Updated
Overview
Canada has 3.9 times the population of Sweden: 41.65 million people against 10.60 million (2025).
Canada's economy is 3.5 times the size of Sweden's, at $2.32T versus $669.00B.
Population
GDP (nominal)
GDP per capita
The full table
| Indicator | Canada | Sweden | Years | Factbook, Jan 2026 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Economy | ||||
| GDP (nominal) | Higher: $2.32T | $669.00B | 2025 | $2.24T / $610.12B |
| GDP per capita | $55,698 | Higher: $63,133 | 2025 | — / — |
| GDP growth | Higher: 1.7% | 1.5% | 2025 | — / — |
| Inflation | 2.1% | Lower: 0.7% | 2025 | 2.4% / 2.8% |
| Unemployment | Lower: 6.9% | 8.7% | 2025 | — / — |
| Price level (US=100) | 83 | 87 | 2025 | — / — |
| Avg monthly earnings | $4,121 | Higher: $4,783 | 2025 | — / — |
| Minimum wage | $2,106 | — | 2024 | — / — |
| Big Mac price | $5.81 | $7.16 | — | — / — |
| People | ||||
| Population | 41.65 million | 10.60 million | 2025 | 39.19 million / 10.64 million |
| Population growth | 0.9% | 0.3% | 2025 | — / — |
| Median age | 40.6 yrs | 40.3 yrs | 2025 | — / — |
| Fertility rate | 1.33 | 1.44 | 2025 | — / — |
| Life expectancy | 82.1 yrs | Higher: 84.1 yrs | 2024 | — / — |
| Urban population | 83% | 89% | 2025 | — / — |
| Internet users | 94% | Higher: 96% | 2024 / 2025 | — / — |
| Geography | ||||
| Area | 9,984,670 km² | 450,295 km² | — | — / — |
| Population density | 4.2/km² | 23.5/km² | 2025 | — / — |
| Environment | ||||
| CO2 emissions | 533 Mt | Lower: 38 Mt | 2024 | — / — |
| CO2 per capita | 13.4 t | Lower: 3.6 t | 2024 | — / — |
| Military | ||||
| Military spending | $29.35B | $12.04B | 2024 | — / — |
| Military spending (% GDP) | 1.3% | 2.0% | 2024 | — / — |
| Armed forces personnel | 72,000 | 15,000 | 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, 1.5% for Sweden).
Inflation is comparable in both: 2.1% in Canada and 0.7% in Sweden.
Average monthly earnings favour Sweden: $4,783 against $4,121 (ILOSTAT, latest available years).
People and society
Demographically the two are similar, with median ages of 40.6 (Canada) and 40.3 (Sweden).
Life expectancy is 2.0 years longer in Sweden (84.1 vs 82.1).
Geography
By land area, Canada is 22 times the size of Sweden: 9,984,670 km² versus 450,295 km².
Sweden is far more densely settled: 24 people per km² against 4.
Military
Canada spends 2.4 times as much on defence as Sweden: $29.35B versus $12.04B (World Bank/SIPRI data).
Canada fields the larger armed forces: 72,000 personnel against 15,000 (note: personnel data lags; observation years shown in the table).
Frequently asked
- Is Canada bigger than Sweden?
- Canada is larger by land area. Canada covers 9,984,670 km² while Sweden covers 450,295 km², so Canada is 22 times the size of the other.
- Which has more people, Canada or Sweden?
- Canada has the larger population: 41.65 million versus 10.60 million (World Bank, 2025).
- Is Canada richer than Sweden?
- Measured by GDP per capita, Sweden is richer: $63,133 against $55,698. Total GDP tells a different story: $2.32T for Canada versus $669.00B for Sweden.
- Who spends more on their military, Canada or Sweden?
- Canada spends more: $29.35B versus $12.04B per year (World Bank, SIPRI-derived data; observation years vary).