Country Profile: Canada

Canada, the second-largest country in the world, boasts a diverse geography characterized by vast plains, majestic mountains, and extensive coastlines, providing rich natural resources. With a population of over 39 million, primarily concentrated near the US border, Canada is a multicultural nation with both English and French as its official languages. Its economy is classified as high-income, heavily reliant on key industries such as timber, oil, and gas, while navigating the complexities of trade relationships and public debt. Governed as a federal parliamentary democracy under a constitutional monarchy, Canada maintains a commitment to public health and environmental sustainability.

Geography

Canada is located in Northern North America, bordered by the North Atlantic, North Pacific, and Arctic Oceans, and sharing an extensive land border with the United States. The country encompasses a total area of approximately 9,984,670 sq km, making it slightly larger than the US. Canada features a varied climate, ranging from temperate in the south to subarctic and arctic in the north, and experiences diverse terrains from flat plains to rugged mountains.

• 202,080 km: Length of Canada’s coastline, the longest in the world.
• 9.3%: Percentage of Canadian territory covered by water.
• 60° N, 95° W: Geographic coordinates of Canada.
• 36,563: Number of islands in the Canadian Arctic Archipelago.
• 42%: Proportion of land designated as forest (2023 est.).
• 300 km: Approximate distance within which the majority of the population resides from the US border.

People and Society

With an estimated population of 39,187,155 in 2025, Canada is home to a diverse array of ethnicities and cultures. The most populous province is Ontario, followed by Quebec and British Columbia. English and French are the official languages, representing the country's colonial heritage. Canada has a relatively high urbanization rate, with 81.9% of the population living in urban areas.

• 84.2 years: Life expectancy at birth (2024 est.).
• 9.12 births/1,000: Birth rate (2025 est.).
• 57.7: Total dependency ratio (2025 est.).
• 15.5%: Percentage of the population aged 0-14 years (2024 est.).
• 63.4%: Percentage of the population aged 15-64 years (2024 est.).
• 21%: Percentage of the population aged 65 years and over (2024 est.).

Economy

Canada has a high-income economy with a significant reliance on natural resources, particularly timber, oil, and gas. In 2023, the Real GDP (purchasing power parity) was estimated at $2.305 trillion, with consistent growth rates and an inflation rate that remains above target. Public debt is a rising concern, currently at 61.3% of GDP.

• $56,700: Real GDP per capita (2024 est.).
• 6.5%: Estimated unemployment rate (2024).
• $727.831 billion: Estimated exports (2024).
• $733.778 billion: Estimated imports (2024).
• 54.4%: Household consumption as a percentage of GDP (2023).
• 1.6%: Agriculture's contribution to GDP (2021).

Government

Canada operates as a federal parliamentary democracy under a constitutional monarchy, with the capital city of Ottawa. The country has ten provinces and three territories, each with its own government. The current head of state is King Charles III, represented locally by Governor General Mary Simon, while the head of government is Prime Minister Mark Carney.

• 18 years: Minimum voting age in Canada.
• 10.7%: National budget allocation for education (2022 est.).
• $428.312 billion: Estimated government revenues (2023).
• $417.421 billion: Estimated government expenditures (2023).
• 343: Total seats in the House of Commons.

Military and Security

The Canadian Armed Forces (CAF) encompasses the Army, Navy, and Air Force, with approximately 75,000 active-duty personnel. Military expenditures are projected at 2% of GDP in 2025, supporting various international missions, including NATO commitments.

• 17: Number of operational nuclear reactors (2025).
• 2,000: Canadian troops deployed to Latvia for NATO.
• 1.3%: Military expenditures as a percentage of GDP (2023).

Energy

Canada is recognized for its abundant energy resources, with total electricity consumption reaching 555.683 billion kWh in 2023. Hydroelectric power constitutes 58.6% of total installed capacity, showcasing Canada's commitment to renewable energy.

• 100%: Electrification access for the population (2022).
• 5.688 million bbl/day: Total petroleum production (2023).
• 194.105 billion cubic meters: Natural gas production (2023).

Environment

Canada faces environmental challenges including air pollution and acid rain, with significant efforts toward sustainability reflected in various international agreements. The country is party to multiple environmental protocols aimed at combating climate change and protecting biodiversity.

• 585.853 million metric tonnes: Total carbon dioxide emissions (2023).
• 2.902 trillion cubic meters: Total renewable water resources (2022).
• 23.1%: Percentage of municipal solid waste recycled (2022 est.).

Transportation

Canada features an extensive transportation infrastructure, including 1,459 airports and 49,422 km of railways. The transportation network supports both domestic and international trade, vital for the country's economy.

• 716: Total merchant marine vessels (2023).
• 284: Total ports in Canada (2024).
• 506: Number of heliports (2025).

Communications

Communications access in Canada is widespread, with 94% of the population using the internet. The country has a robust media structure, featuring both public and commercial broadcasting networks.

• 37.4 million: Mobile cellular subscriptions (2024).
• 11 million: Fixed-line telephone subscriptions (2024).
• 17 million: Fixed broadband subscriptions (2023).

Key Metrics

Metric	Value	Note
Population	39,187,155	Estimated for 2025
Area	9,984,670 sq km	Total area
GDP (PPP)	$2.305 trillion	Estimated for 2023
Energy consumption	555.683 billion kWh	Estimated for 2023
Birth rate	9.12 births/1,000 population	Estimated for 2025
Unemployment rate	6.5%	Estimated for 2024
Life expectancy at birth	84.2 years	Estimated for 2024
Total fertility rate	1.43 children born/woman	Estimated for 2025
Public debt	61.3% of GDP	Estimated for 2023
Urban population	81.9%	Percentage of total population (2023)