In 2022, Canada had a population density of about 4.43 people per square kilometer. The country has one of the lowest population densities in the world, as the total population is very small in relation to the dimensions of the land. Canada has a relatively stable population size, consistently with a growth of around one percent compared to the previous year. A small population in a large territory In terms of total area, Canada is the second largest country in the world. Its ten provinces and three territories extend from the Pacific to the Atlantic and northward to the Arctic Ocean, and this in total covers about 9.9 million square miles. The most densely populated area of Canada is what’s known as the Quebec City-Windsor Corridor in the provinces of Quebec and Ontario. Canada has a degree of urbanization of around 81 percent, because most Canadians prefer to live in cities where opportunities for work and leisure are in close proximity to each other and conditions are less rough.

Contained within the Atlas of Canada Poster Map Series, is a poster showing population density across Canada. There is a relief base to the map on top of which is shown all populated areas of Canada where the population density is great than 0.4 persons per square kilometer. This area is then divided into five colour classes of population density based on Statistics Canada's census divisions.

This table presents the 2021 and 2016 population and dwelling counts, land area and population density for Canada, the provinces and the territories. It also shows the percentage change in the population and dwelling counts between 2016 and 2021.

This table presents the 2021 and 2016 population and dwelling counts, land area and population density for Canada, the provinces and the territories. It also shows the percentage change in the population and dwelling counts between 2016 and 2021.

Contained within the 5th Edition (1978 to 1995) of the National Atlas of Canada is a map that shows the density of population in continuously settled area of Canada using ten density classes based on 1976 Census data.

Historical chart and dataset showing Canada population density by year from 1961 to 2022.

Canada, with 3.33 people per square kilometre, has one of the lowest population densities in the world. In 2001, most of Canada's population of 30,007,094 lived within 200 kilometres of the United States (along Canada's south). In fact, the inhabitants of our three biggest cities -- Toronto, Montréal and Vancouver -- can drive to the border in less than two hours. Thousands of kilometres to the north, our polar region -- the Yukon, the Northwest Territories and Nunavut -- is relatively empty, embracing 41% of our land mass but only 0.3% of our population. An inset map shows in greater detail the Windsor-Québec Corridor where a high concentration of Canadians live.

This table contains 173 series, with data for years 1996 - 1996 (not all combinations necessarily have data for all years), and is no longer being released. This table contains data described by the following dimensions (Not all combinations are available): Geography (173 items: Canada; Newfoundland and Labrador; Health and Community Services St. John's Region, Newfoundland and Labrador; Health and Community Services Eastern Region, Newfoundland and Labrador; ...).

Population density (people per sq. km of land area) in Canada was reported at 4.4306 sq. Km in 2022, according to the World Bank collection of development indicators, compiled from officially recognized sources. Canada - Population density (people per sq. km) - actual values, historical data, forecasts and projections were sourced from the World Bank on June of 2025.

This table contains 26 series, with data for years 1851 - 1971 (not all combinations necessarily have data for all years). This table contains data described by the following dimensions (Not all combinations are available): Unit of measure (1 items: Persons ...) Geography (13 items: Canada; Newfoundland and Labrador; Nova Scotia; Prince Edward Island ...) Estimates (2 items: Population; Population density per square mile ...).

Canada CA: Population Density: People per Square Km data was reported at 4.350 Person/sq km in 2021. This records an increase from the previous number of 4.239 Person/sq km for 2020. Canada CA: Population Density: People per Square Km data is updated yearly, averaging 3.127 Person/sq km from Dec 1961 (Median) to 2021, with 61 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 4.350 Person/sq km in 2021 and a record low of 2.038 Person/sq km in 1961. Canada CA: Population Density: People per Square Km data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by World Bank. The data is categorized under Global Database’s Canada – Table CA.World Bank.WDI: Population and Urbanization Statistics. Population density is midyear population divided by land area in square kilometers. Population is based on the de facto definition of population, which counts all residents regardless of legal status or citizenship--except for refugees not permanently settled in the country of asylum, who are generally considered part of the population of their country of origin. Land area is a country's total area, excluding area under inland water bodies, national claims to continental shelf, and exclusive economic zones. In most cases the definition of inland water bodies includes major rivers and lakes.;Food and Agriculture Organization and World Bank population estimates.;Weighted average;

Census data reveals that population density varies noticeably from area to area. Small area census data do a better job depicting where the crowded neighborhoods are. In this map, the yellow areas of highest density range from 30,000 to 150,000 persons per square kilometer. In those areas, if the people were spread out evenly across the area, there would be just 4 to 9 meters between them. Very high density areas exceed 7,000 persons per square kilometer. High density areas exceed 5,200 persons per square kilometer. The last categories break at 3,330 persons per square kilometer, and 1,500 persons per square kilometer.This dataset is comprised of multiple sources. All of the demographic data are from Michael Bauer Research with the exception of the following countries:Australia: Esri Australia and MapData ServicesCanada: Esri Canada and EnvironicsFrance: Esri FranceGermany: Esri Germany and NexigaIndia: Esri India and IndicusJapan: Esri JapanSouth Korea: Esri Korea and OPENmateSpain: Esri España and AISUnited States: Esri Demographics

Contained within the Atlas of Canada Poster Map Series, is a poster showing population density across Canada. There is a relief base to the map on top of which is shown all populated areas of Canada where the population density is great than 0.4 persons per square kilometer. This area is then divided into five colour classes of population density based on Statistics Canada's census divisions.

Contained within the 3rd Edition (1957) of the Atlas of Canada is a map that shows the density of the Canadian population for 1951. The first map display Western provinces, while the second map concentrates on southern Ontario and the Maritimes. Only the most populous areas are covered. Population density is illustrated by denoting the number of inhabitants per square mile. It shows a significant difference in the population distribution across Canada, mainly in urban and metropolitan areas. The cities with greater inhabitants are clusters within Capital cities, and a even larger concentration south, near the U.S. border, in particular along ocean or inland coastlines.

This table presents the 2021 population and dwelling counts, land area and population density for dissemination areas by a selected province or territory.

Population density in Canada based on the 2006 and 2011 census data at three levels of geography: census division (CD) (1:5,000,001 and over), census sub-division (CSD) (1:5,000,000 to 1:288,897) and dissemination areas (DA) (1:288,897 and under).

Population density is the number of people per square kilometer. Population density change measures the rate of change calculated by the difference in total population density values for each area between 2006 and 2011, divided by the total population density of 2006. The CD and CSD boundaries are based on 2011 data. The 2006 population figures have been adjusted accordingly. The DA boundaries are based on 2006 data.

All areas with no data are indicated with a value of -999.

This table presents the 2021 and 2016 population counts and the 2021 dwelling counts, land area and population density for a census metropolitan area or a tracted census agglomeration and the census tracts within the census metropolitan area or tracted census agglomeration.

[ARCHIVED] Community Counts data is retained for archival purposes only, such as research, reference and record-keeping. This data has not been maintained or updated. Users looking for the latest information should refer to Statistics Canada’s Census Program (https://www12.statcan.gc.ca/census-recensement/index-eng.cfm?MM=1) for the latest data, including detailed results about Nova Scotia. This table reports population density. This data is sourced from the Census of Population. Geographies available: provinces, counties, communities, municipalities, district health authorities, community health boards, economic regions, police districts, school boards, municipal electoral districts, provincial electoral districts, federal electoral districts, regional development authorities, watersheds

The majority of the Canadian population, about 60% is concentrated within a thin belt of land representing 2.2% of the land between Windsor, Ontario and Quebec City. Even though Canada is the second largest country in the world in terms of land area, it only ranks 33rd in terms of population. The agricultural areas in the Prairies and eastern Canada have higher population densities than the sparsely populated North, but not as high as southern Ontario or southern Quebec.

Author: J Trygestad, educator, Minnesota Alliance for Geographic EducationGrade/Audience: grade 8Resource type: lessonSubject topic(s): population, physical geography, migrationRegion: north americaStandards: Minnesota Social Studies Standards

Standard 5. The characteristics, distribution and migration of human populations on the earth’s surface influence human systems (cultural, economic and political systems). Objectives: Students will be able to:

1. Describe Canada’s population distribution, density and growth.
2. Describe how Canada’s physical geography affects the location and size of its population centers.
3. Describe the patterns of Canada’s recent immigration and migration.
4. Describe the diversity of Canada’s population as a culture mosaic.Summary: Students describe the distribution, density and growth of Canada’s population based on patterns of current and historic settlement and physical features. Students also describe Canada’s culture mosaic addressing current immigration, migration, and culture patterns.