Population of Region III - Central Luzon

(Based on the 2015 Census of Population)

Reference Number:
2016-066
Release Date:
Wednesday, June 1, 2016

The population of Region III (Central Luzon) as of August 1, 2015

Was 11,218,177 based on the 2015 Census of Population (POPCEN 2015).
 The 2015 population of the region is higher by 1,080,440 compared with the population

of 10.14 million in 2010, and by 3,013,435 compared with the population of 8.20 million in 2000.

Refer to Table 1.
Table 1. Population of Region III - Central Luzon
(Based on the 2000, 2010, and 2015 Censuses)

Population
Census Year Census Reference Date
(in millions)
2000 May 1, 2000 8.20
2010 May 1, 2010 10.14
2015 August 1, 2015 11.22

Table 2. Annual Population Growth Rate:

Region III - Central Luzon
(Based on the 2000, 2010, and 215 Censuses)
Annual Population Growth Rate
Reference Period
(in percent)
2010-2015 1.95
2000-2010 2.14

The population of Region III increased by 1.95 percent annually, on average,

During the period 2010 to 2015. By comparison, the rate at which the region’s
Population grew during the period 2000 to 2010 was higher at 2.14 percent. See Table 2.
Among the seven provinces comprising the region, Bulacan
had the biggest population in 2015 with 3.29 million, followed by
Pampanga (excluging Angeles City) with 2.20 million,
Nueva Ecija with 2.15 million, Tarlac with 1.37 million,
Bataan with 762 thousand, and Zambales (excluding Olongapo City)
with 591 thousand. Aurora had the smallest population with 214 thousand. Refer to Table 3.
The region has two highly urbanized cities. Angeles City posted
a population of 412 thousand while Olongapo City had a population of 233 thousand.
The total population of Region III accounted for about 11.1
Percent of the Philippine population in 2015.

Table 3. Population by Province/Highly Urbanized City:

Region III - Central Luzon
(Based on the 2000, 2010, and 2015 Censuses)
Population (in thousands)
Province/Highly Urbanized City
2000 2010 2015
Aurora 174 201 214
Bataan 558 687 761
Bulacan 2,234 2,924 3,292
Nueva Ecija 1,660 1,955 2,151
Pampanga (excluding Angeles City) 1,615 2,014 2,198
Angeles City 268 326 412
Tarlac 1.069 1,273 1,366
Zambales (excluding Olongapo City) 434 534 591
Olongapo City 194 221 233

Bulacan was the fastest growing province in the region with an average annual population
growth rate (PGR) of 2.28 percent during the period 2010 to 2015. It was followed by Bataan
(1.94 percent), Zambales (excluding Olongapo City with 1.93 percent, Nueva Ecija
(1.84 percent), Pampanga (excluding Angeles City) with 1.68 percent, and Tarlac
(1.35 percent). Aurora posted the lowest provincial PGR of 1.21 percent.
Angeles City posted a PGR of 4.52 percent, while Olongapo
City had a PGR of 1.00 percent. See Table 4.

Table 4. Annual Population Growth Rate by Province/Highly Urbanized City:

Region III - Central Luzon
(Based on the 2000, 2010, and 2015 Censuses)
Population Growth Rate
Province/Highly Urbanized City
2010-2015 2000-2010
Aurora 1.21 1.48
Bataan 1.94 2.11
Bulacan 2.28 2.73
Nueva Ecija 1.84 1.65
Pampanga (excluding Angeles City) 1.68 2.23
Angeles City 4.52 2.00
Tarlac 1.35 1.76
Zambales (excluding Olongapo City) 1.93 2.11
Olongapo City 1.00 1.31
Region III is composed of two highly urbanized cities, 12 component cities,
116 municipalities, and 3,102 barangays.
Among the cities (excluding Angeles City and Olongapo City) and
municipalities in the region, the largest in terms of population size is the
City of San Jose del Monte, Bulacan with 574,089 persons. It was followed by
City of Tarlac, Tarlac (342,493) and the City of San Fernando, Pampanga (306,659). Refer to Table 5.

Table 5. Top Ten Most Populous Cities*/Municipalities: Region III - Central Luzon, 2015
Rank City/Municipality Province Population
1 City of San Jose del Monte Bulacan 574,089
2 City of Tarlac Tarlac 342,493
3 City of San Fernando Pampanga 306,659
4 Cabanatuan City Nueva Ecija 302,231
5 Santa Maria Bulacan 256,454
6 City of Malolos Bulacan 252,074
7 Mabalacat City Pampanga 250,799
8 Marilao Bulacan 221,965
9 City of Meycauayan Bulacan 209,083
10 Lubao Pampanga 160,838

* Excluding Angeles City and Olongapo City

Dinalungan in Aurora is the least populous city/municipality in Region III with

11,322 persons. It was followed by Anao (11,528) and San Clemente (12,657) –
both in the province of Tarlac. See Table 6.

Table 6. Ten Least Populous Cities*/Municipalities: Region III - Central Luzon, 2015
Rank City/Municipality Province Population
1 Dinalungan Aurora 11,322
2 Anao Tarlac 11,528
3 San Clemente Tarlac 12,657
4 Nampicuan Nueva Ecija 14,954
5 Dilasag Aurora 15,835
6 Ramos Tarlac 21,350
7 Doña Remedios Trinidad Bulacan 22,663
8 San Felipe Zambales 23,183
9 Pura Tarlac 23,712
10 Talugtug Nueva Ecija 23,817
* Excluding Angeles City and Olongapo City

Of the 3,102 barangays in Region III, the largest in terms of population

size is Muzon in the City of San Jose del Monte, Bulacan with
106,603 persons. It was followed by Loma de Gato in Marilao, Bulacan (57,569)
and Dau in Mabalacat City, Pampanga (54,541). Refer to Table 7.

Table 7. Top Ten Most Populous Barangays: Region III - Central Luzon, 2015
Rank Barangay City/Municipality/Province Population
1 Muzon City of San Jose del Monte, Bulacan 106,603
2 Loma de Gato Marilao, Bulacan 57,569
3 Dau Mabalacat City, Pampanga 54,541
4 Gaya-gaya City of San Jose del Monte, Bulacan 43,683
5 Santa Rita Olongapo City, Zambales 43,632
6 Lambakin Marilao, Bulacan 42,821
7 Balibago Angeles City, Pampanga 40,087
8 Santo Cristo City of San Jose del Monte, Bulacan 39,039
9 Minuyan Proper City of San Jose del Monte, Bulacan 38,846
10 Graceville City of San Jose del Monte, Bulacan 38,478

The population of Central Luzon was recorded at 11,218,177 persons as of 1 August 2015,
higher by 1,080,440 persons from the 2010 census count of 10,137,737 persons.

BATAAN 6.8% = 762,837 PERSONS