Note also that the data was limited only to the number of deaths by occupation and was not cross-classified with the causes of death. Hence, users are advised to be cautious in interpreting the data. It is not to be assumed that the causes of death were occupation related.

Most deaths were accounted for persons in non-gainful activities

The number of deaths reported for ages 15 years old and over was 317,083 (Table 1), or 86.4 percent of the total deaths (366,923) in year 2000. The number of male deaths was 188,580 or 59.5 percent while female deaths was 128,503 or 40.5 percent.

Among occupational groups, the most number of deaths occurred to those engaged in non-gainful occupations (216,282 or 68.2 percent of the total). They were the volunteers and community, civic, social, and charitable workers. Also included in this group were housekeepers, students, disabled, pensioners, and retired persons.

Deaths of persons engaged in agriculture and animal husbandry, forestry, fishing, and hunting followed next with 45,798 deaths or 14.4 percent of the total. A large bulk of these deaths was accounted to farmers (40,566 or 88.6 percent).

The median age at death of persons 15 years old and over was 61.2 years for males and 65.7 for females.

Among occupational groups, the median age at death of members of the Armed Forces was the youngest at age 37, compared to others whose median age at death ranged from age 44 for service workers and clerical and related workers to age 66 for nongainful activities.

The youngest median age at death of females 15 years old and over was 41 years for clerical and related workers, while the oldest was 66 years for nongainful activities. The median age at death of female members of the Armed Forces was 46 years. On the other hand, the youngest median age at death of males of the same age group was 37 years for members of the Armed Forces, and the oldest was 65 years for nongainful activities.