Health in British Columbia, Canada: official figures
Life expectancy at birth in British Columbia was 81.98 years in 2022–2024, against 81.65 years for Canada; 3rd highest of 12 provinces and territories with data. Ten years earlier, in 2012–2014, it was 82.59 years (down 0.61 years).
How long do men and women live in British Columbia?
In 2022–2024, women in British Columbia could expect to live 84.69 years at birth and men 79.38 years, a gap of 5.31 years (Canada: 83.86 and 79.47 years).
Source: Statistics Canada · saved copyWhat is life expectancy at 65 in British Columbia?
People in British Columbia who reached 65 could expect, on average, another 21.49 years of life in 2022–2024 (the highest of 12 provinces and territories with data; Canada: 20.85 years).
Source: Statistics Canada · saved copyWhat is the infant mortality rate in British Columbia?
145 infants died before their first birthday in British Columbia in 2024, an infant mortality rate of 3.3 per 1,000 live births; 4th lowest of 13 provinces and territories. The Canadian rate was 4.5. 101 of the deaths were in the first four weeks of life.
Source: Statistics Canada · saved copyIs infant mortality falling in British Columbia?
The infant mortality rate in British Columbia was 3.7 in 2020, 3.5 in 2021, 4.0 in 2022, 3.8 in 2023, 3.3 in 2024 per 1,000 live births.
Source: Statistics Canada · saved copyHow healthy do people in British Columbia say they are?
50.1% of adults in British Columbia rated their own health as very good or excellent in 2023–2024 (7th highest of 13 provinces and territories; Canada: 52.1%), and 17.7% rated their mental health as fair or poor (Canada: 15.1%).
Source: Statistics Canada · saved copyHow many people smoke in British Columbia?
8.8% of adults in British Columbia smoked daily or occasionally in 2023–2024; the lowest of 13 provinces and territories (Canada: 11.4%). 19.0% reported heavy drinking (Canada: 19.3%).
Source: Statistics Canada · saved copyWhat is the obesity rate in British Columbia?
Based on self-reported height and weight (adjusted), 24.6% of adults in British Columbia were obese in 2023–2024 (the lowest of 13 provinces and territories; Canada: 30.6%). 18.9% reported high blood pressure and 6.9% diabetes (Canada: 20.4% and 8.4%).
Source: Statistics Canada · saved copyAre people in British Columbia satisfied with their lives?
82.2% of adults in British Columbia said they were satisfied or very satisfied with their life in 2023–2024 (Canada: 84.3%).
Source: Statistics Canada · saved copyHow British Columbia compares with other provinces
Life expectancy at birth, 2022–2024 (2022–2024)
British Columbia ranks 3 of 12, highest first. Three-year life tables; Yukon is not published for recent periods.
| Rank | Region | Life expectancy at birth, 2022–2024 |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Quebec | 82.39 years |
| 2 | Ontario | 82.27 years |
| 3 | British Columbia | 81.98 years |
| 4 | Prince Edward Island | 81.16 years |
| 5 | Alberta | 80.81 years |
| 6 | Nova Scotia | 80.30 years |
| 7 | New Brunswick | 80.12 years |
Life expectancy at age 65, 2022–2024 (2022–2024)
British Columbia ranks 1 of 12, highest first.
| Rank | Region | Life expectancy at age 65, 2022–2024 |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | British Columbia | 21.49 years |
| 2 | Ontario | 21.18 years |
| 3 | Alberta | 20.70 years |
| 4 | Quebec | 20.67 years |
| 5 | Saskatchewan | 20.15 years |
| 6 | Prince Edward Island | 20.03 years |
| 7 | New Brunswick | 19.91 years |
Infant mortality rate per 1,000 live births, 2024 (2024)
British Columbia ranks 10 of 13, highest first. Small numbers of deaths make rates in the smaller provinces and territories vary from year to year.
| Rank | Region | Infant mortality rate per 1,000 live births, 2024 |
|---|---|---|
| 7 | Alberta | 4.4 |
| 8 | Yukon | 4.4 |
| 9 | Ontario | 4.3 |
| 10 | British Columbia | 3.3 |
| 11 | Prince Edward Island | 3.0 |
| 12 | Nova Scotia | 2.9 |
| 13 | Newfoundland and Labrador | 2.9 |
Share of people aged 12 and over with a regular health care provider, 2022 (2022)
British Columbia ranks 7 of 10, highest first. Provinces only.
| Rank | Region | Share of people aged 12 and over with a regular health care provider, 2022 |
|---|---|---|
| 4 | Manitoba | 89.0% |
| 5 | Nova Scotia | 85.2% |
| 6 | Saskatchewan | 84.9% |
| 7 | British Columbia | 83.4% |
| 8 | Newfoundland and Labrador | 81.9% |
| 9 | Quebec | 78.7% |
| 10 | Prince Edward Island | 75.9% |
Adults rating their health very good or excellent, 2023–2024 (2023–2024)
British Columbia ranks 7 of 13, highest first.
| Rank | Region | Adults rating their health very good or excellent, 2023–2024 |
|---|---|---|
| 4 | Manitoba | 51.7% |
| 5 | Ontario | 51.0% |
| 6 | Prince Edward Island | 50.2% |
| 7 | British Columbia | 50.1% |
| 8 | Newfoundland and Labrador | 50.0% |
| 9 | Saskatchewan | 49.5% |
| 10 | Nova Scotia | 47.3% |
Adults who smoke daily or occasionally, 2023–2024 (2023–2024)
British Columbia ranks 13 of 13, highest first.
| Rank | Region | Adults who smoke daily or occasionally, 2023–2024 |
|---|---|---|
| 7 | Saskatchewan | 12.4% |
| 8 | Quebec | 12.3% |
| 9 | Manitoba | 11.8% |
| 10 | Prince Edward Island | 11.5% |
| 11 | Ontario | 11.1% |
| 12 | Alberta | 11.0% |
| 13 | British Columbia | 8.8% |
More on British Columbia: overview · economy and jobs · education and schools · poverty and living standards · government budget · Canada
Sources
- Statistics Canada: Table 13-10-0096-01: Health characteristics, annual estimates (Web Data Service extract), read 23 October 2026 · saved copy (SHA-256 8bd73f02e063…)
- Statistics Canada: Table 13-10-0972-01: Health characteristics, two-year period estimates (Web Data Service extract), read 23 October 2026 · saved copy (SHA-256 69d18cb0c5d4…)
- Statistics Canada: Table 13-10-0713-01: Infant deaths and mortality rates, by age group (Web Data Service extract), read 23 October 2026 · saved copy (SHA-256 7630920ec549…)
- Statistics Canada: Table 13-10-0114-01: Life expectancy and other elements of the complete life table, three-year estimates, Canada, all provinces except Prince Edward Island (Web Data Service extract), read 23 October 2026 · saved copy (SHA-256 04229e3361ab…)
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