BAGUIO CITY — Igorots (people of the mountains) and Ilocanos describe individuals who remain single long past the typical age for marriage as "baaks," and according to the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA), there are nearly half a million of such residents in the Cordillera Region.

Nearly half a million residents in the Cordillera Administrative Region are classified as single, based on the latest available data from the PSA, underscoring shifting social patterns in the highlands as residents delay or forgo marriage.

According to PSA Cordillera, 583,642 individuals in the region were recorded as single in the 2020 Census of Population and Housing, which defines singles as persons aged 10 and older who have never been married. The Cordillera’s total population was placed at 1.81 million as of mid-2024, based on PSA estimates.

In the Cordillera, Igorots and Ilocanos commonly use the term “baak” to describe individuals who remain unmarried beyond the traditionally expected age for marriage. While the term once carried social pressure or teasing, its meaning has gradually evolved as more residents prioritize education, careers, and personal choice.

The PSA data show a clear gender gap among single residents, with men accounting for a larger share. Of the total, 319,495 are male while 264,147 are female, indicating a significantly higher number of bachelors than bachelorettes across the region.

The figures cover the six provinces and two cities of the Cordillera: Abra, Apayao, Benguet, Ifugao, Kalinga, Mountain Province, Baguio City, and Tabuk City.

Officials cautioned that the figures are not static and may have changed significantly in recent years due to migration, economic conditions, and evolving social norms. Updated data from the 2024 census are expected to be released later in 2026, which could either increase or reduce the number of single residents.

The PSA noted that changes in attitudes toward marriage, particularly among younger generations, may further reshape the region’s social landscape. While “baak” was traditionally associated with being an “old maid” or “confirmed bachelor,” the label is increasingly viewed as a neutral description rather than a stigma.

As residents in the Cordillera continue to redefine personal and family timelines, the forthcoming census results are expected to offer a clearer picture of how relationships, work, and culture intersect in the region today.