TAIPEI (Taiwan News) — Taiwan's population continued to drop in September, with little increase brought by "Dragon babies" or children born in the Year of the Dragon, according to data from the Ministry of the Interior (MOI) published on Wednesday (Oct. 9).
The ministry said Taiwan's total population at the end of September was 23,404,138, a decrease of 2,470 people compared to August, marking the ninth consecutive month of negative population growth this year. There was a decrease of 162 people compared to the same month last year, with an average daily decrease of 0.44 people.
Regarding newborns, there were 11,792 births in September, meaning one baby was born approximately every 3.7 minutes, a 10.03% increase over the same month last year. The annualized crude birth rate was 6.15 per 1,000, an increase of 149 people compared to August.
By county and city, Yunlin County had the highest crude birth rate at 14.62 per 1,000, followed by Penghu County at 8.61 per 1,000 and Taoyuan at 7.74 per 1,000. The lowest birth rate was in Keelung at 3.17 per 1,000, followed by New Taipei at 3.95 per 1,000 and Chiayi at 4.13 per 1,000.
The number of newborns in September was the highest monthly figure this year. From January to September, the total number of newborns was 97,733, still lower than the 99,652 newborns during the same period last year.
Therefore, despite it being the Year of the Dragon, there has been no baby boom, and in fact the number of births is likely to hit a new low, according to a UDN report. In previous decades, Taiwan would see a spike in births in the Year of the Dragon as Taiwanese traditionally believe babies born in that year are destined for good fortune and wealth.
There were 15,563 deaths in September, meaning one person died approximately every 2.8 minutes. The annualized crude death rate was 8.11 per 1,000, a decrease of 1,267 people compared to August.
By county and city, Chiayi County had the highest crude death rate at 11.66 per 1,000, followed by Pingtung County at 10.99 per 1,000 and Yunlin County at 10.96 per 1,000. The lowest death rate was in Lienchiang County at 4.37 per 1,000, followed by Hsinchu at 6.19 per 1,000 and Taoyuan at 6.38 per 1,000.
As for migration, 102,575 people entered Taiwan in September, an increase of 9,727 (8.98%) compared to August, while 101,274 people left the country, an increase of 10,898 (18.34%) compared to August, resulting in a net migration gain of 1,301 people.
By subtracting the number of deaths from the number of births, Taiwan's natural population increase in September was negative 3,771. When adding the net migration increase of 1,301, the overall population decreased by 2,470.
