Factbook dossier
Background
A land of vast distances and rich natural resources, Canada became a self-governing dominion in 1867, while retaining ties to the British crown. Canada gained legislative independence from Britain in 1931 and formalized its constitutional independence from the UK when it passed the Canada Act in 1982. Economically and technologically, the nation has developed in parallel with the US, its neighbor to the south across the world's longest international border. Canada faces the political challenges of meeting public demands for quality improvements in health care, education, social services, and economic competitiveness, as well as responding to the particular concerns of predominantly francophone Quebec. Canada also aims to develop its diverse energy resources while maintaining its commitment to the environment.
Location
Northern North America, bordering the North Atlantic Ocean on the east, North Pacific Ocean on the west, and the Arctic Ocean on the north, north of the conterminous US
Area
total : 9,984,670 sq km land: 9,093,507 sq km water: 891,163 sq km
Natural resources
bauxite, iron ore, nickel, zinc, copper, gold, lead, uranium, rare earth elements, molybdenum, potash, diamonds, silver, fish, timber, wildlife, coal, petroleum, natural gas, hydropower
Natural hazards
continuous permafrost in north is a serious obstacle to development; cyclonic storms form east of the Rocky Mountains, a result of the mixing of air masses from the Arctic, Pacific, and North American interior, and produce most of the country's rain and snow east of the mountains volcanism: the vast majority of volcanoes in Western Canada's Coast Mountains remain dormant
Population
total: 39,187,155 (2025 est.) male: 19,515,416 female: 19,671,739
Ethnic groups
Canadian 15.6%, English 14.7%, Scottish 12.1%, French 11%, Irish 12.1%, German 8.1%, Chinese 4.7%, Italian 4.3%, First Nations 1.7%, Indian 3.7%, Ukrainian 3.5%, Metis 1.5% (2021 est.) note: percentages add up to more than 100% because respondents were able to identify more than one ethnic origin
Languages
English (official) 87.1%, French (official) 29.1%, Chinese languages 4.2%, Spanish 3.2%, Punjabi 2.6%, Arabic 2.4%, Tagalog 2.3%, Italian 1.5% (2022 est.) major-language sample(s): The World Factbook, the indispensable source for basic information. (English) The World Factbook, une source indispensable d'informations de base. (French)
Religions
Christian 53.3%, Muslim 4.9%, Hindu 2.3%, Sikh 2.1%, Buddhist 1%, Jewish 0.9%, Traditional (North American Indigenous) 0.2%, other religions and traditional spirituality 0.6%, none 34.6% (2021 est.)
Environmental issues
air pollution and acid rain from vehicle emissions, coal-burning, and metal smelting severely affecting lakes and forests; seawater pollution from agriculture, industry, mining, and forestry
Government type
federal parliamentary democracy (Parliament of Canada) under a constitutional monarchy; a Commonwealth realm; federal and state authorities and responsibilities regulated in constitution
Capital
name: Ottawa geographic coordinates: 45 25 N, 75 42 W time difference: UTC-5 (same time as Washington, DC, during Standard Time) daylight saving time: +1hr, begins second Sunday in March; ends first Sunday in November time zone note: Canada has six time zones etymology: the city lies on the south bank of the Ottawa River, from which it derives its name; the river name comes from the Algonquin word adawe , meaning "to trade"
Executive branch
chief of state: King CHARLES III (since 8 September 2022); represented by Governor General Mary SIMON (since 26 July 2021) head of government: Prime Minister Mark CARNEY (since 14 March 2025) cabinet: Federal Ministry chosen by the prime minister usually from among members of his/her own party sitting in Parliament election/appointment process: the monarchy is hereditary; governor general appointed by the monarch on the advice of the prime minister for a 5-year term; after legislative elections, the governor general usually designates the leader of the majority party or majority coalition in the House of Commons as prime minister note: the governor general position is largely ceremonial
Legislative branch
legislature name: Parliament of Canada - Parlement du Canada legislative structure: bicameral
Real GDP (purchasing power parity)
$2.341 trillion (2024 est.) $2.305 trillion (2023 est.) $2.271 trillion (2022 est.) note: data in 2021 dollars
Real GDP per capita
$56,700 (2024 est.) $57,500 (2023 est.) $58,300 (2022 est.) note: data in 2021 dollars
Inflation rate (consumer prices)
2.4% (2024 est.) 3.9% (2023 est.) 6.8% (2022 est.) note: annual % change based on consumer prices
Exports - partners
USA 71%, China 5%, UK 3%, Japan 2%, Mexico 2% (2023) note: top five export partners based on percentage share of exports
Imports - partners
USA 51%, China 11%, Mexico 6%, Germany 3%, Japan 3% (2023) note: top five import partners based on percentage share of imports
Military and security forces
Canadian Forces: Canadian Army, Royal Canadian Navy, Royal Canadian Air Force (2025) note 1: the CAF is comprised of both a Regular Force and a Reserve Force; the Reserve Force is comprised of the Primary Reserve, Canadian Rangers, Cadet Organizations Administration and Training Service, and the Supplementary Reserve; the Canadian Rangers are part of the Army Reserve Force and provide a limited presence in Canada's northern, coastal, and isolated areas for sovereignty, public safety, and surveillance roles note 2: the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP or "Mounties") are under the Department of Public Safety; the Coast Guard is under the Department of Fisheries and Oceans
Military expenditures
2% of GDP (2025 est.) 1.5% of GDP (2024 est.) 1.3% of GDP (2023 est.) 1.2% of GDP (2022 est.) 1.3% of GDP (2021 est.)