• The population of Region III (Central Luzon) as of August 1, 2015 was 11,218,177 based on the 2015 Census of Population (POPCEN 2015).

• The 2015 population of the region is higher by 1,080,440 compared with the population of 10.14 million in 2010, and by 3,013,435 compared with the population of 8.20 million in 2000.  Refer to Table 1.

• The population of Region III increased by 1.95 percent annually, on average, during the period 2010 to 2015. By comparison, the rate at which the region’s population grew during the period 2000 to 2010 was higher at 2.14 percent. See Table 2.

• Among the seven provinces comprising the region, Bulacan had the biggest population in 2015 with 3.29 million, followed by Pampanga (excluging Angeles City) with 2.20 million, Nueva Ecija with 2.15 million, Tarlac with 1.37 million, Bataan with 761 thousand, and Zambales (excluding Olongapo City) with 591 thousand. Aurora had the smallest population with 214 thousand. Refer to Table 3.

• The region has two highly urbanized cities. Angeles City posted a population of 412 thousand while Olongapo City had a population of 233 thousand.

• The total population of Region III accounted for about 11.1 percent of the Philippine population in 2015. 

• Bulacan was the fastest growing province in the region with an average annual population growth rate (PGR) of 2.28 percent during the period 2010 to 2015. It was followed by Bataan (1.94 percent), Zambales (excluding Olongapo City with 1.93 percent, Nueva Ecija (1.84 percent), Pampanga (excluding Angeles City) with 1.68 percent, and Tarlac (1.35 percent). Aurora posted the lowest provincial PGR of 1.21 percent.

• Angeles City posted a PGR of 4.52 percent, while Olongapo City had a PGR of 1.00 percent. See Table 4.

• Region III is composed of two highly urbanized cities, 12 component cities, 116 municipalities, and 3,102 barangays.

• Among the cities (excluding Angeles City and Olongapo City) and municipalities in the region, the largest in terms of population size is the City of San Jose del Monte, Bulacan with 574,089 persons. It was followed by City of Tarlac, Tarlac (342,493) and the City of San Fernando, Pampanga (306,659). Refer to Table 5.

                      * Excluding Angeles City and Olongapo City

• Dinalungan in Aurora is the least populous city/municipality in Region III with 11,322 persons. It was followed by Anao (11,528) and San Clemente (12,657) - both in the province of Tarlac. See Table 6.

                           * Excluding Angeles City and Olongapo City

• Of the 3,102 barangays in Region III, the largest in terms of population size is Muzon in the City of San Jose del Monte, Bulacan with 106,603 persons. It was followed by Loma de Gato in Marilao, Bulacan (57,569) and Dau in Mabalacat City, Pampanga (54,541). Refer to Table 7.