Canada has a population of approximately 41 million people as of 2025, making it the 35th most populous country in the world. Despite being the second-largest nation on Earth by land area, Canada is home to fewer people than countries a fraction of its size, the result of vast, sparsely settled northern regions and a population concentrated along the southern edge.
How Many People Live in Canada?
Canada crossed the 40-million milestone in mid-2023 and continued climbing past 41 million through 2025. To put that in perspective, Canada has roughly the same number of residents as the U.S. state of California, yet it occupies nearly 10 million square kilometres. That mismatch produces one of the lowest population densities on the planet: about 4 people per square kilometre, compared with more than 270 in the United Kingdom.
The population is also strikingly lopsided in its geography. Around 90% of Canadians live within roughly 160 kilometres (100 miles) of the United States border. The three northern territories — Yukon, the Northwest Territories, and Nunavut — together cover more than a third of the country's area but hold well under 1% of its people.
Population Growth and Immigration
Canada's population is growing at about 1.27% per year, one of the fastest rates in the developed world. Almost all of that increase comes from immigration rather than births. With a fertility rate of roughly 1.4 children per woman — far below the 2.1 needed to sustain a population naturally — Canada would be shrinking without newcomers.
To offset that, the country targets more than 400,000 new permanent residents annually, alongside hundreds of thousands of temporary workers and international students. About 60% of permanent residents arrive through economic programs that prioritise skilled workers, making immigration a deliberate engine of both demographic and economic growth. Canada's population doubled between 1972 and 2023, and projections suggest it could reach roughly 53 million by 2050.
Where Canadians Live: The Largest Cities
Canada is highly urbanised, with the great majority of residents living in cities and their surrounding metropolitan areas. The three biggest urban centres anchor the country's economy and culture:
- Toronto — about 2.8 million in the city and 6.5 million across the metro area, making it Canada's largest and most economically powerful city. Roughly 47% of Toronto residents were born outside Canada, ranking it among the most multicultural cities anywhere.
- Montreal — about 1.8 million in the city and 4.3 million in the metro region. It is the largest primarily French-speaking city in the Americas and the second-largest in the world after Paris.
- Vancouver — about 670,000 in the city and 2.6 million in the metro area. Wedged between coastal mountains and the Pacific, it routinely appears on lists of the world's most liveable cities.
The national capital, Ottawa, is smaller than these three but serves as the political heart of the country, located in Ontario near the Quebec border.
A Diverse and Multicultural Society
Canada is among the most ethnically diverse nations on Earth. About 23% of the population is foreign-born — the highest share of any G7 country. English and French are both official languages, reflecting the nation's dual colonial heritage, and Montreal remains the cultural centre of French-speaking Canada.
In terms of religion, roughly 54% of Canadians identify as Christian, while about 35% report no religious affiliation, a figure that has grown steadily in recent decades. Indigenous peoples — the First Nations, Inuit, and Métis — make up around 5% of the population and represent the country's original inhabitants, with deep historical and cultural roots across every region. For a broader look at the country's geography, history, and society, see our canada country guide.
Key Population Facts
- Population (2025 est.): approximately 41 million
- World rank: 35th most populous
- Annual growth rate: about 1.27%
- Population density: roughly 4 people per km²
- Capital: Ottawa
- Largest city: Toronto
- Official languages: English and French
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the population of Canada in 2025?
Canada's population is approximately 41 million as of 2025. It passed the 40-million mark in 2023 and continues to grow steadily, driven almost entirely by immigration.
Why does Canada have such a low population density?
Canada is the world's second-largest country by area but has only about 41 million people, giving it roughly 4 people per square kilometre. Much of the north is cold, remote, and difficult to settle, so about 90% of Canadians live within 160 kilometres of the U.S. border.
What is the largest city in Canada?
Toronto is Canada's largest city, with about 2.8 million residents in the city proper and around 6.5 million in its metropolitan area. Montreal and Vancouver are the second- and third-largest urban regions.
Is Canada's population growing or shrinking?
It is growing, at about 1.27% per year. Because the fertility rate (around 1.4 births per woman) is below replacement level, this growth depends almost entirely on immigration, with the country welcoming over 400,000 new permanent residents annually.