General Santos: population and official figures
What is the population of General Santos?
General Santos had 697,315 inhabitants (city proper) on 1 May 2020, according to a complete census (usual residents) reported to the United Nations.
Source: United Nations Statistics Division · saved copyHow does General Santos rank among cities in the Philippines?
Of the 177 cities the UN table lists for the Philippines (capitals and places of 100,000 or more), it is 13th largest.
Source: United Nations Statistics Division · saved copyHow many women and men live in General Santos?
Women and girls made up 49.3% of residents (343,586 female, 353,729 male).
Source: United Nations Statistics Division · saved copyWho runs General Santos?
In the Philippines, cities and towns are run by cities: Mayor, vice-mayor and council (Sangguniang Panlungsod or Bayan) elected for three years. Main local services; highly urbanised cities sit outside provincial control.
How local power works in the Philippines
Cities of a similar size in the Philippines
- Quezon City 2,960,048
- Manila 1,846,513
- Davao 1,776,949
- Caloocan 1,661,584
- Zamboanga 977,234
- Cebu 964,169
- Antipolo 887,399
- Taguig 886,722
- Pasig 803,159
- Cagayan de Oro 728,402
- Valenzuela 714,978
- Dasmariñas 703,141
- Paranaque 689,992
- Bacoor City 664,625
- San Jose Del Monte 651,813
- Makati 629,616
Up a level: all cities in the Philippines · the Philippines · government and power
Sources
- United Nations Statistics Division: Demographic Yearbook 2024, Table 8: Population of capital cities and cities of 100 000 or more inhabitants, latest available year, 2005-2024, read 23 October 2026 · saved copy (SHA-256 0c6784df022e…)
- United Nations Statistics Division: Demographic Yearbook 2024, technical notes to Table 8, read 23 October 2026 · saved copy (SHA-256 b0d2d6d8ccd6…)
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