Population growth rate increased to 2.61 percent

The Census 2000 results showed that Bukidnon reached a million population (1,060,415 persons) from 940,403 persons in the 1995 Census of Population. This figure recorded a 2.61 percent annual population growth rate, from a growth rate of 2.05 percent during the 1990 to 1995 period. A corresponding increase on the number of households was also recorded at 201,777 households, higher by 26,489 households over the 1995 figure. This resulted to an average household size of 5.25 persons, higher than the average household size recorded in 1995 and higher than the national average of five persons.

Valencia was the largest in terms of population

Valencia was the largest among the 22 municipalities in Bukidnon in terms of population (147,924 persons or 13.95 percent of the total population of the province). It was followed by Malaybalay, provincial capital (11.66 percent), Quezon (7.79 percent), Maramag (7.09 percent), and Manolo Fortich (7.00 percent). On the other hand, Sumilao had the smallest population with 1.61 percent.

Bukidnon ranked first in Northern Mindanao

Bukidnon ranked first in terms of population among the four provinces and one highly urbanized city in Northern Mindanao with 38.59 percent of the 2.7 million persons of the region. In terms of the annual population growth rate, it ranked third in the region. At the national level, the province contributed 1.39 percent to the total population of 76.5 million.

Half of the population were below 17 years old 

Bukidnon had a median age of 17 years, slightly higher than the 1995 median age of 16 years. This meant that half of the population were below 17 years old.

Sex ratio was recorded at 106.23 

There were 546.2 thousand males and 514.1 thousand females in Bukidnon. This gave a sex ratio of 106.23 males for every 100 females. There were more males in the age group 0 to 74 years, while more females in the 75 years and above age group.

Table A: Total Population and Growth Rates by Province, Northern Mindanao: 1995 and 2000

More than half of the total population were economically active persons 

About 55 percent belonged to the economically active population aged 15 to 64 years. About 42 percent were young dependents aged 0 to 14 years while less than three percent were aged 65 years and above (old dependents). The overall dependency ratio in 2000 was 81.27, lower than the 1995 ratio of 86.99. This meant that for every 100 persons aged 15 to 64 years, there were about 81 dependents, i.e., 76 young dependents and 5 old dependents.

More female degree holders

About 53.90 percent of the population five years old and over had attended or completed elementary education; 22.63 percent, high school; 1.77 percent, post secondary education; 1.82 percent were academic degree holders; 6.27 percent were college undergraduates; and 0.47 percent had post-baccalaureate studies. There were more males than females among those who had attended or finished elementary (54.25 percent). On the other hand, there were more females who had attended/completed high school (52.30 percent), were college undergraduates (52.11 percent), were academic degree holders (60.35 percent), and had post baccalaureate courses (59.38 percent).

Two out of five were Cebuano

About 41.68 percent of the household population classified themselves as Cebuano. Other ethnic groups included Binisaya/Bisaya (16.37 percent), Binukid/Bukidnon (11.27 percent), Hiligaynon (8.83 percent), Boholano (7.37 percent), and Higaonon (2.79 percent).

More married persons than single

Married persons accounted for 45.88 percent of the total persons 10 years old and over, lower than the 1995 figure (50.34 percent). Single persons comprised 44.77 percent in 2000 slightly higher than in 1995 (44.53 percent) while the widowed (2.99 percent) slightly increased as compared to the 1995 figure (2.92 percent). Those with other arrangements increased from 1.57 percent in 1995 to 4.79 percent in 2000.

Single houses were most preferred

In 2000, most (96.20 percent) of the occupied housing units in Bukidnon were single houses, slightly lower than the 97.59 percent recorded in 1990. Three out of five occupied housing units needed no repair or if needed one, with minor repair only and one in five needed major repair.

Housing occupancy rate was more than 96 percent 

Out of 206,600 housing units in Bukidnon, 198,652 units (96.15 percent) were occupied by 201,777 households. It recorded a ratio of 1.02 households for every occupied housing unit or 5.34 persons per occupied housing unit.

Four in five housing units had roof made of galvanized iron/aluminum

About 79.64 percent of the occupied housing units had roof made of galvanized iron/aluminum, higher than the 1990 figure of 52.29 percent. On the other hand, roof made of cogon/nipa/anahaw declined from 39.85 percent in 1990 to 13.79 percent in 2000. As to construction material of the outer walls, the use of concrete/brick/stone rose from 3.61 percent in 1990 to 12.91 percent in 2000.

Table 1. Population Distribution of Top Five Municipalities by Sex: Bukidnon, 2000