TAIPEI (Taiwan News) – Taiwan’s population declined in July for the 19^th month running, the Ministry of the Interior said Friday.

At the end of last month, the nation counted 23,337,936 residents, a drop of 8,805 compared to June, the Liberty Times reported. The population declined by 71,387 from July 2024, a rate of 0.3%.

Taoyuan, Hsinchu County, and Taichung recorded the highest increases, while the steepest drops were posted in the island counties of Kinmen and Lienchiang, and Taipei City.

Births in July numbered 8,939, or 1,485 less than in July 2024. The total number of deaths amounted to 16,846, a decline of 1,856 from July last year. A baby was born about every 5 minutes, while a person died every 2.6 minutes.

Looking at migration data, the Ministry of Interior found 70,410 people had moved to Taiwan, 18,983 fewer than in June. Last month, 71,308 left the country, or 13,383 fewer than the previous month.

July saw 7,418 marriages and 4,506 divorces, including 269 same-sex marriages and 84 divorces between same-sex couples. A breakdown according to age saw 11.62% of the population 14 or younger, while 19.64% was 65 or older.