YUNLIN (TVBS News) — Yunlin County (雲林縣) has defied Taiwan's declining birthrate trend by implementing a successful two-year, NT$600 million birth incentive program. The initiative was launched in 2024, aiming to boost the annual birth rate to 5,000 newborns, a target reached by October. In less than a month, births surged by another 1,000, reaching 6,000, according to county officials cited in a media report on Friday (Jan. 10).
The Yunlin County Government (雲林縣政府) introduced a birth plan during the Year of the Dragon, enhancing childbirth subsidies and postpartum nutritional allowances. This plan stimulated birth rates across all 20 townships, with Douliu City (斗六市) seeing the highest increase of 590 newborns and Baozhong Township (褒忠鄉) the lowest with 67.
In 2024, five townships, including Douliu City and Huwei Township (虎尾鎮), experienced population growth. However, 15 townships saw population declines, with Kouhu Township (口湖鄉) losing the most residents, at 393. The county's population, which fell below 700,000 in 2015, has remained stable at 658,427, only slightly down from the previous year.
Yunlin County's efforts have proven effective in addressing demographic challenges, with officials optimistic about achieving the two-year goal of increasing the population by 10,000. The county's proactive approach may serve as a model for other regions facing similar demographic issues in the future.