The Municipality of Norala in South Cotabato recorded a total population of 48,499 as of 01 July 2024. This comprised those residing in both households and institutional living quarters based on the results of the 2024 Census of Population conducted by the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) last year.

The results of the 2024 Census of Population was declared official by the Philippine President on 11 July 2025 through Proclamation No. 973 in accordance with Republic Act No. 10625 or the Philippine Statistical Act of 2013, and Executive Order No. 87, series of 2025. 

Norala recorded an additional 1,817 individuals to the 46,682 people recorded in the 2020 Census of Population and Housing (CPH). This translated to an increase of 1.1 percent from 2020 to 2024 or a growth rate of 0.92 percent yearly during the five-year period (2020-2024). The total population of Norala increased from 44,635 in 2010 to 48,499 in 2024.
 

Norala accounted for 4.8 percent of South Cotabato’s total population of 1,010,009 as of July 1, 2024. It was among the four (4) municipalities in the province with a population below 50,000, alongside Tantangan (48,570), Tampakan (42,304), and Sto. Niño (41,026).

The municipality’s population growth rate (PGR) over four census periods from 2010 to 2024 was generally increasing, though gradual. From 2010 to 2015, it posted an annual growth rate of 0.84 percent. This dipped sharply to just 0.02 percent between 2015 and 2020, before rising again to 0.92 percent from 2020 to 2024. On average, the municipality recorded an annual growth rate of approximately 0.44 percent over the nine-year period from 2015 to 2024.
 

From 2015 to 2024, Norala was the 2nd slowest population-growing LGU in South Cotabato, with an average annual population growth rate of 0.44 percent. It was only slightly ahead of Sto. Niño, which posted the lowest growth rate in the province at just 0.02 percent during the period under review.

The top three fastest population growing LGUs in South Cotabato from 2015 to 2024 were Polomolok (1.66%), Koronadal City (1.62%) and T’boli (1.59%). Tantangan and T’boli, both with a PGR of 1.31 percent, completed the list of five (5) LGUs in Sout Cotabato that recorded growth rates within the 1.0% range.

Meanwhile, Lake Sebu was the only municipality to post a negative growth rate, declining at -0.42 percent during the same period.

When comparing annual population growth rates between the periods 2015–2020 and 2020–2024, Norala was among the five (5) LGUs that experienced a uptrends. Its growth rate increased from 0.02 percent to 0.92 percent. Similar trends were observed in Tupi (from 1.03% to 1.64%), Tantangan (from 1.19% to 1.45%), and reversals in Lake Sebu (from -1.54% to 0.88%) and Sto. Niño (from -0.60% to 0.73%).

As of 1 July 2024, the most populous barangay in Norala was Poblacion with a population of 13,495 and accounting for 27.8 percent of the municipality’s total population.

Of the 14 barangays in Norala, Poblacion was the only barangay with a population over 10,000. Kibid (1,914) and Benigno Aquino (1,699) were the two (2)  barangays with a population fewer than 2,000.

Note:

As of 17 July 2025, the following tables are now available at: https://psa.gov.ph/statistics/population-and-housing

1)    Table A- Population and PGR By Region and Province/HUC
2)    Table B- Population and PGR By Region, Province/HUC and City/Municipality
3)    Table C- Population By Barangay
 

Approved for Release:

MA. EILEEN A. BERDEPRADO
Officer-in-Charge
Chief Statistical Specialist
Philippine Statistics Authority - South Cotabato