REGION 1: Ilocos Region Profile Analysis

Provinces: 4
Cities: 9
Municipalities: 116
Barangays: 3,267
Coastal/Landlocked: coastal
Marine waterbodies: South China Sea
Area (2013): 129.65 km2 (5005.67 sq mi)
Population (2020): 5,301,139
Density (2020): 409 / km2 (1,059 / sq mi)

The National Capital Region (NCR), also known as

Metropolitan Manila, comprises 16 cities and one
municipality divided into four districts. It is considered the
Philippines' political, economic, and social center. The NCR
is the country's smallest and most densely populated region.
It is bounded to the north by Region III and to the south and
east by Region IV-A. Manila Bay is located to the west, and
Laguna de Bay is located to the southeast.

A. Demography

Population by age group

According to the 2015 Census, the age group with the highest population in Ilocos Region is 5
to 9, with 510,858 individuals. Conversely, the age group with the lowest population is 75 to
79, with 61,471 individuals.
Combining age groups together, those aged 14 and below, consisting of the young dependent
population which includes infants/babies, children, and young adolescents/teenagers, make up
an aggregate of 30.15% (1,515,288). Those aged 15 up to 64, roughly, the economically active
population and actual or potential members of the workforce, constitute a total of 63.21%
(3,176,808). Finally, the old dependent population consisting of senior citizens, those aged 65
and over, total 6.65% (334,032).

Historical population
The population of the Ilocos Region grew from 948,935 in 1903 to 5,301,139 in 2020, an
increase of 4,352,204 people over the course of 117 years. The latest census figures in 2020
denote a growth rate of 1.13%, or an increase of 275,011 people, from the previous population
of 5,026,128 in 2015.

B. Physical

The Philippines has a tropical monsoon climate due to its proximity to the equator. In general,
the country has a distinct, relatively short dry season from January to April and a long-wet
season that typically begins in May and ends in December. July, August, and September are the
wettest months, with thunderstorms being especially common. According to the Modified
Coronas Classification, Metro Manila's climate is classified as Type I. That is, dry months
typically last from November to April, while rains occur throughout the year. However, erratic
changes in the country's climate patterns have already occurred and are expected to become
more unpredictable in the coming decades or so, particularly as world leaders continue to
ignore the issue of global warming and climate change. Recent evidence, in fact, suggests a
trend toward wetter conditions during the dry season, as the frequency of heavy storms has
increased during this time. This dynamic is especially noticeable during La Nia events. In fact,
according to a World Bank study, "the number of rainy days in the Philippines has increased
since the 1990s, as has the inter-annual variability of the onset of rainfall." The region's Mean
Annual Temperature is 30.8°C, while its Mean Annual Rainfall is.

C. Economic

The economic performance of the Ilocos Region as measured by its Gross Regional
Development Performance (GRDP) grew by 4.6 percent in 2021. This was highlighted in the
2021 Report on the Economic Performance of the Ilocos Region News Conference coordinated
by the Philippine Statistical Authority (PSA) Regional Office (RO) 1 in collaboration with the
National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA) RO 1 and other regional line agencies
on April 28, 2022, at Ynad’s Place Hotel Resort, San Fernando City, La Union.

In the NEDA RO 1 statement read d by Asst. Regional Director Irenea B. Ubungen on behalf of
RDC 1 Vice Chairperson and NEDA Regional Director Nestor G. Rillon, emphasized that the
reopening of the region’s economy aided the region’s recovery from 7.7 percent contraction in
2020 to a 4.6 percent growth in 2021. She explained that this can be attributed to the lifting of
lockdowns, continued and easier flow of goods and services, and resumption of various
economic activities where job opportunities became more available.