About Quebec
Located in the northeastern part of Canada, Quebec stands out as one of the country’s most vibrant and unique provinces. With a rich tapestry of history, culture, and natural beauty, it is a magnet for both locals and international visitors.
The population of Quebec, as of the latest census, is over 8.5 million residents. This number speaks to its role as a major economic, cultural, and political player in Canada. The blend of French and English heritage has given rise to a diverse population, firmly rooted in its past yet always looking forward.
As Canada’s largest province by area, Quebec boasts an array of landscapes. From the bustling metropolis of Montreal, known for its festivals and arts scene, to the historic Quebec City with its fortified walls, to the expansive northern tundras, the province is a marvel of contrasts. The St. Lawrence River, meandering through its heart, has played a pivotal role in shaping the economic and social fabric of the region.
The influence of Quebec is not merely limited to its geographic expanse or its population density. It extends to its distinct identity in the realm of Canadian politics and its powerful role in shaping the nation’s discourse. The Charter of the French Language, for example, is a testament to Quebec’s commitment to preserving its linguistic and cultural heritage in a predominantly English-speaking nation.
Education and healthcare are other pillars upon which Quebec places significant emphasis. Its array of esteemed universities and robust healthcare system are illustrative of a province committed to the welfare of its citizens. The natural resources sector, including forestry, mining, and hydroelectric power, further underscores its economic prowess and the importance it holds in the broader Canadian landscape.
One cannot discuss Quebec without acknowledging its vibrant arts scene. The world-renowned Montreal Jazz Festival, the cinematic endeavors of filmmakers like Denis Villeneuve, and the literary contributions of authors such as Louise Penny are all a testament to Quebec’s rich cultural tapestry.
Quebec, as a province, is much more than just a geographical entity on the Canadian map. Its robust population, expansive landscapes, economic might, and cultural contributions make it a cornerstone of the Canadian identity. Whether one is drawn to its history, its arts, or its natural wonders, Quebec invariably leaves an indelible mark on its visitors and residents alike.
Population Characteristics
According to the latest census, Quebec has a population of around 8,501,833 people. The province's population is in increased . Between 2016 and 2021, the population of Quebec has increased by 4.13%.
| Population in 2016 | Population in 2021 | Difference |
|---|---|---|
| 8,164,361 | 8,501,833 | +4.13% |
2026 Population Projection
Based on the compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 0.81% observed between the 2016 and 2021 censuses, Quebec's population is projected to reach approximately 8,853,254 people by 2026, with a projected population density of around 6.82 people per km².
| Population in 2021 | Projected Population in 2026 | Projected Density in 2026 (per km²) |
|---|---|---|
| 8,501,833 | 8,853,254 | 6.82 |
This projection is an estimate calculated by CAPopulation from the compound annual growth rate between the 2016 and 2021 censuses. It is not an official Statistics Canada figure.
Population By Genders
The male population of Quebec is around 4,201,960 while the female population is around 4,299,870.
Of the 8,501,833 total population in Quebec, the largest gender is female with around 4,299,870 women within the population.
| Male | Female | Difference |
|---|---|---|
| 4,201,960 | 4,299,870 | +2.28% |
Is Quebec a Good Place to Live?
Based on 2021 Statistics Canada Census data, here's how Quebec compares across key quality-of-life indicators. Draw your own conclusions from the actual numbers.
Employment & Economy
Income & Affordability
Commute
Housing Character
Household Composition
Source: Statistics Canada, 2021 Census of Population. Provincial comparison isn't shown on province/territory pages themselves.
Population by Age Characteristics
Quebec has an aging population. The majority of the population is people aged 60 to 64 years old, accounting for 7.40% of the total population. The province median age is 43.20.
| Data | Male | Female | Difference | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 60 to 64 years | 307,710 7.30% | 317,900 7.40% | 3.21% | 625,610 7.40% |
| 55 to 59 years | 307,230 7.30% | 308,465 7.20% | 0.40% | 615,690 7.20% |
| 40 to 44 years | 286,405 6.80% | 286,160 6.70% | 0.09% | 572,565 6.70% |
| 35 to 39 years | 274,350 6.50% | 276,075 6.40% | 0.62% | 550,425 6.50% |
| 65 to 69 years | 264,020 6.30% | 277,950 6.50% | 5.01% | 541,970 6.40% |
| 30 to 34 years | 267,770 6.40% | 268,270 6.20% | 0.19% | 536,040 6.30% |
| 25 to 29 years | 266,455 6.30% | 260,700 6.10% | 2.16% | 527,150 6.20% |
| 50 to 54 years | 262,610 6.20% | 260,325 6.10% | 0.87% | 522,935 6.20% |
| 45 to 49 years | 259,565 6.20% | 256,905 6.00% | 1.02% | 516,465 6.10% |
| 10 to 14 years | 250,855 6.00% | 238,570 5.50% | 4.90% | 489,425 5.80% |
| 5 to 9 years | 245,295 5.80% | 233,665 5.40% | 4.74% | 478,955 5.60% |
| 20 to 24 years | 235,250 5.60% | 225,405 5.20% | 4.18% | 460,660 5.40% |
| 70 to 74 years | 217,985 5.20% | 237,910 5.50% | 8.38% | 455,900 5.40% |
| 15 to 19 years | 219,400 5.20% | 209,995 4.90% | 4.29% | 429,400 5.10% |
| 0 to 4 years | 217,145 5.20% | 205,840 4.80% | 5.21% | 422,980 5.00% |
| 75 to 79 years | 153,790 3.70% | 177,050 4.10% | 13.14% | 330,840 3.90% |
| 85 years and over | 75,305 1.80% | 139,115 3.20% | 45.87% | 214,415 2.50% |
| 80 to 84 years | 90,825 2.20% | 119,580 2.80% | 24.05% | 210,405 2.50% |
| 85 to 89 years | 50,610 1.20% | 81,150 1.90% | 37.63% | 131,755 1.50% |
| 90 to 94 years | 20,490 0.50% | 44,535 1.00% | 53.99% | 65,020 0.80% |
| 95 to 99 years | 3,875 0.10% | 11,790 0.30% | 67.13% | 15,665 0.20% |
| 100 years and over | 330 0.00% | 1,640 0.00% | 79.88% | 1,975 0.00% |
Broader Age Groups
If the province's population is divided into broader age groups, most of the population falls into the 15 to 64 years age group. The group accounts for 63.00% of the population. The other age groups, 65 years and over and 0 to 14 years, account for 20.60% and 16.40%, respectively.
If we look at the population data from the broader age groups, we can see that most people in Quebec are within the 15 to 64 years age group.
| Data | Male | Female | Total |
|---|---|---|---|
| 15 to 64 years | 63.90% | 62.10% | 63.00% |
| Median age of the population | 42.00% | 44.00% | 43.20% |
| Average age of the population | 41.80% | 43.70% | 42.80% |
| 65 years and over | 19.10% | 22.10% | 20.60% |
| 0 to 14 years | 17.00% | 15.80% | 16.40% |
Photos of Places & Sceneries in Quebec
Explore Quebec Through Videos
Population of Quebec by Ethnicity and Origin
The population of Quebec is quite diverse, which contributes to the province's vibrant cultural landscape. Quebec is inclusive and accepts various ethnic groups with open arms. Furthermore, the province appreciates the unique contributions that each ethnicity brings.
The top 5 ethnicities and origins in the province are Canadian, which accounts for 29.03% of the total population, followed by French (21.41%), French Canadian (7.09%), Irish (4.86%), and Italian (3.81%).
Other ethnicities and origins in Newfoundland and Labrador include Scottish, English, Haitian, Caucasian (White), and First Nations (North American Indian).
| Ethnicity and Origin | Male | Female | Percentage in Population |
|---|---|---|---|
| Canadian | 28.74% | 29.32% | 29.03% |
| French | 21.76% | 21.07% | 21.41% |
| French Canadian | 7.04% | 7.13% | 7.09% |
| Irish | 4.69% | 5.04% | 4.86% |
| Italian | 3.82% | 3.80% | 3.81% |
| Scottish | 2.26% | 2.38% | 2.32% |
| English | 2.15% | 2.12% | 2.14% |
| Haitian | 1.78% | 1.97% | 1.88% |
| Caucasian (White) | 1.84% | 1.77% | 1.80% |
| First Nations (North American Indian) | 1.57% | 1.75% | 1.66% |
Immigration Profile
Immigration patterns vary a great deal from one area to another, which makes this data one of the more distinctive parts of Quebec's population profile.
About 14.6% of Quebec's population are immigrants (1,210,600 people).
The top countries of origin for Quebec's immigrant population are France (93,160), Haiti (86,105), Algeria (72,835), Morocco (68,865), China (52,500).
| Country of Birth | Population |
|---|---|
| France | 93,160 |
| Haiti | 86,105 |
| Algeria | 72,835 |
| Morocco | 68,865 |
| China | 52,500 |
Household and Dwelling Characteristics
About 1,671,920 of Quebec's population live in a single-detached house. In addition, most of them are living in 1 person household.
Household Size
About 17.55% of the population lives in 1 person households. 2 persons households ranked second, accounting for 17.30% of the population. 3 persons, 4 persons, and 5 or more persons households account for 6.40%, 5.70%, and 3.05%, respectively.
| Number of Person(s) in Household | Total | Percentage |
|---|---|---|
| 1 person | 1,317,505 | 17.55% |
| 2 persons | 1,295,730 | 17.30% |
| 3 persons | 480,135 | 6.40% |
| 4 persons | 427,605 | 5.70% |
| 5 or more persons | 228,060 | 3.05% |
Income in Quebec
Analyzing income distribution in Quebec can help us better understand its socioeconomic dynamics.
Per Capita Income
According to 2020 data, the median personal income within Quebec is $40,800.
A region's per capita data sheds light on the average income earned per person living in it. Since per capita income is calculated by dividing the region's total income by its population, it quantifies the population's economic situation on an individual basis.
Such data offers insights into the province's economic performance, spread of income across individuals, quality of life, as well as disparities within its borders.
Most of Quebec population or around 1,098,455 people falls in the $10,000 to $29,999 group. The next largest groups are the $50,000 to $79,999, and $30,000 to $49,999 with around 975,315 and 973,845 people, respectively.
Household Income
The Quebec's median household income is $72,500, according to 2020 data.
Below national average Quebec's median household income is 11,500 dollars below the Canadian national median of $84,000 (2020 data, 2021 Census).
The data provides important insights into the province's economic landscape as well as the living standards of its population.
Analyzing such data enables researchers, policymakers, and businesses to gain a more comprehensive understanding of the province's income distribution, disparities, and trends.
Education Levels in Quebec
This data sheds light on the distribution of Quebec residents across educational milestones.
Such information is crucial in shaping the province’s policies on education, workforce development strategies, and initiatives that aim to improve access to quality education and promote lifelong learning opportunities.
65.80% or most of the Quebec population has a Postsecondary certificate, diploma or degree. 26.50% of the population has a Bachelor's degree or higher, 19.20% has a High (secondary) school diploma or equivalency certificate, and 15.00% has No certificate, diploma or degree.
| Degree | Men | Women | Total | Percentage |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Postsecondary certificate, diploma or degree | 3,555,560 | 3,781,110 | 7,336,665 | 65.80% |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 1,315,005 | 1,621,160 | 2,936,165 | 26.50% |
| High (secondary) school diploma or equivalency certificate | 1,107,410 | 1,127,470 | 2,234,875 | 19.20% |
| No certificate, diploma or degree | 960,310 | 821,405 | 1,781,705 | 15.00% |
Below national average 26.5% of Quebec's population has a bachelor's degree or higher, compared to the national average of 32.9% (Canada, 2021 Census).
Employment in Quebec
This dataset provides a snapshot of employment trends in Quebec. It encompasses a wide range of sectors, industries, as well as job categories.
The data shows that the unemployment rate in Newfoundland and Labrador is at 4.84% which is pretty low.
| Status | Percentage |
|---|---|
| Employment rate | 59.27% |
| Unemployment rate | 4.84% |
Working as an Employee
The table shows the data on the total number of individuals in the province who work as an employee. The majority of Quebec's population (around 71.90%) are working permanent position as an employee.
Self-employed
In the province, there are 324,555 men and 206,165 women working as self-employed individuals, bringing the total number to 530,720.
| Status | Men | Women | Total |
|---|---|---|---|
| Self-employed | 324,555 | 206,165 | 530,720 |
Employment Industry Sectors
The Quebec industry employment sector census data offers insights into the region's economic landscape. The distribution of employment in Quebec is categorized and quantified, which reveals the region's economic composition.
Quebec has a wide range of industries. Most of its population (14%) works in the health care and social assistance sector. The Retail trade sector comes second at 12%, followed by Manufacturing at 10%.
| Industry | Men | Women | Percentage |
|---|---|---|---|
| Health care and social assistance | 122,675 | 494,525 | 14% |
| Retail trade | 248,905 | 265,185 | 12% |
| Manufacturing | 320,715 | 128,405 | 10% |
| Professional, scientific and technical services | 193,365 | 151,985 | 8% |
| Educational services | 104,300 | 236,590 | 8% |
| Construction | 254,795 | 41,240 | 7% |
| Public administration | 144,705 | 146,055 | 7% |
| Accommodation and food services | 109,950 | 122,530 | 5% |
| Transportation and warehousing | 161,115 | 48,330 | 5% |
| Other services (except public administration) | 89,730 | 100,735 | 4% |
| Administrative and support, waste management and remediation services | 104,695 | 66,645 | 4% |
| Finance and insurance | 74,020 | 95,960 | 4% |
| Wholesale trade | 96,670 | 50,670 | 3% |
| Information and cultural industries | 57,495 | 36,630 | 2% |
| Agriculture, forestry, fishing and hunting | 55,055 | 23,990 | 2% |
| Arts, entertainment and recreation | 38,810 | 33,890 | 2% |
| Real estate and rental and leasing | 35,450 | 27,575 | 1% |
| Utilities | 22,680 | 8,330 | 1% |
| Mining, quarrying, and oil and gas extraction | 21,200 | 3,695 | 1% |
| Management of companies and enterprises | 2,675 | 2,935 | 0% |
Labour Market Snapshot
A quick snapshot of where Quebec residents work — the leading industry sectors employing them, and the broad occupation categories they work in.
Top employer sectors in Quebec: Health care and social assistance (14%), -45 Retail trade (12%), -33 Manufacturing (10%)
Top occupation categories in Quebec: Sales and service occupations (24%), Business, finance and administration occupations (18%), Trades, transport and equipment operators and related occupations (16%)
Places of Work
The data offers insights into the commuting patterns as well as workplace distribution in the province. It provides a snapshot of workplaces, showing their geographic distribution and the flow of workers across different areas.
| Work Location | Men | Women | Total | Percentage |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Usual place of work | 1,351,360 | 1,400,930 | 2,752,285 | 67.10% |
| Worked at home | 435,285 | 462,480 | 897,770 | 21.90% |
| No fixed workplace address | 333,730 | 108,305 | 442,035 | 10.80% |
| Worked outside Canada | 5,980 | 2,380 | 8,355 | 0.20% |
Commuting
The data sheds light on how Quebec residents travel to school or work. It highlights the frequency of different modes of transportation like walking, cycling, carpooling, and public transit.
The data is pivotal in the making of transportation policies as well as the development of transit systems. Ultimately commuting data contributes to improving the quality of life of Quebec residents and sustainable urban planning.
Commuting Duration
This data reveals the average time that the residents of Quebec spend traveling to their workplaces. It also sheds light on the efficiency of the province's public transit systems, and road networks, as well as the accessibility of the province.
| Duration | Percentage |
|---|---|
| 15 to 29 minutes | 34.80% |
| Less than 15 minutes | 31.50% |
| 30 to 44 minutes | 19.90% |
| 45 to 59 minutes | 7.40% |
| 60 minutes and over | 6.50% |
Marital Status
The statistics on marital status in Quebecshed light on its societal dynamics. It captures the diverse types of marital statuses of the population.
Long-term commitments, such as common-law partnerships, civil unions, and marriages, reflect the province's social fabric. We can gain insights into Quebec's changing preferences and norms by examining the trends in marital status.
Language Spoken
The data below highlights province's linguistic diversity, showing elegances of solo language as well as bilingual harmonies. Other than language, it also shows the cultural landscape in Canada.
French is the most spoken official language in Quebec. About 6,909,570 people living in the province speak French, 1,088,820 people speak English, 329,515 people speak English and French language, and 79,000 people speak Neither English nor French language.
| Language | Population |
|---|---|
| French | 6,909,570 |
| English | 1,088,820 |
| English and French | 329,515 |
| Neither English nor French | 79,000 |
Mother Tongue & Home Language
Useful for newcomers researching an area: this shows the language residents first learned at home in childhood (mother tongue) and the language they speak most often at home now, which can differ as families settle in.
| Language | Mother Tongue | Spoken Most Often at Home |
|---|---|---|
| French | 74.8% | 77.5% |
| Non-official languages | 13.9% | 7.9% |
| English | 7.6% | 10.4% |
Religion
Quebec is predominantly Christian. About 5,385,240 of its population is Christian (2,596,385 males and 2,596,385 females).
The second largest religion in the province is Muslim with 5.1% of the population adhering to the religion. There are also Jewish and Buddhist, both represent 1.0% and 0.6% of the population, while Hindu represent 0.6% of the population.
| Religion | Population |
|---|---|
| Christian | 64.8% |
| Islam | 5.1% |
| Jewish | 1.0% |
| Buddhist | 0.6% |
| Hindu | 0.6% |
| Sikh | 0.3% |
Frequently Asked Questions about Quebec
According to the 2021 census, Quebec has a population of approximately 8,501,833 people.
Between 2016 and 2021, the population of Quebec increased by 4.13%.
Quebec has a population density of approximately 6.50 people per square kilometre.
Quebec covers a land area of approximately 1,298,599.75 km².
The median age of the population in Quebec is 43.20 years.
The largest ethnic or cultural origin group in Quebec is Canadian.
The median household income in Quebec is $72,500, based on 2020 data.
French is the most common first official language spoken in Quebec.
Christian is the predominant religion in Quebec.