Main minority groups: Cebuano (20.16 million), Tagalog (13.93 million), Ilocano (9.53 million), Hiligaynon (8.06 million), Central Bicolano (3.5 million), Waray (3.4 million), Kapampangan (2.6 million), Albay Bicolano (2.1 million), Pangasinan (1.6 million), Malay (1.2 million), Maranao (1.09 million), Maguindanao (1.07 million), Tausug (1.02 million), Min Nan Chinese (922,000), Masbateño (764,000). (Census 2000).
Explanation:
The vast majority of the population of the Philippines (some 76.5 million according to the 2000 Census), speak one of the approximately 171 languages native to the country, most of which are part of the Malayo-Polynesian language branch of the Austronesian language family. Some 70 minority groups are considered to be indigenous, about 27 of which are known by the Spanish name of 'Negritos', meaning little black ones. They clearly preceded the Austronesian groups in the Philippines. More recent minority-language arrivals include English, Spanish, Hokkien, Cantonese, Mandarin, and Chabacano.
Most Filipinos are Christians, but there is a significant Muslim minority, including a number of ethnic groups, known collectively by the Spanish term 'Moros', who make up approximately 5 per cent of the population (about 3 million) and are concentrated in the southern Philippines, mainly in Mindanao, Palawan and the Sulu archipelago. Some of the indigenous groups retain elements of animism, and there are also small Buddhist and Jewish minorities.
