Do you have any clear idea of what Canada's economy looks like? In terms of Gross Domestic Product (GDP) what are the percentages from oil and gas, forestry, financial, manufacturing etc.?

What portion of Canadian GDP do imports and exports make up? What products does Canada Import and Export? Which countries are important trading partners of Canada?

The actual figures would likely surprise most Canadians.

What is Canada's GDP by industry or sector?

Canadian Economy Annualized GDP sorted out by Industry or Sector as of January 2013

Data Source: Statistics Canada 
http://www.statcan.gc.ca/tables-tableaux/sum-som/l01/cst01/gdps04a-eng.htm

From reading the financial news you may have been under the strong impression that Canada's GDP is dominated by the commodities including particularly oil, gas, and various minerals. You may have also heard that manufacturing is no longer such an important component of Canada's economy. (And that therefore we should not worry much about any manufacturing job losses that we hear about).

The actual figures show that "Real estate and rental and leasing" is the largest segment of Canada's economy.

Manufacturing, while it may be lower than in years past, is still a very large portion of GDP and is the second largest component at 11%. (We understand that manufacturing includes refining industries).

Mining, quarrying, and oil and gas extraction is third at 8% of GDP. 

Overall, goods producing industries account for 30% of GDP while services account for 70%. 

Review the rest of the list and you will at least be more knowledgeable about the actual composition of the Canadian economy and the percent contribution of different segments. See the link to the latest available source data just above to see the raw data and you can calculate the precise percentage figures if desired.

Who Consumes Canada's GDP?

Canada's 2012 GDP was consumed in the following fashion:

Personal Consumption                                               56%
Government expenditure                                           22%
Business Investment (buildings and equipment)    20%
Government Investment                                            4%
Net Exports                                                                 -2% 
Total                                                                            100%

http://www.statcan.gc.ca/tables-tableaux/sum-som/l01/cst01/gdps04a-eng.htm

When you hear that Consumers "account" for about 56% of Canada's GDP, that does not mean that business accounts for little. In fact Business and (yes) government create the GDP and Consumers consume the largest share. This should not be considered surprising or alarming. Why else should things be produced except for consumption? (and for some investment to fuel future consumption).

A surprisingly large 24% of Canada's GDP consists of investment in longer lasting assets such as buildings (including houses) and equipment rather than being consumed for immediate gratification. This includes replacing worn out buildings and assets which may account for it being so high.

What does Canada Export?

Canadian Economy Goods Exports by Category in 2012

Data Source: Statistics Canada
http://www.statcan.gc.ca/tables-tableaux/sum-som/l01/cst01/gblec04-eng.htm

Canada's goods exports are about 30% as large as GDP.  (We are definitely a trading nation, although 74%% of the economy is internal) There are also service exports but we were unable to obtain figures for those.

The largest category is Energy Products (oil, natural gas and other) at 23% of total exports. While manufactured goods including vehicles are important it appears that the majority of Canada's exports are in the form of raw materials.

To Which Countries Does Canada Export?

Data Source, Statistics Canada
http://www.statcan.gc.ca/tables-tableaux/sum-som/l01/cst01/gblec02a-eng.htm

We hear a lot of talk about global trade. We hear about China buying our commodities. But the statistics for 2012 show that the United States still accounted for the vast majority of Canadian exports at 73%. Things may be changing and China may quickly start to be an important  "customer" country for Canada. But the fact is, for now, when it comes to Canadian exports, the United States remains our number one destination by far.

What Does Canada Import?

Canadian Economy Goods Imports by Category

Data Source, Statistics Canada
http://www.statcan.gc.ca/tables-tableaux/sum-som/l01/cst01/gblec05-eng.htm

Canada's imports in 2012 were about  30% as large as GDP.  

From Which Countries Does the Canada Import Goods?

Data Source, Statistics Canada
http://www.statcan.gc.ca/tables-tableaux/sum-som/l01/cst01/gblec02a-eng.htm

The United States accounts for 62% of Canada's imports. The remainder appears to spread widely around the globe. 

END

Shawn Allen

InvestorsFriend Inc.

Originally created November 3, 2007, last updated April 7, 2013.