Health in Northwest Territories, Canada: official figures
Life expectancy at birth in the Northwest Territories was 76.29 years in 2022–2024, against 81.65 years for Canada; 2nd lowest of 12 provinces and territories with data. Ten years earlier, in 2012–2014, it was 77.65 years (down 1.36 years).
How long do men and women live in the Northwest Territories?
In 2022–2024, women in the Northwest Territories could expect to live 79.11 years at birth and men 73.86 years, a gap of 5.25 years (Canada: 83.86 and 79.47 years).
Source: Statistics Canada · saved copyWhat is life expectancy at 65 in the Northwest Territories?
People in the Northwest Territories who reached 65 could expect, on average, another 18.69 years of life in 2022–2024 (2nd lowest of 12 provinces and territories with data; Canada: 20.85 years).
Source: Statistics Canada · saved copyWhat is the infant mortality rate in the Northwest Territories?
4 infants died before their first birthday in the Northwest Territories in 2024, an infant mortality rate of 8.4 per 1,000 live births; 2nd highest of 13 provinces and territories. The Canadian rate was 4.5. 4 of the deaths were in the first four weeks of life.
Source: Statistics Canada · saved copyIs infant mortality falling in the Northwest Territories?
The infant mortality rate in the Northwest Territories was 8.8 in 2020, 5.4 in 2021, 9.9 in 2022, 6.2 in 2023, 8.4 in 2024 per 1,000 live births, so year-to-year changes reflect small numbers of deaths.
Source: Statistics Canada · saved copyHow healthy do people in the Northwest Territories say they are?
44.4% of adults in the Northwest Territories rated their own health as very good or excellent in 2023–2024 (3rd lowest of 13 provinces and territories; Canada: 52.1%), and 18.1% rated their mental health as fair or poor (Canada: 15.1%).
Source: Statistics Canada · saved copyHow many people smoke in the Northwest Territories?
25.6% of adults in the Northwest Territories smoked daily or occasionally in 2023–2024; 2nd highest of 13 provinces and territories (Canada: 11.4%). 24.8% reported heavy drinking (Canada: 19.3%).
Source: Statistics Canada · saved copyWhat is the obesity rate in the Northwest Territories?
Based on self-reported height and weight (adjusted), 43.9% of adults in the Northwest Territories were obese in 2023–2024 (the highest of 13 provinces and territories; Canada: 30.6%). 17.3% reported high blood pressure and 8.1% diabetes (Canada: 20.4% and 8.4%).
Source: Statistics Canada · saved copyAre people in the Northwest Territories satisfied with their lives?
86.1% of adults in the Northwest Territories said they were satisfied or very satisfied with their life in 2023–2024 (Canada: 84.3%). 41.2% had a flu shot in the previous 12 months.
Source: Statistics Canada · saved copyHow Northwest Territories compares with other territories
Life expectancy at birth, 2022–2024 (2022–2024)
Northwest Territories ranks 11 of 12, highest first. Three-year life tables; Yukon is not published for recent periods.
| Rank | Region | Life expectancy at birth, 2022–2024 |
|---|---|---|
| 6 | Nova Scotia | 80.30 years |
| 7 | New Brunswick | 80.12 years |
| 8 | Newfoundland and Labrador | 79.17 years |
| 9 | Saskatchewan | 79.02 years |
| 10 | Manitoba | 78.90 years |
| 11 | Northwest Territories | 76.29 years |
| 12 | Nunavut | 70.84 years |
Life expectancy at age 65, 2022–2024 (2022–2024)
Northwest Territories ranks 11 of 12, highest first.
| Rank | Region | Life expectancy at age 65, 2022–2024 |
|---|---|---|
| 6 | Prince Edward Island | 20.03 years |
| 7 | New Brunswick | 19.91 years |
| 8 | Manitoba | 19.90 years |
| 9 | Nova Scotia | 19.55 years |
| 10 | Newfoundland and Labrador | 18.99 years |
| 11 | Northwest Territories | 18.69 years |
| 12 | Nunavut | 16.21 years |
Infant mortality rate per 1,000 live births, 2024 (2024)
Northwest Territories ranks 2 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 |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Nunavut | 21.2 |
| 2 | Northwest Territories | 8.4 |
| 3 | Manitoba | 7.4 |
| 4 | Saskatchewan | 6.3 |
| 5 | New Brunswick | 6.0 |
| 6 | Quebec | 4.9 |
| 7 | Alberta | 4.4 |
Adults rating their health very good or excellent, 2023–2024 (2023–2024)
Northwest Territories ranks 11 of 13, highest first.
| Rank | Region | Adults rating their health very good or excellent, 2023–2024 |
|---|---|---|
| 7 | British Columbia | 50.1% |
| 8 | Newfoundland and Labrador | 50.0% |
| 9 | Saskatchewan | 49.5% |
| 10 | Nova Scotia | 47.3% |
| 11 | Northwest Territories | 44.4% |
| 12 | New Brunswick | 43.2% |
| 13 | Nunavut | 41.9% |
Adults who smoke daily or occasionally, 2023–2024 (2023–2024)
Northwest Territories ranks 2 of 13, highest first.
| Rank | Region | Adults who smoke daily or occasionally, 2023–2024 |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Nunavut | 63.1% |
| 2 | Northwest Territories | 25.6% |
| 3 | Yukon | 17.7% |
| 4 | Newfoundland and Labrador | 15.0% |
| 5 | Nova Scotia | 13.8% |
| 6 | New Brunswick | 13.8% |
| 7 | Saskatchewan | 12.4% |
More on Northwest Territories: overview · economy and jobs · education and schools · poverty and living standards · government budget · Canada
Sources
- 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 13-10-0140-01: Life expectancy and other elements of the abridged life table, three-year estimates, Prince Edward Island and the territories (Web Data Service extract), read 23 October 2026 · saved copy (SHA-256 0ab5670868b2…)
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