Average household size was 5.24 persons

Bicol Region, which covers the provinces of Albay, Camarines Norte, Camarines Sur, Catanduanes, Masbate and Sorsogon, recorded a total population of 4,686,669 persons in 2000 Census of Population and Housing (Census 2000). This was up by 361,362 persons as compared to the 1995 Census of Population (POPCEN). For the period 1995 to 2000, the annual population growth rate for the Bicol Region was 1.73 percent, lower than that of the 1990 to 1995 period (1.91 percent). If the current annual population growth rate of the region continues, the population is expected to double in 40 years, increasing on the average, by almost 81 thousand persons a year or about nine persons per hour.

The number of households increased to 893,833 as compared to 817,998 households in 1995. The average household size recorded in Census 2000 was 5.24 persons, slightly lower than the 1995 figure of 5.28 persons and higher than the national average of five persons.

Median age was 19 years

Bicol Region had a median age of 19 years. This meant that in 2000, half of the population were below 19 years old. In 1995, the median age was 18 years.

Masbate had the youngest median age of 18 years. Camarines Sur and Sorsogon both with 19 years, while Albay, Camarines Norte and Catanduanes with 20 years.

Sex ratio was recorded at 104

In Census 2000, the recorded sex ratio was 104 males for every 100 females, higher than the 103 sex ratio recorded in 1995.

Overall dependency ratio was 83

The proportion of young dependents (0 to 14 years) was 41.1 percent, while the proportion of old dependents (65 years and over) accounted for 4.4 percent of the regional population. The proportion of economically active population (15 to 64 years) made up 54.6 percent.

The overall dependency ratio in 2000 was 83.22. This meant that for every 100 persons aged 15 to 64 years, there were about 83 dependents (75 young dependents and eight old dependents).

Majority were Roman Catholics

Majority (94.27 percent) of the population of Bicol Region were Roman Catholics. Iglesia ni Cirsto (1.41 percent) and Evangelicals (0.82 percent) followed, while 3.17 percent belonged to other religious affiliations.

More literates in Catanduanes

The proportion of household population 10 years old and over in Bicol Region who were able to read and write a simple message was 92.69 percent. There were more literate women (93.01 percent) than men (92.38 percent).

Catanduanes and Sorsogon had the highest proportion of literates with 94.27 percent and 94.23 percent, respectively. Masbate had the lowest with 87.23 percent.

Average number of children ever-born was three

The average number of children ever-born in Bicol Region was three, the same with its provinces except for the province of Sorsogon with four.

Albay, Camarines Norte and Sorsogon had the highest proportion of ever-married women who had two children, accounting for 16.45 percent, 17.22 percent, and 15.25 percent, respectively. Catanduanes and Masbate on the other hand, had the highest proportion of ever-married women who had three children accounting for 14.94 percent and 13.92 percent, respectively.

Median age at first marriage was 21 years

Bicol Region had a median age at first marriage of 21 years. This meant that half of the ever-married women 15 to 49 years old had age at first marriage of below 21 years.

Most of the overseas workers were females

Bicol Region registered a total of 38,575 overseas workers in Census 2000 as compared to 18,798 overseas workers reported in 1995 Census of Population. More than half (53.12 percent) of these overseas workers were females.

The population of overseas workers in the region, had a median age 29 years. This meant that half of the overseas workers were below 29 years old. Females overseas workers had a median age of 26 years, younger than its male counterparts (32 years).

One in two households used electricity

Majority (54.44 percent) of the households used electricity for lighting and 42.28 percent still used kerosene or gaas. Liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) was utilized for lighting by 0.73 percent of the total households.

Electricity was the main source of lighting in all provinces in Bicol Region except in Masbate, where majority of households still used kerosene (73 percent). Households using electricity in Masbate accounted for 22.40 percent.

Two in nine households depended on shared, faucet community water system for potable water

The main sources of water supply for drinking and/or cooking were shared, faucet community water system (21.77 percent); own use, faucet, community water system (20.15 percent); and dug well (13.92 percent).

One in two households used wood for cooking

In 2000, more than half of the households still used wood (56.05 percent) as fuel for cooking, while 27.08 percent used liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) and 1.28 percent, electricity.

One out of three households exclusively used water sealed, sewer/septic tank

The proportion of households with water sealed, sewer/septic tank, used exclusively by the households was 33.74 percent; 16.14 percent had water sealed, other depository used exclusively by the households. Households that did not have any toilet facility accounted for 15.59 percent.

Burning was the usual manner of garbage disposal

Majority of the households from Bicol Region burned their garbage (57.86 percent). About 14 percent had their garbage picked-up by a garbage truck, and 9.98 percent dumped their garbage in individual pit.

In all provinces in the Bicol Region except Catanduanes, the usual manner of garbage disposal was through burning. In Catanduanes, most households fed their garbage to animals (39.57 percent).

Seven out of nine households owned/amortized their housing units

Majority (77.55 percent) of the households owned/amortized their houses. Those who occupied their housing units for free with consent of owner comprised 14.92 percent while 3.91 percent rented their housing units.