Ethnolinguistic Groups of the Philippines (With Population Estimates)
I’m a 1.5 generation Filipino immigrant — I left the Philippines at 9 years old and grew up in the United States. Like many others who moved young, I still find myself learning more about the history and cultural richness of our homeland. One of the most fascinating and often overlooked aspects of the Philippines is just how diverse it truly is. The Philippines is home to over 175 ethnolinguistic groups , each with its own language, culture, and history. Below is a more detailed look at the major groups, including where they live and approximate population sizes. Luzon Tagalog (~28–30 million) – Central & Southern Luzon, Metro Manila, Mindoro Ilocano (~9–10 million) – Northern Luzon, Ilocos, Cordillera, migrants in Mindanao Kapampangan (~2.9 million) – Pampanga, Tarlac, parts of Bulacan, Bataan Pangasinan (~1.5–1.8 million) – Pangasinan Province Bicolano (Central Bikol) (~4–5 million) – Bicol Region Ibanag (~500,000) – Cagayan Valley Ivatan (~30,0...
