Nunavut

Country:: Canada
Capital:: Iqaluit
Type:: Territory
Largest Cities:: Iqaluit

Nunavut is one of 13 provinces and territories of Canada located in the far north region of the country. It is Canada's newest territory, established in 1999, predominantly inhabited by Inuit peoples , with an economy based on traditional activities, mining, government services.

Nunavut Population 2025

Nunavut Information

Nunavut is Canada’s largest and most northerly territory. It comprises part of the mainland and a huge scattering of islands. This region is the 5th largest inter-country land area in the world. Most people who inhabit Nunavut today are residents of the territory’s capital city of Iqaluit.

Climate Variations

Nunavut has a varied climate based on its geography:

• Northern Region

Subarctic climate with long, harsh winters and shorter, cooler summers.

• Southern Region

Milder climate, particularly in coastal areas, with moderate temperatures.

Major Industries

Natural Resources

Growing mining sector including gold and iron ore.

Agriculture

Hunting, fishing, and traditional Inuit arts and crafts.

Financial Services & Technology

Public administration is the largest employer.

Financial Services & Technology

Emerging tourism sector focused on cultural and arctic experiences.

Key Facts

Population density: 0.0 people per square kilometer
Represents approximately 0.1% of Canada's total population
Capital city: Iqaluit

Nunavut Demographics

Population by Age

Average Age

27 years

Median Age

26 years

Gender Distribution

Female (48.7%)

Male (51.3%)

Racial and Ethnic Composition

The 2021 census found the racial and ethnic composition of Nunavut was:

Inuit (84.2%)

White (13.3%)

Other Indigenous (1.2%)

Filipino (0.6%)

Other (0.7%)

Spoken Language

Inuktitut (65.3%)

English (31.6%)

French (1.8%)

Other (1.3%)

Household Income Distribution

Average Household Income

$73,400

Median Household Income

$68,200

Poverty Rate

21.8%

Nunavut History

Pre-1000 CE

Thule people, ancestors of today's Inuit, migrated across the Arctic, developing technologies perfectly adapted to the harsh environment.

1576-1578

Martin Frobisher made the first documented European contact with the Inuit of Baffin Island.

1950s-1960s

The Canadian government relocated many Inuit families to High Arctic settlements, disrupting their traditional way of life.

1976

The Inuit Tapirisat of Canada proposed the creation of Nunavut as part of their land claims process.

1993

The Nunavut Land Claims Agreement was finalized, the largest Indigenous land claim settlement in Canadian history.

1999

Nunavut officially separated from the Northwest Territories, becoming Canada's newest territory and the largest Indigenous-governed region in North America.