FEUCAT General Information — Philippine StatisticsFlash Cards

How many islands does the Philippines have according to the latest NAMRIA count?

7,641 islands (2016 update). This is higher than the previously cited 7,107 islands. This updated figure is important for current exams as the older number is outdated and often used as a distractor in multiple choice questions.

What is the highest peak in the Philippines and its elevation?

Mount Apo at 2,954 meters above sea level. It is located in Davao del Sur and Cotabato provinces. Mount Apo is significant as the Philippines' highest mountain and is often tested in geography sections.

According to the 2020 Census, what was the total population of the Philippines?

109,035,343 people. The 2024 projected population is approximately 114 million. The population growth rate has slowed to about 0.88% annually, reflecting demographic transition patterns.

What percentage of Filipinos are Roman Catholic according to the 2020 Census?

78.8% of Filipinos are Roman Catholic. This makes the Philippines one of the largest Catholic countries in the world. Muslims comprise 6.4%, Iglesia ni Cristo 2.6%, and other Christian denominations and non-Christian religions make up the remainder.

What is the total land area of the Philippines?

300,000 square kilometers (km²). This figure comes from the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) and represents the total land area of all 7,641 islands combined.

List the top 3 ethnic groups in the Philippines by population share.

1. Tagalog (26%), 2. Bisaya/Binisaya (14.3%), 3. Ilocano (8.0%). These figures are from the 2020 Census. Note that Cebuano also comprises 8.0%, making it tied for third place with Ilocano.

What was the Philippines' real GDP growth rate in 2024?

5.6% according to PSA data. The projected real GDP growth for 2025 is 6.0-6.5%. This growth rate reflects the country's economic recovery and development trajectory.

What is the longest river in the Philippines?

Cagayan River at approximately 505 kilometers long. It flows through the Cagayan Valley region in northern Luzon and is crucial for agriculture and transportation in the area.

How many administrative regions does the Philippines have?

17 administrative regions, including the National Capital Region (NCR), Cordillera Administrative Region (CAR), and Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM). This number includes all regular regions and special administrative areas.

What is the unemployment rate in the Philippines as of 2024?

3.8% annual unemployment rate in 2024. This represents a relatively low unemployment rate compared to historical averages, indicating improved labor market conditions.

What is the largest lake in the Philippines?

Laguna de Bay at approximately 911 square kilometers. Located in Luzon, it serves multiple purposes including fisheries, transportation, and flood control for Metro Manila and surrounding areas.

Compare the urban and rural population distribution in the Philippines.

As of 2020, approximately 47% of Filipinos live in urban areas while 53% live in rural areas. This shows the Philippines is still predominantly rural, though urbanization is steadily increasing due to economic opportunities in cities.

What was the headline inflation rate in the Philippines for 2024?

3.2% annual average inflation rate in 2024. This is within the BSP's target range and indicates relatively stable prices for goods and services throughout the year.

What percentage of the Philippine population is Muslim?

6.4% of Filipinos are Muslim according to the 2020 Census. The highest concentration of Muslims is in the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM). This makes Islam the second-largest religion in the Philippines after Catholicism.

What is the median age of Filipinos?

Approximately 25-26 years (2023 estimate). This relatively young median age indicates that the Philippines has a predominantly young population, which has implications for economic planning, education, and social services.

How much did Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs) remit in 2024?

Approximately US$34 billion in cash remittances in 2024 according to BSP data. OFW remittances are crucial to the Philippine economy, supporting millions of families and contributing significantly to foreign exchange reserves.

What is the deepest point in Philippine waters?

The Philippine Trench (also called Galathea Depth) at approximately 10,540 meters below sea level. This makes it one of the deepest oceanic trenches in the world and highlights the Philippines' location along the Pacific Ring of Fire.

What is the literacy rate in the Philippines?

96.3% literacy rate for ages 10 and above (2019 data). This high literacy rate reflects the success of the Philippine education system and government efforts to provide basic education access.

Break down the age structure of the Philippine population.

Approximately 28% are ages 0-14 (young dependents), 65% are ages 15-64 (working age), and 7% are 65+ (elderly). This age structure shows a demographic dividend with a large working-age population supporting fewer dependents.

What is the average exchange rate of Philippine Peso to US Dollar in 2024?

Approximately ₱57-58 per US Dollar in 2024. Exchange rates fluctuate based on economic conditions, but this range represents the average for the year and is important for understanding economic indicators.

How many provinces, cities, municipalities, and barangays does the Philippines have?

82 provinces, 149 cities, 1,486 municipalities, and approximately 42,046 barangays according to PSA data. Barangays are the smallest administrative units and serve as the basic political units in the Philippines.

What is the life expectancy at birth in the Philippines?

Approximately 72 years overall (68.8 years for males, 75.5 years for females) based on 2023 UN DESA estimates. The gender gap in life expectancy reflects global patterns where females typically live longer than males.

Which language is most commonly spoken at home in the Philippines?

Tagalog at 39.9% according to the 2020 Census. This is followed by Bisaya/Binisaya at 16.0%. Note that this differs from ethnic group percentages as it measures primary language spoken at home rather than ethnic identity.

What is the gross enrollment rate for basic education (K-12) in the Philippines?

Approximately 95% gross enrollment rate for basic education (K-12) in 2024. The tertiary gross enrollment rate is around 35%, while net enrollment rate for elementary is about 94%. These figures show strong participation in basic education.