TAIPEI (TVBS News) — Taiwan recorded 8,798 births in March, a 6.28% decline from the same month last year, the Ministry of the Interior said on April 10. The ministry's data shows Taiwan's total fertility rate fell to 0.695 in 2024, while marriages dropped to just over 100,000 couples. The decline in weddings is seen as a leading indicator of fewer births, as childbearing in Taiwan occurs predominantly within marriage.
Rising housing costs, stagnant wage growth and job insecurity have made marriage financially challenging for many young adults in Taiwan. Government data shows Taiwan's housing price-to-income ratio reached 10.76 in 2024, meaning the median home price exceeded ten times the median annual household income. The economic pressures are reshaping decisions about family formation across the island.
The average age at first marriage has risen to over 33 for men and 31 for women, several years later than previous generations. Later marriage is associated with lower fertility rates, further accelerating demographic decline. The steady delay in life milestones reflects changing priorities among Taiwan's younger generations.
Taiwan has introduced financial incentives to encourage childbirth, including subsidies of up to NT$100,000 (US$3,158) per child starting in 2026. Analysts say such measures alone are unlikely to reverse the trend, as underlying factors extend beyond childbirth to marriage decisions. The government's approach has drawn comparisons to policies in neighboring countries facing similar challenges.
China has seen births decline despite ending its one-child policy, with high living costs and urban pressures discouraging young people from marrying. In 2025, China changed its household registration policy, allowing couples to register marriages anywhere without returning to their hometowns. The change led to 6.76 million marriages in 2025, a 10.8% increase from 2024, according to government data.
Falling marriage and birth rates reflect a broader shift in how younger generations weigh the costs and expectations of marriage. Marriage in East Asia remains tied to financial stability and family responsibilities, factors that can discourage participation among young adults. The cultural expectations add pressure beyond economic considerations alone.
Declining marriage rates are increasingly seen as a key factor behind Taiwan's falling birth rate, not merely a social trend. With births projected to fall below 100,000 in the coming years, policymakers face pressure to address conditions shaping decisions about marriage and family life. The challenge extends beyond childbirth incentives to structural reforms affecting young adults. ◼ (At time of reporting, US$1 equals approximately NT$31.67)