Canada’s national net worth hit $4.5 trillion or $137,000 per person, at the end of 2005, Statistics Canada said today.

Net worth rose by $60.4 billion, or 1.4%, in the fourth quarter, as Canadian individuals and companies locked away more savings away.

That’s up sharply from 0.7% in the third. Third quarter growth was slowed by a marked increase in net foreign debt.

The national net worth is the total of the net worth of people, corporations and governments, including land.

StatsCan said the strong economy, especially the growth in residential real estate, boosted the national net worth.

Household net worth grew by 1.4% in the fourth quarter, off from the 2.4% increase recorded in the third quarter. This reflected slower increases in both residential real estate and equities.

Canadians’ appetite for debt eased slightly in the final quarter, although Canadian households still carry about $1.08 in debt for every dollar of disposable income.

Government debt fell for a third straight quarter. Net debt now represents roughly half of GDP, compared to 90% a decade ago.