Never have so many Quebec residents worked. More than 3.5 million Quebecers aged 25 to 64 said they would have a job in 2022, a record.
More than 80% of those aged 25 to 64 worked that year. It is “an unprecedented peak,” according to the Institut de la tourisme du Québec (ISQ). This is the “strongest increase” observed since these data were collected.
The rate of workers has experienced record growth in several MRCs. The number of Quebec workers overall increased by 5.6% between 2021 and 2022, and all the MRCs, with the exception of Jamésie, benefit from this ever-increasing workforce. However, the Laurentians, Lanaudière and the Capitale-Nationale are the regions where this progression is most marked.
This “strong increase” allows the Quebec economy to exceed its 2019 levels.
Self-employed workers
Self-employment has also been increasing in Quebec since 2021, and its growth accelerated in 2022. We observed an increase of 4.6% that year, compared to growth of 2% a year earlier. The increase in this type of employment is mainly observed in the industries of personal transportation, delivery services, as well as hairdressing and beauty services.
Incomes have also increased to record levels in recent years, regardless of employment status.
25-34 year olds particularly increased their income after the pandemic, with an average gain of 9.2% between 2021 and 2022. “Despite this sustained increase, the median income of 25-34 year olds (48,538 $) remains well below that of 35-44 year olds ($60,945) and 45-54 year olds ($63,494),” notes the ISQ, however.