Bicol Social and Economic Monitor

Population Size and Growth

In 2000, the total population in the Bicol region was reported at 4.6 million or equivalent to 4.3 million households. Camarines Sur reported the largest population of 1.55 million, comprising 33.2 percent of the region's total population. Albay was second largest with a total population of 1.09 million. Catanduanes, on the other hand, registered the lowest population of 215 thousand, comprising only 4.6 percent of the region's total population.

The region's annual population growth rate declined from 1.91 percent between 1990-1995 to 1.68 percent between 1995-2000. Between 1995-2000, Sorsogon registered the highest annual population growth rate at 2.04 percent while Camarines Norte posted the lowest at 0.94 percent.

Population Concentration and Distribution

In 2000, population density was at 265 person per square kilometer, registering an increase of 20 persons per square kilometer from 1995. Albay reported the highest population density at 427 persons per square kilometer, followed by Sorsogon at 304. Catanduanes, on the other hand, registered the lowest population density with 142 persons per square kilometer in the same year.

Region-wide, the proportion of urban population, which is an indicator of urbanization, grew from 21 percent in 1980 to 31 percent in 1990. Across provinces in the region, the level of urbanization rose more rapidly in Albay, Camarines Sur and Masbate as each reported an increase of 10-12 percentage points over the same period.

Population Composition

Age dependency ratio in the region dropped from 90.5 dependent-age per 100 working-age persons in 1990 to 87.7 in 1995. A declining pattern was also observed among the provinces and cities in the region during same period.

Sex ratio in the Bicol region likewise declined from 103.4 males per 100 females in 1990 to 102.0 in 1995. Camarines Sur displayed the highest reduction in sex ratio (5 percentage points) during the same period. In Catanduanes, however, sex ratio slightly rose from 89.8 males per 100 females in 1990 to 91.3 in 1995.

Sources:

National Statistics Office
National Statistical Coordination Board - RU 5

Bicol Income and Poverty Monitor

Ateneo Social Science Research Center