Population reached 2.41 million

As of May 1, 2000, the population of Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM), which covers the provinces of Lanao del Sur, Maguindanao, Sulu and Tawi-Tawi, was 2,412,159 persons. This implied an increase of 391,256 persons over the 1995 census figure or an average annual population growth rate of 3.86 percent, higher than that of 1990 to 1995 period (1.80 percent). If the rate continues at 1.63 percent, the population of the region is expected to double in 18 years, increasing on the average, by 93,109 persons a year or about 11 persons per hour.

Four in every seven persons were economically active

In Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao, about 57 percent of the population belonged to productive ages or economically active persons (15 to 64 years old). On the other hand, the young dependents (aged 0 to 14 years) accounted for about 41 percent while about two percent were old dependents (aged 65 years and over). The overall dependency ratio in 2000 was 74. This meant that for every 100 persons aged 15-64 years, there were about 74 dependents, i.e., 71 young dependents and three old dependents.

ARMM had a median age of 18 years

Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM) had a median age of 18 years. This meant that half of the population were below 18 years old. Maguindanao and Sulu both had higher median age of 19 years than Lanao del Sur and Tawi-Tawi with 17 years.

Sex ratio recorded at 97

In 2000, the sex ratio in ARMM was recorded at 97. This meant that in this region, there were 97 males for every 100 females.

Nine in every ten persons were Muslims

Majority of the total household population in Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao were Muslims or Islam believers. It comprised more than 90 percent of the total household population, followed by Roman Catholic (five percent) and Philippine Episcopal Church with more than a single percent. The remaining three percent were either Evangelicals, Iglesia ni Cristo or with other religions.

Seven in ten were literates

In 2000, more than 68 percent of the total household population aged 10 years old and over in Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao were literates. Literacy rate for males (70 percent) was higher than their female counterparts (68 percent).

Average number of children ever born was 3.2

In Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao, ever-married women (15 to 49 years old) in reproductive ages had at least 3.2 children during their reproductive period. This meant that on the average, there were 32 children ever born in every ten ever-married women aged 15 to 49 years. The number of children ever born was relatively low at the younger age group 15 to 19 years and continued to increase as they became older.

Average age at first marriage was 20 years

The average age at first marriage of ever-married women 15 to 49 years old was 20 years. Among the provinces in ARMM, the provinces of Lanao del Sur and Tawi-Tawi had higher average age at first marriage (21 years old) than the provinces of Maguindanao and Sulu (20 years old).

More young female overseas contract workers

In 2000, there were 42,857 overseas contract workers or about two percent of the total household population in the region. It was noted that among them, females (56 percent) outnumbered males (44 percent). The median age of overseas workers in ARMM was 25 years. This meant that half of the overseas workers were below 25 years old. Male overseas workers had a median age of 27 years while their female counterparts had 24 years.

Three in every ten households drew water for drinking and/or cooking from spring, lake, river or rain

In Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao, about 31 percent of the total number of households drew water for drinking and/or cooking from spring, lake, river, or rain. Water from dug well were drawn by about 24 percent of the households. Only 18 percent of the total number of households in the region had drew water for drinking and/or cooking from community water system. The island province of Sulu had the highest proportion (seven percent) of households that drew water for drinking and/or cooking from community water system while the island province of Tawi-Tawi had the lowest with only about two percent.

Three-fifths of the households used kerosene or gaas for lighting

Kerosene or gaas was the main source of lighting of more than 60 percent of the total households in the region while about 28 percent had used electricity. The province of Lanao del Sur had the highest proportion of households that used electricity for lighting ( 49 percent). This was followed by Maguindanao with more than 24 percent. On the other hand, the island province of Tawi-Tawi had the lowest proportion with about 17 percent.

Most households burned their garbage

Of the total 393,269 households, about 57 percent preferred burning as their usual manner of garbage disposal. Only about four percent of the households had their garbage picked up by garbage truck while about 20 percent dumped their garbage in individual pit. The rest of the households disposed their garbage either by composting, burying or feeding to animals.

Seven in every ten households had a radio/cassette

Of the total 393,269 households in Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao, about 67 percent of the total households had radio/cassette and more than 16 percent had television set. More than three percent reported to have telephone or cellular phone while about six percent had motorized vehicle.

Seven in every ten households owned/ amortized the houses they occupied

Of the total 393,269 households in Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao, about 70 percent owned or amortized the houses they occupied; 15 percent, occupied for free with consent of owner; and only about two percent households were renters.