IN FOCUS: SOCCSKSARGEN REGION Population growth rate decreased to 2.30 percent The 2000 Census of Population and Housing (Census 2000) results showed that Cotabato registered a total population of 958,643 persons, higher by 95,977 persons over the 1995 Census of Population (POPCEN) results. This figure recorded a 2.30 percent annual population growth rate, lower by 0.38 percentage point than the annual population growth rate during the 1990 to 1995 period. A corresponding increase on the number of households was also recorded at 188,581 households, higher by 28,691 households over the 1995 figure. This resulted to an average household size of 5.08 persons, slightly higher than the average household size (5.07 persons) recorded five years ago and the national average of five persons. Midsayap the most populated municipality Of the eighteen municipalities in the province of Cotabato, the municipality of Midsayap was the largest in terms of population size, comprising 11.03 percent of the total population of the province. This was followed by the City of Kidapawan (10.56 percent), the provincial capital, and M?lang (8.15 percent). The least populous was the municipality of Antipas (2.07 percent). Cotabato ranked first in the old Region XII Set Up Cotabato was the most populated province among the three provinces and three highly urbanized cities in Central Mindanao with 36.9 percent of the 2.6 million persons of the region. At the national level, the province contributed 1.25 percent to the total population of 76.5 million. Half of the population below 19 years old Cotabato had a median age of 19 years, slightly higher than the 1995 median age of 18 years. This meant that half of the population was below 19 years old. Sex ratio recorded at 104.5 There were 489.9 thousand males and 468.6 thousand females in Cotabato. This gave a sex ratio of 104.5 males for every 100 females. There were more males in almost all age groups except in the 80 years and over age group. Two in every five females belonged to the childbearing age group Women in childbearing or reproductive age group (15 to 49 years) comprised 49.22 percent of the total female population. Voting population more than half of the total population There were 506,631 persons or 52.84 percent of the total population belonging to the voting age population (18 years and over). Among them, the proportion of males was higher (51.76 percent) than that of the females (48.24 percent). Three dependents out of four economically active persons More than 56 percent belonged to the economically active population (aged 15 to 64 years). About 40 percent were young dependents (aged 0 to 14 years) while three percent were old dependents (aged 65 years and above). The overall dependency ratio in 2000 was 76.83, lower than the 1995 ratio of 81.49. This meant that for every 100 persons aged 15 to 64 years, there were about 77 dependents, i.e., 71 young dependents and six old dependents. More female degree holders About 46 percent of the total population had attended or completed elementary education; 26.66 percent, high school; 2.30 percent, post secondary education; 2.24 percent were academic degree holders; 7.86 percent were college undergraduates; and 0.34 percent had post-baccalaureate studies. Males dominated among those who had finished elementary education (54.2 percent) as compared to the females (45.8 percent). On the other hand, females dominated in the higher levels of education. Thirty two percent Hiligaynons/Ilonggos About 32 percent of the household population in Cotabato classified themselves as Hiligaynon/Ilonggo. Other ethnic groups included Cebuano (22.64 percent), Maguindanao (17.75 percent), Ilocano (6.88 percent) Karay-a (4.70 percent), Manobo/Ata Manobo (4.37 percent), and Boholano (3.60 percent). About 47 percent married Married persons accounted for 46.59 percent of the total population 10 years old and over, lower than the 1995 figure (49.27 percent) by 2.68 percentage points. Single persons comprised 45.37 percent in 2000 lower than the 1995 figure (46.07 percent) while the widowed (3.82 percent) slightly increased as compared to the 1995 figure (3.40 percent). Those with other marital arrangements increased from 1.19 percent in 1995 to 2.76 percent in 2000. Drop by or visit any nearest National Statistics Office around the SOuth Cotabato Cotabato Sultan Kudarat SARangani GENeral Santos Region for queries, data requests and information.

COTABATO Population: 958,643 people Land Area: 6,565.90 sq. km. Growth Rate: 2.19% HH Population: 856,675 Capital: Kidapawan City   SULTAN KUDARAT Population: 586,505 people Land Area: 5,097.94 sq. km Town Capital: Isulan   SOCSARGEN South Cotabato Population: 690,728 people Land Area: 3,706 sq. km. Capital: Koronadal City Sarangani Population: 410,622 people Land Area: 5,097.94 sq. km Capital: Alabel Top 5 Most Populated Areas Municipality/City Total Pop. Midsayap 105,760 Kidapawan (Capital) 101,205 M'lang 78,170 Pikit 68,455 Makilala 63,039 source: NSO, 2000 CPH Top 5 Ethnic Groups Ethnicity Total Pop. Hiligaynon/Ilonggo 303,296 Cebuano 216,767 Maguindanao 169,919 Ilocano 65,832 Karay-a 44,960 source: NSO, 2000 CPH