The Philippine population is expected to reach more than 93 million by 2010 according to the 2000-based national population projections. On the average, women aged 15-49 would bear about 3.2 children in 2010 and will be reduced to only 2.1 by 2040. Women are expected to live longer than men by 5.5 years. These are a few of the highlights of the 2000 census-based national population projections released by the National Statistics Office (NSO) on December 15, 2004.

The population projections are generated by the NSO thru the Inter-Agency Working Group on Population Projections. The methodology used for the generation of these projections was approved by the Technical Committee on Population and Housing created by the National Statistical Coordination Board. The preparation of population projections is a designated statistical activity to be done after every Census year that is mandated under Executive Order No. 352, Designation of Statistical Activities that will Generate Critical Data for Decision-Making of the Government and the Private Sector, issued on July 1, 1996.

The tables include a summary of the projected population by sex and five-year interval, projected total fertility rates, projected life expectancy and the average annual geometric growth rates.

For inquiries, please contact Ms. Fe Vida Dy-liacco or Ms. Raquel Susan V. Obedoza at telephone number 890 9678 or e-mail fvn.dyliacco@nscb.gov.ph / rsv.obedoza@nscb.gov.ph.

ROMULO A. VIROLA
Secretary General