Canada Estimates 4,306 Living WWII, Korean War Veterans

Veterans Affairs Canada's latest estimate puts the number of living Second World War and Korean War veterans well below last year's figure.

Updated on Nov. 10, 2026 in Canada

Canada Estimates 4,306 Living WWII, Korean War Veterans

Veterans Affairs Canada estimates approximately 4,306 living Canadian veterans of the Second World War and Korean War. That figure is down from 5,649 in last year's estimate.

Why it matters

The shrinking population of living veterans affects how Canada honours and supports those who served in these conflicts. The department does not yet break the estimate down by conflict or by men and women who served.

The 2021 Census counted 461,240 Canadian Armed Forces veterans living in Canada, with an average age of 61. That census count covers all veterans, not only those from the Second World War and Korean War.

The players

Veterans Affairs Canada

The federal department responsible for programs and services supporting Canadian veterans and their families.

The details

Veterans Affairs Canada produced the figure as an estimate rather than a direct count. Most Second World War veterans are at least in their late 90s, while Korean War veterans are in their early to mid-90s.

Remembrance Day 2025: the previous estimate of 5,649 living veterans was published.
2021: the Census counted 461,240 Canadian Armed Forces veterans.
November 10, 2026: the new estimate of 4,306 living veterans was reported.

Travel Outlook

Living Second World War and Korean War veterans are a shrinking population, and the 2021 Census figure of 461,240 veterans offers a broader baseline. Canadians planning commemorative travel to Ottawa for Remembrance Day should check event schedules in advance.

Travellers visiting Ottawa around Remembrance Day should book accommodation and check ceremony times early. Commemorative events in the capital are likely to draw large crowds.

The takeaway

The falling number of living veterans makes early planning for commemorative visits to Canada more important. Travellers who want to attend ceremonies should confirm dates and locations before they book.