TAIPEI (Taiwan News) — Taiwan’s population has shrunk for the 23rd consecutive month, with November births hitting a new low and the population nearing “super-aged” status, according to the Ministry of the Interior.
November household registration data shows Taiwan’s population fell by 96,710 from last year and 4,768 from October, per CNA. The month saw 7,946 babies born, down 4,611 from last year and 1,512 from October.
By region, the highest crude birth rates were in Yunlin County (6.25 per 1,000), Taitung County (5.08 per 1,000), and Hsinchu (5.00 per 1,000). The lowest were in Lienchiang County (1.78 per 1,000), Keelung (2.84 per 1,000), and Chiayi County (3.13 per 1,000).
Taiwan has experienced nine consecutive years of negative newborn growth. After April’s 8,684 births and May’s 8,433, November’s 7,946 births mark the third record low this year.
From January to November, 98,785 babies were born. This suggests Taiwan is unlikely to surpass last year’s total of 134,856 births by year-end.
Deaths in November totaled 14,771, with a crude death rate of 7.71 per 1,000. This represents a decrease of 861 from last year and 1,137 from October.
November migration saw 59,696 people move to Taiwan, down 2,898 from October, while 57,639 moved out. The net migration was 2,057, with the largest net inflows in Taichung (1,135), Taoyuan (953), and New Taipei (710).
The natural population change, calculated as births minus deaths, was a decrease of 6,825. Combining this with net migration, Taiwan’s total population fell by 4,768 from October.
According to the World Health Organization, a population with 7% aged 65+ is considered an “aging society,” 14% is an “aged society,” and 20% is a super-aged society. As of the end of November, Taiwan has nearly reached super-aged status.
The population aged 65+ numbered 4,657,796 (19.99%), those aged 15–64 totaled 15,961,608 (68.49%), and those aged 0–14 numbered 2,686,681 (11.53%).
Fourteen counties and cities had elderly populations exceeding 20%. The top five were led by Taipei (24.10%), followed by Chiayi County (24.03%), Nantou County (22.60%), Keelung (22.18%), and Pingtung County (21.77%).
The eight remaining regions were below 20%, with the lowest ratios in Hsinchu County (15.02%), Hsinchu (16.10%), Taoyuan (16.64%), Lienchiang County (17.06%), Taichung (17.32%), Kinmen County (19.63%), Chiayi (19.86%), and New Taipei (19.87%).
