Taiwan
Based on the most recent published official birth records (and Birthgap harmonisation where noted).
Taiwan's fertility landscape in 2024 continues to exhibit very low birth rates coupled with a persistently high rate of childlessness. Despite a slight increase in total maternal rate and average maternal age, the overall number of children per mother remains far below replacement levels. The generational birthgap remains significant, highlighting ongoing demographic challenges.
- The total maternal rate rose marginally from 46.9% in 2023 to 47.8% in 2024, though it remains much lower than the 1970s baseline of 88.5%.
- Lifetime childlessness decreased slightly to 52.2% but remains one of the highest among comparable countries, indicating many women remain without children.
- Average maternal age increased slightly to 31.2 years, reflecting a trend towards later births over recent decades.
- Children per mother held steady at 1.86, substantially below the 1970s figure of 3.12 and global averages, underscoring ongoing low fertility pressures.
In 2024, Taiwan's fertility landscape shows consistently low birth rates and high childlessness amid rising maternal age, marking significant demographic shifts since the 1970s.
- Very low total maternal rate, ranked 37th out of 38 globally
- Children per mother count is among the lowest worldwide, ranked 5th
- Average maternal age at birth is relatively high, ranked 9th globally
- Childlessness rate is one of the highest globally, ranked 2nd
- Significant generational birthgap with a top-3 global ranking
Key fertility indicators — Taiwan
| Total Maternal Rate (TMR) | 47.8% |
| Childlessness Rate (TCR) | 52.2% |
| Children per Mother (CPM) | 1.86 |
| Average Maternal Age (AMA) | 31.2 years |
| TGI (great-grandchildren per 100 parents) | 8 |
Motherhood prevalence (TMR)
The total maternal rate (TMR) reached 47.8% in 2024, marking a slight increase of 0.9 percentage points from 2023. Despite this recent uptick, the TMR has declined over the past five years, with an average of 49.2% between 2020 and 2024. When compared to the 1970s average of 88.5%, the current rate is approximately 40.7 percentage points lower. Taiwan's TMR ranks among the lowest globally, placing 37th out of 38 countries.
| Year | TMR | Year | TMR |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1970 | n/a | 2010 | 47.4% |
| 1980 | 84.4% | 2020 | 51.9% |
| 1990 | 76.8% | 2023 | 46.9% |
| 2000 | 77.8% | 2024 | 47.8%* |
Source: Human Fertility Database. *Measure estimated by Birthgap.org based on partial data from DGBAS.
Children per mother (CPM)
Taiwan's children per mother (CPM) reached 1.86 in 2024, showing minimal change from 1.844 in 2023. Over the past five years, there has been a declining trend, with a five-year average CPM of 1.87. This figure is significantly lower than the 1970s average of 3.12, marking a reduction of roughly 1.26 children per mother. The current level stands among the lowest worldwide, placing Taiwan 5th out of 38 in global rankings.
| Year | CPM | Year | CPM |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1970 | n/a | 2010 | 1.87 |
| 1980 | 2.95 | 2020 | 1.90 |
| 1990 | 2.34 | 2023 | 1.84 |
| 2000 | 2.15 | 2024 | 1.86* |
Source: Human Fertility Database. *Measure estimated by Birthgap.org based on partial data from DGBAS.
Average maternal age (AMA)
The average maternal age (AMA) in 2024 reached 31.23 years, showing a small increase of 0.2 years from the previous year. Over the last five years, this average has steadily climbed, with a five-year mean of 30.91 years. Compared to the 1970s, the average maternal age is now 7.5 years older. Among 38 countries, Taiwan is ranked ninth in terms of AMA.
| Year | BIRTH | Year | BIRTH |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1970 | n/a | 2010 | 29.31 |
| 1980 | 23.96 | 2020 | 30.59 |
| 1990 | 25.37 | 2023 | 31.03 |
| 2000 | 26.81 | 2024 | 31.23* |
Source: Human Fertility Database. *Measure estimated by Birthgap.org based on partial data from DGBAS.
Birthgap Generational Indicator (TFG)
In 2024, Taiwan's Birthgap Generational Indicator (TFG) stands at 57.0% (corresponding to a total fertility rate of 0.89), marking a slight decrease of 1.3 percentage points from 2023. Over the past five years, the TFG has been on the rise, averaging 55.6% between 2020 and 2024. This figure is around 57 percentage points above the zero-level norm observed in the 1970s. Taiwan has maintained a consistent generational birthgap since 1984. The lowest TFG value occurred in the mid-1970s, specifically from 1976 to 1979, when it averaged 0.0%. On a global scale, Taiwan ranks second out of 38 countries for having one of the highest TFG levels.
| Year | TFG | Year | TFG |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1970 | n/a | 2010 | 57.1% |
| 1980 | n/a | 2020 | 52.5% |
| 1990 | 13.1% | 2023 | 58.3% |
| 2000 | 19.2% | 2024 | 57.0%* |
Source: Human Fertility Database. *Measure estimated by Birthgap.org based on partial data from DGBAS.
Societal Half-Life (SHL)
Taiwan’s SHL stands at 27.3 years years in 2024. It has increased by 1.1 years compared with 2023. Over the past five years, SHL has been falling, averaging 28.2 years. Compared with the 1970s average (64.8 years), SHL is now shorter by about 37.5 years.
Globally, Taiwan has one of the shortest SHL values (ranked 37/38).
Triple Generation Impact (TGI)
With this Birthgap (TFG) for every 100 people of fertility age in Taiwan, there would be 8 great-grandchildren, representing a -92.0% drop from the current generation.
Globally, Taiwan has one of the highest TGI drops (ranked 2/38).
Birth trajectory
According to the 2024 birth pattern, the number of births is projected to decrease significantly over the coming decades. By 2051, births are expected to be reduced by half, dropping from 134,856 in 2024 to 67,428. This downward trend continues more sharply toward 2079, with births anticipated to fall by 75%. By the year 2115, the number of births could decline by as much as 90%, reaching just 13,486, assuming no changes in migration patterns.
Childlessness rate (TCR)
Taiwan's lifetime childlessness rate (TCR) reached 52.2% in 2024, showing a slight decrease of 0.9 percentage points from 2023. Over the past five years, this rate has trended upwards, averaging 50.8% between 2020 and 2024. When compared to the 1970s average of 11.5%, the current rate is approximately 40.7 percentage points higher. This places Taiwan among the countries with the highest childlessness rates globally.
| Year | TCR | Year | TCR |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1970 | n/a | 2010 | 52.6% |
| 1980 | 15.6% | 2020 | 48.1% |
| 1990 | 23.2% | 2023 | 53.1% |
| 2000 | 22.2% | 2024 | 52.2%* |
Source: Human Fertility Database. *Measure estimated by Birthgap.org based on partial data from DGBAS.
Total births
In 2024, Taiwan recorded 134,856 total births, marking an increase of 1,024 from the previous year. The number of births has been on a downward trend over the last five years, with an average annual count of 144,838. When compared to the average in the 1970s, which was 412,292 births, this represents a significant decline of 277,436 births, or a 67.3% decrease.
| Year | Births | Year | Births |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1970 | n/a | 2010 | 166.4k |
| 1980 | 411.3k | 2020 | 161.2k |
| 1990 | 336.0k | 2023 | 133.8k |
| 2000 | 307.0k | 2024 | 134.9k* |
Source: Human Fertility Database. *Measure estimated by Birthgap.org based on partial data from DGBAS.
Birthgap Retirement Indicator (BRI)
Taiwan's Birthgap Retirement Indicator (BRI) reached 61.0% in 2024, showing almost no change from the 2023 figure of 60.9%. Over the five years from 2020 to 2024, the BRI has trended upward, averaging 59.2%. This marks a substantial increase of roughly 221.9 percentage points compared to the 1970s average of -160.9%. Currently, Taiwan ranks third out of 35 countries with respect to this indicator.
| Year | BRI | Year | BRI |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1970 | n/a | 2010 | 54.9% |
| 1980 | -147.7% | 2020 | 56.1% |
| 1990 | -91.6% | 2023 | 60.9% |
| 2000 | -21.5% | 2024 | 61.0%* |
Source: Human Fertility Database. *Measure estimated by Birthgap.org based on partial data from DGBAS.
