IN FOCUS: SOCCSKSARGEN REGION Population growth rate at 2.52 percent The Census 2000 results showed that Sultan Kudarat registered a total population of 586,505 persons, higher by 64,318 persons over the 1995 results. This figure recorded a decrease in the annual growth rate, from 3.44 percent in 1995 to 2.52 percent in 2000. A corresponding increase on the number of households was also recorded at 114,461 households, higher by 10,150 households over the 1995 figure. This resulted to an average household size of 5.12 persons, higher than the national average of five persons. Tacurong was the most populated municipality Tacurong had the highest population among the twelve municipalities in Sultan Kudarat with 76,354 persons or 13.02 percent of the total population of the province. This was closely followed by Isulan, the provincial capital with 12.47 percent, Lebak (12.09 percent), and Bagumbayan (9.11 percent). On the other hand, the least populated municipality was Columbo with 3.7 percent. Half of the population were below 19 years old Sultan Kudarat had a median age of 19 years, slightly higher than the 1995 median age of 18 years. The proportion of the population aged 0-4 years declined from 13.49 percent in 1995 to 13.29 percent in 2000. Sex ratio was recorded at 105.22 There were 300.7 thousand males and 285.7 thousand females in Sultan Kudarat. This gave a sex ratio of 105.22 males for every 100 females. There were more males in the age group 0 to 69 years, while more females were in the 70 years and above age group. Three dependents for every four economically active persons More than 56 percent of the population of Sultan Kudarat belonged to the economically active population aged 15 to 64 years. About 41 percent were young dependents, aged 0 to 14 years, while about three percent were old dependents, aged 65 years and over. The overall dependency ratio in 2000 was 76.43, higher than the 1995 ratio of 75.63. This meant, that for every 100 persons aged 15 to 64 years, there were about 76 dependents, i.e., 71 young dependents and 5 old dependents. More female than male degree holders More than 43 percent of population five years old and over had attended or completed elementary education, 26.8 percent in high school, and 1.99 percent in post secondary education. More than two percent were academic degree holders while 7.62 percent were college undergraduates. There were more males than females among those who had attended or finished elementary (54 percent) and with post-secondary courses (52 percent). On the other hand, there were more females who attended/completed high school, college and post baccalaureate courses. Hiligaynons/Ilongos dominated the province About 46.92 percent of the household population classified themselves as Hiligaynon/Ilongo. Others classified themselves as Ilocano (17.17 percent), Cebuano (9.21 percent), Manobo/Ata Manobo (5.37 percent) and the rest belonged to other ethnic groups (8.41 percent). About 45.77 percent were married Married persons accounted for 45.77 percent of the total persons 10 years old and over, lower than the 1995 figure (49.62 percent) by 3.85 percentage points. Single persons comprised 44.67 percent in 2000, from 46.17 percent in 1995. The proportion for the widowed (3.58 percent) was higher by 0.68 percentage point as compared to 1995 (2.90 percent). Those with other arrangements increased, from 0.66 percent in 1995 to 4.17 percent in 2000. Almost all housing units were occupied Out of 113,114 housing units in Sultan Kudarat, 113,104 units (99.99 percent) were occupied by 114,461 households (585, 768 persons). This rate of occupancy was higher than that of 1990 (96.78 percent). It recorded a ratio of 1.01 households for every occupied housing unit or 5.18 persons per occupied housing unit. Single houses were most preferred A very large proportion (96.67 percent) of the total occupied housing units in Sultan Kudarat in 2000 were single houses. This was lower by 1.51 percentage points from the 1990 figure. While almost 22 percent needed major repair, more than 62 percent of the occupied housing units did not need any repair or if needed, with minor repair only. Moreover, one out of three occupied housing units was built from 1996 to 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. Tacurong 76,354 Isulan (Capital) 73,129 Lebak 70,899 Bagumbayan 53,444 Lambayong 51,192 source: NSO, 2000 CPH Top 5 Ethnic Groups Ethnicity Total Pop. Hiligaynon/Ilonggo 240,839 Ilocano 88,160 Cebuano 47,254 Manobo 27,541 Others 43,157 source: NSO, 2000 CPH