Updated
Overview
Canada has 3.9 times the population of Portugal: 41.65 million people against 10.80 million (2025).
Canada's economy is 6.7 times the size of Portugal's, at $2.32T versus $346.64B.
Per person, Canada is the wealthier of the two: $55,698 against $32,082 in GDP per capita.
Population
GDP (nominal)
GDP per capita
The full table
| Indicator | Canada | Portugal | Years | Factbook, Jan 2026 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Economy | ||||
| GDP (nominal) | Higher: $2.32T | $346.64B | 2025 | $2.24T / $308.68B |
| GDP per capita | Higher: $55,698 | $32,082 | 2025 | — / — |
| GDP growth | 1.7% | Higher: 1.9% | 2025 | — / — |
| Inflation | Lower: 2.1% | 2.3% | 2025 | 2.4% / 2.4% |
| Unemployment | 6.9% | Lower: 6.2% | 2025 | — / — |
| Price level (US=100) | 83 | 60 | 2025 | — / — |
| Avg monthly earnings | Higher: $4,121 | $1,426 | 2025 | — / — |
| Minimum wage | Higher: $2,106 | $1,147 | 2024 / 2025 | — / — |
| Big Mac price | $5.81 | — | — | — / — |
| People | ||||
| Population | 41.65 million | 10.80 million | 2025 | 39.19 million / 10.19 million |
| Population growth | 0.9% | 1.0% | 2025 | — / — |
| Median age | 40.6 yrs | 46.9 yrs | 2025 | — / — |
| Fertility rate | 1.33 | 1.52 | 2025 | — / — |
| Life expectancy | 82.1 yrs | Higher: 82.4 yrs | 2024 | — / — |
| Urban population | 83% | 61% | 2025 | — / — |
| Internet users | Higher: 94% | 88% | 2024 | — / — |
| Geography | ||||
| Area | 9,984,670 km² | 92,090 km² | — | — / — |
| Population density | 4.2/km² | 117.3/km² | 2025 | — / — |
| Environment | ||||
| CO2 emissions | 533 Mt | Lower: 36 Mt | 2024 | — / — |
| CO2 per capita | 13.4 t | Lower: 3.4 t | 2024 | — / — |
| Military | ||||
| Military spending | $29.35B | $4.64B | 2024 | — / — |
| Military spending (% GDP) | 1.3% | 1.5% | 2024 | — / — |
| Armed forces personnel | 72,000 | 52,000 | 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, 1.9% for Portugal).
Inflation is comparable in both: 2.1% in Canada and 2.3% in Portugal.
Day-to-day prices are noticeably lower in Portugal: a price level of 60 versus 83 on a US=100 scale.
Average monthly earnings favour Canada: $4,121 against $1,426 (ILOSTAT, latest available years).
People and society
Canada is the younger society: median age 40.6 versus 46.9 years.
Canada is considerably more urbanized: 83% of people live in cities, against 61%.
Geography
By land area, Canada is 108 times the size of Portugal: 9,984,670 km² versus 92,090 km².
Portugal is far more densely settled: 117 people per km² against 4.
Military
Canada spends 6.3 times as much on defence as Portugal: $29.35B versus $4.64B (World Bank/SIPRI data).
Canada fields the larger armed forces: 72,000 personnel against 52,000 (note: personnel data lags; observation years shown in the table).
Frequently asked
- Is Canada bigger than Portugal?
- Canada is larger by land area. Canada covers 9,984,670 km² while Portugal covers 92,090 km², so Canada is 108 times the size of the other.
- Which has more people, Canada or Portugal?
- Canada has the larger population: 41.65 million versus 10.80 million (World Bank, 2025).
- Is Canada richer than Portugal?
- Measured by GDP per capita, Canada is richer: $55,698 against $32,082. Total GDP tells the same story: $2.32T for Canada versus $346.64B for Portugal.
- Who spends more on their military, Canada or Portugal?
- Canada spends more: $29.35B versus $4.64B per year (World Bank, SIPRI-derived data; observation years vary).