Marital Status in Negros Oriental

DUMAGUETE CITY – More than half of the population in Negros Oriental is single or has never been married, according to the latest 2024 Community-Based Monitoring System (CBMS) released by the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) – Negros Oriental.

The report, which analyzed the marital status of the province’s 1,410,345 residents, found that 726,572 people (51.51%) are single or have never married, making it the largest demographic group.

Meanwhile, 468,335 residents (33.22%) are married, meaning that about one in every three persons in Negros Oriental is legally married.

Marital Status Distribution in Negros Oriental

The 2024 CBMS recorded the following breakdown of the province’s population by marital status:

Marital Status	Population	Percentage
Single or Never Married	726,572	51.51%
Married	468,335	33.22%
Common Law or Live-in	137,411	9.74%
Widowed	62,274	4.41%
Separated	14,568	1.03%
Divorced	265	0.02%
Annulled	97	0.01%

The data also shows that nearly one in ten residents (9.74%) are living in a common-law or live-in relationship, while 4.41% of the population is widowed.

Separated individuals account for just over one percent of the province’s population, while divorced and annulled persons represent only a very small share.

Why Marital Status Data Matters

According to the Philippine Statistics Authority, collecting marital status information goes beyond simply recording whether a person is single or married.

The agency said the data helps government planners:

• Monitor changing social and family trends.
• Better understand public health outcomes.
• Plan education, housing, healthcare, and social welfare programs.
• Develop policies that respond to the needs of different households and communities.

Reliable demographic information also allows local government units and national agencies to allocate resources more effectively and create programs tailored to the province’s changing population.

Key Findings

The CBMS highlights several important demographic trends in Negros Oriental:

• More than half of the population is single or has never married.
• Around one in three residents is married.
• Nearly one in ten people are in common-law or live-in relationships.
• Widowed individuals make up more than four percent of the population.
• Divorce and annulment remain extremely rare in the province.

These figures provide valuable insights into household composition and changing family structures, helping policymakers better understand the communities they serve.

As the PSA continues to publish results from the 2024 Community-Based Monitoring System, the data is expected to guide future government planning and development initiatives across Negros Oriental.