Taiwan's population is aging, birth rate is declining
Taiwan's population has officially attained the status of an “ultra-aged society.” This was reported by Zamin.uz.
According to the results at the end of 2025, citizens aged 65 and older made up more than 20 percent of the island's population. This was reported by The Straits Times on January 9, based on official statistical data published that day.
Today in Taiwan, not only is the population aging, but the total number is also decreasing. According to data from the Ministry of the Interior, in 2025 the number of citizens aged 65 and above exceeded 4.67 million, accounting for 20.06 percent of the total population.
As a result, Taiwan fully meets the criteria for an “ultra-aged society” as defined by the World Health Organization. Simply put, today one in every five Taiwanese is elderly.
At the same time, the share of children aged 0 to 14 is only 11.5 percent. Another significant cause of the demographic crisis is the decline in the birth rate.
In December 2025, only 9,027 newborns were born in Taiwan. This is 27 percent less compared to the same month in 2024.
Throughout the year, a total of 107,812 children were born, marking the lowest level in the country's history. Experts emphasize that the birth rate has been steadily declining over the past twenty years.
The main reasons include women marrying later, preferring smaller families or not wanting children at all, rising living costs, and insufficient government support for child-rearing. To address this problem, the Taiwanese government has begun implementing new measures.
In particular, in December 2025, plans were made to expand assisted reproductive technologies, including IVF programs, to encourage childbirth. In conclusion, Taiwanese society is currently facing serious demographic challenges.
The aging population, declining birth rate, and economic pressures are forcing the country to make long-term strategic decisions. However, whether these measures will yield the expected results remains to be seen.
