Three Largest Cities in the Philippines: Manila, Quezon City, Davao
Based on the **2020 Philippine Census (PSA)**, the three most populous cities are:
- Manila** – **1,846,513** (capital, National Capital Region)
*Historic core, densest city proper in world (43,000/km²), Intramuros, Binondo (oldest Chinatown), major port.
- Quezon City** – **2,960,048** (largest in Metro Manila)
*Former capital (1948–76), government centers (Batasan, Malacañang Park), UP Diliman, commercial hubs (Eastwood, Cubao, BGC fringe).
- Davao City** – **1,776,949** (Mindanao)
*Largest land area (2,444 km²), Durian capital, Mount Apo gateway, high urbanization, low crime reputation.
Key Distinctions
- Metro Manila (NCR) = 16 cities + 1 municipality = **13.48M** (2020) — primate metro.
- Davao Region (XI) = 5.2M — Mindanao's economic engine.
- City vs. Municipality: Philippine "cities" are chartered; many populous towns (e.g., Rodriguez, Cainta) remain municipalities.
Other Major Cities (2020)
4. Caloocan (1.66M), 5. Zamboanga (977K), 6. Cebu (964K), 7. Antipolo (887K), 8. Taguig (886K), 9. Pasig (803K), 10. Cagayan de Oro (728K).
Urbanization is accelerating—**>54% of Filipinos now urban**—with growth corridors along CALABARZON, Central Luzon, and Davao Region.
Wanderlust World