Country Profile: Canada

Canada, the second-largest country in the world, is situated in Northern North America and boasts diverse geography including plains, mountains, and extensive coastlines. With a population of over 38 million, Canadians are predominantly urban dwellers concentrated along the U.S. border, reflecting a rich mosaic of ethnicities and cultures. Economically, Canada maintains a high-income status, leveraging vast natural resources and strong ties to the U.S. for trade, while navigating challenges such as public debt and inflation. Governed as a federal parliamentary democracy under a constitutional monarchy, Canada emphasizes both individual rights and collective representation.

Geography

Canada occupies Northern North America, bordered by the Atlantic, Pacific, and Arctic Oceans. It has the longest coastline in the world, measuring 202,080 km, and features varied terrains from plains to mountains. The nation is significantly larger than the U.S., with a total area of 9,984,670 sq km, and is characterized by a diverse climate ranging from temperate in the south to arctic in the north.

60° N, 95° W: Geographic coordinates.
8,892 km: Total land boundaries with the U.S.
42%: Proportion of forested land (2023).
6.5%: Agricultural land (2023).
2 million: Estimated number of lakes, more than all other countries combined.
5,959 m: Height of Mount Logan, Canada's tallest peak.

People and Society

Canada's estimated population is 38,794,813 as of 2024, with a diverse demographic landscape that includes numerous ethnic groups. English and French are the official languages, reflective of its colonial history. The country boasts a high urbanization rate of 81.9%, with major cities such as Toronto and Montreal serving as cultural and economic hubs.

84.2 years: Life expectancy at birth (2024).
15.5%: Portion of the population aged 0-14 years.
1.58: Total fertility rate (2024).
0.71%: Population growth rate (2024).
10 births/1,000: Birth rate (2024).
34.6%: Percentage of the population identifying with no religious affiliation (2021).

Economy

Canada is classified as a high-income economy, closely tied to the U.S. through trade, with 71% of its exports destined for the U.S. Major industries include energy, forestry, and manufacturing. The country's GDP stands at $2.341 trillion in purchasing power parity (2024), showcasing its economic resilience amidst pressure from inflation and public debt.

6.5%: Estimated unemployment rate (2024).
1.5%: Projected GDP growth rate (2024).
54.4%: Household consumption as a percentage of GDP (2023).
$56,700: Real GDP per capita (2024).
$428.312 billion: Estimated government revenues (2023).
$10.349 billion: Current account balance (2024).

Government

Canada operates under a federal parliamentary democracy, maintaining a constitutional monarchy with King Charles III as the head of state. The governance structure includes an elected House of Commons and an appointed Senate. The political landscape is influenced by multiple parties, including the Liberal and Conservative parties.

10 provinces and 3 territories: Administrative divisions.
18 years: Voting age.
3 years: Minimum residency requirement for naturalization.
$2.27 trillion: GDP (2024).
169: Number of seats held by the Liberal Party in the House of Commons (2025).

Military and Security

The Canadian Armed Forces (CAF) play a critical role in national security, with approximately 75,000 active-duty personnel as of 2025. Canada participates in various international missions, particularly through NATO. Military expenditures are projected to rise to 2% of GDP in 2025.

1.3%: Military expenditures as a share of GDP (2023).
1,000: Personnel deployed for NATO operations in Europe (2024).
17 years: Minimum age for voluntary military service.
34%: Proportion of women in the CAF (2023).
716: Total vessels in the Canadian merchant marine (2023).

Energy

Canada is a leading energy producer, particularly in hydroelectric, oil, and natural gas sectors. As of 2023, 100% of the population has access to electricity, supported by a diverse energy mix with a strong emphasis on renewable sources.

161.988 million kW: Installed electricity capacity (2023).
5.688 million bbl/day: Total petroleum production (2023).
194.105 billion cubic meters: Natural gas production (2023).
58.6%: Proportion of electricity generated from hydroelectric sources (2023).

Environment

Canada faces significant environmental challenges, including air pollution and impacts on water quality due to industrial activities. However, it participates in various international environmental agreements aimed at mitigating these issues.

23.1%: Percentage of municipal solid waste recycled (2022).
585.853 million metric tonnes: Total CO2 emissions (2023).
42%: Area covered by forests (2023).
2.902 trillion cubic meters: Total renewable water resources (2022).

Transportation

Canada has an extensive transportation network, featuring 1,459 airports and a railway system spanning over 49,422 km. The nation's infrastructure supports both domestic and international travel, vital for trade and economic activities.

716: Total merchant vessels (2023).
284: Total ports (2024).
49,422 km: Length of railways (2021).
506: Number of heliports (2025).

Communications

With a high internet penetration rate of 94%, Canada boasts a well-developed communication infrastructure, including multiple television networks and significant mobile phone subscription rates, enhancing connectivity across the nation.

36.5 million: Total mobile cellular subscriptions (2023).
17 million: Fixed broadband subscriptions (2023).
10.897 million: Fixed-line telephone subscriptions (2023).

Key Metrics

Metric	Value	Note
Population	38,794,813 (2024 est.)	Total estimated population
Area	9,984,670 sq km	Total area of Canada
GDP	$2.341 trillion (2024 est.)	GDP based on purchasing power parity
Energy Consumption	555.683 billion kWh (2023)	Total electricity consumption
Birth Rate	10 births/1,000 population (2024)	Birth rate estimate
Unemployment Rate	6.5% (2024 est.)	Percentage of labor force seeking employment
Life Expectancy	84.2 years (2024 est.)	Life expectancy at birth
Carbon Dioxide Emissions	585.853 million metric tonnes (2023)	Total CO2 emissions
Electricity Access	100% (2022 est.)	Percentage of population with electricity access
Area of Agricultural Land	6.5% (2023 est.)	Total percentage of agricultural land