The Negros Island Region (NIR) now has a population of 4,904,944, making it the second most populous region in the Visayas and 10th nationwide.
This was announced Thursday, July 24, by the Commission on Population and Development-Negros Island Region (CPD NIR ), citing results from the 2024 census conducted by the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA).
The newly established CPD NIR office in Bacolod City, led by Acting Regional Director Bruce Ragas, held a press conference to present the census findings and commemorate World Population Day.
According to Ragas, the population breakdown for the three NIR provinces, including Bacolod City, is as follows:
• Negros Occidental – 2,680,477
• Negros Oriental – 1,492,038
• Siquijor – 107,642
• Bacolod City (Highly Urbanized City) – 624,787
These figures are based on the latest results of the Community-Based Monitoring System (CBMS) Census 2024, released by the PSA in July 2025.
The region experienced a total population increase of 144,604 individuals from 2020 to 2024, averaging approximately 36,151 new individuals per year.
NIR’s population size positions it second only to Region VII among the four Visayas regions and 10th nationally, Ragas noted.
The Population Growth Rate (PGR) for NIR decreased from 1.14 in 2020 to 0.72 in 2024, which is lower than the national PGR of 0.80, the CPD NIR report said.
Ragas said the COVID-19 pandemic might be a contributing factor to this decline, potentially influencing couples’ fertility decisions, and mirroring the national trend.
While the overall PGR in NIR has slowed, indicating declining fertility rates, the CPD report highlighted that NIR still has the highest growth rate among other regions in the Visayas.
The report said that the current population presents both economic and social advantages, as well as significant challenges.
A growing population can boost the labor supply and stimulate economic development. However, if not well-managed, a large population can strain resources and contribute to environmental degradation through deforestation, pollution, and increased waste, it said.
ADOLESCENT PREGNANCY
Despite the overall decline in PGR, the CPD report revealed ongoing challenges with adolescent pregnancy in NIR.
The incidence of adolescent pregnancy is increasing among 10-14-year-olds, though slightly decreasing in the 15-19 age group, it said.
Latest PSA data for 2023 shows 5,173 live births among adolescents, a decrease from 6,041 in 2022.
The 2023 breakdown by province is:
• Negros Occidental – 2,699 cases
• Negros Oriental – 2,189 cases
• Siquijor – 85 cases
• Bacolod City – 200 cases
Ragas stressed the vital role of accurate and timely population data in formulating effective policies and programs to address citizens’ immediate needs.
The CPD NIR office is temporarily at the Negros Occidental Capitol in Bacolod City.
Ragas said they are looking to establish a permanent regional office in Dumaguete City or Bais City in Negros Oriental.*