Country Profile: Canada

Canada, the second-largest country in the world, boasts a diverse landscape that ranges from temperate zones in the south to subarctic and arctic climates in the north. With a population of approximately 39 million, the country is characterized by a rich cultural mosaic, predominantly influenced by English and French heritage. Economically, Canada is a high-income nation heavily reliant on its vast natural resources, including oil and gas, while also maintaining strong trade ties with the United States. Governed as a federal parliamentary democracy under a constitutional monarchy, Canada balances public demands for quality services with sustainability goals.

Geography

Canada is situated in Northern North America, bordered by the North Atlantic, North Pacific, and Arctic Oceans, making it the only country with coastlines on three oceans. It is known for its varied terrain, which features plains, mountains, and numerous lakes—over 3 million in total—giving it one of the longest coastlines in the world. The majority of Canadians live within 300 km of the US border, highlighting the concentration of its population in the southern regions.

9,984,670 sq km: Total area
202,080 km: Length of coastline
90%: Percentage of the population living within 160 km of the US border
36,563: Number of islands in the Canadian Arctic Archipelago
42%: Percentage of land covered by forests (2023 est.)

People and Society

Canada has an estimated population of 39,187,155 as of 2025, characterized by a diverse ethnic composition including Canadian, English, Scottish, French, and various other groups. The bilingual nature of the nation is evident with English and French as the official languages. The social fabric is further enriched by various religions, with Christianity being the most predominant.

81.9%: Urban population (2023)
84.2 years: Life expectancy at birth (2024 est.)
0.73%: Population growth rate (2025 est.)
94%: Internet penetration rate (2023 est.)
34.6%: Percentage of individuals identifying with no religion (2021 est.)

Economy

Canada's economy is classified as high-income, with a strong reliance on natural resources, specifically timber, oil, and gas. In recent years, the economy has faced challenges due to trade uncertainties and a growing public debt. The GDP is projected to be approximately $2.341 trillion (2024 est.), indicating a steady economic landscape.

6.5%: Unemployment rate (2024 est.)
$56,700: Real GDP per capita (2024 est.)
1.5%: Projected GDP growth rate (2024 est.)
66.4%: Services sector's contribution to GDP (2021 est.)
$428.312 billion: Estimated government revenues (2023 est.)

Government

Canada operates as a federal parliamentary democracy under a constitutional monarchy, with the Prime Minister serving as the head of government. The political landscape is characterized by multiple parties, with significant representation in the Parliament of Canada, composed of the House of Commons and the Senate.

Prime Minister: Mark Carney (since March 2025)
Governor General: Mary Simon (since July 2021)
18 years: Minimum voting age
10: Number of provinces
3: Number of territories

Military and Security

The Canadian Armed Forces consist of the Army, Navy, and Air Force, with approximately 75,000 active-duty personnel. Canada maintains a commitment to NATO and has participated in various international military operations, showcasing a robust defense alliance, particularly with the United States.

2%: Military expenditure as a percentage of GDP (2025 est.)
2,000: Number of military personnel deployed in Latvia (2025)
17: Number of operational nuclear reactors (2025)
1.5%: Military expenditures as a percentage of GDP (2024 est.)
Approximately 75,000: Active military personnel (2025)

Energy

Canada has a diverse energy portfolio, with renewable energy sources, particularly hydroelectricity, accounting for a significant portion of electricity generation. The country aims for a sustainable energy future while continuing to leverage its reserves of petroleum and natural gas.

100%: Electrification rate (2022 est.)
5.688 million bbl/day: Total petroleum production (2023 est.)
58.6%: Share of hydroelectricity in total energy generation (2023 est.)
194.105 billion cubic meters: Natural gas production (2023 est.)
161.988 million kW: Installed electricity generating capacity (2023 est.)

Environment

Canada's environment is impacted by various issues, including air pollution and threats to freshwater resources. The country is a participant in several international environmental agreements aimed at addressing climate change and preserving biodiversity.

585.853 million metric tonnes: CO2 emissions (2023 est.)
42%: Forest cover (2023 est.)
6.5%: Agricultural land use (2023 est.)
23.1%: Recycling rate of municipal solid waste (2022 est.)
2.902 trillion cubic meters: Total renewable water resources (2022 est.)

Transportation

Canada boasts an extensive transportation network, including railways, highways, and air travel. With a mix of large and small airports, the country's infrastructure enables efficient movement of goods and people across vast distances.

1,459: Total number of airports (2025)
49,422 km: Length of railways (2021)
284: Total number of ports (2024)
716: Merchant marine vessels (2023)
506: Heliports (2025)

Communications

Canada has a well-developed communications infrastructure, with widespread access to telecommunication services and a high percentage of internet users. The media landscape is characterized by both public and private broadcasters, reflecting the nation’s bilingual nature.

94%: Percentage of internet users (2023 est.)
17 million: Fixed broadband subscriptions (2023)
37.4 million: Mobile cellular subscriptions (2024)
11 million: Fixed-line telephone subscriptions (2024)
150: Total number of TV stations

Key Metrics

Metric	Value	Note
Population	39,187,155	2025 estimate
Land Area	9,984,670 sq km	Total area
GDP	$2.341 trillion	2024 estimate (PPP)
Unemployment Rate	6.5%	2024 estimate
Energy Consumption per Capita	311.599 million Btu/person	2023 estimate
Life Expectancy	84.2 years	2024 estimate
Birth Rate	9.12 births/1,000 population	2025 estimate
Urban Population	81.9%	2023
Public Debt	61.3% of GDP	2023 estimate
CO2 Emissions	585.853 million metric tonnes	2023 estimate