Population growth rate increased to 2.73 percent

The Census 2000 results showed that Southern Leyte registered a total population of 360,160 persons, higher by 42,595 persons over the 1995 Census of Population results. This figure recorded a 2.73 percent growth rate, from a negative growth rate of 0.26 percent in the 1990 to 1995 period. A corresponding increase on the number of households was also recorded at 72,894 households, higher by 7,327 households over the 1995 figure. This resulted to an average household size of 4.94 persons, higher than the average household size recorded in 1995 and lower than the national average of five persons.

Maasin (provincial capital) was the largest in terms of population

Maasin (provincial capital) was the largest among the 19 municipalities in Southern Leyte. It registered a population of 71,163 or 19.76 percent of the total population of the province. It was followed by Sogod (10.38 percent), Bontoc (7.66 percent), and Hinunangan (6.95 percent). Limasawa, on the other hand, had the smallest population with 1.43 percent.

Southern Leyte ranked fifth in Eastern Visayas

Southern Leyte ranked fifth in terms of population among the six provinces in Eastern Visayas with 9.98 percent of the 3.6 million persons of the region. On the contrary, it was the fastest growing province in the region. At the national level, the province contributed 0.47 percent to the total population of 76.5 million.

Half of the population were below 20 years old

Southern Leyte had a median age of 20 years, slightly lower than the 1995 median age of 21 years. This meant that half of the population was below 20 years old.

Sex ratio was recorded at 104.10

There were 183.7 thousand males and 176.5 thousand females in Southern Leyte. This gave a sex ratio of 104.1 males for every 100 females. There were more males in the age group 0 to 49 years, while more females in the 50 years and above age group.

Table A. Total Population and Growth Rates by Province, Eastern Visayas (Region VIII): 1995 and 2000

Source: NSO, 2000 Census of Population and Housing

Three dependents out of four economically active persons

More than 57 percent belonged to the economically active population aged 15 to 64 years. About 36 percent were young dependents aged 0 to 14 years while less than seven percent were aged 65 years and above (old dependents). The overall dependency ratio in 2000 was 74.87, lower than the 1995 ratio of 84.74. This meant that for every 100 persons aged 15 to 64 years, there were about 75 dependents, i.e., 64 young dependents and 11 old dependents.

More female degree holders

Almost half (49.48 percent) of the population five years old and over had attended or completed elementary education; 26.85 percent, high school; 2.85 percent, post secondary education; 3.55 percent were academic degree holders; 7.33 percent were college undergraduates; and 0.32 percent had post-baccalaureate studies.

There were more males than females among those who had attended or finished elementary (52.80 percent) and post-secondary courses (53.11 percent). On the other hand, there were more females who had attended/completed high school (51.48 percent), were college undergraduates (52.07 percent), were academic degree holders (58.95 percent), and had post baccalaureate courses (57.43 percent).

Four out of five were Bisaya/Binisaya

About 80.74 percent of the household population classified themselves as Bisaya/Binisaya. Other ethnic groups included Boholano (12.64 percent), Cebuano (5.15 percent), Tagalog (0.20 percent), and Waray (0.15 percent).

More single persons than married

Single persons accounted for 45.87 percent of the total persons 10 years old and over, higher than the 1995 figure (43.90 percent) by 1.97 percentage points. Married persons comprised 44.06 percent in 2000 lower than in 1995 (48.83 percent) while the widowed (5.06 percent) slightly increased compared to the 1995 figure (4.86 percent). Those with other arrangements increased from only 1.32 percent in 1995 to 3.45 percent in 2000.

Single houses were most preferred

In 2000, most of the housing units in Southern Leyte were single houses, 97.00 percent, lower than the 98.55 percent recorded in 1990. About three out of five of the occupied housing units needed no repair or if needed one, with minor repair only. About 21.51 percent needed major repair.

More than one out of five occupied housing units had floor area of 10 to 19 square meters

Out of 72,400 occupied housing units in Southern Leyte, more than one out of five (22.40 percent) had floor area of 10 to 19 square meters. This was followed by housing units with floor area of 20 to 29 square meters (19.47 percent) and with 30 to 49 square meters (18.93 percent). Only 5.98 percent had 120 square meters or more.

Three out of five housing units had roof made of galvanized iron/aluminum

About 62 percent of the occupied housing units had roof made of galvanized iron/aluminum, higher than the 1990 figure of 32.65 percent. On the other hand, roof made of cogon/nipa/anahaw declined from 63.39 percent in 1990 to 33.13 percent in 2000. As to construction material of the outer walls, the proportion of concrete/brick/stone rose from 8.96 percent in 1990 to 22.76 percent in 2000.

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