Canada: general information about country, happiness index 2024

World Happiness Report for Canada 2024

  • Overall Happiness Rank Canada: 15
  • Happiness Score Canada:6.900

Happiness is a subjective concept that has long been debated by philosophers, psychologists, and economists alike. However, in recent years, there has been a growing interest in quantifying happiness and using it as a measure of a nation’s overall well-being. This is where the concept of the Happiness Index comes into play.

What is the Happiness Index?

The Happiness Index is a measure that attempts to quantify the overall happiness and life satisfaction of a country’s population. It is based on the idea that traditional economic indicators, such as Gross Domestic Product (GDP), do not fully capture the overall well-being of a society. The Happiness Index takes into account various factors that contribute to an individual’s sense of happiness and life satisfaction, including social support, freedom to make life choices, healthy life expectancy, and perceptions of corruption.

How is the Happiness Index Calculated?

The Happiness Index is calculated through a combination of subjective and objective data. The primary source of data is the Gallup World Poll, which is a survey conducted in over 160 countries. The survey asks respondents to rate their overall life satisfaction on a scale of 0 to 10, with 0 being the worst possible life and 10 being the best possible life.

In addition to the life satisfaction score, the Happiness Index also takes into account the following factors:

  1. GDP per capita: This is a measure of a country’s economic output and standard of living.
  2. Social support: This factor measures the extent to which individuals have supportive relationships and love in their lives.
  3. Healthy life expectancy: This is a measure of the number of years an individual is expected to live in good health.
  4. Freedom to make life choices: This factor measures the extent to which individuals are able to make decisions about their lives without external constraints.
  5. Generosity: This factor measures the extent to which individuals engage in charitable activities and donate to others.
  6. Perceptions of corruption: This factor measures the extent to which individuals perceive their society to be free from corruption.

These factors are weighted and combined to produce an overall Happiness Index score for each country.

What Does the Happiness Index Affect?

The Happiness Index has significant implications for policymaking and societal well-being. Countries with higher Happiness Index scores are generally considered to have better overall quality of life and well-being for their citizens. This can have positive impacts on various aspects of society, including:

  1. Economic productivity: Happier individuals tend to be more productive and engaged in their work, which can contribute to a country’s economic growth.
  2. Public health: Higher levels of happiness and life satisfaction are associated with better physical and mental health outcomes, which can reduce healthcare costs and improve overall well-being.
  3. Social cohesion: Societies with higher levels of happiness tend to have stronger social bonds and lower levels of conflict and crime.
  4. Environmental sustainability: Happier individuals may be more likely to engage in environmentally-friendly behaviors and support policies that promote sustainability.

By focusing on the factors that contribute to happiness and well-being, policymakers can develop strategies to improve the overall quality of life for their citizens. The Happiness Index provides a valuable tool for measuring progress and identifying areas where improvements can be made.

Short information

  • Abbreviation of Canada. CA.

    Canada is the second largest country in the world by land area

  • known for its multicultural society and strong emphasis on diversity and inclusion
  • one of the world’s leading producers of natural resources, such as oil, timber, and minerals

    • Canada – A Comprehensive Overview

    Early History:

    The Indigenous peoples of present-day Canada have inhabited the land for thousands of years, with evidence of human habitation dating back to around 30,000 years ago. The Inuit, First Nations, and Métis were the original inhabitants, with diverse cultures and traditions across the vast territory.

    Kingdoms and Empires:

    Canada did not experience the rise and fall of significant kingdoms or empires within its boundaries. However, parts of present-day Canada were explored and claimed by various European powers, including the French, British, and Spanish, during the Age of Exploration.

    Colonial Period:

    The colonial history of Canada began in the late 15th century when European explorers, primarily from France and Britain, arrived on the eastern coast. The French established several settlements, including Quebec City in 1608, and claimed large territories known as New France. The British gained control of much of the region after the Seven Years’ War in 1763, leading to the division of British North America into Upper and Lower Canada.

    Independence and Modern Era:

    Canada gained its independence gradually through a series of events, including the establishment of the Dominion of Canada in 1867 through the British North America Act, and the Statute of Westminster in 1931, which granted Canada full sovereignty. The country remained a member of the British Empire until 1982 when the Constitution Act officially patriated the Canadian Constitution.

    Current Political Situation:

    Canada is a federal parliamentary democracy and a constitutional monarchy, with Queen Elizabeth II as the head of state represented by the Governor General. The Prime Minister is the head of government, currently Justin Trudeau of the Liberal Party. Canada has a multi-party system, with the Conservative Party and the New Democratic Party as the other major national parties.

    International Relations:

    Canada has maintained strong relationships with its allies, particularly the United States, the United Kingdom, and other Commonwealth nations. It is an active member of international organizations, including the United Nations, NATO, G7, and G20. Canada has also played a significant role in peacekeeping missions and promoting human rights globally.

    Human Development and Economy:

    Canada has a highly developed economy and is a member of the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD). Its major industries include energy, manufacturing, services, and natural resources. Canada ranks highly on the Human Development Index and is known for its universal healthcare system, strong education system, and high standard of living.

    Cultural Highlights:

    Canada is a multicultural society with two official languages, English and French. Indigenous cultures and traditions play a significant role in Canadian identity. Notable cultural contributions include literature, film, music, and the arts, with a vibrant arts scene in cities like Toronto, Montreal, and Vancouver.

    Conclusion: Canada faces ongoing challenges related to reconciliation with Indigenous peoples, climate change, and economic diversification. However, it also enjoys opportunities in areas such as sustainable development, technological innovation, and furthering its role as a global leader in human rights, democracy, and peacekeeping.

Main facts

Location

Canada is a country located in the northern part of North America, extending from the Atlantic Ocean in the east to the Pacific Ocean in the west and northward into the Arctic Ocean. It shares land borders with the United States to the south and northwest.

Map References

Canada is situated in the northern part of the North American continent.

Area – Comparative

With an area of 9,984,670 square kilometers (3,855,100 square miles), Canada is the second-largest country in the world by total area, surpassed only by Russia.

Land Boundaries and Border Countries

Canada shares a total of 8,891 kilometers (5,525 miles) of land borders with the following countries:

Coastline

Canada has a total coastline length of 202,080 kilometers (125,567 miles), which is the longest coastline in the world. It borders three major oceans: the Atlantic, Pacific, and Arctic.

Maritime Claims

Canada has the following maritime claims:

  • Territorial sea: 12 nautical miles
  • Exclusive economic zone: 200 nautical miles
  • Continental shelf: 200 nautical miles or to the outer edge of the continental margin

Climate

Canada has a diverse climate, ranging from Arctic in the north to continental in the interior and temperate along the coasts. The climate is influenced by latitude, proximity to oceans, and air masses from the Arctic, Pacific, and Atlantic Oceans.

Terrain

Canada’s terrain is varied, with vast plains and lowlands in the central regions, the Canadian Shield, the Rocky Mountains along the western coast, and the Arctic tundra in the north. Major river systems include the Mackenzie, St. Lawrence, and Fraser rivers.

Elevation Extremes

The highest point in Canada is Mount Logan at 5,959 meters (19,551 feet) above sea level, located in the Yukon Territory. The lowest point is the Atlantic Ocean at 0 meters (0 feet).

Natural Resources

Canada is rich in natural resources, including iron ore, nickel, zinc, copper, gold, lead, rare earth elements, molybdenum, potash, diamonds, silver, fish, timber, wildlife, coal, petroleum, natural gas, and hydropower.

Major Bodies of Water

Canada has a vast network of lakes and rivers, including the Great Lakes (shared with the United States), Great Slave Lake, Great Bear Lake, and Lake Winnipeg. Major rivers include the St. Lawrence River, Mackenzie River, and Fraser River.

Natural Hazards

The main natural hazards in Canada include cyclonic storms off both the Atlantic and Pacific coasts, flooding along many river basins, and occasional droughts in the interior regions. Canada also experiences wildfires, particularly in the western provinces.

Geography – Notes

Canada is renowned for its diverse landscapes, including the Canadian Rockies, the Arctic tundra, the vast boreal forests, and the many lakes and rivers that crisscross the country. It is also home to numerous national and provincial parks, which protect and preserve its natural beauty.

  • Forest Area (% of land area): 38.20%. This is the percentage of a country’s total land area that is covered by natural or planted forests.
  • Co2 Emissions: 544,894. CO2 emissions refer to the release of carbon dioxide gas into the atmosphere, primarily from the burning of fossil fuels (coal, oil, and natural gas) for energy production, transportation, and industrial processes.
  • Agricultural Land( %). 6.90%. Agricultural land refers to the share of land area that is arable and used for cultivating crops or raising livestock.
  • Geographic Coordinates:  56.130366-106.346771.
  • Capital: The capital of Canada is  Ottawa
  • Major Cities:
    • Toronto – Population: 2,731,571
    • Montreal – Population: 1,704,694
    • Vancouver – Population: 631,486
    • Calgary – Population: 1,096,833
    • Edmonton – Population: 972,223
  • Population: 36,991,981
  • Area(Km2): 9984670
  • Population Density( P/Km²):4. This is the number of people living per square kilometer of land area in a given region or country.
  • Calling Code:1
  • Official Language(s):Canada is English and French (both official languages) with English being spoken by 56.9% and French by 21.3% of the population.
  • Currency: CAD

Main Economic Indicators

Canada has a highly developed, diversified economy that is reliant on trade. It is the 10th largest economy globally with strengths in natural resources, manufacturing, and service-based industries. Key economic challenges include productivity growth, climate change, and housing affordability. Notable policies aim to promote sustainability, innovation, and Indigenous reconciliation.

Inflation Rate (Consumer Prices)

6.8% in 2022 (Statistics Canada)
3.4% in 2021 (Statistics Canada)

Credit Ratings

Fitch: AAA (Stable)
Moody’s: Aaa (Stable)
Standard & Poor’s: AAA (Stable)

GDP – Composition by Sector of Origin

Agriculture: 1.6%
Industry: 28.2%
Services: 70.2%

Key Agricultural and Industrial Products

Agricultural: wheat, canola, corn, soybeans, pork, beef
Industrial: motor vehicles and parts, machinery and equipment, aircraft, telecommunications equipment, aluminum, chemicals, plastics

Labor Force

Total Labor Force: 20.3 million (2022, ranked 15th globally)

Current Account Balance

-$22.5 billion (2022, ranked 181st globally)
$15.5 billion (2021, ranked 176th globally)

Exports and Imports

Exports: $715.9 billion (2022)
Key Partners: United States, China, Mexico
Main Commodities: vehicles and parts, machinery, gems and precious metals, energy products

Imports: $737.3 billion (2022)
Key Partners: United States, China, Mexico
Main Commodities: vehicles and parts, machinery, electronics, energy products

Reserves of Foreign Exchange and Gold

Foreign Exchange Reserves: $102.8 billion (December 2022)
Gold Reserves: 77.24 tonnes (January 2023)

  • GDP (Current US$):$1,736,425,629,520. It represents a country’s gross domestic product measured in current US dollars. Higher values indicate a larger economy and economic output.
  • Tax Revenue (% of GDP): 12.80%. It refers to the amount of tax revenue collected by the government, expressed as a percentage of the country’s gross domestic product (GDP). Higher values indicate a higher tax burden relative to the size of the economy.
  • Total Tax Rate (% of commercial profits): 24.50%. This is the sum of all taxes payable by businesses, expressed as a percentage of their commercial profits. Higher values indicate a higher tax burden on businesses.
  • Gasoline Price. $0.81. It refers to the cost of one liter or gallon of gasoline/petrol. Higher values indicate more expensive gasoline prices for consumers and businesses.
  • Minimum wage. $9.51. It refers to the lowest legally mandated hourly wage that employers must pay their workers. Higher values indicate a higher minimum level of pay for low-wage workers.
  • Unemployment Rate (%): 5.56%. It represents the percentage of the labor force that is unemployed and actively seeking employment. Higher values indicate more joblessness in the economy.

Social Indicators

Noun: Canadian(s)

Adjective: Canadian

Ethnic Groups

  • Canadian (32.3%)
  • English (18.3%)
  • Scottish (13.9%)
  • French (13.6%)
  • Irish (13.4%)
  • German (9.6%)
  • Chinese (5.1%)
  • Italian (4.6%)
  • Indigenous (4.4%)
  • East Indian (4%)
  • Other (21.3%)

Religions

  • Christianity (63.2%)
    • Catholic (38.7%)
    • Protestant (23.3%)
    • Other Christian (1.2%)
  • No religion (23.9%)
  • Islam (3.2%)
  • Hinduism (1.5%)
  • Sikhism (1.4%)
  • Buddhism (1%)
  • Judaism (1%)
  • Other (4.8%)

Age Structure

  • 0-14 years: 16.2%
  • 15-64 years: 67.2%
  • 65 years and over: 16.6%

Dependency Ratios

Total Dependency Ratio: 49.4%

Youth Dependency Ratio: 23.5%

Elderly Dependency Ratio: 25.9%

Median Age

Total: 41.2 years

Male: 40.1 years

Female: 42.4 years

Lifestyle Indicators

  • Obesity Rate: 29.4% of the adult population
  • Alcohol Consumption: 10.8 liters of pure alcohol per capita per year
  • Tobacco Use: 17.9% of the adult population
  • Life Expectancy at Birth: 82.5 years (78.8 years for males, 86.4 years for females)
  • Life Expectancy at Birth: 81.9. Life Expectancy at Birth refers to the estimated average number of years a newborn is expected to live based on current mortality rates. Higher values indicate better health outcomes and living conditions in a country or region.
  • Literacy Rate (% of adults): 99%. It refers to the percentage of the population aged 15 and above who can read and write with understanding of a short simple statement about their everyday life. Higher literacy rates indicate better educational attainment within a population.
  • Birth Rate:10.1. Birth Rate is the total number of live births per 1,000 population in a given year. Higher birth rates indicate a larger share of the population being born each year.
  • Death Rate:8. Death Rate is the number of deaths per 1,000 population in a given year. Higher death rates indicate more people dying annually within a population.
  • Fertility Rate: 1.4. Fertility Rate is the average number of children a woman would have over her reproductive years based on current birth rates. Higher fertility rates indicate larger family sizes and population growth.
  • Internet Users (% of population): 89%. Internet Users (% of population) refers to the percentage of the total population in a country or region that has access to and uses the internet. Higher values indicate greater internet penetration and connectivity among the population.
  • Urban Population: 30,628,482. Urban Population refers to the percentage or number of people living in urban areas or cities within a country or region. Higher urban population values indicate greater urbanization and concentration of people in cities compared to rural areas.
  • Out of Pocket Health Expenditure (% of total health expenditure):14.60%. Out of Pocket Health Expenditure (% of total health expenditure) represents the portion of total health care costs that individuals pay directly out of their own pockets, rather than being covered by insurance or government programs. Higher values indicate greater personal financial burden for health care expenses.

Infrastructure and Services

Military and Security Forces

The Canadian Armed Forces consists of the following branches:

  • Canadian Army
  • Royal Canadian Navy
  • Royal Canadian Air Force
  • Canadian Special Operations Forces Command – elite special forces

The Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) is the national civilian police force responsible for maintaining internal security.

Military Expenditures

Canada’s military expenditure as a percentage of GDP for the last five years:

  • 2021: 1.36%
  • 2020: 1.41%
  • 2019: 1.31%
  • 2018: 1.32%
  • 2017: 1.25%

Canada ranked 14th globally in military spending in 2021.

Personnel Strengths

Total active-duty military personnel: 71,500 (approx.)

  • Canadian Army: 23,000
  • Royal Canadian Navy: 10,000
  • Royal Canadian Air Force: 14,500
  • Other Services: 24,000

The RCMP has approximately 18,500 officers.

Military Equipment Inventories and Acquisitions

Key military hardware includes:

  • Main Battle Tanks: Leopard 2A4, Leopard 2A6M
  • Armored Vehicles: LAV III, Tactical Armored Patrol Vehicle
  • Artillery: M777 Howitzers, M109A6 Paladin Self-Propelled Howitzers
  • Combat Aircraft: CF-18 Hornet fighters, CH-147F Chinook transport helicopters
  • Naval Vessels: Halifax-class frigates, Victoria-class submarines

Significant future acquisitions include 88 F-35 Lightning II fighter jets and 15 surface combatant ships under the Canadian Surface Combatant program.

Military Service Age and Obligation

Military service is voluntary for Canadian citizens and permanent residents between 16 and 57 years old. There is no mandatory military service obligation.

Military Deployments

Current major overseas deployments include:

Canada also contributes military personnel to various NATO and UN peacekeeping missions worldwide.

Strategic Military Notes

Canada’s defense strategy focuses on protecting its Arctic sovereignty, participating in continental defense through NORAD, and contributing to international security through NATO and UN operations. The Canadian Armed Forces play a crucial role in global peacekeeping, humanitarian assistance, and disaster relief efforts.

Canada is a founding member of NATO and maintains close defense cooperation with the United States through bilateral agreements like NORAD and the Canada-U.S. Civil Assistance Plan. It is also an active participant in the Five Eyes intelligence-sharing alliance.

  • Armed Forces Size: 67400. Armed Forces Size refers to the total number of active personnel serving in a country’s military forces, including the army, navy, air force, and other branches. Higher values indicate a larger military presence and personnel.
  • Physicians per Thousand: Number of doctors per 1,000 people is 2.61
  • Population: Labor Force Participation (%): 65.10%. This is the percentage of the total population aged 15 and older that is economically active, meaning they are either employed or actively seeking employment. Higher values indicate a greater proportion of the working-age population engaged in the labor force.

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