PopCom: PHL population projected at 97.755M

The Philippine population may have reached 97.755 million on the third day of the New Year, the Commission on Population's latest estimate showed. A counter on the Population Commission’s website indicated that as of 10:02 a.m., the population is projected at 97,755,571. It based its figures on the 2.0 population percent change from the population of 88,566,732 as of Aug. 1, 2007. PopCom noted the 2007 Census showed a 2.04-percent annual population growth rate (APGR) from 2000 to 2007, with a projected 2.05-percent APGR from 2000 to 2005. “APGR of 2.04 percent (2000-2007) indicates a decelerating momentum from 2005-2007 and if sustained, the projected APGR in 2010 of 1.95 percent could be achieved,” it said. On the other hand, the National Statistics Office’s 2010 Census of Population and Housing showed the Philippine population was at 92,337,852 as of May 1, 2010. It said this means the Philippine population increased at the rate of 1.90 percent annually from 2000 to 2010 - compared to an average annual growth of 2.34 percent from 1990 to 2000. The NSO said the 2010 Census figures also showed Calabarzon, Metro Manila and Central Luzon comprise more than one third of the total population. — LBG, GMA News