Age-Sex Structure

The population of Central Visayas is predominantly young with about 37 percent of its population below 10 years old. This is very evident in the very broad base of the population pyramid in the region which has prevailed since 1970 but at a declining rate.A decline of 2.29 percentage points in the proportion of household population below 15 years old was noted from 1980 to 1995. Conversely, an increase of 3.06 percentage points was observed in the 15-64 age group during the same period.

The population of the region is evenly distributed between male and female. However, the male population in the region has been increasing at a faster rate compared to the female population.

Dependency Ratio

The decline in the proportion of household population below 15 years old caused a corresponding reduction in the youth dependency ratio from 70 persons aged 0-14 years per 100 persons aged 15-64 in 1990 to 66 in 1995. The increase in the proportion of persons in the productive age group (15-64 years) also led to the decline in the total dependency ratio from 77 to 73. The region's dependency ratio approximates the national ratio of 72 dependents per 100 workers, which is considered high by international standards.

Public Health Professionals and Workers

In 1999, the aggregate health manpower in Central Visayas numbered 3,028. Table 48 shows the health personnel to population ratios.

Based on the planning standards issued by the Housing and Land Use Regulatory Board (HLURB), Central Visayas in 1999 had an adequate number of health personnel except for doctors.

Male                Female

Age-Sex Structure, Central Visayas 2000

Public Health Facilities

Central Visayas has one (1) medical center, one (1) regional hospital, one (1) special hospital (mother and child hospital) and one (1) sanitarium. There are also 153 main health centers, 1,282 barangay health stations and 56 government hospitals in the region. The total hospital bed in the region is 5,285 for the 103 hospitals (private hospitals included). Table 50 presents the health facility to population ratios.

Family Planning and Unmet Need>>>