Compare countries · Canada vs Sweden
Canada vs Sweden
Canada(North America)·
Sweden(Europe)
Across 13 comparable indicators: Canada leads on 5, Sweden on 6, 2 effectively tied. Which trade-offs matter is yours to weigh; the rows below show where each country wins, with sources.
Quick answers
Is Canada cheaper than Sweden?
Numbeo's 2026 cost-of-living index (NYC = 100) puts Canada at 63.0 and Sweden at 68.0. Canada is about 7% cheaper overall.
Is Canada or Sweden safer?
On the Global Peace Index (lower = more peaceful), Canada scores 1.52 and Sweden scores 1.73. Canada ranks as the more peaceful of the two.
Which has the higher quality of life, Canada or Sweden?
On the UN Human Development Index, Canada scores 0.935 and Sweden scores 0.952. The two are effectively tied. Single indexes hide trade-offs; the full comparison above shows where each country wins.
What is life like in Canada compared to Sweden?
GNI per capita runs $56,420 in Canada against $63,010 in Sweden; people live 82.1 years on average against 84.1; Numbeo users rate healthcare 69 against 68. Those are national averages and they hide the thing you actually feel: capital-city costs run well ahead of the national figure in most countries, and rural provision of healthcare and internet often lags the number shown here. The table below splits it indicator by indicator.
Head to head
Cost of living index
Numbeo 2026 (NYC = 100)
Canada
63.0
Worse than 84% of countries
Sweden
68.0
Worse than 88% of countries
Canada: 7% cheaper overall.
Rent index
Numbeo 2026 (NYC = 100)
Canada
31.5
Worse than 90% of countries
Sweden
22.6
Worse than 76% of countries
Sweden: 28% cheaper rents.
Peace — Global Peace Index
Institute for Economics & Peace (lower = more peaceful)
Canada
1.52
Better than 92% of countries
Sweden
1.73
Better than 76% of countries
Canada: more peaceful (1.52 vs 1.73).
Perceived street safety
Numbeo Safety Index 2026
Canada
54.4
Around the global middle
Sweden
52.1
Worse than 58% of countries
Canada: higher perceived safety (54.4 vs 52.1).
Human Development Index
UNDP Human Development Report
Canada
0.935
Better than 91% of countries
Sweden
0.952
Better than 97% of countries
Effectively tied — under 2% apart.
GDP per person (PPP)
World Bank · 2025
Canada
$66,746
Better than 87% of countries
Sweden
$72,529
Better than 89% of countries
Sweden: 9% higher income per person.
Life expectancy
World Bank · 2024
Canada
82.1 yrs
Better than 85% of countries
Sweden
84.1 yrs
Better than 96% of countries
Sweden: 2.0 years longer on average.
Healthcare index
Numbeo Healthcare Index 2026
Canada
68.6
Better than 65% of countries
Sweden
68.3
Better than 63% of countries
Effectively tied — under 2% apart.
Fixed broadband speed
Ookla Speedtest Global Index
Canada
278 Mbps
Better than 93% of countries
Sweden
208 Mbps
Better than 79% of countries
Canada: 34% faster fixed internet.
Press freedom
RSF World Press Freedom Index
Canada
79/100
Better than 89% of countries
Sweden
88/100
Better than 97% of countries
Sweden: freer press (88 vs 79 of 100).
Happiness
World Happiness Report (Cantril ladder 0–10)
Canada
6.74
Better than 83% of countries
Sweden
7.25
Better than 97% of countries
Sweden: happier on the Cantril ladder (7.25 vs 6.74).
English proficiency
EF English Proficiency Index
Canada
700
Better than 94% of countries
Sweden
609
Better than 88% of countries
Canada: stronger English proficiency (700 vs 609).
Climate pleasantness
Numbeo Climate Index 2026
Canada
54.9
Worse than 92% of countries
Sweden
65.0
Worse than 86% of countries
Sweden: more pleasant climate rating (65.0 vs 54.9).
Deciding between Canada and Sweden for real?
Indexes can't weigh your budget, your timeline or your dealbreakers. The matcher asks, then answers with this same data.
Find your match →Full Canada profile →
70+ indicators: economy, safety, governance, climate and visas.
Full Sweden profile →
70+ indicators: economy, safety, governance, climate and visas.