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

The statistic shows the total population in Canada from 2020 to 2024, with projections up until 2030. In 2024, the total population in Canada amounted to about 41.14 million inhabitants. Population of Canada Canada ranks second among the largest countries in the world in terms of area size, right behind Russia, despite having a relatively low total population. The reason for this is that most of Canada remains uninhabited due to inhospitable conditions. Approximately 90 percent of all Canadians live within about 160 km of the U.S. border because of better living conditions and larger cities. On a year to year basis, Canada’s total population has continued to increase, although not dramatically. Population growth as of 2012 has amounted to its highest values in the past decade, reaching a peak in 2009, but was unstable and constantly fluctuating. Simultaneously, Canada’s fertility rate dropped slightly between 2009 and 2011, after experiencing a decade high birth rate in 2008. Standard of living in Canada has remained stable and has kept the country as one of the top 20 countries with the highest Human Development Index rating. The Human Development Index (HDI) measures quality of life based on several indicators, such as life expectancy at birth, literacy rate, education levels and gross national income per capita. Canada has a relatively high life expectancy compared to many other international countries, earning a spot in the top 20 countries and beating out countries such as the United States and the UK. From an economic standpoint, Canada has been slowly recovering from the 2008 financial crisis. Unemployment has gradually decreased, after reaching a decade high in 2009. Additionally, GDP has dramatically increased since 2009 and is expected to continue to increase for the next several years.

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

In 2023, there were about 5.81 million males and 5.56 million females between the ages of 25 and 44 living in Canada, which was the most out of any age group. The next largest age group was between the ages of 45 and 64, with 5.01 million males and 5.11 million females.

Canadian demographics

The average age of the Canadian resident population was about 40.6 years in 2023, with Newfoundland and Labrador having the oldest average population, and Nunavut having the youngest average population. Additionally, the majority of Canadians in 2022, both males and females, are single. The next largest group of Canadians are married, and not separated.

Immigration to Canada

Much like the United States, Canada is an immigrant nation, and many of its residents have immigrant backgrounds. Additionally, immigration to Canada has been steadily increasing since 2000, making the country a diverse melting pot for people of all backgrounds.

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 ...).

Canada's largest metropolitan area is Toronto, in Ontario. In 2022. Over 6.6 million people were living in the Toronto metropolitan area. Montréal, in Quebec, followed with about 4.4 million inhabitants, while Vancouver, in Britsh Columbia, counted 2.8 million people as of 2022.

Urban population (% of total population) in Canada was reported at 81.86 % in 2023, according to the World Bank collection of development indicators, compiled from officially recognized sources. Canada - Urban population (% of total) - actual values, historical data, forecasts and projections were sourced from the World Bank on July of 2025.

Topic-based Tabulations paint a portrait of Canada based on various topics, that is on groups of variables on related subjects. They are available for various level of geography. Some tables provide a simple overview of the country; others consist of three or four cross-tabulated variables; and will others are of special or analytic interest. The topic-based tabulations are categorized into 3 data products listed below: Canadian Overview Tables (COT): A Profile of the Canadian Population, Where We Live Basic Cross-Tabulations (BCT), and Special Interest Tables (SIT). Some Topic-based Tabulations are accessible on the official day of release of the variables. Other tables are added to each topic through the course of the dissemination cycle. Users have access to progressively more detailed cross-tabulations and more detailed levels of geography. The Topic-based Tabulations replace the former series The Nation, Dimensions and Basic Summary Tables.

Canada CA: Population Living in Slums: % of Urban Population data was reported at 0.010 % in 2018. This stayed constant from the previous number of 0.010 % for 2016. Canada CA: Population Living in Slums: % of Urban Population data is updated yearly, averaging 0.010 % from Dec 2016 (Median) to 2018, with 2 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 0.010 % in 2018 and a record low of 0.010 % in 2018. Canada CA: Population Living in Slums: % of Urban Population 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 living in slums is the proportion of the urban population living in slum households. A slum household is defined as a group of individuals living under the same roof lacking one or more of the following conditions: access to improved water, access to improved sanitation, sufficient living area, housing durability, and security of tenure, as adopted in the Millennium Development Goal Target 7.D. The successor, the Sustainable Development Goal 11.1.1, considers inadequate housing (housing affordability) to complement the above definition of slums/informal settlements.;United Nations Human Settlements Programme (UN-HABITAT);Weighted average;

Analysis unit

Persons Persons not organized into households

UNITS IDENTIFIED: - Dwellings: yes - Vacant Units: no - Households: no - Individuals: yes - Group quarters: yes

UNIT DESCRIPTIONS: - Dwellings: A dwelling is a separate set of living quarterwith a private entrace from outside or from a common hallway or stairway inside the building. This entrance must not be through someone else's living quarters. - Households: Refers to a person or group of persons (other than foreign residents) who occupy a dwelling and do not have a usual place of residence elsewhere in Canada. It usually consists of a family group with or without lodgers, employees, etc. However, it may consist of two or more families sharing a dwelling, a group of unrelated persons, or one person living alone. Household members who are temporarily absent on Census Day are considered as part of their usual household. For census purpose, every person is a member of one and only one household. - Group quarters: A person or group of persons who occupy a collective dwelling and do not have a usual place of residence elsewhere in Canada.

Universe

Resident population in private dwellings in the areas with a minimum population of 250,000 persons. Foreign residents and non-permanent residents were excluded .

Kind of data

Population and Housing Census [hh/popcen]

Sampling procedure

MICRODATA SOURCE: Statistics Canada

SAMPLE SIZE (person records): 486875.

SAMPLE DESIGN: (a) Systematic sample of every 5th household with a random start was given a long form. (b) The long form sample was then stratified within each georgraphic region. (c) A one-in-fifty sample of individuals was systematically drawn from each strata and one-in-a-hundred sample was drawn for household/family file. Individual and household samples were drawn separately.

Mode of data collection

Face-to-face [f2f]

Research instrument

The long form which requested information about dwellings, households and individuals.

Topic-based Tabulations paint a portrait of Canada based on various topics, that is on groups of variables on related subjects. They are available for various level of geography. Some tables provide a simple overview of the country; others consist of three or four cross-tabulated variables; and will others are of special or analytic interest. The topic-based tabulations are categorized into 3 data products listed below: Canadian Overview Tables (COT): A Profile of the Canadian Population, Where We Live Basic Cross-Tabulations (BCT), and Special Interest Tables (SIT). Some Topic-based Tabulations are accessible on the official day of release of the variables. Other tables are added to each topic through the course of the dissemination cycle. Users have access to progressively more detailed cross-tabulations and more detailed levels of geography. The Topic-based Tabulations replace the former series The Nation, Dimensions and Basic Summary Tables.

Topic-based Tabulations paint a portrait of Canada based on various topics, that is on groups of variables on related subjects. They are available for various level of geography. Some tables provide a simple overview of the country; others consist of three or four cross-tabulated variables; and will others are of special or analytic interest. The topic-based tabulations are categorized into 3 data products listed below: Canadian Overview Tables (COT): A Profile of the Canadian Population, Where We Live Basic Cross-Tabulations (BCT), and Special Interest Tables (SIT). Some Topic-based Tabulations are accessible on the official day of release of the variables. Other tables are added to each topic through the course of the dissemination cycle. Users have access to progressively more detailed cross-tabulations and more detailed levels of geography. The Topic-based Tabulations replace the former series The Nation, Dimensions and Basic Summary Tables.

Statistics Canada, in collaboration with the Public Health Agency of Canada and Natural Resources Canada, is presenting selected Census data to help inform Canadians on the public health risk of the COVID-19 pandemic and to be used for modelling analysis. The data provided here show the counts of the population in nursing homes and/or residences for senior citizens by broad age groups (0 to 79 years and 80 years and over) and sex, from the 2016 Census. Nursing homes and/or residences for senior citizens are facilities for elderly residents that provide accommodations with health care services or personal support or assisted living care. Health care services include professional health monitoring and skilled nursing care and supervision 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, for people who are not independent in most activities of daily living. Support or assisted living care services include meals, housekeeping, laundry, medication supervision, assistance in bathing or dressing, etc., for people who are independent in most activities of daily living. Included are nursing homes, residences for senior citizens, and facilities that are a mix of both a nursing home and a residence for senior citizens. Excluded are facilities licensed as hospitals, and facilities that do not provide any services (which are considered private dwellings).

Statistics Canada, in collaboration with the Public Health Agency of Canada and Natural Resources Canada, is presenting selected Census data to help inform Canadians on the public health risk of the COVID-19 pandemic and to be used for modelling analysis. The data provided here show the counts of the population in nursing homes and/or residences for senior citizens by broad age groups (0 to 79 years and 80 years and over) and sex, from the 2016 Census. Nursing homes and/or residences for senior citizens are facilities for elderly residents that provide accommodations with health care services or personal support or assisted living care. Health care services include professional health monitoring and skilled nursing care and supervision 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, for people who are not independent in most activities of daily living. Support or assisted living care services include meals, housekeeping, laundry, medication supervision, assistance in bathing or dressing, etc., for people who are independent in most activities of daily living. Included are nursing homes, residences for senior citizens, and facilities that are a mix of both a nursing home and a residence for senior citizens. Excluded are facilities licensed as hospitals, and facilities that do not provide any services (which are considered private dwellings).

Topic-based Tabulations paint a portrait of Canada based on various topics, that is on groups of variables on related subjects. They are available for various level of geography. Some tables provide a simple overview of the country; others consist of three or four cross-tabulated variables; and will others are of special or analytic interest. The topic-based tabulations are categorized into 3 data products listed below: Canadian Overview Tables (COT): A Profile of the Canadian Population, Where We Live Basic Cross-Tabulations (BCT), and Special Interest Tables (SIT). Some Topic-based Tabulations are accessible on the official day of release of the variables. Other tables are added to each topic through the course of the dissemination cycle. Users have access to progressively more detailed cross-tabulations and more detailed levels of geography. The Topic-based Tabulations replace the former series The Nation, Dimensions and Basic Summary Tables.

This table contains 2394 series, with data for years 1991 - 1991 (not all combinations necessarily have data for all years). This table contains data described by the following dimensions (Not all combinations are available): Geography (1 items: Canada ...), Population group (19 items: Entire cohort; Income adequacy quintile 1 (lowest);Income adequacy quintile 2;Income adequacy quintile 3 ...), Age (14 items: At 25 years; At 30 years; At 40 years; At 35 years ...), Sex (3 items: Both sexes; Females; Males ...), Characteristics (3 items: Life expectancy; High 95% confidence interval; life expectancy; Low 95% confidence interval; life expectancy ...).

Topic-based Tabulations paint a portrait of Canada based on various topics, that is on groups of variables on related subjects. They are available for various level of geography. Some tables provide a simple overview of the country; others consist of three or four cross-tabulated variables; and will others are of special or analytic interest. The topic-based tabulations are categorized into 3 data products listed below: Canadian Overview Tables (COT): A Profile of the Canadian Population, Where We Live Basic Cross-Tabulations (BCT), and Special Interest Tables (SIT). Some Topic-based Tabulations are accessible on the official day of release of the variables. Other tables are added to each topic through the course of the dissemination cycle. Users have access to progressively more detailed cross-tabulations and more detailed levels of geography. The Topic-based Tabulations replace the former series The Nation, Dimensions and Basic Summary Tables.

Abstract

Statistics Canada conducts the Census of Population in order to paint a statistical portrait of Canada and Canadians on one specific day. The census is designed to provide information about people and housing units in Canada by their demographic, social and economic characteristics.

The Census of Population is a reliable basis for the estimation of the population of the provinces, territories and municipal areas. These counts are essential for maintaining Canada’s equitable representation, as they are used to set electoral boundaries; estimate the demand for services in minority official languages; and calculate federal, provincial and territorial transfer payments.

The census also provides information about the characteristics of the population and its housing within small geographic areas and for small population groups to support planning, administration, policy development and evaluation activities of governments at all levels. The information provided by the census for these geographic areas and population groups is also used by the private sector as well as data users in their decision-making process.

In 2021, for the first time, immigrant status and year of immigration was obtained from administrative files provided by Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC). These data provide vital information to help understand the living conditions and socioeconomic outcomes of immigrants and their children in Canada.

Geographic coverage

Whole country

Analysis unit

Household and individual

Universe

The census enumerates the entire Canadian population, on a “usual residence” basis (de jure). The population enumerated consists of usual residents of Canada who are Canadian citizens (by birth or by naturalization), landed immigrants and non-permanent residents and their families living with them in Canada. Non-permanent residents are persons who hold a work or student permit, or who claim refugee status.

The census also counts Canadian citizens and landed immigrants who are temporarily outside the country on Census Day. This includes federal and provincial government employees working outside Canada, Canadian embassy staff posted to other countries, members of the Canadian Forces stationed abroad, all Canadian crew members of merchant vessels and their families. Because people outside the country are enumerated, the Census’ population concept is considered a “modified” de jure census.

Foreign residents such as representatives of a foreign government assigned to an embassy, high commission or other diplomatic mission in Canada, and residents of another country who are visiting Canada temporarily are not covered by the census.

Kind of data

Census/enumeration data [cen]

Sampling procedure

For the census long-form, a random sample of 1 in 4 private dwellings in Canada is selected systematically. The sample size was determined to ensure the dissemination of reliable estimates for small areas and small populations. The long-form sample is selected from the 2021 Census of Population dwelling list.

Mode of data collection

Other [oth]

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.

Data quality: Hamilton, City (C) Total non-response (TNR) rate, short-form census questionnaire: 2.5% Total non-response (TNR) rate, long-form census questionnaire: 3.5%Notes: 76: 'Citizenship' refers to the country where the person has citizenship. A person may have more than one citizenship. A person may be stateless that is they may have no citizenship. Citizenship can be by birth or naturalization.For more information on citizenship variables including information on their classifications the questions from which they are derived data quality and their comparability with other sources of data please refer to the Place of Birth Generation Status Citizenship and Immigration Reference Guide Census of Population 2021. 77: 'Canadian citizens' includes persons who are citizens of Canada only and persons who are citizens of Canada and at least one other country. 78: 'Not Canadian citizens' includes persons who are not citizens of Canada. They may be citizens of one or more other countries. Persons who are stateless are included in this category. 79: 'Immigrant status' refers to whether the person is a non-immigrant an immigrant or a non-permanent resident.'Period of immigration' refers to the period in which the immigrant first obtained landed immigrant or permanent resident status. For more information on immigration variables including information on their classifications the questions from which they are derived data quality and their comparability with other sources of data please refer to the Place of Birth Generation Status Citizenship and Immigration Reference Guide Census of Population 2021. 80: 'Non-immigrants' includes persons who are Canadian citizens by birth. 81: 'Immigrants' includes persons who are or who have ever been landed immigrants or permanent residents. Such persons have been granted the right to live in Canada permanently by immigration authorities. Immigrants who have obtained Canadian citizenship by naturalization are included in this category. In the 2021 Census of Population 'Immigrants' includes immigrants who were admitted to Canada on or prior to May 11 2021. 82: Includes immigrants who were admitted to Canada on or prior to May 11 2021. 83: 'Non-permanent residents' includes persons from another country with a usual place of residence in Canada and who have a work or study permit or who have claimed refugee status (asylum claimants). Family members living with work or study permit holders are also included unless these family members are already Canadian citizens landed immigrants or permanent residents. 84: 'Age at immigration' refers to the age at which an immigrant first obtained landed immigrant or permanent resident status.'Immigrants' includes persons who are or who have ever been landed immigrants or permanent residents. Such persons have been granted the right to live in Canada permanently by immigration authorities. Immigrants who have obtained Canadian citizenship by naturalization are included in this category. In the 2021 Census of Population 'Immigrants' includes immigrants who were admitted to Canada on or prior to May 11 2021. For more information on immigration variables including information on their classifications the questions from which they are derived data quality and their comparability with other sources of data please refer to the Place of Birth Generation Status Citizenship and Immigration Reference Guide Census of Population 2021. 85: 'Immigrant' refers to a person who is or who has ever been a landed immigrant or permanent resident. Such a person has been granted the right to live in Canada permanently by immigration authorities. Immigrants who have obtained Canadian citizenship by naturalization are included in this group. In the 2021 Census of Population 'Immigrants' includes immigrants who were admitted to Canada on or prior to May 11 2021.The places of birth selected are the most frequently reported by immigrants at the Canada level. 'Place of birth' refers to the name of the geographic location where the person was born. The geographic location is specified according to geographic boundaries current at the time of data collection not the geographic boundaries at the time of birth. In the 2021 Census of Population the geographic location refers to a country or area of interest if the person was born outside Canada. For more information on the place of birth variables including information on their classifications the questions from which they are derived data quality and their comparability with other sources of data please refer to the Place of Birth Generation Status Citizenship and Immigration Reference Guide Census of Population 2021. 86: Serbia excludes Kosovo. 87: The official name of United Kingdom is United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland. United Kingdom includes Scotland Wales England and Northern Ireland (excludes Isle of Man the Channel Islands and British Overseas Territories). 88: The official name of Iran is Islamic Republic of Iran. 89: The official name of Syria is Syrian Arab Republic. 90: China excludes Hong Kong and Macao. 91: The full name of Hong Kong is the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region of China. 92: The official name of South Korea is Republic of Korea. 93: The category 'Oceania and other' includes places of birth in Oceania and responses not included elsewhere such as 'born at sea.' 94: 'Recent immigrant' refers to an immigrant who first obtained his or her landed immigrant or permanent resident status between January 1 2016 and May 11 2021.'Immigrant' refers to a person who is or who has ever been a landed immigrant or permanent resident. Such a person has been granted the right to live in Canada permanently by immigration authorities. Immigrants who have obtained Canadian citizenship by naturalization are included in this group. The places of birth selected are the most frequently reported by recent immigrants at the Canada level. 'Place of birth' refers to the name of the geographic location where the person was born. The geographic location is specified according to geographic boundaries current at the time of data collection not the geographic boundaries at the time of birth. In the 2021 Census of Population the geographic location refers to a country or area of interest if the person was born outside Canada. For more information on the place of birth variables including information on their classifications the questions from which they are derived data quality and their comparability with other sources of data please refer to the Place of Birth Generation Status Citizenship and Immigration Reference Guide Census of Population 2021. 95: The official name of Venezuela is Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela. 96: Ireland is also referred to as Republic of Ireland. 97: The full name of Sudan is the Republic of the Sudan. 98: The category 'Other places of birth' includes other places of birth in Oceania and responses not included elsewhere such as 'born at sea.' 99: 'Generation status' refers to whether or not the person or the person's parents were born in Canada.For more information on generation status variables including information on their classifications the questions from which they are derived data quality and their comparability with other sources of data please refer to the Place of Birth Generation Status Citizenship and Immigration Reference Guide Census of Population 2021. 100: 'First generation' includes persons who were born outside Canada. For the most part these are people who are now or once were immigrants to Canada. 101: 'Second generation' includes persons who were born in Canada and had at least one parent born outside Canada. For the most part these are the children of immigrants. 102: 'Third generation or more' includes persons who were born in Canada with all parents born in Canada. 103: 'Admission category' refers to the name of the immigration program or group of programs under which an immigrant has been granted for the first time the right to live in Canada permanently by immigration authorities.'Applicant type' refers to whether an immigrant was identified as the principal applicant the spouse or the dependant on their application for permanent residence. 'Immigrant' refers to a person who is or who has ever been a landed immigrant or permanent resident. Such a person has been granted the right to live in Canada permanently by immigration authorities. Immigrants who have obtained Canadian citizenship by naturalization are included in this group. In the 2021 Census of Population data on admission category and applicant type are available for immigrants who were admitted to Canada between January 1 1980 and May 11 2021. For more information on immigration variables including information on their classifications data quality and their comparability with other sources of data please refer to the Place of Birth Generation Status Citizenship and Immigration Reference Guide Census of Population 2021. 104: 'Economic immigrants' includes immigrants who have been selected for their ability to contribute to Canada's economy through their ability to meet labour market needs to own and manage or to build a business to make a substantial investment to create their own employment or to meet specific provincial or territorial labour market needs. 105: 'Principal applicants' includes immigrants who were identified as the principal applicant on their application for permanent residence. 106: 'Secondary applicants' includes immigrants who were identified as the married spouse the common-law or conjugal partner or the dependant of the principal applicant on their application for permanent residence. 107: 'Immigrants sponsored by family' includes immigrants who were sponsored by a Canadian citizen or permanent resident and were granted permanent resident status on the basis of their