Demographics of Quebec
The demographics of Quebec constitutes a complex and sensitive issue, especially as it relates to the National Question of Canada.
Quebec is the only province in Canada to feature a francophone (French-speaking) majority, and where anglophones (English-speakers) constitute an officially recognized minority group.
However, while francophones currently constitute approximately a little under 80% of the overall population, they also conversely feature a low birthrate, especially in the cities of Montreal and Quebec. If such trends continue, researchers predict that the low birthrate amongst francophones and the lack of adoption of the French language and assimilation into the francophone culture by allophone (those whose primary language is neither English nor French) immigrants will cause the French-speaking population on the island of Montreal to dive below the 50 percent mark in the coming decades, but not the Montreal metropolitan census area as a whole.[1]
A recent decline in the francophone birth rate, and perceived weakening position of the French language in Montreal, led to the passing of the Charter of the French Language (Bill 101) by the provincial government in order to protect the status of the French language as well as to increase the francophone population in the future. While the use of French throughout Quebec has been strengthened, the proportion of Montreal residents who are native French speakers has continued to decline due to an influx of immigrants.[2] However, due to the Charter of the French Language, children of allophone immigrants are enrolled in the francophone public school system. Thus, they usually become fluent in French as well as in English.
Quebec is also home to "one of the world's most valuable founder populations", the Quebec Founder Population.[3] Founder populations are very valuable to medical genetic research as they are pockets of low genetic variability which provide a useful research context for discovering gene-disease linkages. The Quebec Founder Population arose through the influx of people into Quebec from France in the 17th century to mid-18th century; though this influx was large, a high proportion of the immigrants either died or returned to France, leaving a founder population of approximately 2,600 people.[3][4] About seven million Canadians (along with several million French Americans in the United States) are descendants of these original 2,600 colonists.[3]
Contents |
[edit] Population
Population since 1851:
Year | Population | Five-year % change |
Ten-year % change |
Rank among provinces |
---|---|---|---|---|
1851 | 892,061 | n/a | n/a | 2 |
1861 | 1,111,566 | n/a | 24.6 | 2 |
1871 | 1,191,516 | n/a | 7.2 | 2 |
1881 | 1,359,027 | n/a | 14.1 | 2 |
1891 | 1,488,535 | n/a | 9.5 | 2 |
1901 | 1,648,898 | n/a | 10.8 | 2 |
1911 | 2,005,776 | n/a | 21.6 | 2 |
1921 | 2,360,665 | n/a | 17.8 | 2 |
1931 | 2,874,255 | n/a | 21.8 | 2 |
1941 | 3,331,882 | n/a | 15.9 | 2 |
1951 | 4,055,681 | n/a | 21.8 | 2 |
1956 | 4,628,378 | 14.1 | n/a | 2 |
1961 | 5,259,211 | 13.6 | 29.7 | 2 |
1966 | 5,780,845 | 9.9 | 24.9 | 2 |
1971 | 6,027,765 | 4.3 | 14.6 | 2 |
1976 | 6,234,445 | 3.4 | 7.8 | 2 |
1981 | 6,438,403 | 3.3 | 6.8 | 2 |
1986 | 6,532,460 | 1.5 | 4.8 | 2 |
1991 | 6,895,963 | 5.6 | 7.1 | 2 |
1996 | 7,138,795 | 3.5 | 9.3 | 2 |
2001 | 7,237,479 | 1.4 | 5.0 | 2 |
2006 | 7,546,131 | 4.3 | 5.7 | 2 |
Source: Statistics Canada [1][2]
[edit] Vital statistics
Age structure: (2001 census)
Age Groups | Total | Male | Female |
---|---|---|---|
0–4 years | 375,770 | 192,280 | 183,490 |
5–9 years | 457,225 | 232,650 | 224,575 |
10–14 years | 458,585 | 234,140 | 224,445 |
15–24 years | 949,475 | 481,990 | 467,485 |
25–34 years | 921,770 | 459,960 | 461,810 |
35–44 years | 1,243,970 | 617,510 | 626,460 |
45–54 years | 1,109,945 | 548,080 | 561,865 |
55–64 years | 760,905 | 370,960 | 389,945 |
65–74 years | 547,185 | 248,740 | 298,445 |
75–84 years | 318,185 | 120,940 | 197,245 |
85 years and over | 94,450 | 25,580 | 68,870 |
Total | 7,237,480 | 3,532,845 | 3,704,635 |
Source : Statistics Canada [5]
Quebec's fertility rate is now higher than the Canadian average. At 1.74 children per woman in 2008,[6] it is above the Canada-wide rate of 1.59, and has increased for five consecutive years, reaching its highest level since 1976.[6] However, it is still below the replacement fertility rate of 2.1 children per woman. This contrasts with its fertility rates before 1960, which were among the highest of any industrialized society. For example, between 1951 and 1961, the population grew nearly 30% with minimal immigration, a natural growth rate matched today only by some African countries.
Although Quebec is home to only 23.9% of the population of Canada, the number of international adoptions in Quebec is the highest of all provinces of Canada. In 2001, 42% of international adoptions in Canada were carried out in Quebec.
Population growth rate: 0.7% (2006)
Birth rate: 9.9% (2005)
Synthetic fertility index: 1.61 (2006)
Death rate: 7.4% (2003)
Net migration rate: 4.1% (2003)
Infant mortality rate: 0.46% (2004)
Stillbirth rate: 3.8% -- 3.5% notwithstanding requested abortions (2002)
Life expectancy: In 2002, life expectancy was 76.3 years for males and 81.9 years for females.
Urbanisation: In 2001, 80.4% of Quebecers lived in urban areas.
Literacy: International Adult Literacy Survey 47% Prose, 42% Document, 40% Quantitative (1996) Note: This is not the official literacy rate, and should not be used in comparisons with rates calculated using different procedures.
[edit] Languages
[edit] Mother tongue language
Language(s) | 2006 | 2001 | 1996 | ||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Population | Percentage (%) | Population | Percentage (%) | Population | Percentage (%) | ||
French | 5,877,660 | 79 | 5,761,765 | 80.8 | 5,742,575 | 80.4 | |
English | 575,555 | 7.7 | 557,040 | 7.8 | 568,405 | 8 | |
Both English and French | 43,335 | 0.6 | 50,060 | 0.7 | 97,225 | 1.4 | |
Non-official languages | 939,350 | 12.6 | 756,710 | 10.6 | 730,595 | 10.2 | |
Total population | 7,435,905 | 100 | 7,125,580 | 100 | 7,138,795 | 100 |
[edit] Language spoken at home
Language | Population | Percentage (%) |
---|---|---|
French | 6,027,735 | 81 |
English | 744,430 | 10. |
Both English and French | 52,325 | 0.7 |
Non-official languages | 518,320 | 7 |
Both French and a non-official language | 54,490 | 0.7 |
Both English and a non-official language | 26,560 | 0.4 |
French, English and a non-official language | 12,035 | 0.2 |
Total population | 7,435,905 | 100 |
[edit] Knowledge of official languages
Language | Population | Percentage (%) |
---|---|---|
French only | 4,010,880 | 53.9 |
English only | 336,785 | 4.5 |
Both English and French | 3,017,860 | 40.6 |
Neither English or French | 70,375 | 0.9 |
Total population | 7,435,905 | 100 |
[edit] Ethnic origin
Ethnic origin | Population | Percent |
---|---|---|
Canadien / Canadian | 4,474,115 | 60.1% |
French | 2,151,655 | 28.9% |
Irish | 406,085 | 5.5% |
Italian | 299,655 | 4.0% |
English | 245,155 | 3.3% |
North American Indian | 219,815 | 3.0% |
Scottish | 202,515 | 2.7% |
Québécois | 140,075 | 1.9% |
German | 131,795 | 1.8% |
Chinese | 91,900 | 1.24% |
Haitian | 91,435 | 1.23% |
Spanish | 72,090 | 0.97% |
Jewish | 71,380 | 0.96% |
Greek | 65,985 | 0.89% |
Polish | 62,800 | 0.84% |
Lebanese | 60,950 | 0.83% |
Portuguese | 57,445 | 0.77% |
Belgian | 43,275 | 0.58% |
East Indian | 41,600 | 0.56% |
Romanian | 40,320 | 0.54% |
Russian | 40,155 | 0.54% |
Moroccan | 36,700 | 0.49% |
American (USA) | 36,695 | 0.49% |
Métis | 36,280 | 0.49% |
Vietnamese | 33,815 | 0.45% |
Acadian | 32,950 | 0.44% |
Ukrainian | 31,955 | 0.43% |
African (Black) | 30,170 | 0.41% |
Filipino | 25,680 | 0.35% |
Algerian | 25,150 | 0.34% |
British Isles | 23,445 | 0.32% |
Armenian | 23,230 | 0.31% |
Dutch (Netherlands) | 23,015 | 0.31% |
Hungarian (Magyar) | 22,585 | 0.30% |
Swiss | 20,280 | 0.27% |
Egyptian | 17,950 | 0.24% |
Salvadoran | 15,770 | 0.21% |
Syrian | 14,925 | 0.20% |
Ethnic origin | Population | Percent |
---|---|---|
Colombian | 14,845 | 0.20% |
Mexican | 14,215 | 0.19% |
Berbers | 13,415 | 0.18% |
Inuit | 12,915 | 0.17% |
Iranian | 12,370 | 0.17% |
Peruvian | 12,335 | 0.17% |
Jamaican | 11,935 | 0.16% |
Pakistani | 11,710 | 0.16% |
Chilean | 11,585 | 0.16% |
Turk | 11,385 | 0.15% |
Austrian | 11,295 | 0.15% |
Sri Lankan | 10,750 | 0.14% |
Congolese | 10,190 | 0.14% |
Cambodian | 10,175 | 0.14% |
Welsh | 9,815 | 0.13% |
Black | 9,520 | 0.13% |
Tunisian | 7,870 | 0.11% |
Bulgarian | 6,955 | 0.09% |
Guatemalan | 6,880 | 0.09% |
Laotian | 6,425 | 0.09% |
Norwegian | 6,350 | 0.09% |
Bangladeshi | 6,095 | 0.08% |
Yugoslav | 6,090 | 0.08% |
Swedish | 5,975 | 0.08% |
Afghan | 5,855 | 0.08% |
Lithuanians | 5,665 | 0.08% |
Korean | 5,555 | 0.07% |
Czech | 5,540 | 0.07% |
West Indian | 5,420 | 0.07% |
Barbadian | 5,340 | 0.07% |
Croatian | 5,330 | 0.07% |
Latin/Central/South American | 5,270 | 0.07% |
European | 5,130 | 0.07% |
Danish | 5,130 | 0.07% |
Palestinian | 4,940 | 0.07% |
Trinidadian/Tobagan | 4,810 | 0.06% |
Japanese | 4,560 | 0.06% |
Slovak | 4,560 | 0.06% |
Percentages are calculated as a proportion of the total number of respondents (7,435,905) and may total more than 100 percent due to dual responses.
Only groups with 0.06 percent or more of respondents are shown.[10]
Ethnicity according to the older more general system of classification is shown below:
Origins | 2001 | % |
---|---|---|
North American | 4,989,230 | 70.02% |
French | 2,123,185 | 29.80% |
British Isles | 547,790 | 7.69% |
Southern European | 409,095 | 5.74% |
Aboriginal | 159,900 | 2.24% |
Western European | 153,750 | 2.16% |
Arab (including Lebanese) | 135,750 | 1.91% |
East and Southeast Asian | 132,280 | 1.86% |
Origins | 2001 | % |
---|---|---|
Eastern European | 130,410 | 1.83% |
Caribbean | 108,475 | 1.52% |
Other European | 86,450 | 1.21% |
Latin, Central and South American | 65,150 | 0.91% |
South Asian | 62,585 | 0.88% |
African | 48,715 | 0.68% |
West Asian | 40,960 | 0.57% |
Northern European | 15,295 | 0.21% |
Percentages are calculated as a proportion of the total number of respondents (7,125,580) and may total more than 100% due to dual responses
Only groups of more than 0.02% are shown[11]
[edit] Aboriginal status
The 2006 census counted a total aboriginal population of 108,425 (1.5%) including 65,085 North American Indians (0.9%), 27,985 Métis (0.4%), and 10,950 Inuit (0.15%). It should be noted however, that there is a significant undercount, as many of the biggest Indian bands regularly refuse to participate in Canadian censuses for political reasons regarding the question of aboriginal sovereignty. In particular, the largest Mohawk Iroquois reserves (Kahnawake, Akwesasne and Kanesatake) were not counted.’’{Percentages are calculated as a proportion of the total number of respondents (7,435,905)}’’[12]
[edit] Visible minorities
Visible minority | 2006 | % | 2001 | % | 1996 | % |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Black | 152,195 | 2.14% | 131,970 | 1.87% | ||
Arab/West Asian | 85,770 | 1.20% | 79,710 | 1.13% | ||
Arab | 73,345 | 1.03% | N | N | ||
West Asian | 12,425 | 0.17% | N | N | ||
Latin American | 59,515 | 0.84% | 51,440 | 0.73% | ||
South Asian | 59,505 | 0.84% | 47,590 | 0.68% |
Visible minority | 2006 | % | 2001 | % | 1996 | % |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Chinese | 56,830 | 0.80% | 50,360 | 0.71% | ||
Southeast Asian/Filipino | 62,665 | 0.88% | 56,945 | 0.81% | ||
Southeast Asian | 44,115 | 0.62% | 42,130 | 0.60% | ||
Filipino | 18,550 | 0.26% | 14,815 | 0.21% | ||
Korean | 4,410 | 0.06% | 3,930 | 0.06% | ||
Japanese | 2,830 | 0.04% | 3,035 | 0.04% |
Percentages are calculated as a proportion of the total number of respondents (7,125,580)
Only groups with more than 0.02% of respondents are shown [13]
[edit] Religion
Quebec is unique among the provinces in its overwhelmingly Roman Catholic population. This is a legacy of colonial times when only Roman Catholics were permitted to settle in New France.
Religion | Denomination | Congregation | Proportion |
---|---|---|---|
Catholic Christian | 5,939,795 | 83.6% | |
Roman Catholic | 5,930,385 | 83.23% | |
Ukrainian Catholic | 3,430 | 0.05% | |
Protestant Christian | 335,595 | 4.71% | |
Anglican | 85,475 | 1.20% | |
United Church of Canada | 52,950 | 0.74% | |
Baptist | 35,455 | 0.50% | |
Jehovah’s Witnesses | 29,040 | 0.41% | |
Pentecostal | 22,670 | 0.32% | |
Lutheran | 9,640 | 0.14% | |
Presbyterian | 8,770 | 0.12% | |
Methodist | 8,725 | 0.12% | |
Adventist | 6,690 | 0.09% | |
Mormon | 4,440 | 0.06% | |
Unitarian | 1,140 | 0.02% | |
Mission de l'Esprit Saint | 765 | 0.01% | |
Orthodox Christian | 100,375 | 1.41% | |
Greek Orthodox | 50,020 | 0.70% | |
Armenian Orthodox | 4,935 | 0.07% | |
Russian Orthodox | 2,185 | 0.03% | |
Coptic Orthodox | 2,010 | 0.03% | |
Antiochian Orthodox | 1,050 | 0.01% | |
Ukrainian Orthodox | 985 | 0.01% | |
Serbian Orthodox | 920 | 0.01% | |
Other Christian | 56,755 | 0.80% | |
Muslim | 108,620 | 1.52% | |
Jewish | 89,920 | 1.26% | |
Buddhist | 41,375 | 0.58% | |
Hindu | 24,530 | 0.34% | |
Sikh | 8,220 | 0.12% | |
Other Eastern Religions | 3,425 | 0.05% | |
Bahá'í | 1,155 | 0.02% | |
Pagan | 1,330 | 0.02% | |
Aboriginal spirituality | 740 | 0.01% | |
No religious affiliation | 413,185 | 5.80% | |
No religion | 400,325 | 5.62% | |
Atheist | 4,335 | 0.06% | |
Agnostic | 1,260 | 0.02% |
Percentages are calculated as a proportion of the total number of respondents (7,125,580 in 2001). Only groups of more than 0.01% are shown. [14]
[edit] See also
- Demographics of Canada
- Demographic history of Quebec
- Demolinguistics of Quebec
- Demographics of Montreal
- Cahiers québécois de démographie academic journal
- Immigration to Canada
- List of Canadian provinces and territories by population
[edit] References
- ^ What constitutes a francophone? by Anna Bratulic, the McGill Reporter
- ^ Quebec entry in Encarta. Archived 2009-10-31.
- ^ a b c Amber LePage-Monette. "Powerful Population". BioScienceWorld.ca. Promotive Communications. http://www.bioscienceworld.ca/PowerfulPopulation. Retrieved 2008-08-18.
- ^ Flanagan, Nina (August 2005). "Bioresearch Highlights Significance of SNPs". Genetic Engineering News (Mary Ann Liebert) 25 (14): pp. 1, 27–29. http://www.genengnews.com/articles/chitem.aspx?aid=1006&chid=1. Retrieved 2008-08-18
- ^ Statistics profile for Quebec
- ^ a b http://www.stat.gouv.qc.ca/salle-presse/communiq/2009/avril/avril0914_an.htm
- ^ a b c Statistics Canada. "2006 Community Profiles". Statistics Canada. http://www12.statcan.ca/english/census06/data/profiles/community/Details/Page.cfm?Lang=E&Geo1=CSD&Code1=2466023&Geo2=PR&Code2=24&Data=Count&SearchText=Montreal&SearchType=Begins&SearchPR=01&B1=All&Custom=. Retrieved 2008-01-30.
- ^ Statistics Canada. "2001 Community Profiles". Statistics Canada. http://www12.statcan.ca/english/profil01/CP01/Details/Page.cfm?Lang=E&Geo1=PR&Code1=24&Geo2=PR&Code2=01&Data=Count&SearchText=Qu%E9bec&SearchType=Begins&SearchPR=01&B1=All&GeoLevel=&GeoCode=24. Retrieved 2008-01-30.
- ^ Statistics Canada. "1996 Community Profiles". Statistics Canada. http://www12.statcan.ca/english/Profil/Details/details1pop.cfm?SEARCH=BEGINS&PSGC=24&SGC=46200&A=&LANG=E&Province=24&PlaceName=Montreal&CSDNAME=Montr%C3%A9al&CMA=462&SEARCH=BEGINS&DataType=1&TypeNameE=Census%20Metropolitan%20Area&ID=365. Retrieved 2008-01-30.
- ^ Ethnic origins, 2006 counts, for Canada, provinces and territories - 20% sample data.
- ^ Ethnic Origin (232), Sex (3) and Single and Multiple Responses (3) (2001 Census)
- ^ Aboriginal Population Profile (2006 Census)
- ^ Visible Minority Groups (15), Sex (3) and Age Groups (8)(Census 2001)
- ^ Religion (95) and Immigrant Status (Census 2001)
[edit] External links
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