Quebec is facing a demographic shift that will see its population decrease over the next few years before eventually leveling off, according to new projections from the province’s statistics institute.
The latest data indicates that Quebec could lose approximately 50,000 residents between 2025 and 2029, primarily driven by a significant reduction in temporary immigration to the province. Following this decline, the population is expected to stabilize and plateau at around 9.17 million people in the coming decades, compared to the current 9.06 million recorded in 2025.
The projections reveal significant regional differences across the province. The Quebec City area is anticipated to experience the strongest growth, with a projected increase of 14 percent by 2051. The neighboring Chaudière-Appalaches region follows closely with an expected 11 percent growth rate during the same period.
However, not all regions will see positive trends. The Côte-Nord area north of the St. Lawrence River and the Gaspésie-Îles-de-la-Madeleine region in eastern Quebec are projected to experience population declines of 15 and 11 percent respectively. Montreal is also expected to see fewer residents, largely due to decreased immigration numbers and government initiatives aimed at directing newcomers to settle in other regions throughout the province.
