Major Cities in Canada
3 metropolitan areas in our city dataset.
Countries Bordering Canada
1 land border.
- United States341.8M · +0.52%
Canada Population FAQ
Is the population of Canada growing or shrinking?
Canada's population is growing at +0.94% per year, a change of roughly 391,109 people annually.
What is the capital of Canada?
The capital of Canada is Ottawa.
What is the largest city in Canada?
Toronto is the largest metropolitan area in Canada, with about 6.31M people.
How densely populated is Canada?
Canada has 5/km² across 8,788,700 km² of land area.
What is life expectancy in Canada?
Life expectancy at birth in Canada is 82.1 years (2024).
What is the median age in Canada?
The median age in Canada is 40.6 years, meaning half the population is younger than that and half older.
Which continent is Canada in?
Canada is in North America.