Latest statistics: Taiwan’s population has experienced negative growth for 33 consecutive months

China News Service, Taipei, October 8. The Taiwan authorities' internal affairs department announced the latest statistics on the 8th. As of the end of September 2026, Taiwan's total population was approximately 23.213 million, a decrease of approximately 103,000 from the same period last year, and a negative growth for 33 consecutive months.

According to reports from Taiwanese media such as Central News Agency, United News Network, and China Times News Network, there were 7,704 newborns in Taiwan in September this year, a year-on-year decrease of 899. Taiwan’s death toll was 16,712, an increase of 1,325 year-on-year. In the first nine months of this year, there were about 69,000 newborns in Taiwan and about 148,000 deaths.

Taiwan has entered a super-aged society in 2025. The latest statistics show that as of the end of September 2026, the number of people over the age of 65 in Taiwan is approximately 4.806 million, accounting for 20.7%.

In recent years, due to multiple factors such as high housing prices and rising childcare costs, young people in Taiwan are less willing to have children. Relevant departments of the Taiwan authorities have introduced a number of measures such as maternity subsidies and childcare subsidies to try to alleviate the problem, but the overall fertility rate is still difficult to see an improvement.

Lai Cheng-yi, honorary chairman of the Taiwan Chamber of Commerce, pointed out that the population crisis is no longer simply about "fewer children", but has a direct impact on the labor force, industrial development and other aspects. The Taiwan authorities’ policy cannot stop at “how much money is subsidized”, but should further reduce the cost of starting a family for young people.