TAIPEI (TVBS News) — A recent survey by a local job bank has shown that nearly 70% of workers in Taiwan are under significant economic pressure, with only about 30% feeling financially comfortable. The cost of living crisis has led many to adopt frugal habits, such as comparing prices and utilizing supermarket membership cards and reward points to save money.
According to the survey, 38.5% of respondents barely break even each month, 12.5% are frequently in debt, and 18.3% have existing debts, with only 30% feeling they are just managing to get by. The survey also revealed major investment risks for workers, including unstable income from unemployment (53.7%), fraud (46.2%), financial crises (43.0%), inflation (41.9%), and stock market crashes (38.7%).
Tseng Chung-wei (曾仲葳), a job bank spokesperson, highlighted that the average monthly expenditure of NT$26,514 is nearly equivalent to the basic wage. This has forced many office workers to take side jobs to supplement their income. In response to economic pressures, workers are enhancing their financial management skills and seeking ways to boost income and cut expenses. However, the effectiveness of the government's measures to address inflation remains critical.