Pampanga registered a total population of 1,614,942 persons. This was up by 213,186 persons as compared to the figure recorded in the 1995 Census of Population.

The highest annual population growth rate recorded for Pampanga since 1903 was during the intercensal period 1960 to 1970 at an annual population growth rate of 3.54 percent, slightly higher than the annual population growth rate recorded during the 1995 to 2000 period (3.08 percent). If the current growth rate continues, the population of Pampanga was expected to reach three million in 23 years.

In 2000, the number of households was 307,639 with an average household size of 5.25 persons, higher than the national average of five persons.

Pampanga, the third biggest province in Central Luzon in terms of population

Pampanga ranked third in terms of population size among the six provinces (Bataan, Bulacan, Nueva Ecija, Pampanga, Tarlac, Zambales) and two highly urbanized cities (Angeles City and Olongapo City) in Centaral Luzon, contributing 20.11 percent to the eight million population of the region. At the national level, the province shared 2.11 percent to the total population of 76.5 million as recorded in the 2000 Census of Population and Housing.

San Fernando, the provincial capital, was the most populated

Of the 21 municipalities comprising Pampanga, San Fernando, the provincial capital, was the biggest in terms of population. This registered a population of 221,857 persons or 13.74 percent of the total provincial population. It was followed by Mabalacat (10.59 percent) and Lubao (7.78 percent). Sasmuan and Bacolor had the smallest population with 1.45 percent and 1.00 percent of the total provincial population, respectively.

Median age of 22 years

Pampanga had a median age of 22 years. This meant that in 2000, half of the population were below 22 years old. In 1995, the median age was 21 years.

Sex ratio was recorded at 103

Males outnumbered their female counterparts with sex ratio of 102.57 males for every 100 females.

Dependency ratio down to 65

The percentage of the total population belonging to age group 0 to 14 years was 35.4 percent. The oldest group (65 years and over) accounted for 3.9 percent, while 60.7 percent were in the 15 to 64 years age group (economically active population).

The overall dependency ratio in 2000 was 64.69. This meant that for every 100 persons aged 15 to 64 years, there were about 65 dependents (58 persons aged 0 to 14 years - young dependents; and seven persons aged 65 years and over - old dependents). In 1995, the dependency ratio was recorded at 67.

Close to one million persons in the voting ages

There were 945,646 persons or 58.56 percent of the total population belonging to the voting population (18 years old and over). The number of males is almost equal to that of the females.

More than half of females were in child bearing age

Out of 797,221 females in the province, 415,218 or 52.08 percent belonged to childbearing or reproductive age group (15 to 49 years). The highest percentage of which, were those in the 15 to 19 years age group (19.42 percent).

Females dominated higher levels of education

About 41 percent of the household population aged five years old and over in Pampanga had attended or completed elementary education; 30.96 percent, high school; 14 percent, college; and only 0.18 percent with post baccalaureate courses. On the other hand, the proportion of children 5 to 6 years old who had completed pre-school and were likely to become Grade I students in the next school year was 1.49 percent.

There were more males than females who were incoming grade 1, who had attended or finished high school and post secondary education. On the other hand, those who had attended or finished elementary, college undergraduates, had college degree and with post baccalaureate courses were dominated by females.

About nine Kapampangans in ten

Of the total household population, 88.3 percent in Pampanga classified themselves as Kapampangan. The rest were either Tagalog (7.6 percent), Ilocano (0.6 percent), Bisaya/Binisaya (0.5 percent) or belonged to other ethnic groups (2.22 percent).

Married persons outnumbered single persons

Of the total population 10 years old and over in Pampanga, a higher proportion of married persons (49.69 percent) was reported as compared to single persons (42.54 percent). The remaining 7.77 percent were either widowed, divorced/separated, with other arrangements, or with unknown marital status.

Among single persons there were more men (54.24 percent) as compared to women (45.76 percent) while more females (76.93 percent) than males (23.07 percent) among the widowed.

About 18 percent of the occupied housing units had floor area of 20 to 29 square meters

Out of 300,465 occupied housing units, 18.29 percent had floor area of 20 to 29 square meters, 16.94 percent had 10 to 19 square meters and 15.51 percent measured 30 to 49 square meters. The median floor area in 2000 was 33.5 square meters as compared to 29.70 square meters in 1990.

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