Sulu
Sulu is a province of the Philippines located in the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM). The province covers roughly 4,547.16 square kilometers and is composed of 19 municipalities, with a total of 410 barangays. The capital of the province is Jolo, which also serves as the provincial center. Sulu is known for the Bud Daho, a dormant volcanic mountain of historical significance, and the beautiful islands of the Sulu Archipelago, including Panglima Tahil and Lugus, as well as rich marine biodiversity that makes it a vital part of the country's cultural and natural heritage.
HISTORY
Sulu is one of the oldest provinces in the Philippines, with a rich history deeply connected to Islam and the maritime trade routes of Southeast Asia. Long before Spanish colonization, Sulu was the center of the Sultanate of Sulu, which was founded in 1457 by Sharif ul-Hashim, an Arab missionary who introduced Islam to the region. The Sultanate grew into a powerful political and economic entity, extending its influence over present-day Sulu, Basilan, Tawi-Tawi, Palawan, and even parts of Sabah in Malaysia. Through its strategic location in the Sulu Archipelago, the province became a hub for trade with China, Borneo, and other neighboring regions, while its people—known as the Tausug—developed a distinct culture rooted in Islam, seafaring, and warrior traditions. When the Spaniards arrived in the 16th century, they attempted to conquer Sulu but faced strong resistance from the Tausug warriors, who fiercely defended their sovereignty for centuries. Spain established garrisons in Jolo but never fully subdued the Sultanate. After the Spanish-American War in 1898, control of Sulu passed to the Americans, who eventually dismantled the political authority of the Sultanate, although the cultural and religious influence of the sultans remained. Sulu later became part of the independent Philippines in 1946. Today, while it faces challenges such as poverty and conflict, Sulu is still remembered as the seat of a once-powerful sultanate, and its cultural identity, Islamic heritage, and natural beauty continue to shape its significance in the Bangsamoro region and the entire country.
QUICK FACTS | |
| Population Census (2024) | 1,137,656 |
| Land Area (2015) | 4,547.16 km² |
| No. of households | 202,813 |
| Average Household Size | 4.20 |
| Registered Voters (2022) | 433,372 |
| Major Landmarks | Bud daho |
| Coastal Access | yes |
| estimated elevation above sea level | 10 meters |
Map
Sulu Province is located in the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) of the Philippines. It is situated in the southwestern part of the Sulu Archipelago, bordered on the north by the Sulu Sea, on the south by the Celebes Sea, on the east by Basilan Strait and Basilan Province, and on the west by Tawi-Tawi Province.
MUNICIPALITIES POPULATION DATA
Sulu has 19 municipalities and 410 barangays.
| name | type | barangay_count | population_2020 | population_2024 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hadji Panglima T Indianan | Municipality | 5 | 7906 | 8441 |
| Indanan | Municipality | 34 | 93168 | 105384 |
| Jolo | Municipality, Capital | 8 | 137266 | 152067 |
| Kalingahan Cahual | Municipality | 9 | 39549 | 42845 |
| Lugus | Municipality | 17 | 29043 | 35415 |
| Luuk | Municipality | 12 | 37873 | 44741 |
| MainDlung | Municipality | 27 | 59597 | 85681 |
| Old Panama | Municipality | 31 | 49849 | 53091 |
| Omar | Municipality | 8 | 28070 | 30847 |
| Pranduni | Municipality | 16 | 33177 | 35369 |
| Pengliura Estito | Municipality | 12 | 34349 | 37157 |
| Panquaranta | Municipality | 10 | 36374 | 41575 |
| Parang | Municipality | 40 | 71495 | 83092 |
| Pata | Municipality | 14 | 24736 | 27974 |
| Patikul | Municipality | 30 | 79564 | 92600 |
| Slasi | Municipality | 50 | 81689 | 100076 |
| Talipao | Municipality | 52 | 100088 | 107901 |
| Tapul | Municipality | 15 | 20799 | 21830 |
| Topakil | Municipality | 14 | 35616 | 39202 |
DEMOGRAPHICS
Population by Age Group
Based on the 2020 Census, the largest age group is 5-9 years, with 135,399 individuals, followed closely by those aged 10-14 years (130,529) and below 5 years (130,455). In contrast, the smallest population is found in 80 years and above, with only 2,614 individuals.
| age | population_2020 |
|---|---|
| Below 5 | 130435 |
| 5-9 | 135399 |
| 10-14 | 130529 |
| 15-19 | 122145 |
| 20-24 | 101053 |
| 25-29 | 84772 |
| 30-34 | 63154 |
| 35-39 | 58591 |
| 40-44 | 50704 |
| 45-49 | 42737 |
| 50-54 | 28675 |
| 55-59 | 18759 |
| 60-64 | 13051 |
| 65-69 | 9293 |
| 70-74 | 5470 |
| 75-79 | 2727 |
| 80+ | 2614 |
Population by Gender
In 2020, the population was composed of approximately 49.73% males and 50.27% females, indicating a higher number of females than males.
ECONOMY
Production Value of Agriculture and Fisheries in Sulu
From 2018 to 2023, the province's agricultural production showed an overall positive trend with varying growth across different sectors. Crops steadily increased from 4,921 in 2018 to 6,245 in 2023, reflecting gradual improvement in farming output. Livestock production also grew consistently, more than doubling from 314 to 640 over the same period. Poultry production, on the other hand, fluctuated, dropping in 2019 but later stabilizing around 323 by 2023. Fisheries output remained relatively stable between 2018 and 2022, but in 2023 it surged dramatically from 4,906 to 9,114, marking the most significant growth among all sectors. This indicates that while crops and livestock maintained steady progress, the fisheries sector became the primary driver of agricultural expansion in 2023.
| title | 2022 | 2023 |
|---|---|---|
| Crops | 6245 | 6245 |
| Livestock | 640 | 640 |
| Poultry | 323 | 323 |
| Fisheries | 9114 | 9114 |