Taiwan has recorded its lowest birth rate in history, marking a significant demographic decline, according to data from the Ministry of the Interior.
The island's birth rate for 2024 stood at just 5.76 births per 1,000 people, with only 134,856 births recorded — a decrease of 715 births compared to 2023.
This sharp drop in births has been a concerning trend for the nation, as it continues to face an aging population and shrinking workforce.
In addition to the birth rate decline, Taiwan's population has also seen a reduction, with the total population dropping by 20,222 people, bringing the island's population down to 23.4 million.
The overall number of deaths in 2024 was 202,107, a decrease of 3,261 deaths compared to 2023, marking a crude death rate of 8.80 per 1,000 people.
The trend of decreasing births in Taiwan has been ongoing since 2015 when the country recorded 213,598 births. Over the following years, the birth rate continued to decline:
2016: 208,440 births
2017: 193,844 births
2018: 181,601 births
2019: 177,767 births
2020: 165,249 births
2021: 153,820 births
2022: 138,986 births
2023: 135,571 births
This persistent decline in births signals growing demographic challenges, particularly an aging population, and a shrinking workforce that could impact the nation's economy and future growth.
Meanwhile, Taiwan experienced a net social population increase, with 47,029 more people arriving than departing in 2024.
While this was driven by an influx from mainland China, the overall population still continues to decrease.
In December, 86,520 people moved to Taiwan, which was an increase of 3,635 people from November. However, the number of people leaving Taiwan rose to 84,146, which was an increase of 4,327 people from the previous month.
The country also recorded a decline in marriage rates, with 123,061 marriages in 2024, a drop of 2,131 from the previous year. On the other hand, the number of divorces in Taiwan reached 53,469, reflecting ongoing social shifts.
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