Population growth rate at 1.49 percent

The total population of Camarines Norte, as of May 1, 2000, was 470,654 persons. The figure was higher by 31,503 persons over the 1995 Census of Population (POPCEN) results. It translated to an annual population growth rate of 1.49 percent, lower than that of the 1990-1995 period (2.20 percent). If the current rate continues, the population of Camarines Norte will double in 46 years.

A corresponding increase in the number of households was also observed, from 84,561 households registered in 1995 POPCEN to 91,866 in Census 2000. However, a slight decrease in the average household size was recorded, from 5.19 persons in the 1995 to 5.12 persons in 2000.

Labo was the largest in terms of population size

The three leading municipalities of Camarines Norte in terms of population were Labo (17.29 percent), Daet, the provincial capital (17.13 percent), and Jose Panganiban (9.79 percent). On the other hand, the municipality of San Vicente was the least populated accounting for 1.91 percent of the total population.

Sex ratio was recorded at 105.29

In Camarines Norte, there were more males (241,388) than females (229,266). This figure resulted to a sex ratio of 105.29 males for every 100 females.

The concentration of males were in the age bracket 0 to 54 years while in the 55 years and above age bracket for the females.

More than half belonged to the voting population

The voting population aged 18 years and above comprised 52.99 percent (249,416 persons) of the total population, of which 51.11 percent were males (127,497 persons) and 48.49 percent were females (121,919 persons).

Two out of five females in childbearing ages

The childbearing or reproductive age group (15 to 49 years) comprised 47.05 percent of the total female population.

Dependency ratio was 79.52

In Camarines Norte, 55.71 percent of the population or 262,179 persons comprised the economically active population (15 to 64 years old). Population aged 0 to 14 years constituted 40.51 percent of the total population while those 65 years old and over made up 3.78 percent.

The overall dependency ratio in 2000 was 79.52, lower than the 1995 ratio of 84.91.

One-half of the population had elementary education

Out of the total household population five years old and over, 49.93 percent had attended/finished elementary education; 28.60 percent, high school and 2.40 percent, post secondary studies. Those who had achieved a higher education comprised 10.42 percent.

There was a higher percentage of females (60.76 percent) than males among those with post baccalaureate studies. The same is true among academic degree holders and college undergraduates (61.13 percent and 53.40 percent, respectively).

Almost 79 percent were Bicolanos

About 78.81 percent of the household population classified themselves as Bicolanos while the rest were either Tagalog (19.12 percent) or belonged to other ethnic groups (2.07 percent).

More males among single individuals 

Of the total household population 10 years and over, 45.41 percent comprised the married persons; 43.15 percent, never married persons; 4.32 percent, widowed; 5.57 percent, other marital arrangements; and 0.95 percent, separated/divorced.

Among single persons, the proportion was higher for males (55.55 percent) than females (44.45 percent). The same was true among married persons, 50.25 percent for the males and slightly lower for the females (49.75 percent).

Strong materials for roof and outer walls were preferred

In 2000, 48.86 percent of the occupied housing units used galvanized iron/aluminum as the construction materials for the roof. For the outer walls, 64.38 percent of the occupied housing units had walls made of either concrete/brick/stone or wood.

In terms of the year built, the proportion of occupied housing units that were relatively new (built from 1996 to 2000) was the highest at 40.07 percent. Hence, majority (62.85 percent) of the housing units needed no repair or if needed one, with minor repair only.

Almost 96 percent of the total occupied housing units were single and 1.98 percent were duplex.

Table 1. Total Population Distribution of Top Five Municipalities: Camarines Norte, 2000