Québec, February 20, 2025. – In Québec, sexual minority people represented 3.3% of the population aged 15 and over in 2018. Gender minority people accounted for 0.23% of the population in 2021. Sexual minority and gender minority people are relatively younger than the rest of the population.
Sexual minority women are more likely than other women to find most days quite a bit or extremely stressful. They are also less likely to perceive their mental health as excellent or very good than heterosexual women and men in general, and more likely to have a diagnosed anxiety disorder.
Sexual or gender minority women are more likely than heterosexual and cisgender women and men in general to have experienced at least one sexual assault since the age of 15 and at least one unwanted sexual behaviour in public in the past 5 years.
These are some of the new statistics available in 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.
| Proportion of people... | Sexual minority women | Heterosexual women | Sexual minority men | Heterosexual men |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| who perceive their health as excellent or very good (2017–2020) | 48% | 69% | 65% | 75% |
| with a diagnosed anxiety disorder (2017–2020) | 23% | 10% | 10% | 5% |
| who find most days quite a bit or extremely stressful (2017–2020) | 35% | 25% | 27% | 22% |
| Proportion of people... | Sexual or gender minority women | Heterosexual and cisgender women | Sexual or gender minority men | Heterosexual and cisgender men |
| who have experienced sexual assault at least once since the age of 15 (2018) | 41% | 25% | 24% | 5% |
| who have experienced at least one unwanted sexual behaviour in public in the past 5 years (2018) | 59% | 23% | 34% | 8% |
Sources, definitions and methodology for each indicator are detailed in the statistical showcase.
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.
Statistics on other groups of women will be released over the next few weeks, including on immigrants and people with disabilities. Sign up for our email notifications so you don’t miss anything.
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.