2017 Edition

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 repatriated its constitution from the UK in 1982, severing a final colonial tie. 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.

Area

9,984,670 sq km 9,093,507 sq km 891,163 sq km

land

9,093,507 sq km

total

9,984,670 sq km

water

891,163 sq km

Area - comparative

slightly larger than the US

Climate

varies from temperate in south to subarctic and arctic in north

Coastline

202,080 km the Canadian Arctic Archipelago - consisting of 36,563 islands, several of them some of the world's largest - contributes to Canada easily having the longest coastline in the world

note

the Canadian Arctic Archipelago - consisting of 36,563 islands, several of them some of the world's largest - contributes to Canada easily having the longest coastline in the world

Elevation

487 m lowest point: Atlantic Ocean 0 m highest point: Mount Logan 5,959 m

elevation extremes

lowest point: Atlantic Ocean 0 m

highest point

Mount Logan 5,959 m

mean elevation

487 m

Environment - current issues

metal smelting, coal-burning utilities, and vehicle emissions impacting agricultural and forest productivity; air pollution and resulting acid rain severely affecting lakes and damaging forests; ocean waters becoming contaminated due to agricultural, industrial, mining, and forestry activities

Environment - international agreements

Air Pollution, Air Pollution-Nitrogen Oxides, Air Pollution-Persistent Organic Pollutants, Air Pollution-Sulfur 85, Air Pollution-Sulfur 94, Antarctic-Environmental Protocol, Antarctic-Marine Living Resources, Antarctic Seals, Antarctic Treaty, Biodiversity, Climate Change, Desertification, Endangered Species, Environmental Modification, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Marine Dumping, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Tropical Timber 83, Tropical Timber 94, Wetlands Air Pollution-Volatile Organic Compounds, Marine Life Conservation

party to

Air Pollution, Air Pollution-Nitrogen Oxides, Air Pollution-Persistent Organic Pollutants, Air Pollution-Sulfur 85, Air Pollution-Sulfur 94, Antarctic-Environmental Protocol, Antarctic-Marine Living Resources, Antarctic Seals, Antarctic Treaty, Biodiversity, Climate Change, Desertification, Endangered Species, Environmental Modification, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Marine Dumping, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Tropical Timber 83, Tropical Timber 94, Wetlands

signed, but not ratified

Air Pollution-Volatile Organic Compounds, Marine Life Conservation

Geographic coordinates

60 00 N, 95 00 W

Geography - note

second-largest country in world (after Russia) and largest in the Americas; strategic location between Russia and US via north polar route; approximately 90% of the population is concentrated within 160 km (100 mi) of the US border; Canada has more fresh water than any other country and almost 9% of Canadian territory is water; Canada has at least 2 million and possibly over 3 million lakes - that is more than all other countries combined

Irrigated land

8,700 sq km (2012)

Land boundaries

8,893 km US 8,893 km (includes 2,477 km with Alaska) Canada is the world's largest country that borders only one country

border countries (1)

US 8,893 km (includes 2,477 km with Alaska)

note

Canada is the world's largest country that borders only one country

total

8,893 km

Land use

6.8% arable land 4.7%; permanent crops 0.5%; permanent pasture 1.6% 34.1% 59.1% (2011 est.)

agricultural land

6.8%

forest

34.1%

other

59.1% (2011 est.)

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

Map references

North America

Maritime claims

12 nm 24 nm 200 nm 200 nm or to the edge of the continental margin

contiguous zone

24 nm

continental shelf

200 nm or to the edge of the continental margin

exclusive economic zone

200 nm

territorial sea

12 nm

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 the vast majority of volcanoes in Western Canada's Coast Mountains remain dormant

volcanism

the vast majority of volcanoes in Western Canada's Coast Mountains remain dormant

Natural resources

iron ore, nickel, zinc, copper, gold, lead, rare earth elements, molybdenum, potash, diamonds, silver, fish, timber, wildlife, coal, petroleum, natural gas, hydropower

Population - distribution

vast majority of Canadians are positioned in a discontinuous band within approximately 300 km (180 mi) of the southern border with the United States; the most populated province is Ontario, followed by Quebec and British Columbia

Terrain

mostly plains with mountains in west, lowlands in southeast

Age structure

15.44% (male 2,819,279/female 2,680,024) 11.85% (male 2,171,703/female 2,048,546) 39.99% (male 7,227,145/female 7,020,156) 14.1% (male 2,492,120/female 2,529,652) 18.63% (male 2,958,721/female 3,676,334) (2017 est.)

0-14 years

15.44% (male 2,819,279/female 2,680,024)

15-24 years

11.85% (male 2,171,703/female 2,048,546)

25-54 years

39.99% (male 7,227,145/female 7,020,156)

55-64 years

14.1% (male 2,492,120/female 2,529,652)

65 years and over

18.63% (male 2,958,721/female 3,676,334) (2017 est.)

Birth rate

10.3 births/1,000 population (2017 est.)

Death rate

8.7 deaths/1,000 population (2017 est.)

Dependency ratios

47.3 23.5 23.8 4.2 (2015 est.)

elderly dependency ratio

23.8

potential support ratio

4.2 (2015 est.)

total dependency ratio

47.3

youth dependency ratio

23.5

Drinking water source

urban: 100% of population rural: 99% of population total: 99.8% of population urban: 0% of population rural: 1% of population total: 0.2% of population (2015 est.)

rural

1% of population

total

0.2% of population (2015 est.)

urban

0% of population

Education expenditures

5.3% of GDP (2011)

Ethnic groups

Canadian 32.2%, English 19.8%, French 15.5%, Scottish 14.4%, Irish 13.8%, German 9.8%, Italian 4.5%, Chinese 4.5%, North American Indian 4.2%, other 50.9% percentages add up to more than 100% because respondents were able to identify more than one ethnic origin (2011 est.)

note

percentages add up to more than 100% because respondents were able to identify more than one ethnic origin (2011 est.)

Health expenditures

10.4% of GDP (2014)

HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate

NA

HIV/AIDS - deaths

NA

HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS

NA

Hospital bed density

2.7 beds/1,000 population (2010)

Infant mortality rate

4.5 deaths/1,000 live births 4.8 deaths/1,000 live births 4.2 deaths/1,000 live births (2017 est.)

female

4.2 deaths/1,000 live births (2017 est.)

male

4.8 deaths/1,000 live births

total

4.5 deaths/1,000 live births

Languages

English (official) 58.7%, French (official) 22%, Punjabi 1.4%, Italian 1.3%, Spanish 1.3%, German 1.3%, Cantonese 1.2%, Tagalog 1.2%, Arabic 1.1%, other 10.5% (2011 est.)

Life expectancy at birth

81.9 years 79.3 years 84.7 years (2017 est.)

female

84.7 years (2017 est.)

male

79.3 years

total population

81.9 years

Major urban areas - population

Toronto 5.993 million; Montreal 3.981 million; Vancouver 2.485 million; Calgary 1.337 million; OTTAWA (capital) 1.326 million; Edmonton 1.272 million (2015)

Maternal mortality rate

7 deaths/100,000 live births (2015 est.)

Median age

42.2 years 40.9 years 43.5 years (2017 est.)

female

43.5 years (2017 est.)

male

40.9 years

total

42.2 years

Mother's mean age at first birth

28.1 years (2012 est.)

Nationality

Canadian(s) Canadian

adjective

Canadian

noun

Canadian(s)

Net migration rate

5.7 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2017 est.)

Obesity - adult prevalence rate

29.4% (2016)

Physicians density

2.48 physicians/1,000 population (2012)

Population

35,623,680 (July 2017 est.)

Population distribution

vast majority of Canadians are positioned in a discontinuous band within approximately 300 km of the southern border with the United States; the most populated province is Ontario, followed by Quebec and British Columbia

Population growth rate

0.73% (2017 est.)

Religions

Catholic 39% (includes Roman Catholic 38.8%, other Catholic .2%), Protestant 20.3% (includes United Church 6.1%, Anglican 5%, Baptist 1.9%, Lutheran 1.5%, Pentecostal 1.5%, Presbyterian 1.4%, other Protestant 2.9%), Orthodox 1.6%, other Christian 6.3%, Muslim 3.2%, Hindu 1.5%, Sikh 1.4%, Buddhist 1.1%, Jewish 1%, other 0.6%, none 23.9% (2011 est.)

Sanitation facility access

urban: 100% of population rural: 99% of population total: 99.8% of population urban: 0% of population rural: 1% of population total: 0.2% of population (2015 est.)

rural

1% of population

total

0.2% of population (2015 est.)

urban

0% of population

Sex ratio

1.06 male(s)/female 1.05 male(s)/female 1.06 male(s)/female 1.03 male(s)/female 0.98 male(s)/female 0.8 male(s)/female 0.98 male(s)/female (2016 est.)

0-14 years

1.05 male(s)/female

15-24 years

1.06 male(s)/female

25-54 years

1.03 male(s)/female

55-64 years

0.98 male(s)/female

65 years and over

0.8 male(s)/female

at birth

1.06 male(s)/female

total population

0.98 male(s)/female (2016 est.)

Total fertility rate

1.6 children born/woman (2017 est.)

Unemployment, youth ages 15-24

13.1% 14.8% 11.3% (2016 est.)

female

11.3% (2016 est.)

male

14.8%

total

13.1%

Urbanization

82.2% of total population (2017) 1.16% annual rate of change (2015-20 est.)

rate of urbanization

1.16% annual rate of change (2015-20 est.)

urban population

82.2% of total population (2017)

Administrative divisions

10 provinces and 3 territories*; Alberta, British Columbia, Manitoba, New Brunswick, Newfoundland and Labrador, Northwest Territories*, Nova Scotia, Nunavut*, Ontario, Prince Edward Island, Quebec, Saskatchewan, Yukon*

Capital

Ottawa 45 25 N, 75 42 W UTC-5 (same time as Washington, DC, during Standard Time) +1hr, begins second Sunday in March; ends first Sunday in November Canada has six time zones

daylight saving time

+1hr, begins second Sunday in March; ends first Sunday in November

geographic coordinates

45 25 N, 75 42 W

name

Ottawa

note

Canada has six time zones

time difference

UTC-5 (same time as Washington, DC, during Standard Time)

Citizenship

yes yes yes 3 years

citizenship by birth

yes

citizenship by descent

yes

dual citizenship recognized

yes

residency requirement for naturalization

3 years

Constitution

made up of unwritten and written acts, customs, judicial decisions, and traditions dating from 1763; the written part of the constitution consists of the Constitution Act of 29 March 1867, which created a federation of four provinces, and the Constitution Act of 17 April 1982; several amendments to the 1982 Constitution Act, last in 2011 (2016)

Country name

none Canada the country name derives from the St. Lawrence Iroquoian word "kanata" meaning village or settlement

conventional long form

none

conventional short form

Canada

etymology

the country name derives from the St. Lawrence Iroquoian word "kanata" meaning village or settlement

Diplomatic representation from the US

Ambassador Kelly CRAFT (since 23 October 2017) 490 Sussex Drive, Ottawa, Ontario K1N 1G8 P. O. Box 5000, Ogdensburg, NY 13669-0430; P.O. Box 866, Station B, Ottawa, Ontario K1P 5T1 [1] (613) 688-5335 [1] (613) 688-3082 Calgary, Halifax, Montreal, Quebec City, Toronto, Vancouver Winnipeg

chief of mission

Ambassador Kelly CRAFT (since 23 October 2017)

consulate(s)

Winnipeg

consulate(s) general

Calgary, Halifax, Montreal, Quebec City, Toronto, Vancouver

embassy

490 Sussex Drive, Ottawa, Ontario K1N 1G8

FAX

[1] (613) 688-3082

mailing address

P. O. Box 5000, Ogdensburg, NY 13669-0430; P.O. Box 866, Station B, Ottawa, Ontario K1P 5T1

telephone

[1] (613) 688-5335

Diplomatic representation in the US

Ambassador David Brookes MACNAUGHTON (since 2 March 2016) 501 Pennsylvania Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20001 [1] (202) 682-1740 [1] (202) 682-7726 Atlanta, Boston, Chicago, Dallas, Denver, Detroit, Los Angeles, Miami, Minneapolis, New York, San Francisco/Silicon Valley, Seattle Houston, Palo Alto (CA), San Diego; note - there are trade offices in the Consulates General

chancery

501 Pennsylvania Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20001

chief of mission

Ambassador David Brookes MACNAUGHTON (since 2 March 2016)

consulate(s) general

Atlanta, Boston, Chicago, Dallas, Denver, Detroit, Los Angeles, Miami, Minneapolis, New York, San Francisco/Silicon Valley, Seattle

FAX

[1] (202) 682-7726

telephone

[1] (202) 682-1740

trade office(s)

Houston, Palo Alto (CA), San Diego; note - there are trade offices in the Consulates General

Executive branch

Queen ELIZABETH II (since 6 February 1952); represented by Governor General Julie PAYETTE (since 2 October 2017) Prime Minister Justin Pierre James TRUDEAU (Liberal Party) (since 4 November 2015) Federal Ministry chosen by the prime minister usually from among members of his/her own party sitting in Parliament the monarchy is hereditary; governor general appointed by the monarch on the advice of the prime minister for a 5-year term; following legislative elections, the leader of the majority party or majority coalition in the House of Commons generally designated prime minister by the governor general Julie PAYETTE, a former space shuttle astronaut, is Canada's fourth female governor general but the first to have flown in space

cabinet

Federal Ministry chosen by the prime minister usually from among members of his/her own party sitting in Parliament

elections/appointments

the monarchy is hereditary; governor general appointed by the monarch on the advice of the prime minister for a 5-year term; following legislative elections, the leader of the majority party or majority coalition in the House of Commons generally designated prime minister by the governor general

head of government

Prime Minister Justin Pierre James TRUDEAU (Liberal Party) (since 4 November 2015)

head of state

Queen ELIZABETH II (since 6 February 1952); represented by Governor General Julie PAYETTE (since 2 October 2017)

note

Julie PAYETTE, a former space shuttle astronaut, is Canada's fourth female governor general but the first to have flown in space

Flag description

two vertical bands of red (hoist and fly side, half width) with white square between them; an 11-pointed red maple leaf is centered in the white square; the maple leaf has long been a Canadian symbol

Government type

federal parliamentary democracy (Parliament of Canada) under a constitutional monarchy; a Commonwealth realm

Independence

1 July 1867 (union of British North American colonies); 11 December 1931 (recognized by UK per Statute of Westminster)

International law organization participation

accepts compulsory ICJ jurisdiction with reservations; accepts ICCt jurisdiction

International organization participation

ADB (nonregional member), AfDB (nonregional member), APEC, Arctic Council, ARF, ASEAN (dialogue partner), Australia Group, BIS, C, CD, CDB, CE (observer), EAPC, EBRD, EITI (implementing country), FAO, FATF, G-7, G-8, G-10, G-20, IADB, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC (national committees), ICCt, ICRM, IDA, IEA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, IGAD (partners), IHO, ILO, IMF, IMO, IMSO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, IPU, ISO, ITSO, ITU, ITUC (NGOs), MIGA, MINUSTAH, MONUSCO, NAFTA, NATO, NEA, NSG, OAS, OECD, OIF, OPCW, OSCE, Pacific Alliance (observer), Paris Club, PCA, PIF (partner), UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNFICYP, UNHCR, UNMISS, UNRWA, UNTSO, UPU, WCO, WFTU (NGOs), WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO, ZC

Judicial branch

Supreme Court of Canada (consists of the chief justice and 8 judges); note - in 1949, Canada abolished all appeals beyond its Supreme Court, which prior to that time, were heard by the Judicial Committee of the Privy Council (in London) chief justice and judges appointed by the prime minister in council; all judges appointed for life with mandatory retirement at age 75 federal level: Federal Court of Appeal; Federal Court; Tax Court; federal administrative tribunals; Courts Martial; provincial/territorial level: provincial superior, appeals, first instance, and specialized courts; in 1999, the Nunavut Court - a circuit court with the power of a provincial superior court, as well as a territorial court - was established to serve isolated settlements

highest court(s)

Supreme Court of Canada (consists of the chief justice and 8 judges); note - in 1949, Canada abolished all appeals beyond its Supreme Court, which prior to that time, were heard by the Judicial Committee of the Privy Council (in London)

judge selection and term of office

chief justice and judges appointed by the prime minister in council; all judges appointed for life with mandatory retirement at age 75

subordinate courts

federal level: Federal Court of Appeal; Federal Court; Tax Court; federal administrative tribunals; Courts Martial; provincial/territorial level: provincial superior, appeals, first instance, and specialized courts; in 1999, the Nunavut Court - a circuit court with the power of a provincial superior court, as well as a territorial court - was established to serve isolated settlements

Legal system

common law system except in Quebec, where civil law based on the French civil code prevails

Legislative branch

bicameral Parliament or Parlement consists of the Senate or Senat (105 seats; members appointed by the governor general on the advice of the prime minister and can serve until age 75) and the House of Commons or Chambre des Communes (338 seats; members directly elected in single-seat constituencies by simple majority vote with terms up to 4 years) House of Commons - last held on 19 October 2015 (next to be held in 2019) House of Commons - percent of vote by party - Liberal Party 39.5%, CPC 31.9%, NDP 19.7%, Bloc Quebecois 4.7%, Greens 3.4%, other .8%; seats by party - Liberal Party 184, CPC 99, NDP 44, Bloc Quebecois 10, Greens 1

description

bicameral Parliament or Parlement consists of the Senate or Senat (105 seats; members appointed by the governor general on the advice of the prime minister and can serve until age 75) and the House of Commons or Chambre des Communes (338 seats; members directly elected in single-seat constituencies by simple majority vote with terms up to 4 years)

election results

House of Commons - percent of vote by party - Liberal Party 39.5%, CPC 31.9%, NDP 19.7%, Bloc Quebecois 4.7%, Greens 3.4%, other .8%; seats by party - Liberal Party 184, CPC 99, NDP 44, Bloc Quebecois 10, Greens 1

elections

House of Commons - last held on 19 October 2015 (next to be held in 2019)

National anthem

"O Canada" Adolphe-Basile ROUTHIER [French], Robert Stanley WEIR [English]/Calixa LAVALLEE adopted 1980; originally written in 1880, "O Canada" served as an unofficial anthem many years before its official adoption; the anthem has French and English versions whose lyrics differ; as a Commonwealth realm, in addition to the national anthem, "God Save the Queen" serves as the royal anthem (see United Kingdom)

lyrics/music

Adolphe-Basile ROUTHIER [French], Robert Stanley WEIR [English]/Calixa LAVALLEE

name

"O Canada"

note

adopted 1980; originally written in 1880, "O Canada" served as an unofficial anthem many years before its official adoption; the anthem has French and English versions whose lyrics differ; as a Commonwealth realm, in addition to the national anthem, "God Save the Queen" serves as the royal anthem (see United Kingdom)

National holiday

Canada Day, 1 July (1867)

National symbol(s)

maple leaf, beaver; national colors: red, white

maple leaf, beaver; national colors

red, white

Political parties and leaders

Bloc Quebecois [Martine OUELLET] Conservative Party of Canada or CPC [Andrew SCHEER] Green Party [Elizabeth MAY] Liberal Party [Justin TRUDEAU] New Democratic Party or NDP [Jagmeet SINGH]

Political pressure groups and leaders

agricultural sector; automobile industry; business groups; chemical industry; commercial banks; communications sector; energy industry; environmentalists; First Nations organizations; public administration groups; steel industry; trade unions

other

agricultural sector; automobile industry; business groups; chemical industry; commercial banks; communications sector; energy industry; environmentalists; First Nations organizations; public administration groups; steel industry; trade unions

Suffrage

18 years of age; universal

Agriculture - products

wheat, barley, oilseed, tobacco, fruits, vegetables; dairy products; fish; forest products

Budget

$593.5 billion $623.3 billion (2016 est.)

expenditures

$623.3 billion (2016 est.)

revenues

$593.5 billion

Budget surplus (+) or deficit (-)

-1.9% of GDP (2016 est.)

Central bank discount rate

1% (31 December 2010) 0.25% (31 December 2009)

Commercial bank prime lending rate

2.7% (31 December 2016 est.) 2.78% (31 December 2015 est.)

Current account balance

$-50.53 billion (2016 est.) $-53.08 billion (2015 est.)

Debt - external

$1.608 trillion (31 March 2016 est.) $1.55 trillion (31 March 2015 est.)

Distribution of family income - Gini index

32.1 (2005) 31.5 (1994)

Economy - overview

Canada resembles the US in its market-oriented economic system, pattern of production, and high living standards. Since World War II, the impressive growth of the manufacturing, mining, and service sectors has transformed the nation from a largely rural economy into one primarily industrial and urban. Canada has a large oil and natural gas sector with the majority of crude oil production derived from oil sands in the western provinces, especially Alberta. Canada now ranks third in the world in proved oil reserves behind Venezuela and Saudi Arabia and is the world’s sixth-largest oil producer. The 1989 Canada-US Free Trade Agreement and the 1994 North American Free Trade Agreement (which includes Mexico) dramatically increased trade and economic integration between the US and Canada. Canada and the US enjoy the world’s most comprehensive and highly balanced bilateral trade and investment relationship, with merchandise trade of $544 billion in 2016, services trade of over $80 billion, and two-way investment stocks of nearly $700 billion. Over three-fourths of Canada’s exports are destined for the US each year. Canada is the largest foreign supplier of energy to the US, including oil, natural gas, and electric power, and a top source of US uranium imports. Given its abundant natural resources, highly skilled labor force, and modern capital stock, Canada enjoyed solid economic growth from 1993 through 2007. The global economic crisis of 2007-08 moved the Canadian economy into sharp recession by late 2008, and Ottawa posted its first fiscal deficit in 2009 after 12 years of surplus. Canada's major banks emerged from the financial crisis of 2008-09 among the strongest in the world, owing to the financial sector's tradition of conservative lending practices and strong capitalization. Since the fall in world oil prices in 2014, Canada has achieved modest economic growth.

Exchange rates

Canadian dollars (CAD) per US dollar - 1.3256 (2016 est.) 1.3256 (2015 est.) 1.2788 (2014 est.) 1.0298 (2013 est.) 0.9992 (2012 est.)

Exports

$393.5 billion (2016 est.) $410.7 billion (2015 est.)

Exports - commodities

motor vehicles and parts, industrial machinery, aircraft, telecommunications equipment; chemicals, plastics, fertilizers; wood pulp, timber, crude petroleum, natural gas, electricity, aluminum

Exports - partners

US 76.4%, China 4.1% (2016)

Fiscal year

1 April - 31 March

GDP - composition, by end use

58.3% 21.2% 23% -0.1% 31% -33.4% (2016 est.)

exports of goods and services

31%

government consumption

21.2%

household consumption

58.3%

imports of goods and services

-33.4% (2016 est.)

investment in fixed capital

23%

investment in inventories

-0.1%

GDP - composition, by sector of origin

1.7% 27.5% 70.8% (2016 est.)

agriculture

1.7%

industry

27.5%

services

70.8% (2016 est.)

GDP - per capita (PPP)

$46,400 (2016 est.) $46,300 (2015 est.) $46,300 (2014 est.) data are in 2016 dollars

note

data are in 2016 dollars

GDP - real growth rate

1.5% (2016 est.) 0.9% (2015 est.) 2.6% (2014 est.)

GDP (official exchange rate)

$1.53 trillion (2016 est.)

GDP (purchasing power parity)

$1.683 trillion (2016 est.) $1.637 trillion (2015 est.) $1.605 trillion (2014 est.) data are in 2016 dollars

note

data are in 2016 dollars

Gross national saving

19.6% of GDP (2016 est.) 20.4% of GDP (2015 est.) 22.2% of GDP (2014 est.)

Household income or consumption by percentage share

2.6% 24.8% (2000)

highest 10%

24.8% (2000)

lowest 10%

2.6%

Imports

$413.4 billion (2016 est.) $428.8 billion (2015 est.)

Imports - commodities

machinery and equipment, motor vehicles and parts, crude oil, chemicals, electricity, durable consumer goods

Imports - partners

US 52.2%, China 12.1%, Mexico 6.2% (2016)

Industrial production growth rate

-1.1% (2016 est.)

Industries

transportation equipment, chemicals, processed and unprocessed minerals, food products, wood and paper products, fish products, petroleum, natural gas

Inflation rate (consumer prices)

1.4% (2016 est.) 1.1% (2015 est.)

Labor force

19.44 million (2016 est.)

Labor force - by occupation

2% 13% 6% 76% 3% (2006 est.)

agriculture

2%

construction

6%

manufacturing

13%

other

3% (2006 est.)

services

76%

Market value of publicly traded shares

$1.593 trillion (31 December 2015 est.) $2.095 trillion (31 December 2014 est.) $2.114 trillion (31 December 2013 est.)

Population below poverty line

9.4% this figure is the Low Income Cut-Off, a calculation that results in higher figures than found in many comparable economies; Canada does not have an official poverty line (2008 est.)

note

this figure is the Low Income Cut-Off, a calculation that results in higher figures than found in many comparable economies; Canada does not have an official poverty line (2008 est.)

Public debt

99.4% of GDP (2016 est.) 98.4% of GDP (2015 est.) figures are for gross general government debt, as opposed to net federal debt; gross general government debt includes both intragovernmental debt and the debt of public entities at the sub-national level

note

figures are for gross general government debt, as opposed to net federal debt; gross general government debt includes both intragovernmental debt and the debt of public entities at the sub-national level

Reserves of foreign exchange and gold

$82.72 billion (31 December 2016 est.) $79.75 billion (31 December 2015 est.)

Stock of broad money

$1.362 trillion (31 December 2016 est.) $1.238 trillion (31 December 2015 est.)

Stock of direct foreign investment - abroad

$1.277 trillion (31 December 2016 est.) $1.132 trillion (31 December 2015 est.)

Stock of direct foreign investment - at home

$1.004 trillion (31 December 2016 est.) $818.8 billion (31 December 2015 est.)

Stock of domestic credit

$2.794 trillion (31 December 2016 est.) $2.574 trillion (31 December 2015 est.)

Stock of narrow money

$637.3 billion (31 December 2016 est.) $568.9 billion (31 December 2015 est.)

Taxes and other revenues

38.8% of GDP (2016 est.)

Unemployment rate

7% (2016 est.) 6.9% (2015 est.)

Carbon dioxide emissions from consumption of energy

564 million Mt (2013 est.)

Crude oil - exports

2.671 million bbl/day (2016 est.)

Crude oil - imports

892,500 bbl/day (2016 est.)

Crude oil - production

3.679 million bbl/day (2016 est.)

Crude oil - proved reserves

169.7 billion bbl (1 January 2017 es)

Electricity - consumption

516.6 billion kWh (2015 est.)

Electricity - exports

73.35 billion kWh (2016 est.)

Electricity - from fossil fuels

26.3% of total installed capacity (2015 est.)

Electricity - from hydroelectric plants

53.7% of total installed capacity (2015 est.)

Electricity - from nuclear fuels

9.2% of total installed capacity (2015 est.)

Electricity - from other renewable sources

11.4% of total installed capacity (2015 est.)

Electricity - imports

9.303 billion kWh (2016 est.)

Electricity - installed generating capacity

147.6 million kW (2015 est.)

Electricity - production

643.2 billion kWh (2015 est.)

Electricity access

100% (2016)

electrification - total population

100% (2016)

Natural gas - consumption

114.8 billion cu m (2015 est.)

Natural gas - exports

78.25 billion cu m (2015 est.)

Natural gas - imports

19.63 billion cu m (2015 est.)

Natural gas - production

149.9 billion cu m (2015 est.)

Natural gas - proved reserves

2.182 trillion cu m (1 January 2017 es)

Refined petroleum products - consumption

2.379 million bbl/day (2016 est.)

Refined petroleum products - exports

991,600 bbl/day (2016 est.)

Refined petroleum products - imports

381,200 bbl/day (2016 est.)

Refined petroleum products - production

1.883 million bbl/day (2016 est.)

Broadcast media

2 public TV broadcasting networks, 1 in English and 1 in French, each with a large number of network affiliates; several private-commercial networks also with multiple network affiliates; overall, about 150 TV stations; multi-channel satellite and cable systems provide access to a wide range of stations including US stations; mix of public and commercial radio broadcasters with the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation (CBC), the public radio broadcaster, operating 4 radio networks, Radio Canada International, and radio services to indigenous populations in the north; roughly 1,119 licensed radio stations (2016)

Internet country code

.ca

Internet users

31,770,034 89.8% (July 2016 est.)

percent of population

89.8% (July 2016 est.)

total

31,770,034

Telephone system

excellent service provided by modern technology comparatively low mobile penetration provides further room for growth; domestic satellite system with about 300 earth stations country code - 1; submarine cables provide links to the US and Europe; satellite earth stations - 7 (5 Intelsat - 4 Atlantic Ocean and 1 Pacific Ocean, and 2 Intersputnik - Atlantic Ocean region) (2016)

domestic

comparatively low mobile penetration provides further room for growth; domestic satellite system with about 300 earth stations

general assessment

excellent service provided by modern technology

international

country code - 1; submarine cables provide links to the US and Europe; satellite earth stations - 7 (5 Intelsat - 4 Atlantic Ocean and 1 Pacific Ocean, and 2 Intersputnik - Atlantic Ocean region) (2016)

Telephones - fixed lines

14,987,520 42 (July 2016 est.)

subscriptions per 100 inhabitants

42 (July 2016 est.)

total subscriptions

14,987,520

Telephones - mobile cellular

30.45 million 86 (July 2016 est.)

subscriptions per 100 inhabitants

86 (July 2016 est.)

total

30.45 million

Airports

1,467 (2013)

Airports - with paved runways

79 (2017)

1,524 to 2,437 m

147

2,438 to 3,047 m

19

914 to 1,523 m

257

over 3,047 m

21

total

523

under 914 m

79 (2017)

Airports - with unpaved runways

484 (2013)

1,524 to 2,437 m

75

914 to 1,523 m

385

total

944

under 914 m

484 (2013)

Civil aircraft registration country code prefix

C (2016)

Heliports

26 (2013)

Merchant marine

bulk carrier 62, cargo 15, carrier 1, chemical tanker 15, combination ore/oil 1, container 2, passenger 5, passenger/cargo 63, petroleum tanker 11, roll on/roll off 6 19 (Estonia 1, France 1, Netherlands 1, Norway 4, Sweden 2, US 10) 225 (Australia 5, Bahamas 96, Barbados 11, Cambodia 2, Cyprus 2, Honduras 1, Hong Kong 77, Liberia 2, Malta 5, Marshall Islands 8, Norway 1, Panama 6, Spain 4, Vanuatu 5) (2010)

by type

bulk carrier 62, cargo 15, carrier 1, chemical tanker 15, combination ore/oil 1, container 2, passenger 5, passenger/cargo 63, petroleum tanker 11, roll on/roll off 6

foreign-owned

19 (Estonia 1, France 1, Netherlands 1, Norway 4, Sweden 2, US 10)

registered in other countries

225 (Australia 5, Bahamas 96, Barbados 11, Cambodia 2, Cyprus 2, Honduras 1, Hong Kong 77, Liberia 2, Malta 5, Marshall Islands 8, Norway 1, Panama 6, Spain 4, Vanuatu 5) (2010)

total

181

National air transport system

80,228,301 2,074,830,881 mt-km (2015)

annual freight traffic on registered air carriers

2,074,830,881 mt-km (2015)

annual passenger traffic on registered air carriers

80,228,301

inventory of registered aircraft operated by air carriers

879

number of registered air carriers

51

Pipelines

gas and liquid petroleum 110,000 km (2017)

Ports and terminals

Halifax, Saint John (New Brunswick), Vancouver Montreal, Quebec City, Sept-Isles (St. Lawrence); Fraser River Port (Fraser); Hamilton (Lake Ontario) Lower Lakes terminal Port-Cartier (iron ore and grain), Montreal (1,446,000), Vancouver (3,054,000)(2015) Saint John

container port(s)

Montreal (1,446,000), Vancouver (3,054,000)(2015)

dry bulk cargo port(s)

Port-Cartier (iron ore and grain),

LNG terminal(s) (import)

Saint John

major seaport(s)

Halifax, Saint John (New Brunswick), Vancouver

oil terminal(s)

Lower Lakes terminal

river and lake port(s)

Montreal, Quebec City, Sept-Isles (St. Lawrence); Fraser River Port (Fraser); Hamilton (Lake Ontario)

Railways

77,932 km 77,932 km 1.435-m gauge (2014)

standard gauge

77,932 km 1.435-m gauge (2014)

total

77,932 km

Roadways

1,042,300 km 415,600 km (includes 17,000 km of expressways) 626,700 km (2011)

paved

415,600 km (includes 17,000 km of expressways)

total

1,042,300 km

unpaved

626,700 km (2011)

Waterways

636 km (Saint Lawrence Seaway of 3,769 km, including the Saint Lawrence River of 3,058 km, shared with United States) (2011)

Military branches

Canadian Forces: Canadian Army, Royal Canadian Navy, Royal Canadian Air Force, Canadian Joint Operations Command (2015)

Canadian Forces

Canadian Army, Royal Canadian Navy, Royal Canadian Air Force, Canadian Joint Operations Command (2015)

Military expenditures

0.99% of GDP (2016) 0.99% of GDP (2015) 1% of GDP (2014) 1% of GDP (2013) 1.12% of GDP (2012)

Military service age and obligation

17 years of age for voluntary male and female military service (with parental consent); 16 years of age for Reserve and Military College applicants; Canadian citizenship or permanent residence status required; maximum 34 years of age; service obligation 3-9 years (2012)

Disputes - international

managed maritime boundary disputes with the US at Dixon Entrance, Beaufort Sea, Strait of Juan de Fuca, and the Gulf of Maine, including the disputed Machias Seal Island and North Rock; Canada and the United States dispute how to divide the Beaufort Sea and the status of the Northwest Passage but continue to work cooperatively to survey the Arctic continental shelf; US works closely with Canada to intensify security measures for monitoring and controlling legal and illegal movement of people, transport, and commodities across the international border; sovereignty dispute with Denmark over Hans Island in the Kennedy Channel between Ellesmere Island and Greenland; commencing the collection of technical evidence for submission to the Commission on the Limits of the Continental Shelf in support of claims for continental shelf beyond 200 nm from its declared baselines in the Arctic, as stipulated in Article 76, paragraph 8, of the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea

Illicit drugs

illicit producer of cannabis for the domestic drug market and export to US; use of hydroponics technology permits growers to plant large quantities of high-quality marijuana indoors; increasing ecstasy production, some of which is destined for the US; vulnerable to narcotics money laundering because of its mature financial services sector

Refugees and internally displaced persons

8,228 (Colombia); 7,356 (China); 6,774 (Haiti) (2016)

refugees (country of origin)

8,228 (Colombia); 7,356 (China); 6,774 (Haiti) (2016)