CALAPAN CITY, Oriental Mindoro -- The number of young Mimaropans appears to have declined while the population of older citizens in the Mimaropa region has expanded in recent years. This was noted by Commission on Population and Development (POPCOM)-Mimaropa based on the Philippine Statistics Authority report and further analysis of the 2020 Census of Population and Housing done in May 2020.
The POPCOM-Mimaropa has noted that the region’s “population pyramid” has shown some constriction at the bottom, a sign that fertility in the region is lowering as evidenced by the decline in the number of children under 5 years old. On the other hand, there was an expansion in the number of older persons, particularly among Lolas, as their number continues to increase in the last 10 years.
POPCOM notes that the percentage share of young Mimaropans under 15 years of age is now down to 32.6% in 2020 from 35.41% in 2015 and 37.08% in 2010. The number of older Mimaropans, 65 years and over, has increased to 5.43% in 2020 from a percentage share of 4.31% in 2010.
“Both groups of young and old Mimaropans demand special services and support from the working age group of the region’s population as they are either yet unable or are finding it too difficult to fend for themselves,” Popcom-Mimaropa Regional Director Reynaldo O. Wong explained.
More MIMAROPAns in the workforce.
The latest PSA data also shows steady growth in the region’s working-age population. This group of 15 to 64 ages makes up 62.01% of the region’s population in 2020, higher than 59.84% in 2015 and 58.61% in 2010. The increase in the working-age population in the region presents opportunities for economic gains if they become effective workers and able to provide support for themselves as well as the dependent groups.
“Now is the opportune time to support the working age population in terms of higher-than-usual daily wages and quality skills training,” RD Wong added.
The recent PSA report is essential to local policy and decision-makers for the enactment of more people-centered programs and development-oriented investments in the field of human capital formation. (POPCOM MIMAROPA)
