Oh Say, Can You See Canada?
They are the two biggest countries in North America and they share the longest undefended border in the world. Though as similar as they are, Canada and the United States are also very different in many ways. But which country is better? Well, let's look at the numbers and settle this argument once and for all...
Population
Canada: 39,742,400
United States: 345,427,000
These are 2024 numbers.
Population: United States
Does population size have anything to do with how great a country is? Well, that's debatable, but regardless—the United States wins this round.
Total Area
Canada: 9,984,670 km2 (3,855,100 mi2)
United States: 9,525,067 km2 (3,677,647 mi2)
This comprises total area (land and water).
Total Area: Canada
If population size is something to note, than area size should be as well, right? And Canada takes this one. Only Russia and the Antarctic have larger total areas than Canada.
International Hockey Gold Medals
Canada: 37
United States: 4
We're looking at the Olympics and World Championships.
Saeima, CC BY-SA 2.0, Wikimedia Commons
International Hockey Gold Medals: Canada
Canada has won Olympic hockey gold nine times and World Championship gold 28 times. While the USA has two golds each from both tournaments. This probably doesn't surprise anyone.
And to be fair, after hockey we should also look at...
s.yume, CC BY 2.0, Wikimedia Commons
International Basketball Gold Medals
Canada: 0
United States: 29
We're looking at the Olympic Games, FIBA World Cup, and FIBA AmeriCup.
Vitriden, CC BY-SA 3.0, Wikimedia Commons
International Basketball Gold Medals: United States
The US national basketball team have won: 17 Olympic Gold medals, 5 World Cup Gold medals, and 7 AmeriCup Golds. As easy a win as the last round was for Canada, this one was for the United States.
GDP
Canada: $2.16 trillion
United States: $25.43 trillion
GDP: United States
While a $2.16 trillion GDP is impressive and puts Canada as the ninth highest GDP on the Planet—no country can come close to the US and their $25.43 trillion GDP. Even China, sitting in second place, is over $10 trillion behind ($14.72 trillion).
Cost Of Living
Canada: 22
United States: 13
2025 Cost of Living index ranking.
Cost Of Living: Canada
Here are the full numbers...
Canada
Cost of Living Index: 58.7
Rent Index: 30.3
Cost of Living Plus Rent Index: 46.1
Groceries Index: 65.3
Restaurant Price Index: 59.9
Local Purchasing Power Index: 109.1
USA
Cost of Living Index: 64.9
Rent Index: 40.9
Cost of Living Plus Rent Index: 54.3
Groceries Index: 71.7
Restaurant Price Index: 69.3
Local Purchasing Power Index: 146.2
Xchap1x, CC BY-SA 3.0, Wikimedia Commons
Intentional Homicide Rate
Canada: 2.273
United States: 5.763
Per 100,000 inhabitants.
Intentional Homicide Rate: Canada
Obviously—like in golf—when it comes to the homicide rate, the lower the number the better. And if you are curious where both countries fall in the world rankings put out by the UN...
Canada: 110th
United States: 65th
Olympic Medals
Canada: 578
United States: 3,095
Total medals from Summer and Winter games.
AlSepPhoenix, CC BY-SA 4.0, Wikimedia Commons
Olympic Medals: United States
The United States has the most Olympic medals of any country in history. But while they blow Canada away in Summer medals, the numbers are much closer when it comes to the Winter games...
Canada: 353 (summer), 225 (winter)
United State: 2,765 (summer), 330 (winter)
Friendliest
Canada: 1st
United States: 42nd
Friendliest: Canada
According to a US News and World Report ranking, the stereotype is true: Canada is the friendliest country in the world. The US came in 42nd.
Air Pollution
Canada: 6.04
United States: 6.91
Their average measured concentration of particulate matter (PM2.5) in micrograms per cubic meter (μg/m3).
Diliff, CC BY-SA 3.0, Wikimedia Commons
Air Pollution: Canada
While Canada has less air pollution than the United States, both countries fall below the World Health Organization's recommended limit of 10 micrograms per cubic meter.
Marc-Lautenbacher, CC BY-SA 4.0, Wikimedia Commons
Mensa Members
Canada: 2,022
United States: 50,000
Mensa Members: United States
For all of us non-Mensa members, those totals as a percentage of the country's total population equate to:
Canada: 0.005%
United States: 0.014%
So, the USA takes this one.
iDominick, CC BY-SA 2.0, Wikimedia Commons
Best Restaurants In The World
Canada: 0
United States: 1
Based on the 2024 "The World's 50 Best Restaurants" awards.
Best Restaurants In The World: United States
Both countries have some great restaurants, that's for sure. However, on the 2024 "The World's 50 Best Restaurants" awards list, America has one restaurant on the list (Atomix in New York) while Canada has none.
Also: Going back to 2002, Canada has never had a restaurant in the top three, while the United States has had two (The French Laundry, Eleven Madison Park).
Transpoman, CC BY-SA 4.0, Wikimedia Commons
Declared War In WWII
Canada: September 10, 1939
United States: December 8, 1941
Royal Air Force official photographer, Wikimedia Commons
Declared War In WWII: Canada
We can all agree that war is awful—however, when it comes to wars, there have been a few throughout history that have been deemed "just wars". And WWII, with its moral fight against the tyranny of the Axis powers, is one such "just" war.
And it is a fight that Canada got into with their declaration of war against Germany on September 10, 1939. Whereas it would be another two years before the Americans would make their declaration.
The City of Vancouver Archives, Wikimedia Commons
World Happiness Report
Canada: 15th
United States: 23rd
International ranking of the report.
World Happiness Report: Canada
Taking into account a number of factors, including: Real GDP per capita, social support, healthy life expectancy, freedom to make life choices, generosity, and perceptions of corruption
And while neither country is as "happy" as Finland (which has been ranked number one for seven years in a row), Canada comes in 12 spots ahead of the United States in the Happiness Report world rankings.
Disposable Income Per Capita
Canada: 10th
United States: 1st
Disposable Income Per Capita: United States
With a disposable income per capita of $58,228.51, the United States ranked number one in the world for this stat. Canada came in 10th with a disposable income per capita of $34,305.12.
Funniest People
Canada: Jim Carrey, Norm MacDonald, Mike Myers, Dan Aykroyd, Phil Hartman, Catherine O'Hara, Seth Rogan
United States: Robin Williams, Dave Chappelle, Kristen Wiig, Chris Rock, George Carlin, Steve Martin, Gilda Radner
Just to name a few...
Matteo Chinellato, Shutterstock
Funniest People: Canada
There are stand-up greats, sketch geniuses, and brilliant movie actors on both sides of the border. However, we decided that Lorne Michaels was the tie-breaker. The man behind Saturday Night Live is Canadian so the Great White North takes this round.
Library of Congress Life, CC0, Wikimedia Commons
Best Barbecue: United States
While there is definitely some great BBQ in Canada—we don't really need numbers to know that the USA is home to the best in North America (and probably the world).
And the same goes for...
Best Poutine: Canada
There are no doubt some places serving up great poutine in the United States, but no one does it better than Canada.
B, CC BY-SA 4.0, Wikimedia Commons
Life Expectancy
Canada: 82.72 (average); 84.91 (males); 80.53 (females)
United States: 79.46 (average); 81.98 (males); 77.05 (females)
World Average: 73.3 (average); 76.0 (males) 70.7 (females)
Life Expectancy: Canada
Not only do Canadians have a longer life expectancy than their neighbor to the south, but as far as world rankings go—Canada comes in 20th as compared to the US at 48. Canada can also boast the highest life expectancy amongst all North American countries.
And The Winner Is...
Canada: 11
United States: 8
Well, it's official...Canada is the better country. Thoughts?
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