Québec, April 29, 2024. – What percentage of women and men are visible minorities? How many women and men are transgender or non-binary? What are the differences between immigrant women and men? New demographic indicators have been added to the statistical showcase on gender equality (in French only), which stems from a partnership between the Secrétariat à la condition féminine and the Institut de la statistique du Québec.
Gender minorities
According to the most recent population census (2021), there were 9,865 transgender persons in Québec (0.14% of the population aged 15 and over), including 5,160 women (52.3%) and 4,705 men (47.7%). There were also 6,360 non-binary persons (0.09%) (see the definitions related to gender diversity).
Sexual minorities
In 2018, sexual minority women (lesbian or gay, bisexual, pansexual, or with another non-heterosexual orientation) accounted for about 3.1% of all women in Québec. The proportion of sexual minority persons was similar among men, at 3.4%.
Of the 229,000 sexual minority persons, there were about 110,000 women (48%) and 118,000 men (52%). More specifically, women accounted for 32% of lesbians or gays, and for 65% of bisexual, pansexual, or other non-heterosexual orientation persons.
Immigrants
In 2021, excluding non-permanent residents, immigrant women accounted for 14.9% of all women in Québec. The proportion of immigrants was slightly lower among men (14.3%).
The share of economic immigrants was lower among women than men (51.3% vs. 58.4%). More men were admitted as principal applicants (32.4% vs. 20.3%), while more women were admitted as secondary applicants, either as the spouse or dependant of a principal applicant (13.0% vs. 25.9%).
Immigrant women were more likely than immigrant men to have been sponsored by a family member (30.9% vs. 22.1%). On the other hand, proportionally fewer immigrant women than men were among those recognized as refugees (16.3% vs. 18.1%).
Visible minorities
In 2021, visible minority women accounted for 16.2% of all women in Québec. This proportion was similar among men (16.0%).
In relation to their weight in the overall visible minority population (50.6%), women were overrepresented among Japanese (58.8%), Filipino (57.0%), and Chinese (55.4%) persons. In contrast, they were underrepresented among South Asian (47.5%) and Arab (47.5%) persons.
Persons with disabilities
In 2017, in Québec, about 18% of women aged 15 and over had a disability, compared to 14% of men. Women were more likely than men to have a moderate, severe, or very severe disability.
- A higher proportion of women than men had a disability related to:
- Vision (4% vs. 3%)
- Mobility (8% vs. 5%)
- Flexibility (7% vs. 6%)
- Dexterity (3% vs. 2%)
- Pain (12% vs. 8%)
- Mental health (5% vs. 4%)
For their part, men were more likely to have a hearing or developmental disability.
Results by age structure for several population subgroups are also presented in the statistical showcase on gender equality.
About the showcase
The showcase is the result of a partnership between the Secrétariat à la condition féminine and the Institut de la statistique du Québec and is among the actions implemented as part of the Government Strategy for Gender Equality 2022-2027. This showcase is updated periodically to monitor equality in Québec on an ongoing basis.
For 25 years, the Institut de la statistique du Québec has been producing, analyzing, and disseminating official, objective and high-quality statistical information on various aspects of Québec society. It is responsible for conducting all statistical surveys of general interest. The relevance of its work makes it a strategic ally for decision makers and an essential source of information for all those wishing to learn more about Québec.