Updated
Overview
Canada has about 50% more people than Australia: 41.65 million against 27.61 million (2025).
Canada's economy is 29% larger than Australia's, at $2.32T versus $1.80T.
Per person, Australia is the wealthier of the two: $65,130 against $55,698 in GDP per capita.
Population
GDP (nominal)
GDP per capita
The full table
| Indicator | Canada | Australia | Years | Factbook, Jan 2026 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Economy | ||||
| GDP (nominal) | Higher: $2.32T | $1.80T | 2025 | $2.24T / $1.75T |
| GDP per capita | $55,698 | Higher: $65,130 | 2025 | — / — |
| GDP growth | Higher: 1.7% | 1.4% | 2025 | — / — |
| Inflation | Lower: 2.1% | 2.9% | 2025 | 2.4% / 3.2% |
| Unemployment | 6.9% | Lower: 4.1% | 2025 | — / — |
| Price level (US=100) | 83 | 90 | 2025 | — / — |
| Avg monthly earnings | $4,121 | Higher: $4,436 | 2025 / 2021 | — / — |
| Minimum wage | $2,106 | Higher: $2,655 | 2024 | — / — |
| Big Mac price | $5.81 | $5.95 | — | — / — |
| People | ||||
| Population | 41.65 million | 27.61 million | 2025 | 39.19 million / 27.49 million |
| Population growth | 0.9% | 1.5% | 2025 | — / — |
| Median age | 40.6 yrs | 38.3 yrs | 2025 | — / — |
| Fertility rate | 1.33 | 1.64 | 2025 | — / — |
| Life expectancy | 82.1 yrs | Higher: 83.1 yrs | 2024 | — / — |
| Urban population | 83% | 88% | 2025 | — / — |
| Internet users | 94% | Higher: 96% | 2024 | — / — |
| Geography | ||||
| Area | 9,984,670 km² | 7,692,024 km² | — | — / — |
| Population density | 4.2/km² | 3.6/km² | 2025 | — / — |
| Environment | ||||
| CO2 emissions | 533 Mt | Lower: 387 Mt | 2024 | — / — |
| CO2 per capita | Lower: 13.4 t | 14.5 t | 2024 | — / — |
| Military | ||||
| Military spending | $29.35B | $33.82B | 2024 | — / — |
| Military spending (% GDP) | 1.3% | 1.9% | 2024 | — / — |
| Armed forces personnel | 72,000 | 60,000 | 2020 | — / — |
Sources by row: World Bank WDI, IMF WEO, UN WPP 2024, ILOSTAT, The Economist. Emphasis marks the stronger figure where one direction is meaningfully better.
Reading the numbers
Economy
Both economies are growing at a similar pace (1.7% for Canada, 1.4% for Australia).
Inflation is comparable in both: 2.1% in Canada and 2.9% in Australia.
Average monthly earnings favour Australia: $4,436 against $4,121 (ILOSTAT, latest available years).
People and society
Australia is the younger society: median age 38.3 versus 40.6 years.
Geography
By land area, Canada is 30% larger than Australia: 9,984,670 km² versus 7,692,024 km².
Military
Defence budgets are of similar magnitude: $29.35B (Canada) and $33.82B (Australia).
Canada fields the larger armed forces: 72,000 personnel against 60,000 (note: personnel data lags; observation years shown in the table).
Frequently asked
- Is Canada bigger than Australia?
- Canada is larger by land area. Canada covers 9,984,670 km² while Australia covers 7,692,024 km², so Canada is 30% larger than the other.
- Which has more people, Canada or Australia?
- Canada has the larger population: 41.65 million versus 27.61 million (World Bank, 2025).
- Is Canada richer than Australia?
- Measured by GDP per capita, Australia is richer: $65,130 against $55,698. Total GDP tells a different story: $2.32T for Canada versus $1.80T for Australia.
- Who spends more on their military, Canada or Australia?
- Australia spends more: $33.82B versus $29.35B per year (World Bank, SIPRI-derived data; observation years vary).