The 2000 Census of Population and Housing results showed that Negros Oriental registered a total population of 1,130,088 persons, higher by 104,841 persons over the 1995 Census of Population results. This figure recorded a 2.11 percent annual population growth rate, higher by 0.17 percentage point than the annual population growth rate during the 1990 to 1995 period. A corresponding increase on the number of households was also recorded at 227,160 households, higher by 22,029 households five years ago. This resulted to an average household size of 4.97 persons, almost the same as in 1995 (4.99 persons) and the national average of five persons.

Population of the province to increase by 65 persons per day

If the average growth rate of the population will continue at 2.11 percent, the population of Negros Oriental is expected to double after 33 years, increasing by 23,845 persons every year or 65 persons per day.

Dumaguete City, the provincial capital, was the most populous city

Of the 22 municipalities and three cities in the province of Negros Oriental, Dumaguete City, the provincial capital, was the largest in terms of population size, comprising 9.05 percent of the total population of the province. This was followed by the municipalities of Bayawan (8.97 percent), and Guihulngan (7.49 percent). The least populous was the municipality of San Jose (1.39 percent).

Sex ratio recorded at 102

There were more males than females in Negros Oriental. In 2000, there were approximately 102 males for every 100 females in the province. The same sex ratio was also reported in 1990 and 1995.

Half of the population were below 21 years old

Negros Oriental had a median age of 21 years, higher by one year from the 1995 median age. This implied that half of the total population of the province were below 21 years old.

In 2000, the age-sex structure of Negros Oriental slightly deviated from the usual pyramid shape as shown in Figure 1. The age group 5-9 years slightly protrudes as compared to the lowest age group. This age group also occupied the largest proportion of the total population.

About 48 percent of females belonged to the childbearing age group

Women in childbearing or reproductive age group (15 to 49 years) comprised about 48 percent of the total female population. The same proportion of women in reproductive age group was reported also in 1995.

Over a half of the population belonged to voting ages

There were 619,772 persons or about 55 percent of the total population who can participate during election (18 years old and over), with an almost equal number of males and females.

Dominated by Cebuano and Bisaya/Binisaya

The predominant ethnic groups in this province were Cebuano and Bisaya. About 48 percent of the total household population classified themselves as Cebuano and over 46 percent classified themselves as Bisaya/Binisaya. The remaining six percent of the household population belonged to other ethnic groups, which include Hiligaynon/Ilonggo, Karay-a, Kankanai/Kankaney/ Kankanaey, Tagalog, and Binukid/Bukidnon.

Economically active persons increased by about 12 percent

About 57 percent of the total population or 642,116 persons belonged to productive ages (15 to 64 years). This resulted to a 12 percent increase from the 1995 figure of 575,613 persons. About 39 percent of the total household population were young dependents (aged 0 to 14 years) while more than 4 percent were old dependents (aged 65 years and above). The overall dependency ratio in 2000 was 76, lower than the 1995 ratio of 78. This meant that for every 100 persons aged 15 to 64 years, there were about 76 dependents, i.e., 68 young dependents and eight, old dependents.

Most of the population five years old and over had attended school

About 87 percent of the total household population five years old and over had attended school where 58.3 percent in elementary; 17.3 percent, high school; 1.6 percent, post secondary; and 9.6 percent, with at least college education.

Females dominated among those who had attended school, except in elementary and post secondary levels.

Close to 50 percent of the total population ten years old and over were married

About 47 percent of the total population 10 years old and over were married while 44 percent were single. The remaining nine percent were either widowed, separated/divorced, with other arrangements or with unknown marital status.

Among married persons, the proportion for females was slightly higher (50.3 percent). As expected, the proportion of widows was noticeably higher (71 percent) than the widowers (29 percent).

More than one-third of the houses were new

Majority of the housing units were single houses (97 percent). About 64 percent of the housing units needed no repair or if needed one, with minor repair only. Over 36 percent were built from 1996 to 2000.

Median floor area was 16 square meters

The houses in Negros Oriental were relatively small with a median floor area of 16 square meters. This implied that half of the total housing units had a floor area of below 16 square meters. About 31 percent of the total housing units had 10 to 19 square meters floor area; 31.4 percent, less than 10 square meters; and 15.1 percent, 20 - 29 square meters. Over three percent of the total housing units reported to have floor area of at least 120 square meters.

Majority of the houses had outer walls made of forest product materials

There was a significant improvement in the materials used for the roof, as the proportion of the houses with roof made of galvanized iron drastically increased by about 26 percentage points from the 1990 figure of 15 percent to 41 percent in 2000. On the other hand, the proportion of housing units with roof made of either cogon, nipa or anahaw dropped by 27 percentage points from the 1990 figure of 80 percent to 53 percent in 2000. As to construction materials of the outer walls, 51 percent used either bamboo, sawali, cogon, nipa or anahaw, lower by 14 percentage points from the 1990 figure (65 percent). About 12 percent had outer walls made of either half concrete, bricks, stone or half wood while only 0.4 percent with galvanized iron or aluminum.

Table 1. Population Distribution of Top Five Cities/Municipalities: Negros Oriental, 2000