Updated
Overview
Russia has 3.4 times the population of Canada: 143.51 million people against 41.65 million (2025).
Russia's economy is 10% larger than Canada's, at $2.56T versus $2.32T.
Per person, Canada is the wealthier of the two: $55,698 against $17,547 in GDP per capita.
Population
GDP (nominal)
GDP per capita
The full table
| Indicator | Russia | Canada | Years | Factbook, Jan 2026 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Economy | ||||
| GDP (nominal) | Higher: $2.56T | $2.32T | 2025 | $2.17T / $2.24T |
| GDP per capita | $17,547 | Higher: $55,698 | 2025 | — / — |
| GDP growth | 1.0% | Higher: 1.7% | 2025 | — / — |
| Inflation | 8.7% | Lower: 2.1% | 2025 | 6.7% / 2.4% |
| Unemployment | Lower: 2.1% | 6.9% | 2025 | — / — |
| Price level (US=100) | 32 | 83 | 2024 / 2025 | — / — |
| Avg monthly earnings | $777 | Higher: $4,121 | 2021 / 2025 | — / — |
| Minimum wage | $208 | Higher: $2,106 | 2024 | — / — |
| Big Mac price | $1.74 | $5.81 | — | — / — |
| People | ||||
| Population | 143.51 million | 41.65 million | 2025 | 140.13 million / 39.19 million |
| Population growth | -0.1% | 0.9% | 2025 | — / — |
| Median age | 40.3 yrs | 40.6 yrs | 2025 | — / — |
| Fertility rate | 1.46 | 1.33 | 2025 | — / — |
| Life expectancy | 73.4 yrs | Higher: 82.1 yrs | 2024 | — / — |
| Urban population | 75% | 83% | 2025 | — / — |
| Internet users | Higher: 94% | 94% | 2024 | — / — |
| Geography | ||||
| Area | 17,098,242 km² | 9,984,670 km² | — | — / — |
| Population density | 8.4/km² | 4.2/km² | 2025 | — / — |
| Environment | ||||
| CO2 emissions | 1,781 Mt | Lower: 533 Mt | 2024 | — / — |
| CO2 per capita | Lower: 12.3 t | 13.4 t | 2024 | — / — |
| Military | ||||
| Military spending | $148.97B | $29.35B | 2024 | — / — |
| Military spending (% GDP) | 7.1% | 1.3% | 2024 | — / — |
| Armed forces personnel | 1.5 million | 72,000 | 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
Canada is growing faster: 1.7% annual GDP growth versus 1.0%.
Russia runs the hotter price environment: 8.7% inflation versus 2.1%.
Day-to-day prices are noticeably lower in Russia: a price level of 32 versus 83 on a US=100 scale.
Average monthly earnings favour Canada: $4,121 against $777 (ILOSTAT, latest available years).
People and society
Demographically the two are similar, with median ages of 40.3 (Russia) and 40.6 (Canada).
Life expectancy is 8.7 years longer in Canada (82.1 vs 73.4).
Geography
By land area, Russia is 71% larger than Canada: 17,098,242 km² versus 9,984,670 km².
Russia is far more densely settled: 8 people per km² against 4.
Military
Russia spends 5.1 times as much on defence as Canada: $148.97B versus $29.35B (World Bank/SIPRI data).
Relative to its economy, Russia carries the heavier military burden: 7.1% of GDP versus 1.3%.
Russia fields the larger armed forces: 1.5 million personnel against 72,000 (note: personnel data lags; observation years shown in the table).
Frequently asked
- Is Russia bigger than Canada?
- Russia is larger by land area. Russia covers 17,098,242 km² while Canada covers 9,984,670 km², so Russia is 71% larger than the other.
- Which has more people, Russia or Canada?
- Russia has the larger population: 143.51 million versus 41.65 million (World Bank, 2025).
- Is Russia richer than Canada?
- Measured by GDP per capita, Canada is richer: $55,698 against $17,547. Total GDP tells a different story: $2.56T for Russia versus $2.32T for Canada.
- Who spends more on their military, Russia or Canada?
- Russia spends more: $148.97B versus $29.35B per year (World Bank, SIPRI-derived data; observation years vary).