Estimated number of persons on July 1, by 5-year age groups and gender, and median age, for Canada, provinces and territories.

Data on ethnic or cultural origin by gender and age for the population in private households in Canada, provinces and territories, and census subdivisions with 5,000-plus population.

It is presumed that the first humans migrated from Siberia to North America approximately twelve thousand years ago, where they then moved southwards to warmer lands. It was not until many centuries later that humans returned to the north and began to settle regions that are now part of Canada. Despite a few short-lived Viking settlements on Newfoundland around the turn of the first millennium CE, the Italian explorer Giovanni Caboto (John Cabot), became the first European to explore the coast of North America in the late 1400s. The French and British crowns both made claims to areas of Canada throughout the sixteenth century, but real colonization and settlement did not begin until the early seventeenth century. Over the next 150 years, France and Britain competed to take control of the booming fur and fishing trade, and to expand their overseas empires. In the Seven Year's War, Britain eventually defeated the French colonists in North America, through superior numbers and a stronger agriculture resources in the southern colonies, and the outcome of the war saw France cede practically all of it's colonies in North America to the British.

Increased migration and declining native populations

The early 1800s saw a large influx of migrants into Canada, with the Irish Potato Famine bringing the first wave of mass-migration to the country, with further migration coming from Scandinavia and Northern Europe. It is estimated that the region received just shy of one million migrants from the British Isles alone, between 1815 and 1850, which helped the population grow to 2.5 million in the mid-1800s and 5.5 million in 1900. It is also estimated that infectious diseases killed around 25 to 33 percent of all Europeans who migrated to Canada before 1891, and around a third of the Canadian population is estimated to have emigrated southwards to the United States in the 1871-1896 period. From the time of European colonization until the mid-nineteenth century, the native population of Canada dropped from roughly 500,000 (some estimates put it as high as two million) to just over 100,000; this was due to a mixture of disease, starvation and warfare, instigated by European migration to the region. The native population was generally segregated and oppressed until the second half of the 1900s; Native Canadians were given the vote in 1960, and, despite their complicated and difficult history, the Canadian government has made significant progress in trying to include indigenous cultures in the country's national identity in recent years. As of 2020, Indigenous Canadians make up more than five percent of the total Canadian population, and a higher birth rate means that this share of the population is expected to grow in the coming decades.

Independence and modern Canada

Canadian independence was finally acknowledged in 1931 by the Statute of Westminster, putting it on equal terms with the United Kingdom within the Commonwealth; virtually granting independence and sovereignty until the Canada Act of 1982 formalized it. Over the past century, Canada has had a relatively stable political system and economy (although it was hit particularly badly by the Wall Street Crash of 1929). Canada entered the First World War with Britain, and as an independent Allied Power in the Second World War; Canadian forces played pivotal roles in a number of campaigns, notably Canada's Hundred Days in WWI, and the country lost more than 100,000 men across both conflicts. The economy boomed in the aftermath of the Second World War, and a stream of socially democratic programs such as universal health care and the Canadian pension plan were introduced, which contributed to a rise in the standard of living. The post war period also saw various territories deciding to join Canada, with Newfoundland joining in 1949, and Nunavut in 1999. Today Canada is among the most highly ranked in countries in terms of civil liberties, quality of life and economic growth. It promotes and welcomes immigrants from all over the world and, as a result, it has one of the most ethnically diverse and multicultural populations of any country in the world. As of 2020, Canada's population stands at around 38 million people, and continues to grow due to high migration levels and life expectancy, and a steady birth rate.

The statistic reflects the origin of ethnic groups in Canada in 2021. That year, approximately 14.7 percent of the total population in Canada have English roots.

Graph and download economic data for Population, Total for Canada (POPTOTCAA647NWDB) from 1960 to 2024 about Canada and population.

Estimated number of persons by quarter of a year and by year, Canada, provinces and territories.

Population density (people per sq. km of land area) in Canada was reported at 4.5608 sq. Km in 2023, 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 November of 2025.

This statistic shows the male and female resident population of Canada from 2000 to 2023. In 2023, about 20.08 million women were living in Canada.

This table contains 30 series, with data for years 1911 - 1971 (not all combinations necessarily have data for all years), and was last released on 2012-02-16. This table contains data described by the following dimensions (Not all combinations are available): Unit of measure (1 items: Persons ...) Geography (1 items: Canada ...) Birthplace (2 items: Canadian-born; Other British- and foreign-born ...) Age groups (5 items: All ages; 15-24 years; 25-64 years; Under 15 years ...) Sex (3 items: Both sexes; Females; Males ...).

The data package provides demographics for Canadian population groups according to multiple location categories: Forward Sortation Areas (FSAs), Census Metropolitan Areas (CMAs) and Census Agglomerations (CAs), Federal Electoral Districts (FEDs), Health Regions (HRs) and provinces.

About this dataset

Context

The dataset tabulates the population of Canadian by race. It includes the population of Canadian across racial categories (excluding ethnicity) as identified by the Census Bureau. The dataset can be utilized to understand the population distribution of Canadian across relevant racial categories.

Key observations

The percent distribution of Canadian population by race (across all racial categories recognized by the U.S. Census Bureau): 87.26% are white, 3.30% are American Indian and Alaska Native and 9.43% are multiracial.

Content

When available, the data consists of estimates from the U.S. Census Bureau American Community Survey (ACS) 2018-2022 5-Year Estimates.

Racial categories include:

• White
• Black or African American
• American Indian and Alaska Native
• Asian
• Native Hawaiian and Other Pacific Islander
• Some other race
• Two or more races (multiracial)

Variables / Data Columns

• Race: This column displays the racial categories (excluding ethnicity) for the Canadian
• Population: The population of the racial category (excluding ethnicity) in the Canadian is shown in this column.
• % of Total Population: This column displays the percentage distribution of each race as a proportion of Canadian total population. Please note that the sum of all percentages may not equal one due to rounding of values.

Good to know

Margin of Error

Data in the dataset are based on the estimates and are subject to sampling variability and thus a margin of error. Neilsberg Research recommends using caution when presening these estimates in your research.

Custom data

If you do need custom data for any of your research project, report or presentation, you can contact our research staff at research@neilsberg.com for a feasibility of a custom tabulation on a fee-for-service basis.

Inspiration

Neilsberg Research Team curates, analyze and publishes demographics and economic data from a variety of public and proprietary sources, each of which often includes multiple surveys and programs. The large majority of Neilsberg Research aggregated datasets and insights is made available for free download at https://www.neilsberg.com/research/.

Recommended for further research

This dataset is a part of the main dataset for Canadian Population by Race & Ethnicity. You can refer the same here

In 2048, the population in Manitoba is projected to reach about 1.84 million people. This is compared to a population of 1.46 million people in 2024.

This table contains 13 series, with data for years 1921 - 1971 (not all combinations necessarily have data for all years). This table contains data described by the following dimensions (Not all combinations are available): Geography (13 items: Canada; Prince Edward Island; Nova Scotia; Newfoundland and Labrador ...).

Graph and download economic data for Infra-Annual Labor Statistics: Working-Age Population Total: From 15 to 64 Years for Canada (LFWA64TTCAM647S) from Jan 1976 to Sep 2025 about working-age, 15 to 64 years, Canada, and population.

Canada CA: Population: Total data was reported at 40,097,761.000 Person in 2023. This records an increase from the previous number of 38,939,056.000 Person for 2022. Canada CA: Population: Total data is updated yearly, averaging 28,204,342.000 Person from Dec 1960 (Median) to 2023, with 64 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 40,097,761.000 Person in 2023 and a record low of 17,909,356.000 Person in 1960. Canada CA: Population: Total 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. Total population is based on the de facto definition of population, which counts all residents regardless of legal status or citizenship. The values shown are midyear estimates.;(1) United Nations Population Division. World Population Prospects: 2024 Revision; (2) Statistical databases and publications from national statistical offices; (3) Eurostat: Demographic Statistics; (4) United Nations Statistics Division. Population and Vital Statistics Report (various years).;Sum;Relevance to gender indicator: disaggregating the population composition by gender will help a country in projecting its demand for social services on a gender basis.

Comprehensive demographic dataset for Little Canada, MN, US including population statistics, household income, housing units, education levels, employment data, and transportation with year-over-year changes.

As of November 2025, Canada had **** million Facebook users. Approximately **** percent of them were between 25 and 34 years old. By gender, women accounted for **** percent of the platform’s audience.

In January 2025, there were over **** million Instagram users in Canada, accounting for **** percent of the country's population. The social media platform found its largest user base with ******************, accounting for **** percent of all users. Users aged 18 to 24 years made up **** percent of the country's Instagram audience, whilst 35 to 44-year-old users made up **** percent of the platform's user base in Canada.

This table contains 4095 series, with data for years 1921 - 1971 (not all combinations necessarily have data for all years). This table contains data described by the following dimensions (Not all combinations are available): Geography (13 items: Canada; Newfoundland and Labrador; Prince Edward Island; Nova Scotia ...) Sex (3 items: Both sexes; Females; Males ...) Age group (105 items: All ages; 1 year; 2 years; 0 years ...).

Projected population according to various scenarios, age groups and gender, Canada, provinces and territories.