The Canadian population of Yellow-bellied Sapsucker is best monitored by the Breeding Bird Survey, which samples the majority of the breeding range, and has high precision. The national trend shows a decline from the early 1970s to mid-1980s, followed by a notable increase from the mid-1990s to around 2010, and a slower rate of continued growth since then, amounting to 20% above early 1970s levels, within the range of little change. However, there is strong regional variation, with slightly negative trends north of the Prairies and in the Maritimes, compared to a moderate increase in central parts of Ontario and Quebec, and large increases in the Prairies and in southern parts of Ontario and Quebec. The overall slightly positive trend is reflected in the continental Christmas Bird Count results, which show an increase of 29% since 1970, also toward the upper end of the little change category.

The goal for Yellow-bellied Sapsucker is to maintain its population at or above the level it was at in the early 1970s, based on the Breeding Bird Survey. Recent data show that the population is within its goal range.