Zamboanga del Sur

Zamboanga del Sur is a province in Region IX (Zamboanga Peninsula), covering about 4,484.2 square kilometers. It has 26 municipalities, 1 component city, and 681 barangays. The capital is Pagadian City, which also serves as the provincial center. Zamboanga del Sur is known for its natural landmarks such as Mount Pinukis, Lake Wood, and the scenic Pagadian Bay, often called the 'Little Hong Kong of the South.'

HISTORY

Zamboanga del Sur was originally part of the larger province of Zamboanga, which covered the entire Zamboanga Peninsula. In 1940, through Commonwealth Act No. 39, Zamboanga was divided into two provinces: Zamboanga del Norte and Zamboanga del Sur, with Dipolog and Pagadian as their respective capitals. After World War II, Zamboanga del Sur officially became a separate province on June 6, 1952, by virtue of Republic Act No. 711, which created more municipalities and established Pagadian City as the provincial capital. The province later became one of the most important administrative centers in Mindanao due to its strategic coastal location and fertile agricultural lands. Over the years, Zamboanga del Sur has developed both economically and culturally, influenced by its diverse population of Subanen indigenous people, Visayan settlers, and Muslim communities. The province is known for its rich cultural traditions, agriculture, and fisheries, making it a vital contributor to the region. Pagadian eventually became a chartered city in 1969 and was later designated as the regional center of Zamboanga Peninsula. Today, Zamboanga del Sur is recognized for its mix of natural beauty and cultural heritage, with landmarks like Mount Pinukis, Lake Wood, and Pagadian Bay reflecting its unique identity in Mindanao.

QUICK FACTS
Population Census (2024)	1,045,126
Land Area (2015)	4,484.2 km²
No. of households	239,258
Average Household Size	4.38
Registered Voters (2022)	693,085
Major Landmarks	Pagadian Bay
Coastal Access	yes
Estimated elevation above sea level	158 meters

Map

Zamboanga del Sur Province is located in Region IX, the Zamboanga Peninsula of the Philippines. It is situated in the southwestern part of Mindanao, bordered on the north by Zamboanga del Norte, on the northeast by Misamis Occidental, on the east by Lanao del Norte, on the southeast by Bukidnon and North Cotabato, on the south by the Celebes Sea, and on the west by Zamboanga Sibugay.

MUNICIPALITIES POPULATION DATA

Zamboanga del Sur has 26 municipalities, 1 city, and 681 barangays.

name	type	barangay_count	population_2020	population_2024
Aurora	Municipality	44	52995	52746
Bayog	Municipality	28	34519	32687
Dimataling	Municipality	24	31340	33156
Dinas	Municipality	30	36291	35409
Dumalinao	Municipality	30	32928	34188
Dumingag	Municipality	44	48881	48495
Guipos	Municipality	17	21738	22173
Josefina	Municipality	14	12205	11190
Kumalarang	Municipality	18	29479	30815
Labangan	Municipality	25	44262	45343
Lakewood	Municipality	14	21559	23599
Lapuyan	Municipality	26	27737	28686
Mahayag	Municipality	29	48258	48695
Margosatubig	Municipality	17	38660	36025
Midsalip	Municipality	33	33711	35643
Molave	Municipality	25	53140	52540
Pagadian	City, Capital	54	210452	206483
Pitogo	Municipality	15	27516	28375
Ramon Magsaysay	Municipality	27	27280	28419
San Miguel	Municipality	18	19838	20037
San Pablo	Municipality	28	26648	26166
Sominot	Municipality	18	19061	17247
Tabina	Municipality	15	25734	24591
Tambulig	Municipality	31	37480	37400
Tigbao	Municipality	18	21675	19716
Tukuran	Municipality	25	42429	42683
Vincenzo A. Sagun	Municipality	14	24852	22619

DEMOGRAPHICS

Population by Age Group

Based on the 2020 Census, the largest age group is 5-9 years, with 120,236 individuals, followed closely by those aged below 5 years (117,637) and 10-14 years (117,309). In contrast, the smallest population is found in 75-79 years, with only 8,820 individuals.

age	population_2020
Below 5	117637
5-9	120236
10-14	117309
15-19	108968
20-24	94408
25-29	84372
30-34	71499
35-39	59911
40-44	56409
45-49	49949
50-54	44683
55-59	38638
60-64	31686
65-69	22738
70-74	14234
75-79	8820
80+	9171

Population by Gender Distribution (2020)

In 2020, the population was composed of approximately 51.11% males and 48.89% females, indicating a higher number of males than females.

ECONOMY

Production Value of Agriculture and Fisheries in Zamboanga del Sur (in Million Pesos)

From 2018 to 2023, Zamboanga del Sur showed steady growth across all major agricultural sectors. Crop production fluctuated in the early years, dipping in 2019 and 2020, but rebounded strongly to reach 22,436 in 2023, marking its highest level in the period. Livestock production experienced a decline in 2019 and 2020 but gradually recovered, climbing to 7,986 by 2023. Poultry production displayed consistent growth, increasing from 3,995 in 2018 to 6,965 in 2023. Fisheries also maintained a positive trend, rising from 13,429 in 2018 to 20,039 in 2023, making it one of the province's most significant contributors. Overall, Zamboanga del Sur's agricultural sector experienced notable improvement, with crops and fisheries leading the way.

title	2018	2023
Crops	22436	22436
Livestock	7986	7986
Poultry	3995	6965
Fisheries	13429	20039

BARANGAY