Population growth rate at 2.04 percent

As of May 1, 2000, the total population of Sorsogon, was 650,535 persons. The figure was higher by 58,608 persons over the 1995 Census of Population (POPCEN) results.

Annual population growth rate was registered at 2.04 percent, lower by 0.31 percentage point than the 1995 figure (2.35 percent). If the current rate continues, the population of Sorsogon is expected to reach one million in 27 years and to double in 34 years.

The number of households rose to 125,191 or an increase of 11,694 households over the 1995 figure. The average household size was recorded at 5.19 persons.

Sorsogon, the provincial capital, was the largest in terms of population size

Among the sixteen municipalities, Sorsogon, the provincial capital, had the largest population share (14.22 percent). The municipalities of Bulan (12.71 percent), Pilar (8.90 percent), Gubat (8.10 percent) and Irosin (7.00 percent) followed. On the other hand, the municipalites of Santa Magdalena and Prieto Diaz were the least populated, each with less than three percent of the total population.

Males dominated the younger population

Sorsogon had 334,844 males, 19,153 more than the females. This figure resulted to a sex ratio of 106.07 males for every 100 females.

There were more males in the age group 0 – 59 years while more females in the 60 years and above age group.

More than half belonged to voting population

Of the total population, there were 339,026 persons or 52.11 percent who belonged to the voting population (aged 18 years and above). Of this number, 173,112 were males and 165,914 females.

Females in childbearing ages comprised 44.19 percent

More than 44 percent of the total female population comprised the childbearing or reproductive age group (15 to 49 years).

One in every two belonged to economically active population

About fifty four percent of the population comprised the economically active population (15 to 64 years old), 41.61 percent for population aged 0 to 14 years while 4.65 percent for those 65 years old and over.

The overall dependency ratio in 2000 was 86.08 persons. This meant that for every 100 economically active persons, there were 86 dependents, of which 77 were young dependents and 9 were old dependents.

One out of four attended/completed high school

Of the total household population five years old and over in Sorsogon, 52.19 percent had attended/finished elementary education and 26.38 percent, high school. Those who had achieved higher education comprised 11.81 percent.

Among those with higher education, a higher proportion of females was observed in the following categories: college undergraduates (50.58 percent); academic degree holders (60.08 percent); and post baccalaureate studies (62.24 percent).

Bikol/Bicol comprised 96.84 percent of the household population

Of the 649,411 household population of Sorsogon, 96.84 percent or 628,914 persons classified themselves as Bikol/Bicol. The rest were either Tagalog (0.38 percent), Kankanai/Kankaney/Kankanaey (0.22 percent) or belonged to other ethnic groups.

More single and married men than women

Of the total population 10 years and over, 43.32 percent comprised the never married persons; 45.64 percent, married; 4.78 percent, widowed; 4.75 percent, other marital arrangements; and 0.82 percent, separated/divorced.

Among married persons, the proportion of males (50.76 percent) was slightly higher than that of the females (49.24 percent). The same is true for the never married individuals (55.24 percent for males and 44.76 percent for females).

Majority preferred lighter materials for the roof

There were 124,485 housing units in Sorsogon which were being occupied by 125,191 households. Almost sixty-two percent of the housing units had roof made of cogon/nipa/anahaw while 32.25 percent used galvanized iron/aluminum. In terms of construction materials for outer walls, 29.03 percent had bamboo/sawali/cogon/ nipa and 28.26 percent had concrete/ brick/ stone.

More than 97 percent of the housing units were single houses while 1.33 percent were either duplex or multi-unit residential. Three out of ten occupied housing units were relatively new (built from 1996 to 2000).

About 60.85 percent of the total occupied housing units needed minor repair or no repair at all.

Table 1. Total Population Distribution of Top Five Municipalities: Sorsogon, 2000