Montreal’s population increased by 0.7% over the period 2021-2022, according to the latest Socio-Demographic Bulletin (new window) released by the Institut de la statistique du Québec (ISQ) on Wednesday. In the previous year, the metropolis suffered a net loss of 2.3% in the middle of a pandemic. As a result, many Montrealers sought to isolate themselves from the crowd or take advantage of telecommuting opportunities.
The year 2019-2020, in which COVID-19 emerged, was little better: only 0.3% increase.
In the last year before the pandemic (2018-2019), Montreal experienced a population growth of 1.9%.
“Montréal saw a population increase of about 14,000 people from 2021 to 2022, a growth rate of [0,69 %]. This rate is low compared to several regions and contrasts with the high growth rates Montreal was seeing before the pandemic. »
— A quote from an extract from the Bulletin Soziodemographique of the Institut de la Statistique du Québec
The interregional deficit remains strong
The metropolis has a steep climb to convince Montrealers to stay on the island. Approximately 63,600 people left the island to settle elsewhere in Quebec, compared to just 29,100 Quebec residents who settled there. This deficit is the second largest since the ISQ compiled this type of data (2001-2002).
When asked how to narrow this interregional divide, Mayor Valérie Plante’s office and her team say they are “very proud” of the resumption of population growth. The Cabinet attributes this recovery to the government’s efforts to attract and retain the population in Montreal.
“We know that safety, downtown dynamism, green transition and the vitality of commercial routes are key factors in continuing to attract and retain families in Montreal. These high priorities are the hallmark of our administration and we will continue to drive them forward in 2023.”
— A quote from the office of Montreal Mayor Valérie Plante
Most departures went to the adjacent regions of Montérégie, Laval, Lanaudière and the Laurentians. However, Montérégie has the lowest interregional balance in more than 20 years, with a surplus of just 0.3%.
“Montérégie is a big winner compared to Montreal, but in deficit compared to most of Quebec’s other regions, especially Estrie,” the ISQ points out
Montréal’s interregional deficit remained high in 2021-2022, mainly in favor of the neighboring regions of Laval, Lanaudière, Laurentides and Montérégie.
Photo: Quebec Statistical Institute
Strong growth in some regions
Most regions of Quebec experienced population growth in 2021-2022. Unsurprisingly, the strongest growth rates were recorded in Lanaudière (+1.7%), Laurentians (+1.6%) and Estrie (+1.6%). These numbers remain close to records, although lower than last year.
These three regions have seen significant population increases since the pandemic began.
With the exception of Montreal, all regions that had slowed population growth in 2020-2021 returned to more normal growth rates in 2021-2022. Quebec City and its suburbs even surpassed pre-pandemic levels, with a growth rate of 1.4% for the Capitale-Nationale region.
The only region that recorded a population decrease over the past year was the Côte-Nord (-0.1%).
In Quebec as a whole, the population increased by 1.1%.
Population growth rate in the 17 regions of Quebec, per 1000 inhabitants.
Photo: Quebec Statistical Institute