Population to double in 31 years

Davao recorded a total of 743,811 persons in the 2000 Census of Population and Housing (Census 2000), higher by 72,478 persons as compared to 671,333 persons recorded in the 1995 Census of Population.

The highest population growth rate recorded for Davao since 1970 was during the intercensal period 1970 to 1975 at an average annual growth rate of 6.60 percent. The annual population growth rate of 2.2 percent for the period 1995 to 2000, on the other hand, was the lowest growth rate recorded for Davao province. If the current growth rate continues, the population of Davao was expected to double in 31 years.

In 2000, the number of households was 150,844 with an average household size of 4.92 persons, slightly lower than the national average of five persons.

Davao ranked third in Southern Mindanao

Davao ranked third in terms of population size among the six provinces comprising Southern Mindanao (Davao, Compostela Valley, Davao del Sur, Davao Oriental, Sarangani and South Cotabato) and two highly urbanized cities (Davao City and General Santos City) contributing 14.33 percent to 5.2 million population of the region. At the national level, the province shared 0.97 percent to the total population of 76.5 million as recorded in the Census 2000.

City of Tagum, the provincial capital, was the biggest in terms of population

City of Tagum, the provincial capital contributed 24 percent to the total provincial population. Panabo (18 percent) and Santo Tomas (11.34 percent) followed. The least populous was Talaingod with 2.23 percent.

Davao had a median age of 21 years

Davao had a median age of 21 years. This meant that in 2000, half of the population were below 21 years old. In 1995, the median age was 19 years.

Male population outnumbered their female counterparts with a sex ratio of 105.18 males for every 100 females. There were more males than females in almost all age groups except in the age group 75 years and over.

Overall dependency ratio was 68

The percentage of the total population belonging to age group 0 to14 years was 37.2 percent. The oldest group (65 years and over) accounted for 3.3 percent, while 59.5 percent belonged to the economically active population (aged 15 to 64 years).

The overall dependency ratio in 2000 was 68. This meant that for every 100 persons aged 15 to 64 years, there were about 68 dependents (63 persons aged 0 to 14 years – young dependents; and 5 persons aged 65 years and over – old dependents). In 1995, the dependency ratio was recorded at 75.

More males belonged to the voting population than females

There were 416,142 persons or 55.95 percent of the total population belonging to the voting population (18 years and above). The proportion of males (51.58 percent) in this age group was higher than that of the females (42.42 percent).

More than half of female population were in child bearing age

Out of 362,508 total female population, 188,382 or 52 percent were in the child bearing or reproductive age (15 to 49 years). The highest percentage of which, were those of 15 to 19 years (21.87 percent).

Females dominated the higher levels of education

About 44 percent of the household population aged 5 years old and over attended or completed elementary education; 30 percent, high school; three percent, academic degree holders; and only 0.16 percent with post baccalaureate courses. On the other hand, the proportion of children 5 to 6 years old and had completed pre-school who were likely to be incoming Grade I students was 1.77 percent.

Males dominated the pre-school (51.08 percent) and elementary (53.72 percent) levels. On the other hand, females dominated the higher levels of education, from high school to post baccalaureate courses.

One in three was a Cebuano

Most of the household population classified themselves as Cebuano (31.8 percent). The rest were either Bisaya/Binisaya (23.4 percent), Boholano (11.9 percent), Hiligaynon/Ilonggo (7.7 percent) or belonged to other ethnic groups (18 percent).

Majority were single men

The proportion of total population 10 years old and over with single status was higher among males with 54.56 percent as compared to 45.44 percent for females. On the contrary, the proportion of widowed were noticeably higher among females (72.28 percent) than males (27.72 percent).

Two out of seven housing units had floor area of 10 to 19 square meters

Out of 147,427 occupied housing units, 27.6 percent had floor area of 10 to 19 square meters and 20 percent with less than 10 square meters. In 2000, the median floor area was 20.7 square meters, lower than that of 1990 (17.15 square meters).

Most houses were made of strong materials

Of the total occupied housing units, 31.52 percent used strong materials for their houses (i.e. they used galvanized iron/aluminum for their roof and wood for the outer walls).

About 74 percent used galvanized iron/aluminum as roof and 18.7 percent used cogon/nipa/anahaw. As to the construction materials of the outer walls, 39.4 percent used wood and 22.5 percent used bamboo/sawali/cogon/nipa.