Demographics of Canada

Demographics of Canada covers the size, growth, composition, languages, and settlement patterns of the Canadian population. Canada conducts a national census every five years and publishes quarterly population estimates between censuses. Recent growth has been led largely by international migration, with marked regional and urban–rural differences.

At a glance — Demographics of Canada

Population (estimate)	41,651,653 on July 1, 2025 (quarterly estimate).
Population (2021 Census)	36,991,981.
Urbanization	73.7% lived in large urban centres (CMAs) in 2021.
Immigrant share	23.0% of the population were immigrants (2021).
Indigenous peoples	≈1.8 million people (5.0%) identified as Indigenous (2021).
Languages	English–French bilingualism 18.0% (2021); non-official language mother tongue 23.2% (2021).

Population size and growth

Canada’s total population is measured by a five-year census and updated by quarterly estimates between censuses. The 2021 Census counted 36.99 million people. Subsequent estimates placed the population at 41.65 million on July 1, 2025. Growth has varied over time: it accelerated in 2022–2023 with high international migration and moderated in 2024–2025 as inflows of some non-permanent residents slowed.

Age structure and households

Canada’s age profile has trended older over recent decades, with regional differences shaped by migration, fertility, and longevity. Large metropolitan areas often have younger age structures than rural and remote regions. Household types include families with children, couples without children, multi-generational households, and people living alone (a growing share in many cities).

Urbanization and settlement

In 2021, nearly three in four Canadians (73.7%) lived in one of the large urban centres (census metropolitan areas). Downtowns grew faster than their surrounding CMAs between 2016 and 2021. Settlement is concentrated along the southern corridor, with strong growth in major CMAs and selected mid-sized regions.

Immigration and diversity

Immigration has been a major driver of population growth and labour-force renewal. In 2021, immigrants made up 23.0% of the population—the highest share since Confederation—with 1.3 million arrivals between 2016 and 2021 recorded as “recent immigrants.” Immigrants settle across the country, especially in the largest CMAs and growing regional hubs.

See also: Immigration in Canada.

Indigenous peoples

Indigenous peoples—First Nations, Inuit, and Métis—accounted for ≈1.8 million people (5.0%) in 2021, continuing a multi-decade trend of faster growth than the non-Indigenous population. Regional distribution, languages, and community structures vary across the country.

Languages

Canada has two official languages (English and French). In 2021, 18.0% of Canadians reported being able to conduct a conversation in both English and French—the highest proportion recorded in a census—while the number of people with a non-official language mother tongue reached 23.2%. Canada’s linguistic landscape continues to diversify alongside immigration, interprovincial mobility, and education (including French immersion).

Religion and ethnocultural diversity

The 2021 Census of Population includes questions on religion (optional) and ethnocultural diversity. Canada’s population reflects a range of religious affiliations as well as people reporting no religious affiliation; distributions vary by region and by urban area. Ethnocultural identities continue to evolve through immigration, intermarriage, and community growth.

Methodology and data quality

• Census (every five years) provides detailed snapshots down to small geographies.
• Demographic estimates (quarterly and annual) update totals between censuses.
• Concepts such as “immigrant,” “non-permanent resident,” “mother tongue,” and “first official language spoken” follow Statistics Canada definitions on the census dictionary pages. Users should compare data from the same reference period and definitions when analyzing change.

See also

• Geography of Canada • Cities of Canada • Education in Canada
• Immigration in Canada • Languages of Canada • Culture of Canada
• History of Canada • Economy of Canada • Provinces of Canada

External links (official)

• Statistics Canada — Census Profile (2021): https://www12.statcan.gc.ca/census-recensement/2021/dp-pd/prof/index.cfm
• Statistics Canada — Population estimates (latest releases): https://www150.statcan.gc.ca/n1/dai-quo/index-eng.htm?HPA=1&MM=1&MMCT=1#population
• Statistics Canada — Immigration, place of birth and citizenship (2021): https://www12.statcan.gc.ca/census-recensement/2021/rt-td/immigration-eng.cfm
• Statistics Canada — Languages (analytical products and key indicators): https://www.statcan.gc.ca/en/subjects-start/languages
• Statistics Canada — Indigenous peoples topic (2021): https://www12.statcan.gc.ca/census-recensement/2021/rt-td/indigenous-autochtones-eng.cfm