Despite continued births, population decline accelerates

The birth rate remains stable in the Communauté maritime des Îles-de-la-Madeleine, according to the Institut de la statistique du Québec.

In 2021, 103 new babies were born, compared to 105 the previous year and 107 in 2019.

However, births are not enough to reverse the natural decrease in population.

153 people died during 2021, the highest number of deaths recorded in the last two decades.

Region-wide, ISQ data shows that births have been growing steadily since 2018, for a total of 750 newborns this year.

The total fertility rate is 1.84 children/woman in Gaspésie-Îles-de-la-Madeleine, which is higher than the provincial average.

More generally in Quebec, the average age at childbirth has reached 31 years, while the fertility rate among 25-44 year-olds is on the rise compared to 2020.