Country explorer: Canada

Canada has witnessed modest but steady economic growth marked by a gradual decrease in unemployment rates and controlled inflation, mirroring trends seen in other high-income countries, albeit with a distinct resilience in managing economic contractions and maintaining price stability.

Canada has experienced notable population growth driven by high net migration, a fertility rate that is relatively lower than the global average but in line with other high-income nations, and a life expectancy that consistently rises, highlighting its status as a country with high standards of living and robust healthcare comparable to its peers in the developed world.

Canada has consistently maintained near universal access to clean cooking fuels, electricity, and safely managed drinking water, paralleling its high-income country peers, while achieving significant progress in improving access to safely managed sanitation facilities.

Canada has demonstrated consistent improvement in human development indicators, including increases in the Human Development Index, a reduction in child mortality rates, maintenance of high literacy rates, and progress in average learning-adjusted years of schooling, aligning with trends observed in other high-income countries yet distinguished by its particular emphasis on education quality and health outcomes.

Canada has demonstrated a strong commitment to environmental sustainability and renewable energy, evidenced by declining per capita CO₂ emissions, substantial investment in various renewable energy sources, the maintenance of vast forest areas, and the abundance of renewable internal freshwater resources, positioning it uniquely among high-income countries for its extensive natural resources and concerted efforts towards balancing energy needs with environmental preservation.

Canada has seen a significant digital transformation and growth in technological adoption, with an increase in internet usage, mobile phone subscriptions, and a steady investment in research and development, exhibiting characteristics similar to its high-income country peers in embracing technological progress.

Canada has seen significant societal transformations including increased diversity through higher immigrant populations, sustained life satisfaction levels amidst global challenges, continued strides in gender equality, and demographic shifts towards an aging population, reflecting both distinctive and shared aspects with peer nations in adapting to global changes and challenges.

Canada has maintained high governance standards, showcasing notable consistency in rule of law, limited corruption, and robust political civil liberties and press freedom, aligning closely with other high-income countries but demonstrating a mild decline in rule of law and press freedom indices that warrants attention.