Quality of life comparison
If you lived in Canada instead of Switzerland, you would:
Health
be 32.7% less likely to die by suicide
Switzerland has a suicide rate of 14.0 per 100,000 people as of 2021. In Canada, it is 9.4 per 100,000 as of 2021.
live 2.3 years less
In Switzerland, the average life expectancy is 84 years (83 years for men, 86 years for women) as of 2024. In Canada, that number is 82 years (80 years for men, 84 years for women) as of 2024.
be 2.3 times more likely to be obese
In Switzerland, 11.3% of adults are obese as of 2024. In Canada, that number is 26.0% of people as of 2024.
see 27.9% less spent on your healthcare
Switzerland spends $10,602 per person on healthcare as of 2023 (international dollars, adjusted for prices). Canada spends $7,646 as of 2024.
have 37.0% fewer doctors per person
Switzerland has 44.8 doctors per 10,000 people as of 2022. Canada has 28.2 as of 2023.
Economy
be 41.9% more likely to be unemployed
In Switzerland, 4.9% of the labor force is unemployed as of 2025. In Canada, that number is 6.9% as of 2025.
make 51.5% less money
Switzerland has a GDP per capita of $114,769 as of 2025, while in Canada, the GDP per capita is $55,698 as of 2025.
Life
be 2.4 times more likely to die during childbirth
In Switzerland, approximately 5.0 women die from pregnancy or childbirth per 100,000 live births as of 2023. In Canada, 12.0 women do as of 2023.
be 38.2% more likely to die during infancy
In Switzerland, approximately 3.4 children (per 1,000 live births) die before they reach the age of one as of 2024. In Canada, on the other hand, 4.7 children do as of 2024.
Safety
be 22.3% more likely to feel safe walking alone at night
In Switzerland, 72% of people feel safe walking alone at night as of 2021. In Canada, that number is 88% as of 2019.
be 3.3 times more likely to be murdered
Switzerland has a homicide rate of 0.6 per 100,000 people as of 2023. In Canada, that number is 2.0 per 100,000 as of 2023.
be 95.8% more likely to die in a road accident
In Switzerland, road accidents kill 2.4 people per 100,000 as of 2021. In Canada, they kill 4.7 per 100,000 as of 2021.
Infrastructure
live with 42.8% less strain on fresh water
Switzerland withdraws 6% of its available fresh water each year as of 2022. Canada withdraws 4% as of 2022.
use 98.0% more electricity
Switzerland uses 7,117 kWh of electricity per person each year as of 2024. Canada uses 14,093 kWh as of 2024.
Environment
be 20.0% less likely to die from air pollution
In Switzerland, air pollution causes 10.0 deaths per 100,000 people as of 2019. In Canada, it causes 8.0 as of 2019.
emit 3.7 times more CO2
Switzerland emits 3.8 tonnes of CO2 per person each year as of 2024. Canada emits 14.0 tonnes as of 2024.
Sources: World Bank (2021–2025), United Nations SDG Indicators (2019–2021), World Health Organization (2024). How we calculate this
Compare further: Switzerland vs. Canada
Canada: At a glance
How big is Canada compared to Switzerland? See an in-depth size comparison.