Updated
Overview
Canada has 2.3 times the population of the Netherlands: 41.65 million people against 18.09 million (2025).
Canada's economy is about 75% larger than the Netherlands', at $2.32T versus $1.33T.
Per person, the Netherlands is the wealthier of the two: $73,684 against $55,698 in GDP per capita.
Population
GDP (nominal)
GDP per capita
The full table
| Indicator | Canada | Netherlands | Years | Factbook, Jan 2026 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Economy | ||||
| GDP (nominal) | Higher: $2.32T | $1.33T | 2025 | $2.24T / $1.23T |
| GDP per capita | $55,698 | Higher: $73,684 | 2025 | — / — |
| GDP growth | 1.7% | Higher: 1.8% | 2025 | — / — |
| Inflation | Lower: 2.1% | 3.3% | 2025 | 2.4% / 3.3% |
| Unemployment | 6.9% | Lower: 3.9% | 2025 | — / — |
| Price level (US=100) | 83 | 84 | 2025 | — / — |
| Avg monthly earnings | $4,121 | Higher: $6,402 | 2025 | — / — |
| Minimum wage | $2,106 | Higher: $2,538 | 2024 / 2025 | — / — |
| Big Mac price | $5.81 | — | — | — / — |
| People | ||||
| Population | 41.65 million | 18.09 million | 2025 | 39.19 million / 17.83 million |
| Population growth | 0.9% | 0.5% | 2025 | — / — |
| Median age | 40.6 yrs | 41.5 yrs | 2025 | — / — |
| Fertility rate | 1.33 | 1.44 | 2025 | — / — |
| Life expectancy | Higher: 82.1 yrs | 82.0 yrs | 2024 | — / — |
| Urban population | 83% | 96% | 2025 | — / — |
| Internet users | 94% | Higher: 97% | 2024 | — / — |
| Geography | ||||
| Area | 9,984,670 km² | 41,850 km² | — | — / — |
| Population density | 4.2/km² | 432.2/km² | 2025 | — / — |
| Environment | ||||
| CO2 emissions | 533 Mt | Lower: 115 Mt | 2024 | — / — |
| CO2 per capita | 13.4 t | Lower: 6.3 t | 2024 | — / — |
| Military | ||||
| Military spending | $29.35B | $23.18B | 2024 | — / — |
| Military spending (% GDP) | 1.3% | 1.9% | 2024 | — / — |
| Armed forces personnel | 72,000 | 41,000 | 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, 1.8% for the Netherlands).
Inflation is comparable in both: 2.1% in Canada and 3.3% in the Netherlands.
Average monthly earnings favour the Netherlands: $6,402 against $4,121 (ILOSTAT, latest available years).
People and society
Demographically the two are similar, with median ages of 40.6 (Canada) and 41.5 (the Netherlands).
The Netherlands is considerably more urbanized: 96% of people live in cities, against 83%.
Geography
By land area, Canada is 239 times the size of the Netherlands: 9,984,670 km² versus 41,850 km².
The Netherlands is far more densely settled: 432 people per km² against 4.
Military
Canada spends 27% more on defence than the Netherlands: $29.35B versus $23.18B (World Bank/SIPRI data).
Canada fields the larger armed forces: 72,000 personnel against 41,000 (note: personnel data lags; observation years shown in the table).
Frequently asked
- Is Canada bigger than the Netherlands?
- Canada is larger by land area. Canada covers 9,984,670 km² while the Netherlands covers 41,850 km², so Canada is 239 times the size of the other.
- Which has more people, Canada or the Netherlands?
- Canada has the larger population: 41.65 million versus 18.09 million (World Bank, 2025).
- Is Canada richer than the Netherlands?
- Measured by GDP per capita, the Netherlands is richer: $73,684 against $55,698. Total GDP tells a different story: $2.32T for Canada versus $1.33T for the Netherlands.
- Who spends more on their military, Canada or the Netherlands?
- Canada spends more: $29.35B versus $23.18B per year (World Bank, SIPRI-derived data; observation years vary).