TAIPEI (TVBS News) — Legislative Yuan (立法院) Budget Center (預算中心) evaluation report revealed on Tuesday (Nov. 4) that the Republic of China (ROC, 中華民國) Armed Forces face a critical manpower shortage, with the volunteer force ratio dropping to 75.58% by June 2025. This shortfall affects the training and retention of personnel needed for operating new weaponry.
The center pointed out that several combat units, including the Island Infantry Units, mechanized infantry, and special forces, have ratios below 80%. This impacts the training for operating advanced weaponry. The Budget Center highlighted that the volunteer force ratio was 83.25% at the end of 2022, dropping to 75.93% by the end of 2024, and further to 75.58% by June 2025. According to the Ministry of National Defense's statistics, the Marine Corps infantry battalions, tank battalions, artillery battalions, and naval fleets also report ratios below 80%. The 202nd Military Police Command faces similar challenges.
Furthermore, the Budget Center mentioned that the Ministry of National Defense (MND, 國防部) announced on Dec. 29, 2022, the reinstatement of conscription for males born after 2005, starting in 2024, for one year. The plan aims to strengthen the national defense force by combining volunteer and conscription services. Despite this, the volunteer force remains the primary combat unit, maintaining its current scale with potential increases if necessary. The Budget Center suggested that the MND, with a significant military investment budget, must address this volunteer manpower shortfall.