In the past five years, more residents have left Metro Manila than those who have moved into the National Capital Region (NCR), according to the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA). Adrian Cerezo, Assistant National Statistician of the PSA Social Sector, revealed that around 500,000 Metro Manila residents have relocated out of the region, compared to the 381,000 individuals who have moved in during the same period.
Housing is the primary factor driving people away from NCR. “It’s not just about working from home but also housing-related reasons. Many are moving out of NCR because they can afford to buy homes and land in nearby provinces, especially in Calabarzon,” Cerezo explained in a TeleRadyo Serbisyo interview. He added that the cost of living in Metro Manila is “prohibitive.”
Another significant reason for the exodus is the living environment. Cerezo noted, “The quality of life is the second reason why people intend to leave NCR.”
Data from the 2022 Labor Force Survey indicated that 67,000 workers have moved homes within the region over the last five years. Cerezo mentioned that many workers might still be employed in NCR but now live outside the region. “Anecdotally, many people are in such situations. The commute is bearable enough for them to buy homes and land outside, then commute back to NCR. Many have adopted a work-from-home or hybrid setup, while others commute daily,” he said.
Metro Manila consists of 16 highly urbanized cities and has a population density of 21,765 persons per square kilometer, significantly higher than the national average of 363 persons per square kilometer, according to the PSA.
