5 HIGHLIGHTS OF THE QUEBEC ENTREPRENEURIAL INDEX

Mélissa Proulx is a journalist, columnist and editor. She has devoted herself with passion and creativity to the development of rich and varied journalistic content since 2002.

With a Bachelor of French Literature from the University of Ottawa and a degree in journalism, Mélissa Proulx was 21 when she was entrusted with the reins of the cultural weekly Voir Gatineau-Ottawa, a regional edition that she directed for eight years. Her path then brought her back to her region where she was head of the Art de vivre section of Voir Montréal and then as assistant editor-in-chief of Enfants Québec magazine.

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The taste for entrepreneurship, at any age

Entrepreneurship would be the optimal career choice in all age groups surveyed and not just among young people (18-34 years old), as was the case in the past. This is a first in the history of the Index, which was created in 2009. “This new data confirms the existence of a true entrepreneurial culture in Quebec and a communicating vessel effect between generations,” comments Rina Marchand, Senior Director, Content and Innovation at the Fondation de l'entrepreneurship. Despite the current challenges in the context of the pandemic, I do not believe that this desire to be an entrepreneur will fade.”

The 35-49 age group is increasingly asserting itself

For the first time, the 35-49 age group has a higher rate of intentions and steps to start a business than young people aged 18-34. One third of new steps taken over the past year are attributable to 35-49 year olds. This is unprecedented. “We are seeing real enthusiasm, as if this generation was waking up and wanting to achieve,” notes Rina Marchand. “This new situation should challenge the various organizations and support resources. The dynamism is too strong to continue to be ignored. These entrepreneurs have no time to waste and they want to succeed!”

Rate of intention to undertake	Rate of procedures	New Ownership Rate
30.8% among 18-34 year olds 31.8% among 35-49 year olds 16.1% among 50-64 year olds	12.5% among 18-35 year olds 16.1% among 35-49 year-olds 8% among 50-64 year olds	3.4% among 18-34 year olds 6.6% among 35-49 year olds 11.1% among 50-64 year olds

SOURCE: 2019 ENTREPRENEURIAL INDEX

Starting a business late in life

Among the more mature generations (50-64 years old), the intention rate has made a remarkable leap, going from 11.5% in 2018 to 16.1% in 2019. The rate of steps has increased by 45% between 2018 and 2019 (from 5.5% to 8%). Another notable fact: one in three new business owners belongs to the 50-64 age group in 2019, compared to one in five in 2016.

Women persist and sign

The number of women owners is stable and even slightly increasing (5.6% in 2019 compared to 5.2% in 2018). On the men's side, it has slightly decreased (from 7.6% to 6.8%). Among new owners, there is almost equality between men and women: 52% men versus 48% women.

Immigrants

The dynamism is unabated among the immigrant clientele, both in intentions and in approaches. One in four people intending to start a business are of immigrant origin. Among young immigrant men aged 18-34, two-thirds intend to start a business. In addition, 50% of young immigrant women intend to start a business. “Young immigrants are the driving force behind the rate of young people’s intention to start a business,” observes Rina Marchand. “They really push the data upwards.”

"With the 2019 index, we have a very precise and fine pre-COVID Polaroid. Our wish is to come back with a 2020 edition that will allow us to measure entrepreneurial dynamism in a context of recovery and, we hope, post-pandemic," concludes Rina Marchand.

To view the full report, click here.