Québec, February 13, 2020. – Between 2016 and 2019, the population of 6 of Québec’s 17 administrative regions grew at an average annual rate of more than 10 per thousand (1%): Montréal and its four surrounding regions (Laurentides, Lanaudière, Montérégie and Laval), as well as Outaouais.
On the other hand, the population decreased in three regions. The decline was small in Bas-Saint-Laurent and Gaspésie–Îles-de-la-Madeleine (approximately -1 per thousand), but more pronounced in the Côte-Nord (-7 per thousand). Across the province, over the same period, the average annual growth rate was 10.3 per thousand.
These findings come from issue No. 71 of the bulletin Coup d’œil sociodémographique, published today by the Institut de la statistique du Québec. Based on the latest population estimates, this bulletin analyzes population changes in Québec’s administrative regions, regional county municipalities (RCMs) and municipalities.
Average annual population growth rate, administrative regions and all of Québec, 2016-2019
Note: Preliminary data
Source: Institut de la statistique du Québec
Contrasting results for RCMs
Of Québec’s 104 RCMs, 11 have seen their population grow at an average annual rate of more than 15 per thousand (1.5%). These include Montréal and 8 surrounding RCMs (4 in Montérégie, 2 in the Laurentides, and 2 in Lanaudière). The RCM of Mirabel, in the Laurentides region, ranks first with an average annual growth of 39.4 per thousand, nearly 4%. The two other high-growth RCMs are in the Capitale-Nationale and Nord-du-Québec regions.
Conversely, the 11 RCMs with the largest population drops (rates of less than -5 per thousand) are all located in the areas farthest from large centres. Among these, rates of less than -10 per thousand (-1%) are observed in two RCMs, namely La Haute-Côte-Nord and La Haute-Gaspésie.
Municipalities with population of 50,000 or more experienced the largest population increases
In general, municipalities with populations of 50,000 or more recorded the highest population growth between 2016 and 2019. On the other hand, 42% of municipalities with fewer than 1,000 inhabitants saw their populations shrink. In 2019, nearly half of Québec’s population (47.7%) lived in one of the 10 municipalities with 100,000 or more inhabitants.
Along with this bulletin, new population estimates were released for Québec’s administrative regions, RCMs and municipalities. These data align with Statistics Canada’s population estimates. Estimates for the 2016-2019 period are preliminary and will be revised in the next few years. Consequently, caution should be exercised when interpreting these results. Population estimates by age and sex are available through a series of tables on the Institut’s website.
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.