Zambales is a province located in the Central Luzon region of the Philippines. It is situated on the western coast of Luzon island, bordered by the South China Sea to the west and the provinces of Pangasinan and Tarlac to the north, Pampanga to the east, and Bataan to the south. Zambales has a rich cultural heritage, diverse natural resources, and a growing economy, making it an ideal destination for both tourists and investors.
Demographics
- Age Group with the Highest Population (2015 Census):
- 5 to 9 years old, with 85,475 individuals.
- Age Group with the Lowest Population (2015 Census):
- 80 and over, with 7,003 individuals.
- Population Composition (2015 Census):
- 30.99% of the population, or 255,338 individuals, are aged 14 and below (young dependent population, including infants/babies, children, and young adolescents/teenagers).
- 63.78% of the population, or 525,446 individuals, are aged 15 up to 64 (economically active population and potential workforce members).
- 5.23% of the population, or 43,104 individuals, are part of the old dependent population (senior citizens aged 65 and over).
- Age Dependency Ratios (2015 Census):
- There are 49 youth dependents for every 100 of the working age population.
- There are 8 aged/senior citizens for every 100 of the working population.
- Overall, there are 57 dependents (comprising both young and old-age dependents) for every 100 of the working population.
- Median Age (2015 Census):
- The median age is 25, indicating that half of the entire population of Zambales are aged less than 25, and the other half are over the age of 25.
| Name | City/ Municipality | Population (2020) | Population (2015) | Annual Population Growth Rate (2015‑2020) | Area (km2) | Density (2020), per km2 | Brgy count |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Botolan | municipality | 66,739 | 57,707 | 3.11% | 735.28 | 91 | 31 |
| Cabangan | municipality | 28,118 | 25,163 | 2.37% | 175.29 | 160 | 22 |
| Candelaria | municipality | 30,263 | 27,174 | 2.29% | 333.59 | 91 | 16 |
| Castillejos | municipality | 67,889 | 64,841 | 0.97% | 92.99 | 730 | 14 |
| Iba | municipality, capital | 55,581 | 50,506 | 2.04% | 153.38 | 362 | 14 |
| Masinloc | municipality | 54,529 | 47,719 | 2.85% | 316.02 | 173 | 13 |
| Palauig | municipality | 39,784 | 34,947 | 2.77% | 310.00 | 128 | 19 |
| San Antonio | municipality | 37,450 | 34,661 | 1.64% | 188.12 | 199 | 14 |
| San Felipe | municipality | 25,033 | 23,183 | 1.63% | 111.60 | 224 | 11 |
| San Marcelino | municipality | 37,719 | 33,665 | 2.42% | 416.86 | 90 | 18 |
| San Narciso | municipality | 30,759 | 28,360 | 1.72% | 71.60 | 430 | 17 |
| Santa Cruz | municipality | 63,839 | 58,151 | 1.98% | 438.46 | 146 | 25 |
| Subic | municipality | 111,912 | 104,771 | 1.40% | 287.16 | 390 | 16 |
| Zambales Total | 649,615 | 590,848 | 2.02% | 3,630.35 | 179 | 230 | |
Economy
| Fiscal Year | Annual Regular Income | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 2009 | 643,966,391.25 | – |
| 2010 | 655,308,121.31 | 1.76% |
| 2011 | 741,893,718.42 | 13.21% |
| 2012 | 729,926,753.17 | -1.61% |
| 2013 | 786,447,180.36 | 7.74% |
| 2014 | 894,062,431.90 | 13.68% |
| 2015 | 995,974,062.41 | 11.40% |
| 2016 | 1,098,931,241.67 | 10.34% |
| 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
This is another significant contributor to Zambales’ economy, with its stunning beaches, coral reefs, and other natural attractions drawing in visitors from all over the world. The province is home to several popular destinations, such as the Subic Bay Freeport Zone, the Zambales Mountain Range, and the Anawangin Cove.
