The following is a comparison between the United States of America (USA) and Canada, the two largest countries in North America. Let’s read.
USA and Canada – country comparison
GDP
• The United States has a larger economy and a higher GDP per capita than Canada. Both countries are advanced economies with service sectors that account for the largest share of economic activity. The table below compares the GDP and GDP per capita of the two countries.
| 2025 (IMF) | USA | Canada |
|---|---|---|
| Currency | United States dollar | Canadian dollar |
| GDP (nominal, USD) | $30.77 trillion | $2.32 trillion |
| GDP per capita (nominal, USD) | $89.99 thousand | $55.76 thousand |
| GDP (PPP, international $) | $30.77 trillion | $2.79 trillion |
| GDP per capita (PPP, international $) | $89.99 thousand | $67.01 thousand |
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Population
| 2025 estimate | USA | Canada |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 347.3 million | 40.1 million |
| Population aged 0-14 | 17% | 15% |
| Population aged 15-64 | 65% | 65% |
| Population aged 65 and older | 18% | 20% |
| Total fertility rate, per woman | 1.6 | 1.3 |
Life
| USA | Canada | |
|---|---|---|
| Life expectancy at birth (2023/UN) | 79.3 | 82.63 |
| Human Development Index rank (2023) | 17th | 16th |
| Human Development Index value | 0.938 | 0.939 |
Overview
• Canada is larger than the United States in terms of total area.
• The United States has a larger population and a higher population density than Canada.
| USA | Canada | |
|---|---|---|
| Area | approximately 9.8 million sq km | approximately 10 million sq km |
| Population | 347.3 million (2025 estimate) | 40.1 million (2025 estimate) |
| Capital city | Washington, D.C. | Ottawa |
| Largest city | New York City | Toronto |
| Most spoken language | English | English |
| Second most spoken language | Spanish | French |
| Popular sports | American football, baseball, and basketball | Ice Hockey and Lacrosse |
(Also read: USA and Russia – country comparison | USA vs Russia)
Geography
| USA | Canada | |
|---|---|---|
| Continent | North America | North America |
| Forest cover (2023) | 33.9% | 39.5% |
| Total number of time zones | 11 | 6 |
| Highest mountain | Denali/Mount McKinley (6,190 m/20,310 ft) | Mount Logan (5,959 m/19,551 ft) |
| Largest lake | Lake Superior (shared with Canada); Lake Michigan (entirely within the United States) | Lake Superior (shared); Great Bear Lake (entirely within Canada) |
| Major rivers | Missouri, Mississippi, Yukon, Rio Grande, Arkansas, Colorado, etc. | Mackenzie, Yukon, Saint Lawrence, Nelson, Slave, etc. |
| Largest island | Hawaii Island (10,430 sq km) | Baffin Island (507,450 sq km) |
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Tourism
| USA | Canada | |
|---|---|---|
| International tourist arrivals | 72.4 million (2024) | 19.9 million (2024) |
| Number of UNESCO World Heritage Sites | 26 | 22 |
| Popular places to visit | New York City, Los Angeles, Chicago, Yellowstone National Park, San Francisco, Yosemite National Park, Grand Canyon, etc. | Toronto, Montreal, Niagara Falls, Ottawa, Banff National Park, Vancouver, Quebec City, etc. |
National symbols
| USA | Canada | |
|---|---|---|
| National bird | Bald eagle | Gray jay |
| National tree | The oak | The maple tree |
| National animal | American bison (national mammal) | Beaver and the Canadian horse |
(Also read: Which country has the most lakes – Canada, Russia, or the US?)
Climate
Canada, being closer to the North Pole, experiences colder climates than the United States. In contrast, the US has a greater diversity of climates, ranging from arctic conditions in Alaska to tropical weather in Florida and Hawaii.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
The United States has a much larger economy and a higher per capita income than Canada.
The US has 11 time zones when including its overseas territories, whereas Canada has 6.
Canada has a larger total area than United States. Canada is the second-largest country in the world by total area, while the United States is slightly smaller.
The United States (347.3 million) has a much larger population than Canada (40.1 million).
The border between the USA and Canada is 5,525 miles (8,891 km) long. It holds the record for being the longest international border in the world between two countries.