Population Pyramids of the World from 1950 to 2100

Canada Population Pyramid 1978

Canada
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1978
Population: 23,978,738

Year

-5 -1   1978  +1 +5

Country

A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W Y Z
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Summary

Canada in 1978

The population of Canada in 1978 was 23,978,739. That is 15.6% more than in 1968, when the population stood at 20,734,171.

The median age was 28.5 years, and for every 100 people of working age (15–64) there were 35.9 children under 15 and 13.4 people aged 65 or over. This is a constrictive pyramid — its base is narrower than its middle, the signature of sustained low birth rates and population ageing.

Ranks #32 of 201 by population Ranks #39 of 201 by median age Ranks #139 of 201 by growth

Share of the population by age group, 1950–2100

Data source: United Nations World Population Prospects, 2024 revision (medium variant) — last updated July 2024.

Key indicators for Canada
Population
23,978,739
Median age
28.5
0-14 %
24.0%
65+ %
9.0%
Child dependency
35.9
Old-age dependency
13.4
Region
NORTHERN AMERICA
Pyramid shape
Constrictive
Population 2050
45,621,882
Population 2100
53,612,235
What is driving the change
Births per woman
Total fertility rate, 1960–2023
1234
1960Replacement level (2.1)2023 · 1.26

In 2023 women in Canada had on average 1.26 children, below the replacement level of 2.1.

Source: World Bank World Development Indicators, latest available year.

Life expectancy at birth
Years, 1960–2023
Total Women Men
60708090
19602023 · 81.6

Life expectancy at birth was 81.6 years in 2023: 83.9 for women and 79.5 for men.

Source: World Bank World Development Indicators, latest available year.

People supported per 100 workers
Dependency ratios, 1950–2100
Children Older adults
15304560
19502100
Migration to and from Canada
Where immigrants come from (2024)

8,805,571 immigrants live in Canada, 22.2% of the population.

India1,015,630
Philippines835,779
China771,973
United Kingdom427,526
Pakistan266,682
Where emigrants live (2024)

1,341,948 people born in Canada live in other countries.

United States of America950,387
United Kingdom81,845
Australia57,190
Italy23,315
China23,177
Explore
Immigration statistics Origin of migrant stocks map

Source: United Nations International Migrant Stock 2024.

How Canada compares with its neighbours
Country Population Median age Relative size
Canada 23,978,739 28.5
United States of America 225,396,096 29.6
Frequently asked questions about Canada's population
What was the population of Canada in 1978?
Canada had a population of 23,978,739 in 1978.
Is the population of Canada increasing or decreasing?
Yes, growing: up 15.6% from 1968, with a projected population of 45,621,882 in 2050.
What is the median age in Canada?
The median age in Canada is 28.5 years — half the population is younger, half older.
How many children and older people live in Canada?
In Canada, 24.0% of people are under 15 and 9.0% are 65 or older.
What shape is Canada's population pyramid, and what does it mean?
Canada has a constrictive pyramid: cohorts of children are smaller than those of their parents, reflecting low fertility and an ageing population.

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