Québec, January 16, 2025. – Almost all of Québec’s administrative regions saw their population increase between July 1, 2023 and July 1, 2024. The majority of them recorded growth rates among their strongest, if not their strongest since data became available in 1986–1987. In most regions, population growth was mainly driven by international migration, particularly temporary immigration.
A demographic overview for each of Québec’s 17 administrative regions is provided in the publication Fiches démographiques – Les régions administratives du Québec en 2024 released today by the Institut de la statistique du Québec.
Montréal at the forefront in a year marked by strong population growth
For the second year in a row, Montréal had the strongest growth of all regions by far. In 2023–2024, its population increased by 91,300, up 4.2% compared to 2.3% for the province overall. This is one of the highest growth rates ever registered for any Québec region. The increase in Montréal alone accounted for 44% of the province’s total growth.
Capitale-Nationale came in second place in terms of population growth for 2023–2024. Its population was up by 2.4%, a new record for the region. Outaouais, Laval and Mauricie were close behind with growth rates around 2%.
The other regions whose population increased posted growth rates ranging from 0.3% to 1.8%. For several of these regions—including some where growth was more moderate—their growth rates were among the highest, if not the highest on record. This was the case for Estrie, Montérégie, Chaudière-Appalaches, Saguenay–Lac-Saint-Jean, Centre-du-Québec, Bas-Saint-Laurent, Abitibi-Témiscamingue, and Gaspésie–Îles-de-la-Madeleine.
Côte-Nord is the only region whose population did not increase between 2023 and 2024, but its losses were small.
International migration: Record gains in most regions, mainly because of temporary immigration
In almost all regions, population gains from international migration—which include permanent and temporary immigration—were up again in 2023–2024, exceeding the previous high from 2022–2023.
Montréal had the highest international migration gains on a per capita basis in 2023–2024. It was followed by the Capitale-Nationale, Laval and Outaouais regions. By comparison, gains were relatively low in certain regions further from large centres such as Nord-du-Québec and Gaspésie–Îles-de-la-Madeleine, but also in Lanaudière and Laurentides.
In every region, demographic growth was driven more by temporary immigration (mainly made up of temporary workers, foreign students and asylum seekers) than permanent immigration, as the growth in the number of non-permanent residents exceeded the number of immigrants admitted as permanent residents in all of them.
More deaths than births in 12 out of 17 regions
There were slightly more deaths than births in Québec between July 1, 2023 and July 1, 2024, a first over any equivalent period. The resulting natural balance was -1,150 people.
Over this period, deaths exceeded births in 12 out of 17 regions. The number of regions in this situation tends to increase over time due to an upward trend in deaths in the context of population aging combined with a decline in births. Last year, Lanaudière and Laurentides joined this group for the first time, albeit with a small number of excess deaths.
The only regions where births still outnumber deaths are Montréal, Outaouais, Laval, Montérégie, and Nord-du-Québec. However, the natural increase in these regions was small and played a limited role in population growth, except in Nord-du-Québec where it remained the main driver of growth.
Interregional migration: Large gains for Lanaudière and Laurentides once again, Montréal’s losses stable
In 2023–2024, 175,700 people moved to a different administrative region in Québec. As in 2022–2023, migration between administrative regions was relatively low over the past year. Interregional migration had increased during the COVID-19 pandemic, fuelled especially by departures from large centres, but for the past two years it has been at its lowest level since data became available (2001–2002).
Migration within Québec was once again greatly favourable to the regions of Lanaudière and Laurentides, which continued to make important gains at the expense of Montréal and Laval in 2023–2024.
After Lanaudière and Laurentides, the regions with the largest interregional migration gains in proportional terms were Mauricie, Estrie, Chaudière-Appalaches, and Gaspésie–Îles-de-la-Madeleine.
The Montréal region had the largest migration losses to other regions. Its deficit in 2023–2024 was comparable to the previous year, but much lower than in the years that followed the start of the COVID-19 pandemic. The only other regions that posted a deficit from interregional migration were Laval, as well as Côte-Nord, Nord-du-Québec and Abitibi-Témiscamingue.
For more information
Demographic fact sheets on Québec’s regions
Interactive charts comparing the demographic components of regions
Migration between regions is specifically addressed in the publication La migration interrégionale au Québec en 2023-2024 : une stabilisation des échanges migratoires après le ressac postpandémique.
The Institut de la statistique du Québec produces, analyzes and disseminates official, objective and quality statistical information on different 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 all those wishing to learn more about Québec.