Population reached 2.6 million

As of May 1, 2000, the total population of Central Mindanao which covers the provinces of Lanao del Norte, North Cotabato, and Sultan Kudarat; and the cities of Iligan, Marawi and Cotabato, was 2,598,210 persons. This implied an increase of 238,402 persons over the 1995 census figure or an average annual population growth rate of 2.08 percent, slightly lower than the annual population growth rate recorded during the 1990 to 1995 period (2.83 percent). If the average annual growth rate continues at 2.08 percent, the population of the region is expected to double in 33 years, increasing on the average, by 54,043 persons a year or about 6 persons per hour.

Dependency ratio was 74 percent

In Central Mindanao, more than 57 percent of its total population belonged to productive ages or economically active population (15 to 64 years old). On the other hand, the young dependents (aged 0 to 14 years) accounted for about 40 percent while about three percent were old dependents (aged 65 years and over). The overall dependency ratio in 2000 was 74. This meant that for every 100 persons aged 15 to 64 years, there were about 74 dependents, i.e. 69 young dependents and five old dependents.

Central Mindanao had a median age of 20 years

Central Mindanao had a median age of 20 years. This meant that half of the population were below 20 years old. In 1995, the median age was 19 years. Cotabato City had the highest median age of 26 years, followed by Iligan City with 21 years. The provinces of Lanao del Norte, North Cotabato and Sultan Kudarat both had the same median age of 19 years. On the other hand, Marawi City had the youngest at 18 years.

Sex ratio recorded at 102

In 2000, the sex ratio in Central Mindanao was recorded at 102. This meant that in this region, there were 102 males for every 100 females.

Twenty eight percent were Islam

Majority (55 percent) of the household population in Central Mindanao were Roman Catholics. This was followed by Islam (28 percent) and Evangelicals (five percent). The remaining 12 percent belonged to other religions that included Iglesia ni Cristo, Seventh Day Adventist or other religions.

Six in every seven persons were literates

In 2000, about six in every seven population (87 percent) aged ten years and over in Central Mindanao were literates. It was noted that males and females posted the same literacy rates (87 percent each). Iligan City had the highest literacy rate where 95 percent of its population were able to read and write a simple message. On the other hand, the province of Sultan Kudarat had the lowest literacy rate at 84 percent.

Average number of children ever born was three

In Central Mindanao, ever-married women in reproductive ages (15 to 49 years) had on the average, 3.1 children during their reproductive period. This meant that on the average, there were 31 children ever born in every ten ever-married woman aged 15 to 49 years. The number of births was relatively low at the younger age group 15-19 years and continues to increase as they became older.

Average age at first marriage was 21 years

In Central Mindanao, the average age at first marriage of ever-married women 15 to 49 years old was 21 years. Among the provinces and cities in Central Mindanao, the provinces of Lanao del Norte and Sultan Kudarat had the youngest average age at first marriage (20 years) while the province of North Cotabato, the cities of Iligan, Marawi and Cotabato had 21 years.

Three in every five overseas contract workers were females

In 2000, there were 22,250 overseas contract workers or about 0.86 percent of the household population. Among them, females (60 percent) outnumbered their male counterparts (40 percent). The median age of overseas workers in Central Mindanao was 27 years. This meant that half of the overseas workers were below 27 years old. Male overseas workers had a median age of 30 years while their female counterparts had 25 years.

Most households burned their garbage

Of the total households, over 54 percent preferred burning as their usual manner of garbage disposal. More than 16 percent of the households had their garbage picked up by a garbage truck while over 15 percent dumped their garbage in individual pit. The rest of the households disposed their kitchen garbage either by composting, burying or feeding to animals.

One-third of the households drew water for drinking and cooking from community water system

The main source of water for drinking and/or cooking was community water system, accounting for more than 33 percent. More than 18 percent of the total number of households in Central Mindanao had their own faucet and more than 15 percent shared faucet from community water system. Iligan City had the highest proportion (78 percent) of its households that drew water for drinking and/or cooking from community water system while the province of Sultan Kudarat had the lowest with only 15 percent. However, about 17 percent of households in the region still depended on spring, lake, river, rain, etc., as their main source of water for drinking and/or cooking.

Close to half of the households used electricity for lighting

Electricity was the main source of lighting of more than 49 percent of the total households in the region. About 47 percent used kerosene or gaas. Marawi City had the highest proportion of households that used electricity for lighting constituting about 87 percent. Followed by Cotabato City with more than 78 percent. On the other hand, the province of North Cotabato had the lowest with only 36 percent.

Seven in every ten households owned a radio/cassette

Of the total 501,870 households in Central Mindanao, more than 75 percent had at least one household convenience. A large proportion of the total number of households (72 percent) had radio/cassette and about 34 percent had television set. About seven percent had telephone or cellular phone while more than eight percent had motorized vehicle.

Thirty five percent of the households had agricultural land

In 2000, 44 percent of the total households in Central Mindanao owned a land. Thirty-five percent of the households had an agricultural land (this included four percent of households who acquired the land through Comprehensive Agrarian Reform Program (CARP) or were Agrarian Reform Beneficiaries (ARB)); 16 percent, residential land other than where the households currently resided; about three percent had land other than residential and agricultural.

Most households owned/amortized the houses they occupied

Of the total 501,870 households in Central Mindanao, more than 73 percent owned or amortized the houses they occupied; 17 percent, occupied for free with consent of owner; and about six percent were renters.