Population seen to reach 95.8 million

MANILA, Philippines – The country’s population is expected to balloon to 95.8 million this year, the Commission on Population (PopCom) said. The National Statistics Office has not yet released the results of the census conducted in May 2010 but the population for the past year was estimated at 94.01 million.

PopCom executive director Tomas Osias said some two million children are born every year, resulting in the expected population of 95.8 million this year.

This shows a population growth rate of 2.04 percent. The ideal growth rate to accelerate economic growth is 1.04 percent.

Osias said by 2014, the country’s population is expected to hit 100 million if its growth is not controlled.

“To effectively address our rising population, we should make all types of family planning services and information available and accessible to the public,” he said. –Sheila Crisostomo (The Philippine Star)