Québec, November 11, 2020. – The Institut de la statistique du Québec published today the 12th edition of the Panorama des régions du Québec, a reference work presenting a set of statistics on Québec’s administrative regions and regional county municipalities (RCMs). Based on the most recent data sources, this publication covers a variety of topics, including demography, employment, tourism, property values, and electric transportation.
Many of these statistics relate to the situation prior to 2020 and provide a portrait of regions and RCMs before the pandemic. However, a first regional look can be taken at some of the economic repercussions of the crisis resulting from the COVID-19 pandemic.
A first look at the situation of regions in 2020
Decline in employment and significant increase in unemployment in several regions
In the first six months of 2020 in Québec, there were 273,100 fewer jobs than in the same period in 2019. This decline is equivalent to 6.4% of the jobs counted in the first half of 2019.
- However, only the Capitale-Nationale (-55,000) and Laurentides (-61,600) regions recorded statistically significant declines in employment.
The unemployment rate in the first half of 2020 also shows a deterioration of the regional labour market when compared with that in the first half of 2019.
- Unemployment rose by more than five percentage points in Capitale-Nationale, Lanaudière, Laurentides and Saguenay–Lac-Saint-Jean.
Investments expected to decrease in 12 out of 17 regions
According to intentions for 2020, non-residential capital expenditures in Québec should drop 3.7% from 2019 to $41.7 billion.
- The largest decreases should occur in Outaouais (-15.6%) and Montérégie (-13.3%). For its part, the Montréal region should register a 0.8% decline.
- Five regions should see an increase in spending in 2020, with the largest increase expected in Nord-du-Québec (+14.2%).
Portrait of the situation of regions before the pandemic
Regional GDP up in 16 of 17 regions
- In four Québec regions, namely Estrie, Abitibi-Témiscamingue, Côte-Nord and Centre-du-Québec, nominal GDP increased by 6% or more.
- Côte-Nord registered growth for the second consecutive year (+3.7% in 2017 and +6.1% in 2018), after posting declines between 2013 and 2016.
- Conversely, Gaspésie–Îles-de-la-Madeleine saw its GDP drop 1.1%.
Disposable income grew in all regions
Between 2017 and 2018, per capita disposable income increased in all regions.
- At the RCM level, the Caniapiscau RCM in Côte-Nord had the highest income ($40,385) in 2018.
- The Kativik Regional Government, in Nord-du-Québec, had the lowest income in the province ($22,080) and the largest decline (-1.5%) in 2018.
Mirabel had the strongest population growth of all RCMs
Between 2016 and 2019, 14 of Québec’s 17 regions saw their population grow.
- The RCMs with the largest population growth are concentrated mainly around Montréal, including Mirabel, which posted the highest average annual growth rate of the past three years (+39.4 per thousand).
- Côte-Nord is the region that recorded the most significant population decline. Of the six RCMs in the region, none had more inhabitants in 2019 than in 2016. Only Caniapiscau experienced stability during this period.
Marked increase in property values in Montréal
The average value of single-family homes in Québec is $286,344.
- In Montréal, the property value of single-family homes stands at over $600,000 (reflecting market conditions in July 2018), which represents an annual increase of 12.5%.
- It is in Gaspésie–Îles-de-la-Madeleine that the average value is lowest in Québec ($133,593).
Strong growth for electric transportation
Between March 2019 and March 2020, nearly 26,000 electric vehicles were added to Québec’s roads, a 60% increase visible in all regions.
- Montérégie is the region with the highest concentration of electric vehicles in terms of numbers, but Lanaudière continues to have the highest ratio relative to its population.
- Electric charging stations are now in service in all regions, including Nord-du-Québec.
Mauricie stands out in terms of cultural spending
Municipal cultural spending on services rendered to the population grew rapidly in Mauricie between 2014 and 2018 (+7.9%) and stood at $133.41 per capita in 2018. This is the second-highest amount on a regional scale, after Montréal ($164.83).
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.