Based on what we see from the Japanese numbers, I think the rate of population decline should be speeding up right about now after a few years of relatively steady tiny declines. But maybe we’ll do a year or two more of -60k/year before the big declines start. But soon.
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They are fucked, there’s no net immigration even.
Net migration had a minimal impact on Taiwan’s population change in February. A total of 122,992 people migrated into the country during the month, while 122,946 migrated out, resulting in a net increase of just 46 people.
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Here’s an idea, scrap the absolutely useless National Development Council and replace it with an agency that actually focuses on eliminating discrimination against foreigners and making Taiwan a place where people want to stay long-term.
No more of this nonsense where only so-called “high-level professionals” (who often aren’t that high-level at all -earning less than a plumber in Australia) get special treatment with fancy cards that let them keep one foot out the door. Scrap the card and simply adjust the requirements for the normal ARC/APRC cards to allow high level people to be easily employed by local employers. Same route to PR and citizenship for everyone (no special treatment).
Get rid of the stupid rule that allows APRC holders to live out of Taiwan for 5 years and come back for one day and get another 5… If you want to maintain your PR then stay in Taiwan or get citizenship (yes allow dual nationality too.)
Dual citizenship should be for everyone not just the privileged few or those of us who can jump through ridiculous renounce-and-resume loopholes.
And instead of wasting resources on ineffective policies such as the NDC, redirect the savings into programs that actually boost Taiwan’s birth rate… because in the long run, that’s what really matters.
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The NDC is not “useless.” It appears you don’t understand its function in government. However don’t let that slow you down. 
Guy
Since the NDC are apparently full of idiots, and you have great wisdom and knowledge, I would be interested to hear what “policies” you have in mind.
Guy
Stop paying people peanuts and forcing them to work unpaid overtime and then ask them why they aren’t having babies
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I don’t claim to be a genius, but I’m pretty sure I’ve got a few extra brain cells than whoever at the NDC thought it was a great idea to roll out a 6-month digital nomad visa, with no real benefits, vague promises of PR, and no health insurance, but only for people from countries that already get 3 months visa-free, no questions asked. Brilliant. “Here, fill out this pointless application so we can give you… basically nothing.” Nomads would rather spend the time money flying to the Philippines for a day and then coming back and starting over again with another 3 months.
If I were in charge, the first thing I’d do is actually make the visa useful. Instead of marketing it to people who don’t need it, target wealthy nomads from non-visa-free countries. (For those that digital nomads that decide to build a life here) give them a clear, structured pathway to PR, one that isn’t a bureaucratic nightmare. For example, if they transition their business into a local one and hire at least two local employees, they should get a residency card with real benefits. (But also keep it open to every digital nomad that wants a path to PR)
On top of that, I’d make sure banks can’t discriminate against ARC holders when applying for loans and financial services, and actually enforce the rules for once and not help only those on a gold card.
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That should be a key policy of any “National Development Council”
There’s a dedicated thread on that topic. I don’t think anyone seriously thinks that this half-hearted initiative has anything whatsoever to do with population policy.
On the banking stuff you mentioned: I don’t disagree. I’m not sure it would help with population policy but it would certainly make life more pleasant here.
Guy
It isn’t just a small thing. It is often seen as the single largest problem. This means many who want to invest in a business or buy a house etc… either simply can’t or find it too much hassle and give up.
It has everything to do with it. It is just one good example of the half-hearted initiatives pushed by them.
The other is this new global elite card aimed at bringing people earning $187,000USD to Taiwan. So basically again… “plumbers…” But this time with a few years experience.
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“A” exists.
“B” exists.
But “A” is not about “B”!
Therefore the NDC are idiots!
You might slow things down a bit here.
Guy
Tell me about “B”
Sorry, my file does not include teaching you or anyone about basic logic.
Good luck!
Guy
Oh, don’t worry, I wouldn’t expect a guy defending a national committee that spits out half-baked government policies and fails its core objectives to be an expert on logic.
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So what are the NDC’s core objectives?
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The NDC’s core objectives? Supposedly, they’re about economic growth, social development, and sustainability but in reality, they’re failing in all the ways that matter.
They openly admit Taiwan will be a super-aged society by 2025 and that the demographic dividend disappears by 2028, yet their response is weak and uninspired. Instead of real reforms, they throw around vague promises of “social investment” while doing nothing substantial to attract or retain foreign talent or seriously encourage higher birth rates.
Instead of making Taiwan a genuinely attractive place for skilled professionals, they roll out useless gimmicks like the 6-month Digital Nomad Visa, which:
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Offers no healthcare (in a country that uses its “world-class NHI…” as a marketing strategy brilliant).
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Is only for people who already get 3 months visa-free, making it redundant.
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Comes with vague PR promises and no clear long-term incentives.
More Elitist, Useless Cards - Now they’re pushing the “Global Elite Card” for people earning $187,000 USD per year, because apparently, only rich people deserve easier residency. Meanwhile, plenty of highly skilled professionals who actually want to build a life here still face absurd hurdles to PR and citizenship.
The biggest complaint from foreign professionals isn’t visa issues, it’s banking discrimination. Many people can’t even get a mortgage or business loan, forcing them to either leave or just give up on investing in Taiwan. The NDC barely acknowledges this, let alone enforces rules to fix it.
So, what are the NDC’s “core objectives”? Writing fancy reports while Taiwan’s population crisis spirals out of control and foreign talent gets treated like an afterthought and births? Non existent.
You can find one of those fancy reports here.
https://www.ndc.gov.tw/en/Content_List.aspx?n=239722F5B3B86172
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Why is this news?
Its going to keep going down every month until something is done to fix it.
When that happens, it will be news. Right now its (the new)normal.
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It’s ‘normal’ because the NDC is too busy wasting money on pointless reports and gimmicky policies instead of actually fixing the problem. They’d rather burn cash on elite visas and PR loopholes for the rich than implement real reforms to stop Taiwan’s population from collapsing.
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You seem to think that the NDC’s remit is limited to population and foreign professionals. You are mistaken.
This page shows a list of their major policies.
https://www.ndc.gov.tw/en/News7.aspx?n=D5932C00BE444345&sms=8A0404D0C442445F
You will see that most of them have to do with Taiwan’s economy, especially technology and industries of the future. Then there are other small matters like infrastructure, open government, and energy.
In general, they only translate the highest level reports. There are much longer and detailed reports on every topic mentioned in the National Development Plan that you shared. They are in Chinese.
For example, there is this richly detailed population projection report covering 2024 to 2070.
https://pop-proj.ndc.gov.tw/News.aspx?n=3&sms=10347
Only the Legislature can enact the legislation that is required to create the kind of migrant nomad residence program you want. It requires amendments to the Immigration Act. The NDC cannot wave a magic wand and make that happen.
And the NDC cannot change the banking system for you. You see, the NDC does not regulate the banking system. The banking system is regulated by the Financial Services Commission. It is the NDC’s job to collect data, analyze it, develop policies, and make recommendations to the Executive Yuan and the other agencies with actual regulatory power over specific sectors. The EY may not approve the NDC’s ideas. And the other agencies are not required to do what the NDC says. They guard their power jealously and can act only in accordance with the law.
In general, the NDC does not issue policies until it has reached a consensus with the agency with actual regulatory power. So unless the FSC agrees to the NDC’s ideas, the NDC will not issue policies to fix the banking system to our liking. On this issue your problem is with the FSC, not the NDC.
The same is true of population. The Ministry of the Interior (which includes the NIA and the Household Registry Department) has the final say on population matters unless the EY has other ideas. That’s why Interior denied the dual nationality petition, not the NDC.
The agency that does not want to do what you want to do to solve Taiwan’s population problem is the Ministry of the Interior. They want to fix the problem by increasing the birth rate of native-born citizens. Unless the EY orders Interior to expand immigration and make Taiwan more convenient for immigration, the Ministry will refuse for the forseeable future. And even if they change their minds some day, changes to major policies like so-called single-nationality will require the Legislative Yuan to enact them.
You misprise what the NDC is and what it can do.
And one extremely important reason that the government ‘doesn’t listen’ to foreign residents/immigrants is because so many of them are so ill-informed. This is a perfect example.
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Put in simple terms: barking at wrong trees may not yield satisfactory results.
Guy