TAIPEI (Taiwan News) — The Union of Private School Employees said up to 40 private universities in Taiwan could close by 2028 as the number of incoming freshmen is projected to drop to 173,000.
Public universities offer about 120,000 freshman spots, leaving only 50,000 openings for private institutions. With around 98 private universities currently in operation, the union said this number of students would only be enough to support 50 to 60 schools, per CNA.
University admission results released Wednesday showed 18 universities had a total of 1,220 unfilled spots. Among them, six private universities each reported more than 100 vacancies, with I-Shou University posting the most at 165. Six national universities also had unfilled spots, with National Quemoy University topping the list with 71.
The Ministry of Education released a report estimating student numbers through 2040, showing the number of freshmen has declined since 2018. Freshman enrollment, which averaged around 270,000 before 2015, is expected to fall below 200,000 this year.
The ministry forecast enrollment will drop to 146,000 in 2040, nearly 28% lower than last year, with an average annual decline of 3,500 students over the next 16 years.
The total university student population is also shrinking. In 2016, Taiwan had about 1.14 million university students. As of last year, that number had dropped by nearly 150,000, and this year it is expected to fall below 860,000. The ministry projects the total population will continue to decline by an average of 8,900 students annually, reaching 725,000 by 2040.
Taiwan’s elementary school population is expected to fall by 32,000 students annually and drop below 1 million by 2029. Last year there were 1.2 million elementary pupils, but the figure is projected to shrink to 689,000 by 2040.
Health Minister Chiu Tai-yuan (邱泰源) said the ministry has established the child and adolescent welfare department to address Taiwan’s declining birthrate and improve children’s healthcare and wellbeing.
The ministry offers childcare subsidies of up to NT$7,000 (US$224) a month and daycare subsidies of up to NT$13,000. It is also working with other agencies to expand public childcare centers, provide social housing for families with young children, and offer parental leave allowances and options.
