Nunavut Population Overview (2026)
Nunavut is the largest and northernmost territory of Canada. Nunavut is the least populous of Canada’s provinces and territories and one of the world’s most remote, sparsely settled regions. As per the Canada Census Bureau, the population of Nunavut in 2021 was 36,858. and estimated population of Nunavut in 2026 is 42,000
Source: Statistics Canada
Northwest Territories Population Growth (2021–2026)
Nunavut has a population growth rate of 2.5% during 2016-2021. It has a population increase of 5,061 people since 2021.
Nunavut Census Q4 2025 Snapshot
| Indiactor | Data |
| Total Population | 41,919 |
| Percentage Change since 2021 | 13.73% |
| Population Rank | 13th |
| Total Land Area | 1,877,787 km2 (725,018 sq mi) |
| Area Rank | 1st |
| Population Density | 0.02/km2 (0.05/sq mi) |
| Capital City | Iqaluit |
| Largest City | Iqaluit |
Source: Statistics Canada
Nunavut Historical Population
Nunavut has a population growth rate during 2016-2021 of 2.5%. In 1999, the Northwest Territories ceded land to the creation of the Nunavut Territory.
Nunavut Population by Year (2001–2021)
| Census Year | Population | Absolute Change | Percentage Change |
| 2001 | 26,745 | – | – |
| 2006 | 29,474 | +2,729 | +10.20% |
| 2011 | 31,906 | +2,432 | +8.25% |
| 2016 | 35,944 | +4,038 | +12.66% |
| 2021 | 36,858 | +914 | +2.5% |
Source: Statistics Canada
Religion in Nunavut
Christianity is the largest religion in Nunavut and is followed by 73.5% of people. Roughly 24.9% of the Nunavut population had no religious affiliation.
With immigration patterns, there were growing proportions of the population who reported religious affiliations other than Christian. These religions included Muslims, Hindus, Sikhs, Jews, and Buddhists.
In 2021, people who identified themselves as Muslim made up 0.5% of the population, Hindus 0.2%, and Jews 0.1%. Indigenous religion is followed by 0.5% and Other smaller faiths are 0.4% of the population.
Religion-wise population & percentage
| Religion | Numbers | Percentage |
| Christian | 26,915 | 73.5% |
| No religion and secular perspectives | 9,115 | 24.9% |
| North American Indigenous | 180 | 0.5% |
| Muslim | 140 | 0.4% |
| Hindu | 55 | 0.2% |
| Jewish | 35 | 0.1% |
| Buddhist | 15 | 0 |
| Sikh | 10 | 0 |
| Other religions and spiritual traditions | 135 | 0.4% |
Source: Statistics Canada 2021
Christianity in Nunavut
As per Canadian Census 2021, 73.5% of the Nunavut population reported that they were affiliated with a Christian religion. Anglicans were the largest religious group in Nunavut and about 39.1% of people identified themselves as Anglican. Roman Catholics were the second largest and followed by 22.5%. It’s followed by the Pentecostal (4%), United Church, and Baptist.
Let’s look at the Christian Affiliations percentage and numbers in Nunavut
| Christian Affiliations | Numbers | Percentage |
| Anglican | 14,295 | 39.1% |
| Catholic | 8,235 | 22.5% |
| Pentecostal and other Charismatic | 1,450 | 4% |
| United Church | 165 | 0.5% |
| Baptist | 95 | 0.3% |
| Presbyterian | 55 | 0.2% |
| Jehovah’s Witness | 50 | 0.1% |
| Christian Orthodox | 40 | 0.1% |
| Methodist and Wesleyan (Holiness) | 40 | 0.1% |
| Latter Day Saints | 25 | 0.1% |
| Lutheran | 25 | 0.1% |
| Anabaptist | 15 | 0 |
| Reformed | 0 | 0 |
| Christian not specified | 2,015 | 5.5% |
| Other Christian and Christian-related traditions | 415 | 1.1% |
| Total | 26,915 | 73.5% |
Source: Statistics Canada 2021
Nunavut Ethnic composition
Ethnic origin refers to the ethnic or cultural origins of the respondent’s ancestors. The Ethnic Origin most often reported is Inuit (North American Indian) followed by Scottish and Irish. Aboriginals account for 85% of the population and European origins are 11.4%. About 3.61% of the population of Nunavut belongs to a visible minority group.
read in detail about race and ethnicity in Nunavut
Sources
All population data is sourced from official Canadian and international statistical agencies:
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