Population growth rate decreased to 3.6 percent

Palawan, the largest province in the Philippines in terms of land area, registered a total population of 755,412 persons based on the results of the 2000 Census of Population and Housing (Census 2000). This figure translated to an annual population growth rate of 3.60 percent from 3.67 percent during the 1990 to 1995 period. The number of households rose to 150,995, higher by 26,067 households as compared to the 1995 figure. This gave an average household size of 4.98 persons, lower than the average household size of 5.07 persons in 1995.

Puerto Princesa City was the most populated municipality

Of the 24 municipalities comprising Palawan, Puerto Princesa City, the provincial capital, was the highest in terms of population size. This registered a population of 161,912 persons or 21.43 percent of the total provincial population. It was followed by Narra (7.53 percent) and Taytay (7.10 percent). Cagayancillo and Kalayaan had the smallest population with 0.84 percent and 0.03 percent of the total provincial population, respectively.

Palawan ranked fourth in Southern Tagalog in terms of population growth rate

Among the 11 provinces and one highly urbanized city in Southern Tagalog, Palawan, ranked fourth as the fastest growing province in the region while the province of Rizal ranked first at 5.79 percent. This surpassed the national annual population growth rate of 2.36 percent.

Palawan had a median age of 18 years

Palawan had a median age of 18 years, the same as that of the 1995 median age.

Sex ratio was recorded at 107

There were 390.6 thousand males and 364.8 thousand females in Palawan. This gave a sex ratio of 107 males for every 100 females.

Dependency ratio was 80

The overall dependency ratio in 2000 was 80.01. This meant that for every 100 persons aged 15 to 64 years; there were about 80 dependents, that is, 75 young dependents (aged 0 to 14 years) and five old dependents (aged 65 years and over). In 1995, dependency ratio was recorded at 81.52.

Females dominated higher levels of education

Nearly half (47.86 percent) of the total household population five years old and over had attended or completed elementary education; about one-fourth (24.56 percent) in high school; eight percent were college undergraduates; and more than two percent each were academic degree holders and with post secondary education. There were more males than females among those who had attended or finished elementary, secondary and post secondary education. On the other hand, those who had attended or finished college, were academic degree holders and with post baccalaureate courses were dominated by females.

Most were Cuyunons/Cuyunans and Tagalogs

Most (42.96 percent) of the household population in Palawan classified themselves as Cuyunon/Cuyunan (22.42 percent) and Tagalog (20.54 percent). About 13 percent considered themselves as Hiligaynon/Ilonggo, 8.10 percent as Palawan/Pinalawon/ Palawanon and 6.84 percent as Cebuano. Other ethnic groups with relatively small percentages included Ilocano (3.31 percent), Bisaya/Binisaya (2.97 percent), Kagayanan (2.40 percent) and Tagbanwa (2.15 percent).

Married persons outnumbered single persons

Of the total population 10 years old and over in Palawan, higher proportion of married persons (44.85 percent) was reported than that of the single persons (42.47 percent). The remaining 12.68 percent were either widowed, divorced/separated, with other arrangements or with unknown marital status.

Housing unit occupancy rate up by 4.31 percentage points

The total housing units in Palawan was 149,500, of which 149,465 were occupied. This rate of occupancy (99.98 percent) registered an increase of 4.31 percentage points from that of the 1990 figure. It recorded a ratio of 1.01 household per occupied housing unit or a ratio of 5.03 persons per occupied housing unit.

Single houses were most preferred

Majority (95.83 percent) of the occupied housing units were single houses. Two out of three housing units needed no repair or if needed one with minor repair only. About half (49.59 percent) were built from 1996 to 2000.

Proportion of galvanized/iron/aluminum and concrete/brick/stone as materials for roof and outer walls increased

In 2000, the proportion of occupied housing units with roof made of galvanized/iron/aluminum accounted to 24.68 percent while 7.23 percent had concrete/brick/stone as the construction materials of the outer walls. These figures were up by 11.63 and 4.31 percentage points, respectively from that of the 1990 figures.

Table 1. Total Population Distribution by Municipality and Sex: Palawan, 2000