Taiwan's Total Population Declines for 27 Consecutive Months, March Births Stop Falling
According to household registration statistics released by the Ministry of the Interior for March 2026, Taiwan's total population was 23,270,568, a decrease of 104,174 from the same period last year and 9,705 from February. Although the total population has been declining for 27 consecutive months, the number of births in March was 8,798, an increase of 2,275 from February, halting the decline. The death toll was 18,607, and the natural increase was -9,809.
📋 Article Processing Timeline
- 📰 Published: April 10, 2026 at 11:51
- 🔍 Collected: April 10, 2026 at 12:00 (9 min after Published)
- 🤖 AI Analyzed: April 15, 2026 at 18:28 (126h 28m after Collected)
The Ministry of the Interior today released household registration statistics for March 2026. As of the end of March, Taiwan's total population was 23,270,568, a decrease of 104,174 people compared to the same period last year, and a decrease of 9,705 people compared to February.
A detailed look at county and city differences shows that Taoyuan City had the highest population growth rate at 0.47%, followed by Hsinchu County at 0.14%, and Taichung City at 0.11%. The largest population decreases were in Kinmen County at 2.10%, Taipei City at 1.51%, and Chiayi County at 1.19%.
As the number of newborns in February, 6,523, hit a new low, the number of births in March also attracted attention. According to Ministry of the Interior data, the number of births in March was 8,798, translating to an annualized crude birth rate of 4.45 per thousand. Although this was a decrease of 590 people compared to the same period last year, it was an increase of 2,275 people compared to February. By county and city, Penghu County had the highest crude birth rate at 6.41 per thousand, followed by Taitung County at 6.17 per thousand, and Changhua County at 5.52 per thousand. The lowest was Keelung City at 2.29 per thousand, followed by Lienchiang County at 2.59 per thousand, and Chiayi County at 3.24 per thousand.
The number of deaths in March was 18,607, translating to an annualized crude death rate of 9.41 per thousand, a decrease of 26 people compared to the same period last year, and an increase of 3,726 people compared to February.
Regarding migration, which affects social increase, the number of immigrants in March was 105,997, an increase of 49,881 compared to February; the number of emigrants was 105,893, an increase of 49,363 compared to February, resulting in a net immigration of 104 people.
After subtracting the number of deaths from the number of births, the 'natural increase in population' can be calculated. Taiwan's natural increase in population in March was -9,809 people. If calculated by 'social increase in population' (immigrants minus emigrants), it was 104 people in March. After calculating both natural and social increase, the total population in March decreased by 9,705 people compared to February.
Regarding marital status, a total of 9,756 couples married in March, including 9,447 heterosexual couples and 309 same-sex couples, translating to an annualized crude marriage rate of 4.94 per thousand. The number of divorces was 4,765 couples, including 4,678 heterosexual couples and 87 same-sex couples, translating to an annualized crude divorce rate of 2.41 per thousand.
Taiwan also entered a super-aged society last year. As of the end of March, the population aged 0 to 14 accounted for 11.43% of the total population, the population aged 15 to 64 accounted for 68.28%, and the population aged 65 and above accounted for 20.29%. (Edited by Wan Shu-chang) 1150410
A detailed look at county and city differences shows that Taoyuan City had the highest population growth rate at 0.47%, followed by Hsinchu County at 0.14%, and Taichung City at 0.11%. The largest population decreases were in Kinmen County at 2.10%, Taipei City at 1.51%, and Chiayi County at 1.19%.
As the number of newborns in February, 6,523, hit a new low, the number of births in March also attracted attention. According to Ministry of the Interior data, the number of births in March was 8,798, translating to an annualized crude birth rate of 4.45 per thousand. Although this was a decrease of 590 people compared to the same period last year, it was an increase of 2,275 people compared to February. By county and city, Penghu County had the highest crude birth rate at 6.41 per thousand, followed by Taitung County at 6.17 per thousand, and Changhua County at 5.52 per thousand. The lowest was Keelung City at 2.29 per thousand, followed by Lienchiang County at 2.59 per thousand, and Chiayi County at 3.24 per thousand.
The number of deaths in March was 18,607, translating to an annualized crude death rate of 9.41 per thousand, a decrease of 26 people compared to the same period last year, and an increase of 3,726 people compared to February.
Regarding migration, which affects social increase, the number of immigrants in March was 105,997, an increase of 49,881 compared to February; the number of emigrants was 105,893, an increase of 49,363 compared to February, resulting in a net immigration of 104 people.
After subtracting the number of deaths from the number of births, the 'natural increase in population' can be calculated. Taiwan's natural increase in population in March was -9,809 people. If calculated by 'social increase in population' (immigrants minus emigrants), it was 104 people in March. After calculating both natural and social increase, the total population in March decreased by 9,705 people compared to February.
Regarding marital status, a total of 9,756 couples married in March, including 9,447 heterosexual couples and 309 same-sex couples, translating to an annualized crude marriage rate of 4.94 per thousand. The number of divorces was 4,765 couples, including 4,678 heterosexual couples and 87 same-sex couples, translating to an annualized crude divorce rate of 2.41 per thousand.
Taiwan also entered a super-aged society last year. As of the end of March, the population aged 0 to 14 accounted for 11.43% of the total population, the population aged 15 to 64 accounted for 68.28%, and the population aged 65 and above accounted for 20.29%. (Edited by Wan Shu-chang) 1150410
FAQ
What is Taiwan's current total population?
As of the end of March 2026, Taiwan's total population was 23,270,568 people.
What was the birth rate in March?
The number of births in March was 8,798, an increase of 2,275 from February, halting the decline in births.