In Quebec, an estimated 4,184,653 people did not speak English in 2021. This figure is derived from the total population of Quebec and the number of individuals who reported having knowledge of English in the same year.
Understanding Language Demographics in Quebec
Quebec's language landscape is primarily shaped by French, its sole official language, and English, which also has a significant presence. The latest available census data provides a detailed breakdown of language knowledge among the population.
To determine the number of people who do not speak English, we begin with the total population of Quebec from the 2021 Census and subtract the number of people who reported knowing English.
- Total Population of Quebec (2021): 8,501,833
- Number of people in Quebec who reported knowledge of English (2021): 4,317,180
Therefore, the number of people in Quebec who do not speak English is calculated as:
8,501,833 (Total Population) - 4,317,180 (English Speakers) = 4,184,653
Context of Language Data
It's important to note that language knowledge statistics, such as those used for this calculation, typically survey individuals aged five and over. In 2021, the population of Quebec aged five and over was 8,308,005. The 4,317,180 English speakers represent 51.96% of this age group. The remaining individuals in the total population (those under five years old) are also counted among those who do not speak English, as they are not typically assessed for language proficiency.
Overview of Language Knowledge in Quebec (2021)
The following table summarizes the knowledge of key languages in Quebec based on 2021 data:
| Language | Population (2021) | Percentage (2021) |
|---|---|---|
| French | 7,786,735 | 93.72% |
| English | 4,317,180 | 51.96% |
| Spanish | 453,905 | 5.46% |
| Arabic | 343,675 | 4.14% |
Note: Percentages are based on the population aged 5 and over, and individuals may have knowledge of more than one language.
