IN FOCUS: SOCCSKSARGEN REGION Population growth rate decreased to 2.43 percent The 2000 Census of Population and Housing (Census 2000) results showed that Sarangani registered a total population of 410,622 persons, higher by 43,616 persons over the 1995 results. This figure translated to 2.43 percent annual growth rate, lower by 2.55 percentage points than the annual growth rate of 4.98 percent during the 1990 to 1995 period. A corresponding increase on the number of households was also recorded, from 70,636 in 1995 to 82,896 households in 2000. This resulted to an average household size of 4.95 persons, lower than the average household size of 5.19 in 1995 and lower than the national average of five persons. Sarangani had the lowest population in Southern Mindanao Sarangani had the lowest population among the six provinces (Compostela Valley, Davao del Norte, Davao del Sur, Davao Oriental, Sarangani and South Cotabato) and two highly urbanized cities (Davao City and General Santos City) in Southern Mindanao (Region XI) with only 7.91 percent of the 5.2 million persons in the region. Malungon was the most populated municipality Among the seven municipalities comprising Sarangani, Malungon was the biggest in terms of population. This registered a population of 93,232 or 22.71 percent of the total population of the province. It was followed by Glan (20.23 percent). The provincial capital of Sarangani, Alabel comprised 14.80 percent of the population. Malapatan followed with 13.12 percent. Kiamba, Maasim and Maitum, on the other hand, had less than 11 percent each. Half of the population were below 18 years old Sarangani had a median age of 18 years, slightly higher than the 1995 median age of 17 years. Sex ratio was recorded at 105.7 There were 211.0 thousand males and 199.6 thousand females in Sarangani. This gave a sex ratio of 105.7 males for every 100 females. Eight dependents for every 10 economically active persons More than 55 percent of the population of Sarangani belonged to the economically active population aged 15 to 64 years. About 42 percent were young dependents (aged 0 to 14 years), while less than three percent were old dependents (aged 65 years and over). The overall dependency ratio in 2000 was 80.7, lower than the 1995 ratio of 84.9. This meant that for every 100 persons aged 15 to 64 years, there were about 81 dependents, i.e., 76 young dependents and five old dependents. More female than male degree holders More than 51 percent of population five years old and over had attended or completed elementary education. Almost 20 percent had attended or completed high school, while almost one percent had attended or finished post secondary education. Less than one percent were academic degree holders while almost five percent were college undergraduates. There were more males than females among those who had attended or finished elementary (53.50 percent). On the other hand, there were more females who had attended/completed high school, college and post baccalaureate courses. Among the academic degree holders, three out of five were females. Most were Cebuanos More than 42 percent of the household population classified themselves as Cebuano. Other ethnic groups included Bilaan/B’laan (19.64 percent); Maguindanao (6.24 percent); Hiligaynon, Ilonggo (6.15 percent); T’boli (5.10 percent); Ilocano (4.66 percent); Bisaya/Binisaya (3.89 percent) and Tagakaolo (3.80 percent). Common-Law/Live-in arrangements up by 5.39 percentage points Married persons accounted for 46.01 percent of the total persons 10 years old and over, lower than the 1995 figure (51.15 percent) by 5.14 percentage points. Single persons comprised 42.32 percent in 2000 from 44.32 percent in 1995 while the widowed (3.15 percent) had almost the same proportion registered in 1995 (2.59 percent). Those with common-law/live-in arrangements increased from 1.54 percent in 1995 to 6.94 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. Glan 83,051 Alabel (Capital) 60,779 Kiamba 44,724 Maasim 39,424 Maitum 35,536 source: NSO, 2000 CPH Top 5 Ethnic Groups Ethnicity Total Pop. Cebuano 173,936 Bilaan/B’laan 80,559 Hiligaynon/Ilonggo 25,222 Ilocano 19,106 Bisaya/Binisaya 15,974 source: NSO, 2000 CPH