The number of households increased to 2,132,989 as compared to 1,985,299 households in 1995. The average household size recorded in Census 2000 was 4.63 persons, slightly lower than the 1995 figure of 4.74 persons and the national average of five persons.

National Capital Region, the second biggest region in the Philippines in terms of population

The National Capital Region ranked second, next to Southern Tagalog (Region IV), in terms of population size among the 16 regions in the Philippines, contributing 12.98 percent to the 76.5 million population of the country as recorded in the 2000 Census of Population and Housing.

Median age was 24 years

National Capital Region had a median age of 24 years. This meant that in 2000, half of the population were below 24 years old. In 1995, the median age was 23 years.

Among the 12 cities and five municipalities, San Juan and Makati City had the highest median age with 26 and 25 years, respectively. Caloocan City, Valenzuela City, Las Piñas City, Navotas and Taguig had a median age of 23 years and other cities/municipalities with 24 years.

Sex ratio was recorded at 97

In Census 2000, the recorded sex ratio was 97 males for every 100 females. In 1995, the sex ratio was 95.

Dependency ratio was 53

The proportion of young dependents (0 to 14 years) was 31.9 percent, while the proportion of old dependents (65 years and over) accounted for 2.9 percent of the regional population. The proportion of economically active population (15 to 64 years) made up 65.2 percent of the total population.

The overall dependency ratio in 2000 was 53.38. This meant that for every 100 persons aged 15 to 64 years, there were about 53 dependents (49 young dependents and four old dependents).

Nine in ten were Roman Catholics

Majority (89.10 percent) of the population of the National Capital Region were Roman Catholics. Iglesia ni Cristo (2.89 percent) and Evangelicals (1.74 percent) followed.

About 98 percent were literate

The proportion of household population 10 years old and over in National Capital Region who were able to read and write a simple message was 98.14 percent. Males’ (98.17 percent) literacy rate was almost the same as that of the females’ (98.11 percent).

Average number of children ever-born was two

The average number of children ever-born in National Capital Region was two.

The city/municipality with the most number of women with eight or more children ever born was Navotas with 1.56 percent. Followed by Las Piñas City at 1.48 percent.

Most of the overseas workers were males

In 2000, there were 165,575 overseas workers as compared to 182,335 overseas workers in 1995 POPCEN. More than half (56.52 percent) of these overseas workers were males.

The population of overseas workers in 2000, had a median age of 34 years. This meant that half of the overseas workers were below 34 years old. Female’s overseas workers had a median age of 29 years, younger than their male’s counterparts (37 years).

Electricity, main source of lighting

Majority (92.67 percent) of the households used electricity for lighting, only 1.51 percent used kerosene or gaas and 1.74 percent, liquefied petroleum gas (LPG).

The proportion of households using electricity as the main source of lighting was highest in Pateros (95.61 percent). In Novotas, 3.12 percent of the households still used kerosene or gaas.

One in two households depended on own use, faucet community water system for potable water

The main sources of water supply for drinking and/or cooking were own use, faucet, community water system (50.78 percent); shared, faucet community water system (24.29 percent); and shared, tubed/piped deep well (9.69 percent).

Majority of the households used liquefied petroleum gas for cooking

Majority of the households used liquefied petroleum gas (71.81 percent) as fuel for cooking; 17.69 percent used kerosene and 5.44 percent used electricity for cooking.

Households exclusively used water sealed, sewer/septic tank

The proportion of households with water sealed, sewer/septic tank, used exclusively was 67.84 percent. About 16 percent had water sealed sewer/septic tank shared with other households and 1.09 percent used closed pit. Households that did not have any toilet facility accounted for one percent.

Picked up by garbage truck was the usual manner of garbage disposal

Proper disposal of garbage leads to a good environment and good health. About 90 percent of the households in National Capital Region had their garbage picked up by garbage truck; 5.27 percent, through burning; and 3.06 percent, dumping in individual pit.

The proportion of households that had their garbage picked up by garbage truck was highest in San Juan and Marikina City at 98.76 percent and 98.63 percent, respectively. The lowest proportions were in Taguig (79.84 percent) and Caloocan City (78.43 percent). On the other hand, the proportion of households that had their garbage burned was highest in Caloocan City at 14.25 percent.

Three out of seven households owned/ amortized their housing units

About 48 percent of the households owned/amortized their houses. Those who occupied their housing units for free with consent of the owner comprised 11.17 percent while 32.21 percent rented their housing units.

Table 1. Total Population Distribution of Top Ten Cities/Municipalities:
National Capital Region, 2000