Quebec, May 22, 2024. – Almost all administrative regions of Quebec saw their population increase between May 1er July 2022 and 1er July 2023, and half of them experienced their strongest growth since data became available at this scale, i.e. since 1986-1987. This is particularly the case for Montreal, which displays by far the strongest growth of all regions. The population of Montreal increased by 89,600 people over the last year, a growth of 4.3%, compared to 2.3% in Quebec as a whole. Never before has a region recorded such a high annual growth rate. Montreal’s growth alone accounts for 44% of the total growth observed in Quebec during the year.
Annual population growth rate, administrative regions and all of Quebec, 2019-2023
Sources
Institute of Statistics of Quebec.
Statistics Canada, Annual Demographic Estimates. Adapted by the Institute of Statistics of Quebec.
The Capitale-Nationale region follows in second place in terms of the strength of its demographic growth in 2022-2023 (2.6%). Until then, she had never climbed this high in the rankings.
Growth rates also reached peaks in the regions of Estrie, Centre-du-Québec, Chaudière-Appalaches, Mauricie, Montérégie, Saguenay–Lac-Saint-Jean and Bas- Saint Laurent. Growth was also significant in Lanaudière, Laval, Outaouais and the Laurentians, without however representing a record.
In comparison, population growth was more moderate in the Nord-du-Québec, Abitibi-Témiscamingue and Gaspésie–Îles-de-la-Madeleine regions. The North Shore is the only region where the population did not increase between 2022 and 2023. The population of this region, however, remained stable, although it had often declined in previous years.
Growth supported by international migration, and particularly temporary immigration
International migration was the engine of population growth in Quebec in 2022-2023. All regions experienced record gains in this area over the past year. This situation is the result of an unprecedented increase in the number of non-permanent residents (mainly temporary foreign workers, asylum seekers and international students).
A majority of regions also experienced an increase in the number of immigrants admitted as permanent residents, but this increase was much smaller than that recorded for non-permanent residents.
Interprovincial migration plays a relatively minor role in the demographic balance of the regions, with the exception of Outaouais, where it has been a Source of significant gains in recent years.
Moving from one region to another within Quebec continues to be unfavorable for Montreal, which has once again lost a good number of residents to other regions. These losses are, however, largely offset by international migratory gains, hence the strong growth of its population.
Deaths exceed births in 10 of 17 regions
Most regions experienced a decrease in the natural increase of their population in 2023 (difference between births and deaths), mainly due to a drop in births, since deaths generally did not increase.
In 10 of the 17 regions, deaths outnumbered births. This has been the case for several years in regions where the population is oldest, such as Gaspésie–Îles-de-la-Madeleine, Bas-Saint-Laurent and Mauricie, while this phenomenon is very recent in many others, such as Capitale-Nationale, Abitibi-Témiscamingue and Centre-du-Québec.
Note that even if births remain more numerous than deaths in some regions, natural increase is often of low magnitude and plays a reduced role in population growth. Throughout Quebec, natural increase was practically zero in the last year.
Fertility rates at historically low levels
Fertility reached one of the lowest levels in its history in Quebec in 2023, i.e. 1.38 children per woman, just above the low of 1.36 recorded in 1987. Likewise, fertility decreased in all regions. regions and is, in several cases, among the lowest ever observed.
This is particularly the case in Montreal, where the fertility index, which has been the lowest of all regions for several years, has fallen to 1.16 children per woman. In contrast, Nord-du-Québec maintains much higher fertility than other regions despite the decline over the last year, i.e. 2.17 children per woman.
With the exception of Nord-du-Québec, the regions of Centre-du-Québec and Chaudière-Appalaches have the highest fertility, closely followed by Abitibi-Témiscamingue, Lanaudière and Gaspésie–Îles-de -Madeleine. In these regions, fertility is between 1.6 and 1.7 children per woman.
To know more
Consult the demographic sheets of the regions of Quebec
View interactive graphs comparing the demographic components of the regions
For 25 years, the Quebec Statistics Institute has produced, analyzed and disseminated official, objective and quality statistical information on different aspects of Quebec society. He is responsible for carrying out all statistical surveys of general interest. The relevance of its work makes it a strategic ally for decision-making and an essential Source of information for all people who want to know more about Quebec.
