Ethnic Groups of the Philippines

Country Profile

Country Name:

Republic of the Philippines

Local Name:

Republika ng Pilipinas

Location:

Southeastern Asia, between the Philippine Sea and the South China Sea, east of Vietnam

Area:

300,000 sq km [115,300 sq mi]

Chief Rivers:

Cagayan, Rio Grande de Mindanao, Agusan, Pulangi, Pampanga

Chief Mountain Peaks:

Mt. Apo, Mt. Dulang-dulang, Mt. Pulag, Mt. Kitanglad

Number of Islands:

7,641 islands

Population:

1116,434,200 (2023 est.)

Population Growth Rate:

1.58% (2023 est.)

Major Ethnic Groups:

Tagalog 26%, Bisaya/Binisaya 14.3%, Cebuano 8%, Ilocano 8%, Hiligaynon (Ilonggo) 7.9%, Bikol 6.5%, Waray 3.8% (2020 est.)

Major Religions:

Roman Catholic 78.8%, Muslim 6.4%, other Christian 3.9%, Iglesia ni Kristo 2.6%, other 8.2%, unspecified 0.1% (2020 est.)

Capital:

Manila (Metro Manila 14.667 million) 19th Largest Urban Center in the World (2022)

Administrative Divisions:

81 provinces and 146 chartered cities

Government Type:

Presidential Republic

Head of Government:

President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. (Since 30 June 2022)

Currency:

Philippine Peso (Php)

Main Industry:

semiconductors and electronics assembly, business process outsourcing, food and beverage manufacturing, construction, electric/gas/water supply

Main Languages:

Filipino (official based on Tagalog) and English (official)

National Anthem:

“Lupang Hinirang”

Literacy:

98.2%

Independence Day:

12 June
(On 12 June 1898, the Philippine revolutionary forces declared their independence from Spain, but the country was under American rule shortly thereafter. The U.S. granted the Commonwealth of the Philippines its independence on 4 July 1946.)

Earliest Inhabitants:

Negritos, Austronesian peoples (brought influences from Malay, Hindu and Islamic cultures)

Colonial Influences:

Spain (1565-1898), United States (1898-1946) Most westernized country in sub region

Source: Central Intelligence Agency. (2023) The World Factbook 2023. https://www.cia.gov/