Need to reach care abroad? The latest healthcare and hospital statistics in Canada can help you better understand the country’s healthcare system, leading medical centers, and access to care.
Here, we’ll discuss Canada’s top hospitals, the latest data on healthcare spending, hospital capacity, physicians, wait times, patient outcomes, and other healthcare trends.
Whether you need an air ambulance in Canada or international air ambulance services to another country, REVA coordinates safe medical flights to take the weight off your shoulders.
Get in touch with us anytime, 24/7 to arrange your air ambulance. We’re here to help you reach the right hospital, wherever you need to go.
Top Hospitals in Canada
Canada is home to many internationally recognized hospitals. Whether you need specialized treatment, emergency care, or surgery, these facilities are among the country’s most respected healthcare providers:
Toronto General Hospital – University Health Network
Toronto General Hospital is consistently ranked among the best hospitals in Canada and is internationally recognized for cardiac care, organ transplantation, and cardiovascular surgery. As part of the University Health Network, it houses more than 400 beds and has performed many world-first breakthroughs in heart and transplant medicine.
Mount Sinai Hospital
Mount Sinai Hospital in Toronto is a leading academic teaching hospital known for exceptional care in obstetrics, gynecology, high-risk pregnancy, internal medicine, and surgery. It’s consistently ranked among Canada’s top hospitals and is internationally recognized for medical research and innovation.
Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre
Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre is one of Canada’s largest hospitals, with more than 1,300 beds across three campuses. It’s a nationally recognized leader in trauma care, cancer treatment, cardiovascular services, neurosciences, and veteran care while serving as one of Ontario’s major academic health science centers.
North York General Hospital
North York General Hospital is widely recognized for its outstanding community-based care, offering a broad range of medical and surgical services. The hospital has earned international accolades for safety, quality improvement, and patient-centered care.
Montreal General Hospital – McGill University Health Centre
Founded in 1821, Montreal General Hospital is one of Canada’s oldest teaching hospitals and a key member of the McGill University Health Centre. The hospital is well known for trauma care, orthopedic surgery, neurosciences, and complex care while serving as a major academic and research institution.
St. Michael’s Hospital – Unity Health Toronto
St. Michael’s Hospital is one of Canada’s leading academic hospitals, providing specialized care for trauma, cardiovascular disease, neurosurgery, and critical needs. It is also recognized as one of Ontario’s busiest Level 1 trauma centers and a leader in medical research and education.
Toronto Western – University Health Network
Toronto Western Hospital is internationally respected for neuroscience, movement disorders, spinal care, and musculoskeletal health. As part of the University Health Network, it’s home to one of the world’s leading programs for Parkinson’s disease and other neurological conditions.
Vancouver General Hospital
Vancouver General Hospital is one of Canada’s largest hospitals, operating more than 950 beds and serving as British Columbia’s primary referral center for specialized care. It is renowned for trauma services, organ transplantation, neurosurgery, and one of the province’s busiest emergency departments.
Canadian Hospital & Healthcare Statistics
How much does Canada spend on healthcare?
Canada has spent more than $300 billion on healthcare from 2020-2026.
What percentage of Canada’s GDP is spent on healthcare?
In 2025, healthcare expenditure represented approximately 12.7% of Canada’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP).
What percentage of health spending in Canada comes from private insurance?
In 2024, private insurance accounted for approximately 11.9% of all health spending in Canada.
What percentage of Canadians have private health insurance?
Approximately 68% of Canadians have private, complementary health insurance.
How many hospitals are there in Canada?
As of 2024, Canada had 1,087 hospitals spread across the country.
How many general hospitals are there in Canada?
As of 2025, there were about 400 general hospitals in Canada.
Which provinces have the most hospitals in Canada?
The following provinces have the most hospitals in Canada:
- Ontario: 319 hospitals
- Alberta: 210 hospitals
- Quebec: 163 hospitals
How many hospitals are there in each Canadian province and territory?
| Province/Territory | Number of Hospitals |
| Ontario | 319 |
| Quebec | 163 |
| Alberta | 146 |
| British Columbia | 123 |
| Manitoba | 78 |
| Saskatchewan | 70 |
| Newfoundland and Labrador | 49 |
| Nova Scotia | 48 |
| New Brunswick | 31 |
| Nunavut | 28 |
| Northwest Territories | 21 |
| Prince Edward Island | 8 |
| Yukon | 3 |
Has the number of hospital beds per 1,000 people in Canada decreased over time?
Yes. Canada had 6.75 hospital beds per 1,000 people in 1980, but that figure declined to 2.53 beds per 1,000 people by 2022.
Has the number of hospital beds in Canada kept up with population growth?
No. From 2014 to 2023, the number of hospital beds in Canada increased by 4%, while the national population grew by 13%.
How many acute inpatient hospitalizations occur in Canada?
Between 2023 and 2024, Canada had approximately 3.05 million acute inpatient hospitalizations.
What is the average length of a hospital stay in Canada?
Between 2023 and 2024, the average length of a hospital stay in Canada was approximately 7.3 days.
What is the most common inpatient surgery in Canada?
Caesarean section delivery is the most common inpatient surgery in Canada, with 110,659 procedures performed in 2023 and 2024.
What percentage of hospitals in Canada are micro-sized establishments?
In 2025, 7.1% of hospitals in Canada were micro-sized establishments, meaning they employed fewer than five people.
What percentage of hospitals in Canada are small establishments?
In 2025, 22.6% of hospitals in Canada were small establishments.
What percentage of hospitals in Canada are medium-sized establishments?
In 2025, 36.4% of hospitals in Canada were medium-sized establishments.
What percentage of hospitals in Canada are large employers?
In 2025, 33.9% of hospitals in Canada were large employers, meaning they had more than 500 people on payroll.
What is the average annual revenue for hospitals in Canada?
In 2024, the average revenue for Canadian hospitals was $181.4 thousand.
How much does Canada spend on hospitals each year?
In 2024, hospitals accounted for 96 billion Canadian dollars in healthcare spending.
Has hospital staffing increased in Canada over the years?
Yes. From 2014-2023, Canadian hospitals added about 87,000 full-time equivalents (FTEs), representing a 24% increase in hospital staffing.
What percentage of new Canadian hospital staffing went to patient care?
Nearly 71% of the hours worked by new hospital employees in Canada were added in patient care areas.
Where were new patient care staff added in Canadian hospitals?
Among new patient care staffing hours in Canadian hospitals:
- 35% were added in inpatient units
- 20% in outpatient units
- The remainder were added to labs, imaging, and therapeutic care sectors
What percentage of Canadian hospital workers work overtime?
Overtime worked by Canadian hospital employees increased from less than 3% of all worked hours in 2019 to almost 5% in 2023.
How much did Canadian hospital employee compensation increase from 2023-2024?
In 2023–2024, spending on Canadian hospital employee compensation increased by almost 13% compared with the previous year.
How much does Canada spend on physician services each year?
In 2024, physician services were expected to account for nearly 50 billion Canadian dollars in healthcare spending.
How many doctors are there in Canada?
In 2025, there were 99,555 doctors in Canada.
How many doctors are there per 100,000 people in Canada?
In 2024, Canada had 241 doctors per 100,000 population.
What percentage of doctors in Canada are family practitioners?
About 52% of doctors in Canada are family practitioners, while the remaining 48% are specialists.
What percentage of Canadian doctors practice in rural areas?
Only 8% of Canadian doctors practice in rural areas.
How many registered nurses are there in Canada?
In 2023, there were nearly 478,000 registered nurses in Canada.
What percentage of Canadians have a regular healthcare provider?
As of 2024, 81% of people in Canada reported having a regular healthcare provider.
What percentage of people in Canada have unmet healthcare needs?
The percentage of people in Canada with unmet healthcare needs decreased slightly from 9.1% in 2023 to 8.8% in 2024.
What percentage of Canadians wait less than 3 months to see a medical specialist?
In 2024, 64.2% of Canadians waited less than 3 months to see a medical specialist.
What percentage of Canadians wait 6 months or longer to see a medical specialist?
In 2024, 18.2% of Canadians waited 6 months or longer to see a medical specialist.
What percentage of Canadian adults are in very good to perfect functional health?
As of 2024, 56.4% of adults aged 18 and older in Canada reported very good to perfect functional health.
What percentage of Canadian adults are in moderate to poor functional health?
As of 2024, 43.6% of adults aged 18 and older in Canada reported moderate to poor functional health.
Reach The Best Hospitals in Canada with REVA
When treatment can’t wait or the right specialist is miles away, REVA provides safe medical flights to top hospitals across Canada and around the world.
Our in-flight medical teams provide continuous ICU-level care while managing every step of the transfer, making a stressful time feel seamless.
Contact us anytime to arrange an air ambulance. We’re here whenever you need us.
Sources
- Jenny Yang. “Number of hospital establishments in Canada as of 2024, by province.” November 24, 2025. Statista.
- CIHI. “Spending trends in health service delivery, 2025 — Snapshot.” November 27, 2025.
- Government of Canada. “Businesses – Canadian Industry Statistics.”
- Government of Canada. “Unmet health care needs by gender and age group.” April 29, 2026.
- Government of Canada. “Functional health of Canadian adults.” March 16, 2026.
- Government of Canada. “Health indicators, Survey on Health Care Access and Experiences – Primary and Specialist Care.” December 19, 2025.
- Nicole Blair. “Health Care System Statistics in Canada.” Made In CA. January 16, 2026.