This province is situated in the Mimaropa region of the Philippines and occupies the western half of the island of Mindoro. Mamburao serves as the provincial capital, while San Jose is the largest municipality within the province. As of the year 2020, Occidental Mindoro has a population of 525,354 residents.
To its east, Occidental Mindoro shares its border with the province of Oriental Mindoro, and to the south, it is bounded by the Mindoro Strait. The western side of the province faces the South China Sea, while Palawan is located to the southwest, across the Mindoro Strait. To the north, separated by the Verde Island Passage, which is a protected marine area, is Batangas. This passage is recognized as the center of the world’s marine biodiversity.
Demographics
1. Population by Age Group:
- The age group with the highest population in Occidental Mindoro is 5 to 9, with 59,711 individuals.
- Conversely, the age group with the lowest population is 80 and over, with 3,295 individuals.
2. Population Composition:
- Young Dependent Population (Aged 14 and Below): This group, which includes infants/babies, children, and young adolescents/teenagers, makes up an aggregate of 36.61% of the population, totaling 178,460 individuals.
- Economically Active Population (Aged 15 to 64): Roughly, the economically active population and potential workforce constitute 59.12% of the population, with a total of 288,182 individuals.
- Old Dependent Population (Aged 65 and Over): Senior citizens aged 65 and over make up 4.26% of the population, totaling 20,772 individuals.
3. Age Dependency Ratios:
- Youth Dependents: Among the population of Occidental Mindoro, there are 62 youth dependents for every 100 working-age individuals.
- Aged/Senior Citizens: There are 7 aged/senior citizens for every 100 working-age individuals.
- Overall Dependency: In total, there are 69 dependents (combining both the young and old-age) for every 100 working-age individuals.
4. Median Age:
- The median age of 22 indicates that half of the entire population of Occidental Mindoro is aged less than 22, while the other half is over the age of 22.
| Name | City/ Municipality | Population (2020) | Population (2015) | Annual Population Growth Rate (2015‑2020) | Area (km2) | Density (2020), per km2 | Brgy count |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Abra de Ilog | municipality | 35,176 | 31,306 | 2.48% | 533.70 | 66 | 10 |
| Calintaan | municipality | 30,190 | 29,826 | 0.26% | 382.50 | 79 | 7 |
| Looc | municipality | 7,802 | 10,117 | -5.32% | 132.30 | 59 | 9 |
| Lubang | municipality | 17,437 | 18,803 | -1.58% | 113.10 | 154 | 16 |
| Magsaysay | municipality | 39,767 | 36,016 | 2.11% | 282.08 | 141 | 12 |
| Mamburao | municipality, capital | 47,705 | 42,975 | 2.22% | 283.51 | 168 | 15 |
| Paluan | municipality | 18,566 | 16,025 | 3.15% | 564.50 | 33 | 12 |
| Rizal | municipality | 40,429 | 38,263 | 1.17% | 242.50 | 167 | 11 |
| Sablayan | municipality | 92,598 | 83,169 | 2.29% | 2,188.80 | 42 | 22 |
| San Jose | municipality | 153,267 | 143,430 | 1.41% | 446.70 | 343 | 39 |
| Santa Cruz | municipality | 42,417 | 37,484 | 2.64% | 681.40 | 62 | 11 |
| Occidental Mindoro Total | 525,354 | 487,414 | 1.59% | 5,851.09 | 90 | 164 | |
Economy
| Fiscal Year | Annual Regular Income | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 2009 | 650,768,397.79 | – |
| 2010 | 692,232,062.97 | 6.37% |
| 2011 | 754,227,623.95 | 8.96% |
| 2012 | 718,022,170.06 | -4.80% |
| 2013 | 794,395,209.88 | 10.64% |
| 2014 | 897,335,096.47 | 12.96% |
| 2015 | 1,024,990,947.08 | 14.23% |
| 2016 | 1,127,825,812.13 | 10.03% |
| End notes:Annual Regular Income = Locally Sourced Revenue + Internal Revenue Allotment (IRA) Current Year + Other Shares from National Tax CollectionLocally Sourced Revenue = Real Property Tax (General Fund) + Tax on Business + Other Taxes + Regulatory Fees + Service/User Charges + Receipts from Economic Enterprises | ||
Tourism
Occidental Mindoro’s tourism industry thrives on its stunning coastal beauty and cultural treasures. The province boasts pristine beaches, hidden coves, and captivating islands like Ambulong.
Nature enthusiasts can explore the enchanting Apo Reef Natural Park, dive into the colorful underwater world of Sablayan, or savor local delicacies that reflect the province’s coastal heritage. Occidental Mindoro’s cuisine, with its seafood specialties and unique flavors, tantalizes the senses.
