As a result of the strong performance of consumer spending, per capita PCE in real terms for all the regions posted increases except for MUSLIM MINDANAO (ARMM), as its population increased faster at 2.5 percent than its PCE in real terms at 2.2 percent (Table 16.1B). MIMAROPA (Region IV-B) posted the highest expansion in per capita PCE in 2003 at 7.9 percent. Eastern Visayas (Region VIII) reported the second biggest increase in per capita PCE with 5.4 percent as a result of the big increase in its PCE of 7.2 percent and its population growing only by 1.7 percent, the second lowest population growth among the regions. Western Visayas (Region VI) copped the third highest per capita PCE growth of 5.1 percent, as its PCE rose faster at 6.6 percent than its population which grew only by 1.4 percent, the lowest among the regions. On the other hand, the lowest per capita PCE increase of 0.4 percent was recorded by Cagayan Valley (Region II).

NCR continued to register the highest per capita PCE at P21,581.0, with Ilocos (Region I) coming in second at P10,543.0, followed by Central Luzon (Region III) at P10,471. ARMM recorded the lowest per capita PCE level at P4,677.0.