Lai Ching-te Invites Government, Executive, Party, and Caucus to Discuss Declining Birthrate, Focusing on 3 Aspects
President Lai Ching-te, also serving as DPP chairman, convened a meeting with DPP legislators to discuss the declining birthrate. Executive Director Wu Szu-yao stated that the meeting focused on three aspects: increasing subsidies within affordable fiscal capacity, providing a friendly workplace, and systemic government support in food, clothing, housing, and transportation. A major policy announcement is anticipated on May 20, the second anniversary of his inauguration.
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- 📰 Published: May 13, 2026 at 19:50
- 🔍 Collected: May 13, 2026 at 20:02 (11 min after Published)
- 🤖 AI Analyzed: May 14, 2026 at 01:01 (4h 58m after Collected)
Central News Agency
(Central News Agency reporter Yeh Su-ping, Taipei, May 13) President Lai Ching-te, who also serves as the chairman of the Democratic Progressive Party (DPP), today invited DPP legislators to discuss the issue of the declining birthrate. Wu Szu-yao, Executive Director of the DPP Policy Committee, relayed that the meeting focused on three aspects: increasing relevant subsidies within affordable fiscal capacity, providing a friendly workplace, and systemic government support for children, parents, and even grandparents who help with childcare in terms of food, clothing, housing, and transportation.
Lai Ching-te invited the government, executive branch, party, and caucus to discuss the declining birthrate issue at the DPP headquarters this afternoon. Premier Cho Jung-tai, Secretary-General Chang Tun-han, and DPP Secretary-General Hsu Kuo-yung were among those present.
Wu Szu-yao relayed that there was enthusiastic participation in the meeting, with nearly 30 legislators expressing their concern for this policy. The meeting lasted nearly 2.5 hours, with legislators speaking freely, and Lai Ching-te listening attentively; legislators Ho Hsin-chun, Su Chiao-hui, Chen Ting-fei, and Lai Rui-lung, who are running in the 2026 mayoral and county magistrate elections, all presented their views.
Wu Szu-yao relayed that everyone collectively recognized that the declining birthrate is a very severe issue, not only impacting Taiwan but also a global severe challenge; everyone also recognized that this is the government's responsibility, and the nation has an inescapable duty to propose corresponding policies. Whether short, medium, or long-term, more comprehensive and macroscopic policy input is needed.
She said that although there is no shortcut to the declining birthrate issue, and no policy can be immediately effective, the nation cannot stop investing, and policy investment cannot stop.
Wu Szu-yao said that 50 to 60 opinions were raised in the meeting, which can be summarized into three major directions: First, the policy tools the government can adopt are nothing more than increasing relevant subsidies within affordable fiscal capacity.
Wu Szu-yao stated that, second, a friendly workplace must be provided, so that young parents do not face unfriendly workplaces or even institutional penalties due to childcare pressure. More diverse choices and flexible space should be provided in working hours to reduce the burden on young parents. Third, the government must strive to provide systemic support for children, parents, and even grandparents who help with childcare in terms of food, clothing, housing, and transportation.
She said that Cho Jung-tai expressed in the meeting that in response to the declining birthrate issue, the executive branch is convening industry, government, academia, and research every day to propose countermeasures; today, they collected frontline public opinions from the caucus, hoping that the government will have more complete配套方案 (supporting measures) that can be quickly provided to the public.
When asked by the media whether the individual investment savings account (TISA) system was discussed in the meeting, Wu Szu-yao said that some legislators mentioned that the declining birthrate policy savings account and youth education savings account were also first proposed by the DPP in the past, and many legislators have provided opinions to policy departments for reference through interpellations on the issue of "turning into adults" funds.
When further asked by the media whether today's meeting was a prelude to a major declining birthrate policy package that President Lai will propose on his second anniversary of inauguration on May 20, Wu Szu-yao stated that she expects President Lai to make a very important announcement on the national direction on May 20. As for whether a major package or complete plan for the declining birthrate can be proposed on May 20, she respects the executive branch. (Editor: Hsieh Chia-chen) 1150513
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(Central News Agency reporter Yeh Su-ping, Taipei, May 13) President Lai Ching-te, who also serves as the chairman of the Democratic Progressive Party (DPP), today invited DPP legislators to discuss the issue of the declining birthrate. Wu Szu-yao, Executive Director of the DPP Policy Committee, relayed that the meeting focused on three aspects: increasing relevant subsidies within affordable fiscal capacity, providing a friendly workplace, and systemic government support for children, parents, and even grandparents who help with childcare in terms of food, clothing, housing, and transportation.
Lai Ching-te invited the government, executive branch, party, and caucus to discuss the declining birthrate issue at the DPP headquarters this afternoon. Premier Cho Jung-tai, Secretary-General Chang Tun-han, and DPP Secretary-General Hsu Kuo-yung were among those present.
Wu Szu-yao relayed that there was enthusiastic participation in the meeting, with nearly 30 legislators expressing their concern for this policy. The meeting lasted nearly 2.5 hours, with legislators speaking freely, and Lai Ching-te listening attentively; legislators Ho Hsin-chun, Su Chiao-hui, Chen Ting-fei, and Lai Rui-lung, who are running in the 2026 mayoral and county magistrate elections, all presented their views.
Wu Szu-yao relayed that everyone collectively recognized that the declining birthrate is a very severe issue, not only impacting Taiwan but also a global severe challenge; everyone also recognized that this is the government's responsibility, and the nation has an inescapable duty to propose corresponding policies. Whether short, medium, or long-term, more comprehensive and macroscopic policy input is needed.
She said that although there is no shortcut to the declining birthrate issue, and no policy can be immediately effective, the nation cannot stop investing, and policy investment cannot stop.
Wu Szu-yao said that 50 to 60 opinions were raised in the meeting, which can be summarized into three major directions: First, the policy tools the government can adopt are nothing more than increasing relevant subsidies within affordable fiscal capacity.
Wu Szu-yao stated that, second, a friendly workplace must be provided, so that young parents do not face unfriendly workplaces or even institutional penalties due to childcare pressure. More diverse choices and flexible space should be provided in working hours to reduce the burden on young parents. Third, the government must strive to provide systemic support for children, parents, and even grandparents who help with childcare in terms of food, clothing, housing, and transportation.
She said that Cho Jung-tai expressed in the meeting that in response to the declining birthrate issue, the executive branch is convening industry, government, academia, and research every day to propose countermeasures; today, they collected frontline public opinions from the caucus, hoping that the government will have more complete配套方案 (supporting measures) that can be quickly provided to the public.
When asked by the media whether the individual investment savings account (TISA) system was discussed in the meeting, Wu Szu-yao said that some legislators mentioned that the declining birthrate policy savings account and youth education savings account were also first proposed by the DPP in the past, and many legislators have provided opinions to policy departments for reference through interpellations on the issue of "turning into adults" funds.
When further asked by the media whether today's meeting was a prelude to a major declining birthrate policy package that President Lai will propose on his second anniversary of inauguration on May 20, Wu Szu-yao stated that she expects President Lai to make a very important announcement on the national direction on May 20. As for whether a major package or complete plan for the declining birthrate can be proposed on May 20, she respects the executive branch. (Editor: Hsieh Chia-chen) 1150513
Stand with facts, every sponsorship is a force to protect press freedom.
Download the Central News Agency "First-hand News" APP to stay updated with the latest news.
The text, images, and audio-visual content on this website may not be reproduced, publicly broadcast, publicly transmitted, or utilized without authorization.