Average household size down to 4.91 persons

Central Luzon, which covered the provinces of Bataan, Bulacan, Nueva Ecija, Pampanga, Tarlac and Zambales and two highly urbanized cities (Angeles City and Olongapo City) had steadily grown to 8,030,945 persons based on the 2000 Census of Population and Housing (Census 2000). This was up by more than one million persons as compared to the 1995 Census of Population (POPCEN). For the period 1995 to 2000, the annual population growth rate of Central Luzon was 3.20 percent, higher than that of the 1990 to 1995 period (2.12 percent), and even surpassing the national annual population growth rate of 2.36 percent. If the current annual population growth rate of the region continues, the population is expected to double in 22 years, increasing on the average, by more than 200 thousand persons a year or about 29 persons per hour.

The number of households increased to 1,632,047 as compared to 1,365,990 households in 1995. The average household size recorded in Census 2000 was 4.91 persons, lower than the 1995 figure of 5.07 persons and the national average of five persons.

Third biggest region in the Philippines

Central Luzon was the third biggest region in terms of population size among the 16 regions in the Philippines, contributing 10.50 percent to the 76.5 million population of the country as recorded in Census 2000.

Median age was 22 years

Central Luzon had a median age of 22 years. This meant that in 2000, half of the population were below 22 years old. In 1995, the median age was 21 years.

Among the six provinces and two highly urbanized cities, Bataan, Nueva Ecija, Pampanga and Tarlac had a median age of 22 years, while Bulacan, Zambales, Angeles City and Olongapo City with 23 years.

Sex ratio was recorded at 102

In Census 2000, the recorded sex ratio was 102 males for every 100 females, the same sex ratio recorded in 1995.

Dependency ratio was 64

The proportion of young dependents (0 to 14 years) was 35.3 percent, while the proportion of old dependents (65 years and over) accounted for 3.9 percent of the regional

The proportion of economically active population (15 to 64 years) made up 60.8 percent of the total population.

The overall dependency ratio in 2000 was 64.49. This meant that for every 100 persons aged 15 to 64 years, there were about 64 dependents (58 young dependents and six old dependents).

Nine in ten were Roman Catholics

Majority (86.09 percent) of the population of Central Luzon were Roman Catholics. Iglesia ni Cristo (4.39 percent) and Aglipayan (1.94 percent), followed, while 7.25 percent belonged to other religious affiliations.

More literate in Olongapo City

The proportion of household population 10 years old and over in Central Luzon who were able to read and write a simple message was 94.80 percent. Male’s (94.83 percent) literacy rate was almost the same as that of the female’s (94.76 percent).

Olongapo City had the highest proportion of literates with 98.74 percent. Bataan and Bulacan followed, with 95.93 percent and 95.87 percent, respectively.

Average number of children ever-born was three

On the average, the number of children born to ever-married women in this region was three, almost the same as in all provinces except for two highly urbanized cities having an average of two children.

The provinces with the most number of ever-married women with eight or more children ever born were Zambales (2.62 percent) and Tarlac (2.44 percent).

Most of the overseas workers were males

In 2000, there were 135,802 or 1.69 percent overseas workers as compared to 110,792 overseas workers in 1995 POPCEN. More than half (54.61 percent) of these overseas workers were males.

The population of overseas workers in 2000, had a median age of 33 years. This meant that half of the overseas workers were below 33 years old. Female’s overseas workers had a median age of 29 years, younger than their male counterparts (36 years).

Electricity, main source of lighting

Majority (87.38 percent) of the households used electricity for lighting and 8.81 percent used kerosene or gaas. Liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) as fuel for lighting was utilized by 1.01 percent of the total households.

Electricity was the main source of lighting by the majority of households in Bulacan (93.82 percent) and Angeles City (93.83 percent). Zambales had the lowest proportion at 78.93 percent.

Three in ten households depended on own use, faucet community water system for drinking and/or cooking

The main sources of water supply for drinking and/or cooking were own use, faucet community water system (30.75 percent); shared, tubed/piped deep well (20.16 percent); and own use, tubed/piped deep well (19.98 percent).

Majority of households used liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) for cooking

Majority of the households used liquefied petroleum gas (67.94 percent) as fuel for cooking. A large proportion still used wood (14.05 percent) and only 2.95 percent used electricity for cooking.

About 49 percent of the total households exclusively used water sealed, sewer/septic tank

The proportion of households with water sealed, sewer/septic tank, used exclusively by the households was 48.68 percent. About 22 percent had water sealed, other depository used exclusively by the households and 5.68 percent used closed pit. Households which did not have any toilet facility accounted for 3.45 percent.

One in two of the households burned their garbage

Proper disposal of garbage leads to a good environment and good health. About 51 percent of the households in Central Luzon disposed their garbage through burning; 36.35 percent, picked up by garbage truck; and 7.15 percent, dumping in individual pit.

In all provinces in Central Luzon except in Bataan, Angeles City and Olongapo City, the usual manner of garbage disposal was through burning. In Bataan and in these two highly urbanized cities, the usual manner of garbage disposal was through picked-up by garbage truck (57.75 percent, 83.03 percent and 86.45 percent, respectively.

Three out of four households owned/amortized their housing units

Majority (75.77 percent) of the households owned/amortized their houses. Those who occupied their housing units for free with consent of owner comprised 10.87 percent while 8.40 percent rented their housing units.