Clear, credible insights to guide governments, businesses, and citizens in shaping a more prosperous, united Canada.
This is Century Initiative’s 5th annual National Scorecard on Canada’s Growth and Prosperity. This scorecard assesses 40 indicators across 4 focus areas. It provides a strategic window into where Canada leads, remains on track, needs to focus attention, or is falling behind on the issues that will influence Canada’s future.
Canada is a leader on this indicator, either ranking or rating among the best internationally or performing well against national goals.
Canada has either met the target identified or is expected to meet the target in the near-term.
Canada has not met the target identified for the indicator but is within a range where it could meet the target in future years with intervention and support.
Canada is lagging compared to similar countries or failing to meet the target identified for the indicator and significant work is needed to meet the target in future years.
Leading: Canada is a leader on this indicator, either ranking or rating among the best internationally or performing well against national goals.
On track: Canada has either met the target identified for the indicator or is expected to meet the target in the near-term.
Needs attention: Canada has not met the target identified for the indicator but is within a range where it could meet the target in future years with intervention and support.
Falling behind: Canada is lagging compared to similar countries or failing to meet the target identified for the indicator and significant work is needed to meet the target in future years.
Leading: Canada is a leader on this indicator, either ranking or rating among the best internationally or performing well against national goals.
On track: Canada has either met the target identified for the indicator or is expected to meet the target in the near-term.
Needs attention: Canada has not met the target identified for the indicator but is within a range where it could meet the target in future years with intervention and support.
Falling behind: Canada is lagging compared to similar countries or failing to meet the target identified for the indicator and significant work is needed to meet the target in future years.
Canada’s economic resilience depends on its ability to scale businesses, strengthen household finances and diversify trade in the face of ongoing global and domestic challenges.
Canada’s long-term success depends on building inclusive, well-planned communities with accessible housing, infrastructure and services that support a growing and diverse population.
Canada’s future growth depends on a well-aligned immigration system that maintains public confidence, supports newcomer success and strengthens long-term demographic and economic resilience.
Canada’s ability to respond to climate risks, defend its borders, and lead on global challenges depends on stronger economic foundations, resilient infrastructure, and sustained investment in national security and international partnerships.
What the Scorecard tells us about Canada’s challenges — and how we can build a stronger future together.
With growth stalling and the median age rising, Canada needs a smart population plan that balances housing and services now while sustaining a skilled workforce, resilient tax base, and competitiveness through cross-government collaboration and real-time data.
Canada’s talent and startup energy aren’t translating into growth. We lag peers on R&D, productivity, and scaling firms—eroding GDP per capita—so the next five years must focus on incentives for R&D and competition, support for scale-ups, and tighter links between education/training and high-value jobs.
Canada needs stable, competitive immigration policy to win the global talent race. Canada can seize a global opening but only with a stable, predictable, and competitive immigration system that fuels workforce growth, innovation, and a resilient tax base.
Affordability is more than a pocketbook issue, it’s a core driver of economic stability and competitiveness. When Canadians can’t afford housing, education, or basics, productivity, cohesion, and institutional trust decline. A comprehensive plan on housing, debt, wages, and inequality is critical to long-term resilience.
Economic, demographic, and military security are inseparable. Without a strong workforce and resilient economy, Canada cannot meet its global defence commitments. Resilience requires defence investment alongside modern data systems, cybersecurity depth, and diversified trade.
Canada’s ability to respond to climate risks, defend its borders, and lead on global challenges depends on stronger economic foundations, resilient infrastructure, and sustained investment in national security and international partnerships.
Canada’s future growth depends on a well-aligned immigration system that maintains public confidence, supports newcomer success and strengthens long-term demographic and economic resilience.
Canada’s long-term success depends on building inclusive, well-planned communities with accessible housing, infrastructure and services that support a growing and diverse population.
Canada’s economic resilience depends on its ability to scale businesses, strengthen household finances and diversify trade in the face of ongoing global and domestic challenges.
If you’re in government – Spot where Canada is leading or lagging. Use it to set priorities, shape policy, and show Canadians why action matters now.
If you’re in business – Connect the dots between talent, infrastructure, climate, and immigration. Lead change inside your company and push for policies that strengthen Canada’s competitive edge.
If you’re in the non-profit or labour sector – Mobilize partners, donors, and communities to advance social, economic, and environmental well-being.
If you’re in academia – Target high-impact research opportunities and share proven solutions to the challenges the Scorecard highlights.
If you’re a Canadian – See how we can work together to build a stronger, more prosperous, and more united Canada — and where your voice and actions can make a difference.
Since 2021, Century Initiative has continuously improved the Scorecard with the input of its Expert Panel and a wider network of academics, policy, business, and non-profit leaders. This process has focused on responding to new trends and insights while balancing the value of continuity in measurement.
In 2025, the Scorecard adopted a new four-part structure, replacing the previous focus areas. The updated structure reflects a more integrated view of how long-term prosperity is achieved, organized around four outcome-based themes. To learn more about the Evolution of the National Scorecard download the detailed report.
