Data released Thursday from Quebec’s l’Institut de la statistique reveals that deaths now exceed births in Quebec.
This is the second year in a row this has happened, and the gap continues to widen.
In 2025, 78,200 babies were born, while 80,450 people died, according to the data.
The previous year, there were 77,400 births and 78,800 deaths in Quebec.
While the number of babies has increased slightly, deaths have surpassed them.
In 2024, Quebec’s fertility rate fell to 1.33 children per woman, the lowest level ever recorded in Quebec.
Fewer children, means fewer Quebecers supporting vital services
With Quebecers having fewer children and the Quebec government aiming to lower our immigration thresholds, it’s a concerning situation for many demographers seeing deaths now exceed births.
In 2024, international migration added 156,700 people. These newcomers make it possible to maintain Quebec’s population at around the 9-million mark.
Without immigration, Quebec’s population would already be declining, as Statistics Canada reveals international migration will be the main factor in population growth in the coming decades.
Life expectancy in Quebec is over 82 years now and the proportion of people aged 65 and over is slated to increase from 21.7 per cent in 2025 to 27.7 per cent in 2050, according to Statistics Canada.
Not only is the number of taxpayers funding vital services declining, but Quebec’s demographic weight within Canada will also decline in the coming years.
