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Population Density of the Philippines

Population Density of the Philippines

While some islands are much more populated than others, the overall population density of the Philippines is 939 people per square mile (363 people per square kilometer).

  • The Philippines 2020 population is estimated at 109,581,078 people based on UN data.
  • The Philippines population is equivalent to 1.41% of the total world population.
  • The Philippines ranks number 13 in the list of highest density populations in the world.
  • The population density in the Philippines is 368 people per km2 (952 per sm2).
  • The total land area is 298,170 km2 (115,124 sm2)
  • 47.5 % of the population is urban (52,008,603 people in 2020)
  • The most commonly spoken indigenous languages are Tagalog and Cebuano, with 23.8 million (45 million speakers as Filipino) and 16 million speakers, respectively.
  • The median age in the Philippines is 25.7 years.

Philippines Age Breakdown

Philippines Age Breakdown

Caption:  Philippines Age Breakdown | Image Source

By Region

Among the 17 regions of the Philippines, NCR was the most densely populated region, with a population density of 20,785 persons per square kilometer. The number is 60 times higher than the population density of the country which is 337 persons per square kilometer. CAR is the most sparsely populated region with 87 persons per square kilometer.

READ MORE:  Regions of the Philippines

Population Density

Caption:  Population Density | Image Source

By Province 

The top three most densely populated provinces in the country are in Luzon – Rizal with 2,439 persons per square kilometer, Cavite with 2,410 persons per square kilometer, and Laguna with 1,574 persons per square kilometer. Apayao is the most sparsely populated province in the country, with 26 persons per square kilometer.

READ MORE:  Provinces of the Philippines

Population

Caption:  Population | Image Source

Ten Most Densely Populated Provinces

Caption:  Ten Most Densely Populated Provinces | Image Source

15 Most Sparsely Populated Provinces

Caption:  15 Most Sparsely Populated Provinces | Image Source

Manila

Since the city’s inauguration in 1571, Manila has quickly become one of the fastest growing cities in the world, and as of the last census, 1.7 million people call the capital city home.

The Filipino capital comes in at number one on the most densely populated city in the world with a staggering 41,500 people per square mile. If you are looking to come to the Philippines for a peaceful seaside getaway, it is probably best that you exit the main part of town and head to an island nearby the mainland, of which, luckily enough, there are no shortage!

Metro Manila Population Density

Caption:  Metro Manila Population Density | Image Source

By City

In the National Capital Region (NCR), the City of Manila is the most densely populated city with 71,263 persons per square kilometer while the municipality of Pateros had the most sparse population with 6,138 persons per square kilometer of land.

Outside NCR, the top three most densely populated highly urbanized cities are Mandaue City with 14,402 persons per square kilometer, Lapu-Lapu City with 7,024 persons per square kilometer, and Angeles City with 6,496 persons per square kilometer. Puerto Princesa is the most sparsely populated highly urbanized city with 107 persons per square kilometer of land.

The top three most densely populated component cities are San Pedro (Laguna) with 13,547 persons per square kilometer, Bacoor (Cavite) with 13,009 persons per square kilometer, and Cavite City (Cavite) with 9,440 persons per square kilometer. Ilagan City (Isabela) is the most sparsely populated component city with 125 persons per square kilometer.

Population Density of Cities in the Philippines

Population Density of Cities Outside NCR

Caption:  Population Density of Cities Outside NCR | Image Source

10 Most Densely Populated Component Cities

Caption:  10 Most Densely Populated Component Cities | Image Source

10 Most Sparsely Populated Component Cities

Caption:  10 Most Sparsely Populated Component Cities | Image Source

By Municipality 

Among the 1,489 municipalities in the country, the top three most densely populated municipalities are General Mariano Alvarez (Cavite) with 16,505 persons per square kilometer, Rosario (Cavite) with 14,547 persons per square kilometer, and Taytay (Rizal) with 8,224 persons per square kilometer.

The Municipality of Kalayaan in Palawan is the least populated municipality with only one person per square kilometer.

READ MORE:  Cities & Towns in the Philippines

10 Most Densely Populated Municipalities

Caption:  10 Most Densely Populated Municipalities | Image Source

10 Most Sparsely Populated Municipalities

Caption:  10 Most Sparsely Populated Municipalities | Image Source

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About the Author

Patrick

Patrick is an entrepreneur, digital nomad, explorer, and photographer. Patrick is always in search of fun and adventure. He is well travelled throughout the world, and although location independent, his home base is Phoenix, Arizona in the USA. Patrick loves island lifestyle which is no wonder why he is so interested in spending time in the Philippines with it’s over 7,000 islands. Patrick created this site to share his knowledge of and experiences in the Philippines with Filipinos as well as other foreigners.

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