In 2005, Statistics Canada showed Canada's population to be over 32 million (32 078 819). 

According to Statistics Canada, in 2002, the leading Canadian cities are Toronto (5.03 million), Montreal (3.55 million), Vancouver (2.12 million), Ottawa-Gatineau, the National Capital Region (1.13 million).

In 2001, a large majority of Canadians, 79.7 percent, was living in cities and towns. 

In 2000, the average family size was 3, including 1 child.

Canada ranks sixth in the world in standard of living (measured according to gross domestic product per capita), behind only the United States, Switzerland, Luxembourg, Germany and Japan. Canada's rank among nations tends to rise even higher in assessments that consider gross domestic product per capita along with other factors (e.g., life expectancy, education) that contribute to the overall "quality of life".

In 2001, about 3.3% of Canadians belonged to one or more of the three Aboriginal groups recognized by the Constitution Act, 1982: North American Indian, Métis, or Inuit. 2.1% are North American Indian, 1% Métis, and 0.2% Inuit. 

According to the 2001 census, more than four-fifths of Canadians are Christian, with Catholics accounting for about 44 percent of the population and Protestants about 29 percent. Other religions include Judaism, Islam, Hinduism, Sikhism and Buddhism. Some 17 percent, more than any single denomination except Roman Catholic, have no religious affiliation at all.

Canada has two official languages: English, the mother tongue of about 59 percent of Canadians; and French, the first language of 23 percent of the population. A full 18 percent have either more than one mother tongue or a mother tongue other than English or French, such as Chinese, Italian, German, Polish, Spanish, Portuguese, Punjabi, Ukrainian, Arabic, Dutch, Tagalog, Greek, Vietnamese, Cree, Inuktitut, or other languages. 

The Official Languages Act makes French and English the official languages of Canada and provides for special measures aimed at enhancing the vitality and supporting the development of English and French linguistic minority communities. Canada's federal institutions reflect the equality of its two official languages by offering bilingual services.

In 2001, about 37 percent of the population reported "Canadian" as their single ethnic origin, with 14 percent reporting British Isles-only ancestry and 6 percent French-only ancestry. In 1996, about 10 percent reported a combination of British Isles, French, or Canadian origin, with another 16 percent reporting an ancestry of either British Isles, French or Canadian in combination with some other origin. Some 28 percent reported origins other than the British Isles, French or Canadian.