Taiwan Faces Prolonged Population Decline

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Taiwan Faces Prolonged Population Decline

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Taiwan is experiencing its longest period of population decline since the end of World War II, a trend that poses significant demographic challenges for the nation, a major hub in the global AI industry. As of June 2026, the population was 23,243,565, a decrease of over 100,000 from June of the prior year. This marks the 30th consecutive month of population shrinkage, surpassing the 29 months of decline observed during the COVID-19 pandemic.

A primary factor in this decline is Taiwan’s exceptionally low birth rate. In the first half of 2026, there were 46,344 births, a 16.3% drop compared to the same period last year. June 2026 alone saw 7,324 births, an 18.3% decrease from the previous year. The crude birth rate in 2025 was 4.62 births per thousand people, a record low. Taiwan’s total fertility rate, which measures the average number of children a woman is expected to have, fell to 0.695 in 2025 from 0.885 in 2024, making it one of the lowest globally.

This demographic shift has led to Taiwan becoming a “super-aged society” in 2025, with over 20% of its population aged 65 or older. As of the end of June 2026, 20.49% of the population was aged 65 or older, while only 11.34% were aged 0-14. The shrinking working-age population and growing elderly demographic place increasing pressure on social welfare systems, healthcare, and the labor market. The National Development Council projects that by 2070, Taiwan’s population could decline by 35% to 15 million, with more than half of its people over 65.

The government has acknowledged the severity of the issue, with President Lai Ching-te describing it as a national security crisis. Efforts to encourage childbearing have included increased childcare subsidies and tax incentives for parents. However, challenges such as high housing prices and stagnant wages are cited as deterrents to having children. The demographic crisis also presents a significant challenge to Taiwan’s thriving high-tech and

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