Chapter 1 - Introducing the Philippines

Physical Features | The People | Government | The Economy

The People

Population: As of end 2001, there were more than an estimated 80 million Filipinos. The annual population growth rate for 2000-2005 is estimated at 1.99%. Because of the remoteness of some regions and the failure of some people in these areas to register all live births, precise population figures are not readily available. The birth rate is slowly declining but remains well above the Asian average and adds to the problem of poverty which is estimated to afflict at least 40% of the population even by official figures (and many more are close to the subsistence line).

The majority of the people are of Indo-Malay descent although in many cases mixed with Chinese and Spanish ancestry. Many Filipinos take Spanish and derived Spanish family names. In most cases their name relates to the estate to which their ancestors were indentured.

Around 40% of the population lives in urban areas of which 13% of the total population lives in Metro Manila alone. Manila accounts for over a third of the country's GDP.

Language: Filipino and English are the most widespread languages although many - especially among the older generation still understand Spanish. Filipino is based on Tagalog and is the national language of the country although in the Visayas and in Mindanao other distinct languages are spoken.

There are many dialects. Eight (8) major dialects spoken by the majority of the Filipinos are officially recognized. These are: Tagalog, Cebuano (Visayan), Ilocano, Hiligaynon or Ilonggo, Bicol, Waray, Pampango, and Pangasinense.

English is widely spoken in urban areas and is the medium of instruction in higher education as well as being the language of commerce. However among people with little formal education, English ability is often poor to non-existent.

Education: The Philippines has long been noted for its educated workforce and this is still true although there are many who believe that educational standards have declined over recent years. Reform of the education system is one of the government's current priorities.

Education comes in two forms - formal and non-formal. Primary education is freely available although secondary schooling is not and as a result, there is a high drop out rate between primary and secondary levels. In rural areas especially the education of women remains a problem and as a result women are often disadvantaged.

Cultural Factors: Outwardly the Filipino people often appear more "westernized" than other Asians. Filipinos are socially gracious, generally have western style names and are "Christian." However it would be a mistake to assume therefore that Asian cultural norms can be set aside when visiting this country. In fact the westernization is only a veneer. The Filipino people remain at heart very traditional and very Asian in their ways and in the value systems to which they hold. Family values are of the highest importance. Modesty and conservatism are considered virtues - at least in public life. The concept of "face" is just as important here as in Confucian societies. Tread cautiously.

Health: The Philippines has the highest per capita incidence of tuberculosis in the world. Malnourishment and vitamin deficiencies affect significant segments of the population and especially in rural areas. Sadly this is despite the ready availability of farmland for growing crops, much of which remains idle for political reasons.

Whilst many western countries seek after Filipino health workers, the Philippines Government has been slow to apply these skills domestically. The consequence has been a general degradation of the quality of health care services nationwide especially to those outside the formal labor force and thus unprotected by basic health insurance.

Yet, despite problems in both the quality and the delivery of healthcare services to many within the community it must also be acknowledged that the Philippines offers some of the finest medical and health care facilities in Asia to those who can afford to pay. The best that the Philippines offers is world-class - but come insured.

Life expectancy in the Philippines (based on 2001 data) is 71.9 years for females and 66.6 years for males.

Labor Force: About 40% of the total population is of working age of which around 90% are classified as "employed." Approximately 500,000 persons enter the labor force every year. Filipino labor is highly trainable and is preferred by many multinational companies for its English-speaking ability. A natural inclination attributed to Filipinos is their artistic and creative bent, which is the reason why many have been successful in design and related enterprises.

There are also around 7 to 8 million Filipinos who live and work abroad. Filipino mariners account for about 20 percent of the crew aboard international vessels. Remittances from overseas foreign workers amounted to some US$ 6.2 billion in 2001.

Ethnic Groups: 91.5 percent are of Christian Malay descent, almost 5 percent are Muslim Malay and live predominantly in the south, close to 1 percent are ethnic Chinese, and a further 3 percent are otherwise categorized and are mainly from upland tribal groups.

Religion: The Philippines is the only major country in Asia in which Christianity is the dominant faith of the population. In 1989 approximately 82 percent of the population classified themselves as Roman Catholic, approximately 9 percent associated themselves with the local Iglesia ni Kristo and various Protestant denominations, a further 5 percent are Muslim with the remainder Buddhist, Daoist (or Taoist), or other religions.

Although there is no "established church" the Catholic Church and its bishops wield considerable political influence behind the scenes especially in social issues including family planning and abortion.



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