The total population of Southern Mindanao*, as of May 1, 2000, was 5,189,335 persons. This implied an increase of 585,177 persons over the 1995 census figure or an average annual population growth rate of 2.6 percent, slightly lower than the annual population growth rate recorded during the 1990 to 1995 period (2.64 percent. If the average annual growth rate continues at 2.6 percent, the population of the region is expected to double in 26 years increasing, on the average, by 134,923 persons a year or about 15 persons per hour.

The population of Western Visayas which covered the provinces of Aklan, Antique, Capiz, Iloilo, Negros Occidental, Guimaras, Iloilo City and Bacolod City, as of May 1, 2000 was 6,211,038 persons. This was up by more than 400 thousand persons as compared to the 1995 Census of Population (POPCEN). For the period 1995 to 2000, the annual population growth rate of Western Visayas was 1.56 percent, higher than that of the 1990 to 1995 period (1.30 percent). If the current annual population growth rate of the region continues, the population is expected to double in 44 years, increasing on the average, by 97 thousand persons a year or about 11 persons per hour.

Based on the Census of Population and Housing conducted decennially by the National Statistics Office, the total population of the Philippines as of May 1, 2000 was 76,504,077 persons. This was higher by 7,887,541 persons or about 10.31 percent from the 1995 census (with September 1, 1995 as reference date). It was 10 times the Philippine population in 1903 when the first census was undertaken.