Economic profile: Évangéline Region, Prince Edward Island

Overview

The Évangéline Region^{Footnote 1} has a population of 3,452, consisting of 24% seniors (65 and older), 62% working‑age adults (15 to 64) and 14% children (under 15).

The key sectors of the economy in the Évangéline Region, which account for 45% of the jobs in the region, are

• public administration
• construction
• agriculture, forestry, fishing and hunting

There are 1,880 employed residents, of which 4.5% are immigrants.^{Footnote 2}

The economy generates a total of $185 million in household and business incomes, which amounts to $53,661 per resident.

General age structure – 2021

Sustainability

In order to support local services such as health care and social programs and maintain a good standard of living for everyone in the region, it is essential to have more working-age adults than seniors. The Évangéline Region has fewer working-age adults than seniors compared to the average in Prince Edward Island.

From 2011 to 2021, the Évangéline Region experienced

• a 4.8% increase in population, compared to a 10% increase in the province
• a 48% increase in the population’s proportion of seniors, compared to a 30% increase in the province
• an 8.0% decrease in the population’s proportion of working-age adults, compared to a 5.7% decrease in the province

Population structure – Changes from 2011 to 2021

By 2031, without immigration,^{Footnote 3} the region could experience^{Footnote 4}

• a 5.8% decrease in population
• a further decrease in the population’s proportion of working-age adults by 11%, which could limit the availability and quality of local services
• a further increase in the population’s proportion of seniors by 40%, potentially changing the demand for local services, including health care and long-term care

No immigration – Possible changes from 2021 to 2031

Prosperity

The region relies heavily on working-age adults to keep local services running smoothly and to maintain a good standard of living and economic growth. Immigrants can help by filling job gaps and bringing new skills and ideas, which keeps the local economy strong.

From 2011 to 2021, the Évangéline Region experienced

• a 7.3% increase in workforce^{Footnote 5} size, compared to a 7.0% increase in the province
• a 270% increase in the number of immigrant workers, compared to a 94% increase in the province
• a total of 392 retirements,^{Footnote 6} which amounts to 19% of the 2021 workforce, compared to 19% in the province
• a change in the average income per resident from local jobs relative to the province, which is 6.3% lower than the average in Prince Edward Island in 2021

Economic changes from 2011 to 2021

By 2031, without immigration,^{Footnote 8} the region could experience^{Footnote 9}

• a 49% decrease in workforce size
• a 46% decrease in the number of jobs
• an increase in the proportion of seniors in the population from 24% to 34%

No immigration – Possible changes from 2021 to 2031

Supporting the community’s French-speaking population

Francophone immigration outside Quebec plays an important role in enhancing the vitality and economic development of Francophone minority communities across the country.

The Évangéline Region is part of the Welcoming Francophone Communities initiative launched by Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada. This initiative supports the economic and socio-cultural integration of French-speaking newcomers.

In total, 47% of the Évangéline Region’s population speaks French, with 35% speaking French as a first language and 12% as a second language.

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