Low birth rates challenge Taiwan’s future

TAIPEI (TVBS News) — Taiwan reported fewer than 100,000 births in the first nine months of 2024, a reduction of over 1,900 from the same period in 2023, indicating a nearly 2% decline, according to the Ministry of the Interior's (MOI, 內政部) data released in early October.

Taiwan confronts a serious demographic hurdle as birth rates fall, even during the auspicious Year of the Dragon. This marks the first occasion a Dragon Year has shown fewer births than the preceding Tiger Year, reflecting shifting cultural values.

Wang Le-ming (王樂明), an obstetrician, described the plummeting birth rates as a "snowballing collapse," driven by evolving views on parenthood. Many prioritize personal lifestyles over the perceived advantages of having children, compounded by economic pressures.

For four consecutive years, Taiwan has faced more deaths than births, suggesting a population growth decline that could undermine productivity and national strength. Experts point to the weakening of family structures, high housing costs, and escalating education and living expenses as key factors.

While the government plans to boost the 2025 budget for child-rearing support to NT$108.2 billion, experts argue that long-term educational and living costs remain significant deterrents for potential parents. Addressing the low birth rate requires long-term strategies, with experts calling for both governmental and societal efforts to tackle the economic and social barriers preventing young people from starting families.