IN FOCUS: SOCCSKSARGEN REGION Population growth rate pegged at 2.30 percent The 2000 Census of Population and Housing (Census 2000) results showed that South Cotabato had a total population of 690,728 persons. This registered an increase of 69,573 persons from 621,155 persons five years ago. This translated to an average annual growth rate of 2.30 percent during the 1995 to 2000 period, lower than that of the 1990 to 1995 period (2.68 percent). The number of households also rose to 141,418 in 2000, from 122,298 households in 1995. This gave an average household size of 4.88 persons, lower than 5.07 persons recorded in 1995 and the national average of five persons. South Cotabato was the fourth most populated province in Southern Mindanao South Cotabato ranked fourth in terms of population size among the five provinces (Davao del Sur, Davao, Compostela Valley, Davao Oriental and Sarangani) and two highly urbanized cities (Davao City and General Santos City) in Southern Mindanao, contributing 13.3 percent to the 5.2 million population in the region. At the national level, South Cotabato shared 1.0 percent to the total population of 76.5 million as recorded in the Census 2000. Koronadal, the provincial capital, was the most populated municipality Among the eleven municipalities in South Cotabato, Koronadal the provincial capital which comprised 19.37 percent of the total provincial population, ranked first in terms of population size. Next were Polomolok (16.03 percent), Banga (10.01 percent) and Surrallah (9.59 percent). Tampakan and Tantangan, on the other hand, had the least population with less than five percent each. Half of the population were below 20 years old South Cotabato had a median age of 20 years, higher than the 1995 median age of 19 years. This means that half of the population were below 20 years old. Seven dependents for every ten economically active person Of the total population in South Cotabato, the 0 to14 age group made up about 39 percent while population aged 65 years and above comprised 3.12 percent. The economically active population aged 15 to 64 years, thus, made up 57.95 percent of the total population. The overall dependency ratio in 2000 was 72.57. This meant that for every 100 persons aged 15 to 64 years, there were about 73 dependents (67 persons aged 0 to 14 years - young dependents and 6 persons aged 65 years and over - old dependents). The 2000 ratio was lower than the 77.44 ratio reported in 1995. Sex ratio was recorded at 104 Male population outnumbered their female counterparts with a sex ratio of 104 males for every 100 females. There were more males than females in the age bracket 0 to 64 years. As the age advanced to 65 years onwards, however, the females dominated their male counterparts. More females than male degree holders About 41 percent of the total household population five years old and over had attended or completed elementary education, 29 percent in high school, and 3.77 percent in post secondary education. Only 3.08 percent were academic degree holders. There were more males who had finished elementary education (53.85 percent) compared to females (46.15 percent). On the other hand, those who had attended high school, college, academic degree holders and post baccalaureate were predominantly females. Fifty two percent were Hiligaynons/Ilongos About 52 percent of the household population in South Cotabato classified themselves as Hiligaynon/Ilonggo. Other ethnic groups included Cebuano (14.16 percent), T’boli (10.39 percent), Bilaan/B’laan (5.18 percent), Ilocano (4.61 percent), Maguindanao (3.56 percent), Karay-a (1.57 percent) and Tagalog (1.51 percent). The same proportion recorded for married and single population Married persons accounted for 44.53 percent of the total persons 10 years old and over, almost the same proportion as the single persons (44.54 percent). Those who were either widowed, divorced/separated, with other arrangements or unknown marital status comprised 10.93 percent. 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. Koronadal (Capital) 133,786 Polomolok 110,709 Banga 69,131 Surallah 66,208 Norala 40,744 source: NSO, 2000 CPH Top 5 Ethnic Groups Ethnicity Total Pop. Hiligaynon/Ilonggo 361,214 Cebuano 97,630 T’boli 71,662 Cebuano 35,727 Ilocano 31,804 source: NSO, 2000 CPH