What Is The Population Of Canada
The population of Canada is close to 34 million people, distributed in territories, provinces, agglomerations, urban areas, cities and towns. Nunavut, Yukon, and the Northwest Territories comprise over one third of the territory, but the number of Canadians living there is small. The population of Canada is mostly concentrated close to the border with US. That is why, people mostly reside in regions with a high population density. The largest metropolitan areas in Canada are Toronto, Vancouver, Montreal, Calgary, Ottawa–Gatineau, Edmonton, and Quebec City.
With the exception of the Northwest Territories, the number of people of all territories and provinces grew in the period 2008 – 2009. The fastest-growing provinces are Alberta and Yukon, with 2.56 percent and 2.09 percent respectively. Interprovincial migration, immigration, death and birth rates and the major factors leading to population growth. However, population growth is mainly due to immigration rather than natural growth. Similar to other Western countries, the population of Canada is aging, with a larger number of retirees and fewer persons of working age. The average age for Canada is 39.5 years.
Regarding ethnicity, 32 percent of residents identified themselves as Canadian, 21 percent as English, and close to 16 percent as French. Other represented ethnicities are German, Scottish, Irish, Italian, Chinese, etc. While the aboriginal population is only 4 percent of all residents, its population growth is close to twice that of the national rate. Some 16 percent of Canadians belong to non-aboriginal ethnic minorities. The largest ethnic groups are Black, Chinese, and South Asian.
The immigration rate for Canada is one of the highest globally. The main factors that drive immigration are family reunification and the country’s economic policy. In their majority, new immigrants choose to settle in urban areas such as Vancouver and Toronto. In addition, the country gives refugee status to many foreign nationals. Regarding refugee flow, 1 in 10 persons settles in the country.
In view of religious affiliation, 77 percent of Canadians have identified themselves as Christians. Most of them or 44 percent belong to the Catholic denomination. Amont the largest denominations are the Church of Canada, the Baptist, Lutheran, and Anglican churches. More than 4 percent of residents consider themselves other Christians. Non-Christian religious are represented by Judaism and Islam, while over 16 percent of Canadians have declared no religious affiliation. In terms of spoken languages, the official languages of Canada are English and French. All citizens of Canada have the right to receive assistance and services by the federal government in the two official languages. English and French enjoy equal status in the federal courts, the Parliament, and all federal institutions. More than 85 percent of the French-speaking Canadians live in Quebec, but some have settled in Ontario, Southern Manitoba, and Alberta. In fact, the largest French speaking community living outside Quebec resides in Ontario. Official-language ethnic minorities have the right to study in their own schools. The majority language in the province of Nunavut is Inuktitut. Aboriginal languages have been recognized formally in the Northwest Territories as well.