Industries with Largest Number of Businesses in Canada in 2025

• 1. Apartment Rental in Canada

  Number of Businesses for 2025: 402,507

  Revenue for Canadian apartment lessors has gained through the end of 2025. Apartment lessors collect rental income from rental properties, so market forces largely determine their rates. The supply of apartment rentals has grown slower than demand, which has elevated rental rates for lessors' benefit. Favourable economic conditions and demographic trends during most of the period have driven growth in demand. In 2020, the spread of COVID-19 lessened demand for apartment rentals, but the natur...

  Learn More

• 2. IT Consulting in Canada

  Number of Businesses for 2025: 110,563

  The rapid pace of technological change propelled the IT Consulting industry in Canada, with the prevalence of cloud-based services, mobile apps and other cutting-edge software fueling spending across the economy. The advent of artificial intelligence (AI) technology joins the long list of cutting-edge trends fueling need for IT consultants across various sectors. The Canadian government is simultaneously bolstering the industry with its large-scale investments, announcing a $2.0 billion inves...

  Learn More

• 3. Real Estate Sales & Brokerage in Canada

  Number of Businesses for 2025: 101,221

  Real estate sales and brokerage services are closely aligned with the health of the Canadian real estate market. Revenue rises alongside property prices and real estate transaction volumes as real estate agents are paid on commission when they close a deal. The industry has experienced significant volatility through the end of 2025, as fluctuations in interest rates have heavily impacted demand. Revenue will drop at a CAGR of 3.4% to $19.0 billion through the end of 2025, including an estimat...

  Learn More

• 4. Primary Care Doctors in Canada

  Number of Businesses for 2025: 87,698

  Demographic trends drive the rising demand for comprehensive primary care doctor services. An aging population's expanding medical needs are increasing the demographic's consumption of medical services. Primary care physicians are also first in line to help this demographic navigate complex conditions and visit specialists. Sudden population growth – an outcome of a surge in immigration and temporary residents – has also expanded the need for primary care physicians. When the pandemic abruptl...

  Learn More

• 5. Full-Service Restaurants in Canada

  Number of Businesses for 2025: 79,097

  Full-service restaurants in Canada thrived from the pandemic low, driven mainly by rising levels of consumer spending. However, the unwelcome high inflationary pressure following the pandemic has reduced customers' propensity to dine out as menu inflation surpassed food inflation. As a result, soaring operational costs and lower consumer interest in dining out have suppressed the industry's overall growth. Nonetheless, industry revenue has expanded an annualized 10.8% t...

  Learn More

• 6. Management Consulting in Canada

  Number of Businesses for 2025: 76,004

  Management consultants in Canada continue to drive considerable demand from a wide range of clients, as the vital nature of their services remains a core calling card for a variety of clients. Inflation volatility in recent years, which peaked at 8.1% in 2022 per the Bank of Canada, hampered individual clients’ capability of securing long-term commitments from consultants and encouraged in-house alternatives. Despite this, the economic downturn caused some customers to invest in countercyclic...

  Learn More

• 7. Long-Distance Freight Trucking in Canada

  Number of Businesses for 2025: 66,089

  Revenue for long-distance freight trucking services is expected to grow alongside favourable consumer trends. The North American trucking market navigated a challenging landscape marked by a freight recession that began in 2023. The sector experienced pricing pressures as merchant negotiations led to lower shipping rates, particularly affecting smaller enterprises and those reliant on spot markets. Oversaturation compounded the issue as record numbers of new entrants sought to capitalize on d...

  Learn More

• 8. Homebuilders in Canada

  Number of Businesses for 2025: 51,053

  Homebuilders have endured considerable volatility. Immigration into Canada has translated into unprecedented population growth, driving a deepening housing crisis. New housing starts haven't kept up with the population growth, making homebuilders more critical than ever to meet housing needs. Home shortages and changes in buying behaviour supported homebuilders during the COVID-19 pandemic. Still, the pandemic's disruption to global supply chains didn't spare contractors, with equipment and m...

  Learn More

• 9. Local Freight Trucking in Canada

  Number of Businesses for 2025: 41,111

  Canadian local freight truckers benefit from stable economic conditions. Truckers grappled with a persistent driver shortage, intensified by experienced drivers nearing retirement and challenges around wages and work-life balance for new hires. The scarcity of drivers became a limiting factor for businesses, prompting many companies to boost wages to lure new talent. Despite mounting competition from alternative freight distribution methods like rail transport, local trucking continued to thr...

  Learn More

• 10. Hair & Nail Salons in Canada

  Number of Businesses for 2025: 41,035

  The hair and nail salon industry is navigating a dynamic landscape of evolving consumer preferences and rising competition. While salons continue to broaden their service offerings and capitalize on premium consumer spending, the DIY movement facilitated by social media has introduced new challenges. As consumers access advanced techniques and tools through online platforms, many opt for at-home beauty routines. This trend has prompted salons to leverage digital tools, enhancing customer rela...

  Learn More