Population growth rate increased to 4.16 percent

The 2000 Census of Population and Housing (Census 2000) results showed that Maguindanao registered a total population of 801,102 persons, higher by 138,922 persons over the 1995 Census of Population (POPCEN) results. This figure recorded a 4.16 percent annual population growth rate, higher by 3.25 percentage points than the annual population growth rate during the 1990 to 1995 period. A corresponding increase on the number of households was also recorded at 143,669 households, higher by 14,802 households over the 1995 figure. This resulted to an average household size of 5.57 persons, slightly higher than the average household size (5.13 persons) recorded five years ago and the national average of five persons.

The population of the province will double after seventeen years

The population of Maguindanao will increase 33,326 persons annually and expected to reach one million in year 2006 and to double by year 2017 if the population growth rate (4.16 percent) will not change with in the said period.

Sultan Kudarat, the most populated municipality while Shariff Aguak, the capital town, ranked seven

Of the twenty one municipalities in the province of Maguindanao, the municipality of Sultan Kudarat was the largest in terms of population size, comprising 11.84 percent of the total population of the province. This was followed by the municipalities of Datu Odin Sinsuat (8.93 percent), and Datu Piang (8.40 percent). The least populous was the municipality of Talitay (2.13 percent).

Shariff Aguak, the capital town of the province, formerly known as Maganoy, comprised 8.33 percent of the total population of the province.

Over three-fifths were Maguindanaon

Most of the residents of Maguindanao classified themselves as Maguindanaon (64 percent), about 14 percent as Iranon; 5 percent, Teduray; and 17 percent, other ethnic groups.

Maguindanao ranked first in ARMM

Maguindanao was the most populated province among the four provinces in Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM) with 33.21 percent of the 2.4 million persons of the region. At the national level, the province contributed 1.05 percent to the total population of 76.5 million.

Half of the population below 19 years old

Maguindanao had a median age of 19 years, slightly higher than the 1995 median age of 18 years. This meant that half of the population were below 19 years old.

More population aged 5-9 years old

In 2000, the age-sex structure of the population of Maguindanao deviated from the usual pyramid shape as shown in Figure 1. The age group 5-9 years old occupied the largest proportion of the total population (15 percent). Children under 5 years old made up 12.3 percent of the total population of the province, lower than the percentage for the age group 5 to 9 years old.

Sex ratio recorded at 100.25

There were 401,049 males and 400,053 females in Maguindanao. This gave a sex ratio of 100.25 males for every 100 females. There were more males in almost all age groups except in the 15-39 age group.

Over half of females belonged to the childbearing age group

Women in childbearing or reproductive age group (15 to 49 years) comprised 52 percent of the total female population.

Voting population more than half of the total population

There were 414,097 persons or 52 percent of the total population belonging to the voting age population (18 years and over). Among them, the proportion of males was higher (50.14 percent) than that of the females (49.86 percent).

Dependency ratio dropped by 5 percentage points

Over 57 percent of the total population was economically active (aged 15 to 64 years). About 41 percent were young dependents (aged 0 to 14 years) while two percent were old dependents (aged 65 years and above). The overall dependency ratio in 2000 was 74, dropped by 5 percentage points from the 1995 ratio of 79. This meant that for every 100 persons aged 15 to 64 years, there were about 74 dependents, i.e., 71 young dependents and three old dependents.

More female degree holders

About 42 percent of the total population had attended or completed elementary education; 18 percent, high school; and 5.7 percent, higher education.

Males dominated among those who had finished elementary education (51 percent) as compared to the females (49 percent). On the other hand, females dominated among those who had finished college education (56 percent) as compared to males (44 percent).

More single men than women

Forty seven percent of the total population 10 years old and over were single while 45 percent were married. The remaining 8 percent were either widowed, separated/divorced, with other arrangements or with unknown marital status.

There were more single men (51 percent) than women (49 percent). The proportion of widowed females was noticeably higher (68 percent) than the males (32 percent).

Most of the households preferred single houses

Majority of the housing units were single houses (94 percent). Over seven out of ten housing units needed no repair or if needed one, with minor repair only. Two out of five housing units were built from 1996 to 2000.

Smaller houses in Maguindanao

Three out of five housing units had floor area of less than 20 square meters (59.15 percent). Only 1.5 percent of the occupied housing units had a floor area of 120 and over square meters.

Native or locally made materials for housing units preferred by households

The households in Maguindanao preferred native or locally made materials for their houses. About 53 percent used cogon/nipa/anahaw for their roof, while 31 percent used galvanized iron/aluminum. As to construction materials of the outer walls, 44 percent used bamboo/sawali/cogon/nipa/ anahaw and 35.4 percent, wood.

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