South Cotabato’s total population has hit the 1 million mark at 1,010,009 individuals 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.

The province recorded an additional 34,553 individuals in 2024 from the 975,476 persons recorded in the 2020 Census of Population and Housing (CPH). This translated to an increase of 3.54 percent from 2020 to 2024 or a growth rate of 0.84 percent yearly during the five-year period (2020-2024).
 

South Cotabato’s population in 2024 accounted for 22.6 percent of SOCCSKSARGEN’s 4,462,776 total population for the year. It has the second highest population among the 4 provinces next to Cotabato Province with 1,286,142 individuals.

On the other hand, the population growth rate (PGR) of the province showed a decreasing trend over the 4-census periods from 2010 to 2024. The annual PGR in South Cotabato dropped from 1.94 percent during the period 2010 to 2015 to 1.11 percent during the period 2015 to 2024, growing annually by 0.84 percent during the period 2020- 2024. From 2010 to 2024, it was growing annually at approximately 1.45 percent. The total population of the province ballooned from 827,200 in 2010 to 1,010,009 in 2024.
 

Among the 11 city/municipalities in the province, Koronadal City had the biggest population in 2024 with 201,844 people accounting for 20.0 percent of South Cotabato’s population for the year. It was followed by Polomolok with 176,671 individuals (17.5%), and T’boli with 105,296 persons (10.4%). These three (3) LGUs recorded populations over a 100-thousand.

On the other hand, the top 3 least populated municipalities in 2024 were Santo Niño with 41,026 followed by Tampakan with 42,304, and Norala with 48,499. These municipalities including Tantangan with a total population of 48,570 completed the list of municipalities in 2024 with a population of less than 50 thousand.

During the period 2015-2024, Polomolok recorded the fastest growth at 1.66 percent, followed by Koronadal City (1.62%), and T’boli (1.59%); five (5) LGUs recorded annual growth rates in the 1.0 percent range which include Tantangan (1.31%) and T’boli (1.31%). Lake Sebu, at -0.42 percent, is the lone municipality that recorded a negative growth rate during the period 2015-2024.
 

Comparing the annual population growth rates from 2015-2020 and 2020-2024, faster growths were noted in Tantangan (from 1.19% to 1.31%), Tupi (from 1.03% to 1.31%), Norala (from 0.02% to 0.44%), Sto. Niño (from -0.60% to 0.02%) and Lake Sebu (from -1.54% to -0.42%). Slower annual population growths were recorded in the remaining six (6) LGUs during the period under review.
 

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