Québec, June 4, 2020. – In 2018, Québec municipalities' operating expenditures on culture totalled $1,017 million, up 6.9% from 2016.
These expenditures account for nearly 5% of total municipal operating expenditures and represent a contribution of $122.31 per capita. More than three-quarters of municipal expenditures on culture were spent on services rendered to the population ($779 million). This was revealed in the bulletin Optique culture no 71, published today by the Observatoire de la culture et des communications of the Institut de la statistique du Québec.
Changes in municipal operating expenditures on culture, Québec, 2014 to 2018
Source: Institut de la statistique du Québec, Observatoire de la culture et des communications du Québec
As in previous years, in 2018, 80% of spending on cultural services rendered to the population was allocated to libraries ($348 million), arts and letters ($156 million) and heritage, public art and design ($116 million).
Highest per capita expenditures observed in large municipalities
Among the seven size groups of studied municipalities, the highest per capita expenditures were found in the group with populations of 500,000 or more, made up of Montréal and Québec City ($196.91 per capita), and in the group with populations of 100,000 to 199,999, made up of Lévis, Saguenay, Sherbrooke, Terrebonne and Trois-Rivières ($130.84 per capita).
The bulletin also provides an analysis of municipal expenditures on culture by administrative region.
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 all those wishing to learn more about Québec.