Manila: The Commission on Population and Development (CPD) has sounded the alarm over declining population growth in several rural provinces, citing data from the 2024 Census of Population (POPCEN) and the ongoing demographic shifts across the country.
According to Philippines News Agency, POPCEN data shows that as of July 1, 2024, the total population of the Philippines is 112,729,484, marking an increase of 3.69 million from 109.04 million in 2020, as reported by the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA). During the 57th anniversary of the CPD in Manila, Deputy Executive Director Lolito Tacardon highlighted the issue of rapid urbanization and the depopulation of rural areas.
Tacardon pointed out that while the population in urban areas is growing, certain provinces and the Bicol region have experienced a negative population growth rate. This demographic change underscores the need for demographic resilience to support the country's socioeconomic development.
Aside from the Bicol Region, Tacardon noted that 13 other provinces, such as Marinduque, Romblon, Mountain Province, and Zamboanga del Norte in Mindanao, have shown a slowdown in their annual Population Growth Rate (PGR). Notably, Marinduque and Mountain Province have recorded the fastest declines, with some municipalities experiencing complete depopulation.
PSA data further indicated that the overall population growth rate in the Philippines slowed from 1.63 percent between 2015 and 2020 to 0.80 percent from 2020 to 2024. Currently, 264 cities and municipalities, representing approximately 16 percent of the country's total, report negative growth.
The CPD has attributed this slowdown to factors such as declining fertility rates, increased mortality during the Covid-19 pandemic, and internal migration. Total fertility has decreased significantly from six children per woman in the 1970s to 1.9 today, reflecting changing societal preferences where women prioritize personal achievements and delay childbirth.
Tacardon emphasized the impact of rapid urbanization, noting that around 40 percent of Filipinos now reside in the National Capital Region and nearby regions such as Calabarzon and Central Luzon, with the remaining 60 percent spread across the country. This uneven population distribution necessitates policies that support rural areas, manage migration to urban centers, and address socio-economic pressures.
The CPD also highlighted the rising issue of pregnancies among girls aged 10 to 14, attributing this trend to factors like lack of information, sexual abuse, and cultural norms. In response to calls for regulating minors' use of social media, Tacardon stressed the importance of educating young people to make informed choices, with a focus on parental guidance to distinguish between accurate and misleading information.
