CORDILLERA region’s population has grown to 1.7 million based on the 2015 survey of the Philippine Statistics Authority.
The increase in the region's population, according to the PSA report, has an average population growth rate of 1.2 percent annually from 2010-2015.
Population increased by 105,139 compared to the 2010 Census of Population and Housing with 1,616,867 people.
PSA-CAR statistical operational and coordination division chief Aldrin Bahit Jr. said Baguio City remains crowded and overpopulated considering its small land area and population density of 6,500 persons per square kilometer compared to the population density of the whole region of 87 persons per square kilometer.
"When we have higher population, we need resources to take care of our growing population and looking at the efficiency of our government in getting way to take care of the people needs much more," said Bahit.
"With the Cordillera as one of the least populated region, the setback is our local internal revenue allotment is much lower compared to other regions," Bahit said.
Benguet remains a huge contributor to the region's population with 25.97 percent followed by Baguio City (20.06%), and Abra (14%).
Meanwhile, Apayao was set as one of the least populated provinces in the country having only 119,184.
Apayao also posted the highest sex ratio of 109 males for every 100 females. Out of the total population, 51.06 percent is composed of male while 48.94 percent was female.
Half of the region's population is younger than 24.1 years old while the average household size is 4.33 persons in 2015.
Among the 1,354, some 180 household population are aged 10 years and over, while simple literacy rate is 97.8 percent.
Bahit added they hope to attain a 100 percent literacy rate with some residents in the region living in the far flung areas.