100% Birth Delivery in a Health Facility Almost Achieved in CALABARZON
The Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) released the results of the 2025 National Demographic and Health Survey (NDHS), highlighting significant demographic and health developments in CALABARZON. The survey provides updated indicators on fertility, maternal and child health, family planning, child development, and violence against women that support evidence-based planning and policy formulation in the region.
Results showed that maternal health indicators improved in 2025. Nearly all births in CALABARZON were delivered in a health facility (99.5%) and aided by a skilled provider (99.5%). Antenatal care remained high, with 90.3 percent of mothers receiving care from skilled providers. While, postnatal care coverage also improved, with 80.3 percent of mothers receiving postnatal checkups within two days after delivery.
The lowest Total Fertility Rate (TFR) in the country was recorded in the region at 1.3 children per woman in 2025, lower than the 1.8 children per woman recorded in 2022. This remains below the replacement fertility level of 2.1 children per woman, showing the continued decline in fertility in the region.
Teenage childbearing also continued to decrease. The proportion of women aged 15 to 19 years who had begun childbearing declined to 4.5 percent in 2025 from 4.9 percent in 2022, the lowest level recorded in the region since 2003.
On family planning, contraceptive use among currently married women aged 15 to 49 years increased to 60.2 percent in 2025, from 56.9 percent in 2022. Specifically, use of modern contraceptive methods also increased to 42.1 percent, from 36.9 percent in 2022. Moreover, unmet need for family planning declined to 11.3 percent.
Child health indicators showed mixed results. Under-five mortality declined to 20 deaths per 1,000 live births in 2025 from 26 deaths per 1,000 live births in 2022. Also, infant mortality slightly improved from 19 to 18 deaths per 1,000 live births. However, neonatal mortality slightly increased from 14 to 15 deaths per 1,000 live births.
The proportion of children fully vaccinated according to the national schedule declined to 69.7 percent in 2025 from 82.3 percent in 2022. Despite this decline, the percentage of children who did not receive any vaccination improved from 5.9 percent to 2.2 percent.
Results on child discipline showed improvement in the use of non-violent discipline methods. The proportion of children aged 1 to 14 years experiencing any violent discipline declined to 51.3 percent in 2025, from 60.1 percent in 2022; while those experiencing only non-violent discipline increased to 44.7 percent, from 34.0 percent in 2022.
On violence against women, 14.0 percent of women aged 15 to 49 years who had a husband or intimate partner experienced emotional, physical, or sexual violence from their current or most recent partner.
The PSA emphasized that the 2025 NDHS serves as important source of data for national and local governments, policymakers, and other stakeholders in developing programs and interventions aimed at improving the health and well-being of Filipinos.
Source: Philippine Statistics Authority, 2025 National Demographic and Health Survey (NDHS)