Montréal, August 11, 2025. – What proportion of Québec’s population reads books, listens to podcasts, plays video games, or watches traditional television? What motivates Quebecers to go to a museum or the movies—or not? Is it true that fewer young people listen to music by Québec artists in comparison to older people?
The 2024 Québec Survey on Cultural Leisure and Entertainment, conducted among 16,000 people aged 15 and over by the Institut de la statistique du Québec’s Observatoire de la culture et des communications, painted a portrait of a society in which deeply rooted traditions coexist with new digital cultural habits.
Culture just a few clicks away
Digital technology is everywhere: 96% of the population used the Internet for personal reasons and 89% were active on social media. Unsurprisingly, the 15–29 age group used social media at a particularly high rate of 98%.
Video games – More than half the population (54%) played video games. All age groups did so, but the context and game medium differed depending on age. Younger people were more likely to play online games with friends (19% of players aged 15–29) and to use a computer and console to play, compared to older people, who played alone more often and used mobile devices more frequently.
Podcasts – Listening to podcasts was popular: almost half the population (49%) did so. The proportion rose to 68% among 15–29-year-olds and to 63% among people aged 30–44. People born outside Québec were more likely to listen to podcasts (56%) than those born in Québec (47%). Also, people living in high-income households listened to podcasts at a higher rate (61%) than those in low-income households (39%).
Traditional television and digital platforms – Approximately 73% of the population aged 15 and over lived in a household with a subscription to a non-Québec-based digital content distribution platform, 67% in households with a traditional television subscription, and 28% in households with a subscription to a Québec digital content distribution platform.
Traditional television was still very popular among older people (94% of people 75 and older lived in a household that subscribed to this type of service), while younger people preferred non-Québec digital distribution platforms (90% of those aged 15–29 and 84% in the 30–44 age group).
Nearly one in five people (20%) spent more than 4 hours a day watching televised content, and 28% spent 3 to 4 hours a day doing so. Approximately 22% of people born in Québec spent 3 to 4 hours a day watching television, compared to 14% of those born outside Québec.
Music – Almost the entire population (96%) listened to music. Of those, 69% had a paid subscription to at least one digital music streaming platform, and approximately 40% used such platforms to listen to music every day or almost every day. More than a third (35%) listened to music live on the radio every day, and 20% used video sharing and distribution platforms every day or almost every day to do so.
Movies – Going to the movies was one of the most popular cultural outings in Québec: 70% of the population did so at least once a year. The vast majority of people aged 15–29 went to the movies at least once a year, while the proportion was lower among older people.
- 15–29 years old: 89%
- 30–44 years old: 76%
- 45–59 years old: 67%
- 60–74 years old: 62%
- 75 and over: 46%
Reading and listening to audiobooks – Approximately 82% of the population read a book (printed or digital) in their free time in 2024. The most popular genres among readers were novels and short stories (36%), followed by self-help (17%) and how-to books (16%). In addition, 32% of the population aged 15–29 read digital books and 21% listened to audiobooks.
Visiting cultural venues and events – Approximately half (51%) of the population went to a museum, exhibition venue or exhibition at least once in 2024. People born outside Québec visited these cultural venues at a higher rate than those born in Québec (59% vs. 48%).
Québec culture and globalization
Among television viewers, less than one in four (23%) watched mainly Québec content, and that number dropped to 14% among the 30–44 age group and to 8% among those aged 15–29.
There was a similar trend among music listeners: 69% of those 15–29 and 50% of those 30–44 mainly listened to music by non-Québec artists. More than one in two people aged 15–29 (57%) listened mostly to English songs.
Finally, among book readers, 37% mainly read books by non-Québec authors.
Unequal access to culture
Cultural practices were generally more prevalent among those with higher levels of education or income. Cultural institutions such as public libraries (used by 49% of the population at least once in 2024) played a key role in reducing these disparities.
View other highlights
- Video games
- Televised content
- Movies
- Radio
- Podcasts
- Music
- Reading and listening to audiobooks
- Cultural venues and events
- Performing arts
The Institut de la statistique du Québec produces, analyzes and disseminates official, objective and 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.