2020 by the numbers

The COVID‑19 pandemic represented the most serious global health and economic crisis in over a century. In the face of extremely challenging personal and professional circumstances, Bank of Canada employees remained dedicated to ensuring that the institution could continue serving Canadians.

-5.5%

Canada’s real gross domestic product growth as estimated at December 31, 2020

0.7%

Consumer price index inflation

0.25%

Policy interest rate at year-end

78.54

US cents—Exchange rate for $Can1 as at December 31, 2020

$323.6

billion—Nominal value of marketable bonds issued in 2020

$194.8

billion—Nominal value of Government of Canada bonds purchased under its Government of Canada Bond Purchase Program

8

Number of iconic Canadians short-listed for selection as the portrait subject for the next $5 bank note

$346.4

thousand—Total staff donations to the Bank of Canada workplace charitable campaign—a record for the Bank