Americas · Northern America
Canada Demographics
Canada combines a recent three-quarter population decline, ultra-low fertility, high life expectancy, a rising median age, and a mostly urban population distribution.
Primary values use Statistics Canada population estimates, vital statistics and projection tables. Urban values use World Bank WDI and UN World Urbanization Prospects definitions.
Last updated: July 22, 2026
Core Demographic Indicators
Canada’s Population Falls for a Third Consecutive Quarter
Canada’s population was estimated at 41,417,056 on April 1, 2026, down 55,025 people or 0.1% from January 1. This followed decreases in the third and fourth quarters of 2025, producing three consecutive quarterly declines after the July 1, 2025 estimate.
Canada admitted 83,149 permanent immigrants in the first quarter of 2026, 20.2% fewer than in the same quarter of 2025. The estimated number of non-permanent residents fell by 117,879, while natural increase was slightly negative at -155.
Preliminary estimate: Statistics Canada will update the April 1, 2026 demographic estimates in September 2026. The reported population decrease may be revised as more complete administrative data become available.
Detailed Demographic Indicators
| Indicator | Value | Year | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Preliminary population estimate | 41,417,056 | Apr. 1, 2026 | Statistics Canada, quarterly population estimates |
| Annual July 1 population estimate | 41,651,653 | July 1, 2025 | Statistics Canada, age and gender estimates |
| Annual population growth | +0.9% | July 2024 to July 2025 | Statistics Canada, age and gender estimates |
| Annual population change | +389,324 | July 2024 to July 2025 | Statistics Canada, age and gender estimates |
| Quarterly population growth | -0.1% | Jan. 1 to Apr. 1, 2026 | Statistics Canada, quarterly population estimates |
| Quarterly population change | -55,025 | Jan. 1 to Apr. 1, 2026 | Statistics Canada, quarterly population estimates |
| Median age | 40.6 years | July 1, 2025 | Statistics Canada, age and gender estimates |
| Average age | 41.8 years | July 1, 2025 | Statistics Canada, age and gender estimates |
| Population aged 0-14 | 6,261,162 | July 1, 2025 | Statistics Canada, age and gender estimates |
| Share aged 0-14 | 15.0% | July 1, 2025 | Statistics Canada, age and gender estimates |
| Population aged 15-64 | 27,282,024 | July 1, 2025 | Statistics Canada, age and gender estimates |
| Share aged 15-64 | 65.5% | July 1, 2025 | Calculated from Statistics Canada broad age counts |
| Population aged 65+ | 8,108,467 | July 1, 2025 | Statistics Canada, age and gender estimates |
| Share aged 65+ | 19.5% | July 1, 2025 | Statistics Canada, age and gender estimates |
| Total fertility rate | 1.25 births per woman | 2024 | Statistics Canada, fertility and vital statistics |
| Live births | 365,737 | 2024 | Statistics Canada, Canadian Vital Statistics Birth Database |
| Average age of first-time mothers | 31.8 years | 2024 | Statistics Canada, fertility and vital statistics |
| Life expectancy at birth, total | 82.16 years | 2024 | Statistics Canada, mortality indicators |
| Life expectancy at birth, male | 80.30 years | 2024 | Statistics Canada, mortality indicators |
| Life expectancy at birth, female | 84.29 years | 2024 | Statistics Canada, mortality indicators |
| Urban population share | 81.98% | 2024 | World Bank WDI, UN World Urbanization Prospects |
| Urban population count | 34,145,777 | 2024 | World Bank WDI, UN World Urbanization Prospects |
| Non-permanent residents | 2,558,562 | Apr. 1, 2026 | Statistics Canada, quarterly population estimates |
| Permanent immigrants | 83,149 | Q1 2026 | Statistics Canada, quarterly international migration estimates |
| Permanent immigrant year-over-year change | -20.2% | Q1 2026 compared with Q1 2025 | Statistics Canada, quarterly international migration estimates |
| Non-permanent resident change | -117,879 | Q1 2026 | Statistics Canada, quarterly population estimates |
| Natural increase | -155 | Q1 2026 | Statistics Canada, quarterly natural increase estimates |
| Medium-growth projection | 57.4 million | 2075 | Statistics Canada, Population Projections 2025 to 2075, M1 scenario |
Table analysis
- The preliminary population estimate for Apr. 1, 2026 is lower than the July 1, 2025 annual age-table value because the rows use different reference dates.
- The population decreased in the third and fourth quarters of 2025 and again in the first quarter of 2026. The latest decline was 55,025 people.
- Canada admitted 83,149 permanent immigrants in Q1 2026, down 20.2% from Q1 2025, while the non-permanent resident estimate fell by 117,879.
- The April 1, 2026 estimates are preliminary and are scheduled for an update in September 2026.
- Canada’s 1.25 fertility rate is below the broad 2.1 births-per-woman replacement benchmark.
- The older population count, 8,108,467, is larger than the child population count, 6,261,162, in the July 1, 2025 age estimate.
Recent Population Movement
Canada Population Estimates by Quarter
Quarterly population estimates from Jan. 1, 2025 to Apr. 1, 2026
Source: Statistics Canada quarterly population estimates and July 1 age and gender estimates. Values are population estimates, not census counts.
Trend analysis
- The highest value in this sequence is 41,651,653 on July 1, 2025.
- The Apr. 1, 2026 preliminary estimate is 234,597 below the July 1, 2025 annual age-table estimate.
- Population estimates declined in the third quarter of 2025, the fourth quarter of 2025 and the first quarter of 2026.
- The Apr. 1, 2026 value is preliminary and is scheduled for an update in September 2026.
Quarterly Population Table
| Reference date | Population | Change | Growth rate | Estimate type | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jan. 1, 2025 | 41,528,680 | +63,382 | +0.2% | Quarterly preliminary estimate | Statistics Canada |
| Apr. 1, 2025 | 41,548,787 | +20,107 | +0.0% | Quarterly estimate | Statistics Canada |
| July 1, 2025 | 41,651,653 | +47,098 | +0.1% | Annual age and gender estimate | Statistics Canada |
| Oct. 1, 2025 | 41,575,585 | -76,068 | -0.2% | Quarterly preliminary estimate | Statistics Canada |
| Jan. 1, 2026 | 41,472,081 | -103,504 | -0.2% | Quarterly preliminary estimate | Statistics Canada |
| Apr. 1, 2026 | 41,417,056 | -55,025 | -0.1% | Quarterly preliminary estimate | Statistics Canada |
Table analysis
- The table shows three consecutive quarterly decreases from July 1, 2025 to April 1, 2026.
- The July 1 row is the annual age-and-gender estimate used for age structure and shares the same reference date as the start of the first decline.
- The Apr. 1, 2026 row is preliminary and will be updated by Statistics Canada in September 2026.
Age Structure
Canada Broad Age Structure
Population share by broad age group, July 1, 2025
Source: Statistics Canada age and gender estimates. The 15-64 share is calculated from the published broad age counts.
Chart analysis
- The working-age band, 15-64, accounts for about 65.5% of the July 1, 2025 population estimate.
- The older population share, 19.5%, is higher than the child population share, 15.0%.
- This is a broad age chart, not a population pyramid.
| Age group | Population | Share | Year | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0-14 | 6,261,162 | 15.0% | July 1, 2025 | Statistics Canada |
| 15-64 | 27,282,024 | 65.5% | July 1, 2025 | Calculated from Statistics Canada broad age counts |
| 65+ | 8,108,467 | 19.5% | July 1, 2025 | Statistics Canada |
Table analysis
- The three broad age groups sum to the July 1, 2025 population estimate of 41,651,653.
- The difference between the 65+ count and the 0-14 count is 1,847,305 people.
- The table uses counts and shares from the same July 1 reference date.
Age-Sex Data Coverage
Population pyramid status: A full population pyramid is not shown because verified 5-year age-by-sex rows were not included in the current page dataset. Broad age groups are shown above, but they are not a substitute for detailed age-sex population data.
| Dataset | Coverage | Reference year | Current page use | Limitation |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Statistics Canada age and gender estimates | Annual estimates by age group and gender | July 1, 2025 | Median age, average age, broad age counts, broad age shares | Detailed 5-year male and female rows are not reproduced in this HTML output. |
| Broad age group counts | 0-14, 15-64, 65+ | July 1, 2025 | Age structure chart and table | Not suitable for a native population pyramid. |
| Sex ratio by detailed age group | Data not available in the current page dataset | Data not available | Data not available | No sex-ratio chart is produced without verified male and female age rows. |
Age-sex analysis
- No male/female population pyramid is generated from broad age groups.
- Sex ratio by age group is marked as unavailable because the current dataset does not contain verified male and female rows.
- The age structure section remains useful for population ageing, but it does not support detailed age-sex balance analysis.
Fertility and Births
Canada Fertility Rate Compared With Replacement Benchmark
Total fertility rate in 2024 compared with 2.1 births per woman
Source: Statistics Canada fertility and vital statistics. The 2.1 value is a broad replacement-level benchmark, not a country-specific threshold.
Chart analysis
- Canada’s 2024 total fertility rate is 1.25 births per woman.
- The gap from the 2.1 benchmark is 0.85 births per woman.
- Statistics Canada also reported 365,737 live births in 2024.
Life Expectancy
Life Expectancy at Birth by Sex
Total, male and female life expectancy at birth, 2024
Source: Statistics Canada mortality indicators, 2024.
Chart analysis
- Female life expectancy at birth is 84.29 years, compared with 80.30 years for males.
- The female-male life expectancy gap is 3.99 years.
- The total value, 82.16 years, is a national life expectancy measure at birth.
| Measure | Value | Year | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Life expectancy at birth, total | 82.16 years | 2024 | Statistics Canada |
| Life expectancy at birth, male | 80.30 years | 2024 | Statistics Canada |
| Life expectancy at birth, female | 84.29 years | 2024 | Statistics Canada |
| Female-male gap | 3.99 years | 2024 | Calculated from Statistics Canada male and female values |
Table analysis
- The table keeps total, male and female life expectancy separate.
- The gap row is calculated from the male and female values in the same source year.
Urban Population
Urban and Non-Urban Population Share
World Bank WDI urban population share, 2024
Source: World Bank WDI, based on national urban definitions and UN World Urbanization Prospects processing.
Chart analysis
- World Bank WDI reports Canada’s 2024 urban population share at 81.98%.
- The non-urban remainder is shown as 18.02%, calculated as 100 minus the WDI urban share.
- Urban definitions differ by national statistical practice, so this value is best used as a comparable WDI series.
| Year | Urban share | Urban population | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | 81.86% | 33,078,918 | World Bank WDI |
| 2024 | 81.98% | 34,145,777 | World Bank WDI |
Table analysis
- The WDI urban count increased from 33,078,918 in 2023 to 34,145,777 in 2024.
- The WDI urban share rose by 0.12 percentage points between 2023 and 2024.
Migration and Natural Change
Recent Components of Population Change
Reported population-change components from Q2 2025 to Q1 2026
Source: Statistics Canada quarterly population estimates. Components are shown with their own definitions and are not interchangeable.
Chart analysis
- Canada admitted 83,149 permanent immigrants in Q1 2026, compared with 104,210 in Q1 2025.
- The non-permanent resident estimate decreased by 117,879 in Q1 2026, following a decrease of 171,296 in Q4 2025.
- Natural increase was -155 in Q1 2026, meaning estimated deaths slightly exceeded births during the quarter.
- Immigrant admissions, changes in non-permanent residents and total international migration are separate measures.
| Period | Component | Value | Definition note | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Q2 2025 | International migration balance | +33,694 | International migration contribution during the quarter | Statistics Canada |
| Q2 2025 | Natural increase | +13,404 | Births minus deaths during the quarter | Statistics Canada |
| Q3 2025 | International migration balance | -93,668 | International migration contribution during the quarter | Statistics Canada |
| Q3 2025 | Natural increase | +17,600 | Births minus deaths during the quarter | Statistics Canada |
| Q4 2025 | Non-permanent resident change | -171,296 | Change in the non-permanent resident component | Statistics Canada |
| Jan. 1, 2026 | Non-permanent resident stock | 2,676,441 | Estimated number of non-permanent residents on the reference date | Statistics Canada |
| Q1 2026 | Permanent immigrants | 83,149 | Permanent residents admitted during the quarter; 20.2% fewer than in Q1 2025 | Statistics Canada |
| Q1 2026 | Non-permanent resident change | -117,879 | Change in the estimated non-permanent resident population during the quarter | Statistics Canada |
| Q1 2026 | Natural increase | -155 | Births minus deaths during the quarter | Statistics Canada |
| Apr. 1, 2026 | Non-permanent resident stock | 2,558,562 | Preliminary estimated number of non-permanent residents on the reference date | Statistics Canada |
Table analysis
- The table separates permanent immigrant admissions, international migration balance, natural increase and non-permanent resident stocks and changes.
- The estimated non-permanent resident stock fell from 2,676,441 on Jan. 1, 2026 to 2,558,562 on Apr. 1, 2026.
- Permanent immigrant admissions were 20.2% lower than in the first quarter of 2025.
- The Q1 2026 component estimates are preliminary and may be revised in September 2026.
Population Projection Scenario
Canada Population Projection Range
Statistics Canada low, medium and high population projection scenarios
Source: Statistics Canada Population Projections 2025 to 2075. Projections are scenario-based estimates, not guaranteed predictions.
Projection analysis
- The 2075 projection range runs from 44.0 million in the low-growth scenario to 75.8 million in the high-growth scenario.
- The medium-growth M1 scenario reaches 57.4 million by 2075.
- The projection baseline is an estimate for 2025, while 2075 values are scenario outputs.
| Year | Scenario or measure | Projected value | Unit | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | Projection base estimate | 41.7 million | Population | Statistics Canada population projections |
| 2075 | Low-growth scenario | 44.0 million | Population | Statistics Canada population projections |
| 2075 | Medium-growth M1 scenario | 57.4 million | Population | Statistics Canada population projections |
| 2075 | High-growth scenario | 75.8 million | Population | Statistics Canada population projections |
| 2075 | Aged 65+ scenario range | 22.6% to 32.5% | Population share | Statistics Canada population projections |
| 2075 | Aged 85+ scenario range | 3.3 million to 4.2 million | Population | Statistics Canada population projections |
| 2075 | Average age scenario range | 43.4 to 50.5 | Years | Statistics Canada population projections |
Projection analysis
- The medium-growth M1 scenario is 13.4 million higher than the low-growth scenario in 2075.
- The high-growth scenario is 18.4 million higher than the medium-growth M1 scenario in 2075.
- The older-age share range shows that population ageing remains present across scenarios, but the scale varies by assumptions.
- Projection rows should not be merged with observed or estimated historical rows.
Provincial and Territorial Population
Largest Provincial Populations
Top five provincial population estimates, Apr. 1, 2026
Source: Statistics Canada provincial and territorial population estimates. Values are preliminary Apr. 1, 2026 estimates.
Chart analysis
- Ontario is the largest province in this table, with 16,103,890 people on Apr. 1, 2026.
- Quebec follows with 9,016,222, while British Columbia and Alberta are both above 5 million.
- The chart shows the top five values only; the table below includes all provinces and territories.
| Province or territory | Population | Share of Canada | Year | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ontario | 16,103,890 | 38.88% | Apr. 1, 2026 | Statistics Canada |
| Quebec | 9,016,222 | 21.77% | Apr. 1, 2026 | Statistics Canada |
| British Columbia | 5,646,420 | 13.63% | Apr. 1, 2026 | Statistics Canada |
| Alberta | 5,057,077 | 12.21% | Apr. 1, 2026 | Statistics Canada |
| Manitoba | 1,503,865 | 3.63% | Apr. 1, 2026 | Statistics Canada |
| Saskatchewan | 1,266,092 | 3.06% | Apr. 1, 2026 | Statistics Canada |
| Nova Scotia | 1,090,852 | 2.63% | Apr. 1, 2026 | Statistics Canada |
| New Brunswick | 866,497 | 2.09% | Apr. 1, 2026 | Statistics Canada |
| Newfoundland and Labrador | 547,910 | 1.32% | Apr. 1, 2026 | Statistics Canada |
| Prince Edward Island | 181,715 | 0.44% | Apr. 1, 2026 | Statistics Canada |
| Yukon | 48,493 | 0.12% | Apr. 1, 2026 | Statistics Canada |
| Northwest Territories | 45,808 | 0.11% | Apr. 1, 2026 | Statistics Canada |
| Nunavut | 42,215 | 0.10% | Apr. 1, 2026 | Statistics Canada |
Table analysis
- Ontario and Quebec together account for about 60.65% of the Apr. 1, 2026 Canadian population estimate.
- British Columbia and Alberta are the next two largest provinces by population.
- Prince Edward Island’s Apr. 1, 2026 preliminary estimate is 181,715.
- The provincial and territorial figures use the same reference date as the national preliminary estimate.
Older-Age Comparison
The comparison uses Canada’s 2025 Statistics Canada value and 2024 World Bank values cited in Statistics Canada’s age and gender release for other G7 countries. Years and source definitions are shown in the table.
| Country | Aged 65+ share | Year | Source note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Canada | 19.5% | 2025 | Statistics Canada age and gender estimates |
| United States | 17.9% | 2024 | World Bank value cited in Statistics Canada release |
| United Kingdom | 19.5% | 2024 | World Bank value cited in Statistics Canada release |
| Italy | 24.6% | 2024 | World Bank value cited in Statistics Canada release |
| Japan | 29.8% | 2024 | World Bank value cited in Statistics Canada release |
Comparison analysis
- Canada’s older-age share, 19.5%, matches the cited United Kingdom comparison value but uses a different reference year.
- Japan has the highest older-age share in this comparison, at 29.8%.
- The table should be read as a close-year comparison rather than a same-year national register comparison.
Demographic Overview
Canada’s population decreased in the third and fourth quarters of 2025 and again in the first quarter of 2026. The Apr. 1, 2026 preliminary estimate is 41,417,056.
The 65+ share is 19.5%, above the 15.0% child share, and the median age is 40.6 years.
The 2024 total fertility rate is 1.25 births per woman, with 365,737 live births reported in preliminary vital statistics.
Canada admitted 83,149 permanent immigrants in Q1 2026, down 20.2% year over year. The non-permanent resident estimate fell by 117,879 during the quarter.
World Bank WDI places Canada’s urban population share at 81.98% in 2024, using national urban definitions.
Statistics Canada’s 2075 population scenarios range from 44.0 million to 75.8 million, depending on fertility, mortality and migration assumptions.
Data Sources and Methodology
| Source | Year or release | Used for |
|---|---|---|
| Statistics Canada, quarterly population estimates | June 17, 2026 release; Apr. 1, 2026 reference date | Preliminary population estimate, quarterly movement, permanent immigrants, natural increase, non-permanent residents and provincial estimates |
| Statistics Canada, age and gender estimates | 2025 release; July 1, 2025 reference date | July 1 population estimate, median age, average age, broad age counts and broad age shares |
| Statistics Canada, fertility and Canadian Vital Statistics Birth Database | 2024 data, released 2025 and 2026 | Total fertility rate, live births and average age of first-time mothers |
| Statistics Canada, mortality indicators | 2024 data, released 2026 | Life expectancy at birth, total, male and female |
| World Bank WDI and UN World Urbanization Prospects | 2023 and 2024 | Urban population share, urban population count and urban definition note |
| World Bank values cited in Statistics Canada age and gender release | 2024 comparison values | Older-age comparison table for United States, United Kingdom, Italy and Japan |
| Statistics Canada, Population Projections 2025 to 2075 | 2026 release; projection years 2025 to 2075 | Projection scenario chart, projection table, 2075 population range and older-age projection notes |
Method note
- Statistics Canada resident estimates are used for national population, age structure, migration components and projections.
- World Bank WDI is used only for urban population and close-year older-age comparison values where explicitly marked.
- Projection rows are separated from observed and estimated rows.
- Missing detailed age-sex rows are not estimated.
Indicator Definitions
| Indicator | Definition | Unit | Source note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population estimate | Estimated resident population at a reference date | People | Statistics Canada estimates are not the same as a census count. |
| Population growth | Change in population over a stated reference period | Percent or people | Annual July-to-July growth and quarterly growth use different reference periods. |
| Natural increase | Births minus deaths during a period | People | Shown only where Statistics Canada quarterly estimates provide the component. |
| International migration balance | International migration contribution to population change during a period | People | Not interchangeable with immigration, emigration or non-permanent resident stock. |
| Non-permanent resident change | Quarterly change in the estimated number of people living in Canada with temporary status or related coverage under Statistics Canada definitions | People | Not interchangeable with permit issuances, temporary resident counts from IRCC or total international migration. |
| Total fertility rate | Average number of children a woman would have under current age-specific fertility rates | Births per woman | Statistics Canada vital statistics, 2024. |
| Life expectancy at birth | Average years a newborn would live under period mortality rates | Years | Statistics Canada mortality indicators, total and by sex. |
| Urban population share | Share of population living in areas defined as urban by national statistical practice | Percent | World Bank WDI with UN World Urbanization Prospects processing. |
| Projection scenario | Population path under a stated set of fertility, mortality and migration assumptions | People or percent | Statistics Canada projection scenarios, not observed outcomes. |
Table analysis
- The definitions table separates stock measures, flow measures and scenario outputs.
- Urban population values use a different international dataset from the national Statistics Canada population estimate.
- Fertility, life expectancy and age structure are not interchangeable measures of population change.
Estimate and Source Boundaries
Resident population estimates, census counts, preliminary quarterly estimates and projection scenarios are not interchangeable. The Apr. 1, 2026 population value and its components are preliminary and are scheduled for an update in September 2026, while July 1, 2025 age values are annual age and gender estimates. Urban population follows World Bank and UN urban-definition processing, not a separate Statistics Canada resident-population table. The 2.1 fertility benchmark is a broad comparison value, not a country-specific replacement threshold. Detailed sex ratios and a native population pyramid are not calculated without verified male and female age rows. Rounded values may not sum exactly.
Canada Demographics FAQ
What is Canada’s population?
Statistics Canada’s preliminary estimate is 41,417,056 on Apr. 1, 2026. The July 1, 2025 annual age and gender estimate is 41,651,653.
Is Canada’s population growing?
Canada grew by 0.9% from July 1, 2024 to July 1, 2025, then recorded quarterly decreases in Q3 2025, Q4 2025 and Q1 2026. The latest quarterly estimate is preliminary.
Are the April 1, 2026 population figures final?
No. Statistics Canada identifies the April 1, 2026 population and component estimates as preliminary and plans to update them in September 2026.
What is Canada’s fertility rate?
Statistics Canada reports a total fertility rate of 1.25 births per woman in 2024.
How old is Canada’s population?
The median age is 40.6 years on July 1, 2025. People aged 65 and older make up 19.5% of the population.
Why is no population pyramid shown?
A population pyramid requires verified male and female counts by detailed age group. The current page dataset includes broad age groups, so a full pyramid is not produced.