Québec, December 17, 2024. – For 25 years, the Institut de la statistique du Québec (ISQ) has been providing essential statistical information that enhances knowledge, informs debates and supports decision making in Québec society. For its 25th anniversary, the ISQ has drawn on its work in different fields to release several statistical portraits on the evolution of Québec. The portraits released today focus on demographics, children and families, youth, seniors, population health, and education.
Population growth has accelerated
Between 1999 and 2024, Québec’s population rose from 7.3 million to 9 million people, an increase of 24%. The share of young people aged 19 and under decreased from 24.9% in 1999 to 20.7% in 2024, while the proportion of people aged 65 and over grew from 12.6% in 1999 to 21.1% today.
Declining fertility rate
The total fertility rate in Québec has fallen sharply since the 1960s. It dropped from 3.8 children per woman in 1961 to 1.49 in 1998, then to 1.38 in 2023. However, fertility remains higher in Québec than in most of the other Canadian provinces.
Mothers are more educated
In 1998–1999, 25% of the biological mothers of children aged 5 months had a university diploma. By 2020–2021, this proportion had almost doubled, reaching 49%.
Fewer babies are living in low-income households
The proportion of babies living in low-income households decreased from 26% in 1998 to 21% in 2021–2022.
The income of households with children has increased
From 1999 to 2021, the median after-tax income of households with children increased by 62% in constant 2021 dollars. It rose from $68,900 to $112,100 for two-parent families, and from $34,600 to $61,700 for single-parent families. By comparison, the median income of all Québec households increased by 39% over the same period, from $47,500 to $66,200.
Immigration propels population growth
In 1998, population growth stemmed more from natural increase (births minus deaths) (+21,600) than from immigration (+2,500). Today, population growth is essentially driven by immigration. In 2023, Québec recorded migration gains of 193,000 from international and interprovincial migration, while natural increase only resulted in an addition of 400 people.
Québec’s demographic weight in Canada declined
Québec’s demographic weight in Canada decreased from 24.5% in 1996 to 21.9% in 2024. This downward trend began in the late 1960s. In contrast, the demographic weight of Ontario has been increasing.
Population aging set to continue
In 1999, there were 900,000 people aged 65 and over in Québec. That number reached 1.9 million in 2024 and should continue to rise in the coming decades. In 2049, there should be 800,000 more people in Québec than in 2024, including 500,000 people aged 65 and over.
Seniors consider themselves to be in better health and are more likely to work
In 2020–2021, about 43% of people aged 65 and over perceived their health as very good or excellent, up from 37% in 2008. The employment rate of 65–69-year-olds rose from 6% in 2000 to 24% in 2023. It increased from about 2.9% to 19% among women in this age group, and from 9% to 30% among men.
Psychological distress on the rise
The proportion of Quebecers with a high level of psychological distress rose from 32% in 2014–2015 to 39% in 2020–2021. This increase was noted among both men and women, and in all age groups.
Fewer young people leave high school without a diploma or qualification
The percentage of students enrolled in general education who leave high school without a diploma or qualification declined from 22% for the 1999–2000 outgoing cohort of students to 16% for the 2021–2022 cohort.
The proportion of the population aged 25–34 with a postsecondary diploma is higher in Québec than in the rest of Canada. In 2006, 72.3% of Quebecers aged 25 to 34 had a postsecondary diploma, compared to 63.6% in the rest of Canada. By 2023, these proportions had risen to 80.5% and 74.7%.
More university graduates than before in Québec
In 2021, 29.5% of people aged 25 to 64 had a university degree (26.0% of men and 33.0% of women), up from 20.8% in 2006. Immigrants accounted for 27.3% of university graduates in 2021, which is higher than their share of the population aged 25–64 (18.3%).
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.