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    Québec’s real GDP at market prices up 1.5% in the fourth quarter of 2020

    Québec, March 24, 2021. – In the fourth quarter of 2020, Québec’s real gross domestic product (GDP) at market prices was up 1.5% from the previous quarter (+12.6% in the third quarter). Expressed at an annualized rate, real GDP grew 6.3%. That was revealed today in Comptes économiques du Québec, 4e trimestre 2020 published by the Institut de la statistique du Québec.

    The real GDP increase in the fourth quarter of 2020 came from a large change in business inventories. Final domestic demand edged down 0.4%. Final consumption expenditure rose (+0.2%), despite a decline in household expenditures (-0.5%). Business investment decreased (-2.7%), as did government investment (-3.3%). Both imports (+1.7%) and exports (+1.6%) were up.

    Québec’s real GDP at market prices down 5.3% in 2020

    For 2020 overall, Québec’s real GDP at market prices was down 5.3%, after increasing 2.7% in 2019. This was the first annual decline in real GDP since 2009. Nominal GDP, which takes into account price fluctuations, was down 4.0% in 2020.

    In real terms, final domestic demand fells by 3.7% in 2020, the sharpest drop observed since the 1982 recession. Final consumption expenditure declined (-4.3%), after growing 2.1% in 2019. Household final consumption expenditure (-5.6%) posted a historic decline, due to a sharp drop in services spending (-11.6%). Spending on goods rose by 1.1%, on account of a 3.4% increase in expenditures on non-durable goods. General governments final consumption expenditure posted a small decline (-0.8%).

    Gross fixed capital formation was down 1.6% in Québec in 2020. Business investment in non-residential structures decreased by 3.9%, while investment in machinery and equipment fell by 14.0%. For its part, residential investment registered growth (+2.8%). General governments gross fixed capital formation rose by 1.6% due to a significant increase in investment in machinery and equipment (+17.8%).

    Total exports of goods and services declined 11.7% in 2020. International exports decreased by 11.7%, and exports to the other provinces, by 11.5%. Total imports were down 13.2% (international: -15.0%; interprovincial: -9.1%). Since the total import volume declined more than the export volume, the external sector tempered the drop in real GDP in 2020.

    Canada’s real GDP at market prices down 5.4% in 2020

    According to data released by Statistics Canada on March 2, Canada’s real GDP at market prices increased by 2.3% in the fourth quarter of 2020 compared to the previous quarter (+9.6% at an annualized rate). For 2020 overall, Canada’s real GDP decreased by 5.4%, after growing 1.9% in 2019.

    Real gross domestic product at market prices and its main components1 (percentage change)


      Québec   Canada
     
     
      2020   2020
     
     
      Q3 Q4   Annual   Q3 Q4   Annual

    Real gross domestic product at market prices   12.6   1.5   -5.3   8.9   2.3   -5.4
      
    Final domestic demand   14.2   -0.4   -3.7   11.2   0.9   -4.5
      Final consumption expenditure   12.4   0.2   -4.3   10.3   0.4   -4.7
        Households   16.0   -0.5   -5.6   13.1   -0,1   -6.1
        Governments   5.1   1.6   -0.8   4.0   1.5   -1.1
      Gross fixed capital formation   21.6   -2.8   -1.6   14.5   2.3   -3.6
        Businesses   25.4   -2.7   -2.5   16.3   2.6   -5.3
        Governments   9.8   -3.3   1.6   7.8   1.4   4.3
    Exports of goods and services   13.1   1.6   -11.7   14.7   1.2   -9.8
    Imports of goods and services   19.6   1.7   -13.2   21.6   2.6   -11.3

    1. Changes in real gross domestic product at market prices and its components are calculated from seasonally-adjusted data and are expressed in chained dollars using the chain Fisher index (reference year 2012).
    Sources: Statistics Canada, Macroeconomic Accounts Branch.
    Institut de la statistique du Québec, Direction des statistiques économiques.

    Québec’s real GDP at basic prices up 0.4% in December 2020

    Québec’s real GDP at basic prices rose 0.4% in December 2020, following a 0.8% increase in November. Goods-producing industries were up 0.9%, while service-producing industries grew 0.3% in December. That was revealed in Produit intérieur brut par industrie au Québec, décembre 2020 released today by the Institut de la statistique du Québec.

    Québec’s real GDP at basic prices in 2020

    In 2020 overall, the output of goods-producing industries declined by 7.6%, while that of service-producing industries was down by 4.4%.

    The main sectors behind the decline in 2020 were manufacturing (-10.0%), transportation and warehousing (-20.0%), accommodation and food services (-31.6%), construction (-9.3%), and educational services (-8.3%). The arts, entertainment and recreation sector, which fell by 39.9%, posted the most significant relative drop in 2020.

    Canada’s real GDP at basic prices up 0.1% in December 2020

    According to data published by Statistics Canada on March 2, Canada’s real GDP at basic prices rose 0.1% in December 2020. Goods-producing industries grew 0.6%, while service-producing industries edged down 0.1% in December. For 2020 overall, goods-producing industries registered a 6.2% drop and service-producing industries posted a 4.9% decline.

    Upcoming release on Monday March 29

    Special bulletin: The impact of the pandemic on Québec’s economic sectors and GDP in 2020.


    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.

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