In 2022, 79% of Quebecers used French most often in public spaces, according to data published Thursday by the Office québécois de la langue française (OQLF), a percentage similar to those observed over the last 15 years.
This “reflects stability in the language used outside the home with people other than parents or friends,” indicates the OQLF in a press release.
The OQLF study is based on data from a survey conducted between March and May 2022 among 7,171 Quebecers, as well as on discussion groups in order to deepen the results of the survey.
The metropolitan regions of Montreal and Gatineau have the lowest proportions of people saying they use French compared to the other regions of Quebec studied. They stand at 68% and 63% respectively.
Conversely, Montreal and Gatineau recorded the highest proportions of people using English most often in public spaces, i.e. 13% and 15%.
For Quebec as a whole, this percentage increased from 10% to 8% between 2007 and 2022, while that of people using French and English most often increased, from 11% to 13%. This last indicator climbs to 22% in Gatineau and 18% in the Montreal region.
The OQLF also reveals that people aged 18 to 34 have the lowest proportion for using French outside the home, at 74%. However, this is the age group with the highest percentage of people using French and English (16%).
The study also shows that the proportion of people using French most often varies depending on the communication situation. For example, it stands at 78% when delivering a meal, but rises to 90% in communications with Quebec government services.