Cordillera population expected to double in 38 years

If the average annual growth rate of the population of CAR continues at 1.82 percent, the population of CAR is expected to double in about 38 years. During this span of time and with this rate of growth, population increases by almost 36 thousand persons every year or around four persons per hour, on average. In the latest Census of Population and Housing conducted by the National Statistics Office (NSO), the total population of CAR as of May 1, 2000 is 1,365,220. This is an increase of around 110 thousand over the 1995 census figure (with September 1, 1995 as reference date). This Census also recorded a growth rate for CAR of 1.82 percent annually in the second half of the nineties. This is 0.11 percentage point higher than the annual geometric growth rate registered during the first half of the nineties.

In terms of the number of households, it rose from 243,851 to 263,816 in 2000, registering an increase of 19,965 households over the 1995 census figure, with an average household size of 5.07.

Among the six provinces in CAR, Benguet registered the largest population at 330,129 persons. Apayao, which used to be part of the province of Kalinga-Apayao, registered the smallest population at 97,129. In terms of growth rate however, Apayao was the fastest growing province in CAR with an average annual growth rate 3.25 percent, while Benguet was the slowest at 1.09 percent.

Source:  National Statistics Office