Post-Lunar New Year Job Transitions Push March Unemployment Up to 3.34%, Still Setting a 26-Year Low for the Month
Affected by the post-Lunar New Year job transition wave, Taiwan's unemployment rate rose slightly to 3.34% in March. However, the DGBAS noted this remains a 26-year low for the same month, and the overall labor market remains stable unaffected by international turmoil.
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- 📰 Published: April 23, 2026 at 19:18
- 🔍 Collected: April 23, 2026 at 19:32 (14 min after Published)
- 🤖 AI Analyzed: April 23, 2026 at 20:51 (1h 19m after Collected)
Central News Agency
(CNA Reporter Chao Min-ya, Taipei, 23rd) Influenced by the job transition wave following the Lunar New Year, the Directorate-General of Budget, Accounting and Statistics (DGBAS) announced today that the unemployment rate for March rose to 3.34%, a monthly increase of 0.02 percentage points, marking the second consecutive month of increase. DGBAS officials stated that the overall labor market remains stable, and no impact from the Middle East war has been observed yet; however, uncertainties regarding the Middle East situation and US tariff policies remain, warranting continuous close observation.
According to DGBAS statistics, the unemployment rate for March was 3.34%, up 0.02 percentage points from the previous month, but still the lowest level for the same month in 26 years, since 2001 (the 90th year of the Republic). The seasonally adjusted unemployment rate was 3.35%, up 0.02 percentage points monthly.
Tan Wen-ling, Deputy Director of the Census Department at DGBAS, explained that March primarily reflects the post-Lunar New Year job transition wave. The number of unemployed persons in March was 402,000, an increase of 2,000 from the previous month. Among them, those unemployed due to dissatisfaction with their previous jobs increased by 5,000, which was the main driving force. As for the number of employed persons with insufficient working hours in March, it was 122,000, an increase of 3,000 from the previous month, which Tan Wen-ling noted is still within the normal fluctuation range.
Tan Wen-ling stated that in the second half of last year, due to the impact of US tariffs and traditional industries facing global overcapacity, the number of employed persons with insufficient working hours rose; as the tariffs were finalized, the numbers slightly decreased. However, US President Donald Trump's reciprocal tariff policy was struck down by the US Supreme Court in February, leaving the future direction of tariffs uncertain.
Regarding outside concerns about the impact of international situations, Tan Wen-ling said that the impact of the Middle East war has not been seen yet, "I feel there is no direct connection," and the government's price stabilization policies have been effective. She also pointed out that March's export performance was stellar, the economy is doing quite well, and the overall labor market remains stable.
Looking ahead, Tan Wen-ling stated that as post-holiday job changers gradually find employment, the unemployment rate is expected to drop in April. During the graduation season from June to August, as fresh graduates enter the workforce, the unemployment rate typically rises again due to seasonal factors. At the same time, the DGBAS will continue to closely monitor the impact of changes in the Middle East situation and US tariff policies on the labor market. (Editor: Yang Lan-hsuan) 1150423
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(CNA Reporter Chao Min-ya, Taipei, 23rd) Influenced by the job transition wave following the Lunar New Year, the Directorate-General of Budget, Accounting and Statistics (DGBAS) announced today that the unemployment rate for March rose to 3.34%, a monthly increase of 0.02 percentage points, marking the second consecutive month of increase. DGBAS officials stated that the overall labor market remains stable, and no impact from the Middle East war has been observed yet; however, uncertainties regarding the Middle East situation and US tariff policies remain, warranting continuous close observation.
According to DGBAS statistics, the unemployment rate for March was 3.34%, up 0.02 percentage points from the previous month, but still the lowest level for the same month in 26 years, since 2001 (the 90th year of the Republic). The seasonally adjusted unemployment rate was 3.35%, up 0.02 percentage points monthly.
Tan Wen-ling, Deputy Director of the Census Department at DGBAS, explained that March primarily reflects the post-Lunar New Year job transition wave. The number of unemployed persons in March was 402,000, an increase of 2,000 from the previous month. Among them, those unemployed due to dissatisfaction with their previous jobs increased by 5,000, which was the main driving force. As for the number of employed persons with insufficient working hours in March, it was 122,000, an increase of 3,000 from the previous month, which Tan Wen-ling noted is still within the normal fluctuation range.
Tan Wen-ling stated that in the second half of last year, due to the impact of US tariffs and traditional industries facing global overcapacity, the number of employed persons with insufficient working hours rose; as the tariffs were finalized, the numbers slightly decreased. However, US President Donald Trump's reciprocal tariff policy was struck down by the US Supreme Court in February, leaving the future direction of tariffs uncertain.
Regarding outside concerns about the impact of international situations, Tan Wen-ling said that the impact of the Middle East war has not been seen yet, "I feel there is no direct connection," and the government's price stabilization policies have been effective. She also pointed out that March's export performance was stellar, the economy is doing quite well, and the overall labor market remains stable.
Looking ahead, Tan Wen-ling stated that as post-holiday job changers gradually find employment, the unemployment rate is expected to drop in April. During the graduation season from June to August, as fresh graduates enter the workforce, the unemployment rate typically rises again due to seasonal factors. At the same time, the DGBAS will continue to closely monitor the impact of changes in the Middle East situation and US tariff policies on the labor market. (Editor: Yang Lan-hsuan) 1150423
Choose to stand with facts. Every sponsorship from you is the power to guard press freedom.
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The text, images, and audio/video on this website may not be reproduced, publicly broadcast, or publicly transmitted and utilized without authorization.