Growth Allowance Criticized as Pork-Barrel Spending; Executive Yuan Cites Strategic Investment and Fiscal Discipline
President Lai Ching-te's proposal of a NT$5,000 monthly "growth allowance" for individuals aged 0-18 has faced criticism as potential pre-election pork-barrel spending. On May 21, Executive Yuan spokesperson Li Hui-chih responded, emphasizing that the policy is part of the "New Strategy for Taiwan's Population" to combat low birth rates and should be seen as a strategic investment in the nation's future, not a short-term handout. With an estimated annual budget of NT$200 billion, the plan will uphold fiscal discipline. For children aged 0-2, the allowance will be an additional NT$5,000 on top of existing benefits, while for ages 6-18, half will be cash and half will be saved into a "future fund." The government plans to announce full details, including funding, as early as next week.
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- 📰 Published: May 21, 2026 at 15:24
- 🔍 Collected: May 21, 2026 at 15:31 (7 min after Published)
- 🤖 AI Analyzed: May 21, 2026 at 15:39 (7 min after Collected)
President Lai Ching-te has proposed a growth allowance of NT$5,000 per person per month for individuals aged 0 to 18. In response to external questions壓力 of whether this is a form of pork-barrel spending for this year's elections, Executive Yuan spokesperson Li Hui-chih stated that promoting population policy is not a short-term cash handout but the most important strategic investment in the nation's future, and that it will take into account fiscal discipline, intergenerational equity, and sustainable development.
President Lai announced the "New Strategy for Taiwan's Population" in his second-anniversary-of-governance address yesterday. To address the problem of a declining birthrate, the government has decided to provide a growth allowance of NT$5,000 per person per month for those aged 0 to 18, with an estimated annual budget of around NT$200 billion. The Ministry of Health and Welfare said that for children aged 0 to 2, who currently receive a parenting allowance starting at NT$5,000, an additional NT$5,000 cash growth allowance will bring the total to at least NT$10,000. For those aged 6 to 18, half will be saved in a future fund and half will be disbursed as cash.
Regarding the details and financial planning of the new population strategy, Li Hui-chih said at a press conference after the Executive Yuan's meeting today that President Lai's announcement reflects a comprehensive consideration of the changes in the national population structure. The government will continue to study the relevant content thoroughly and provide explanations at the appropriate time. Details on family support and the budget size will be reported to the public as early as next week, and the government hopes for the support of the Legislative Yuan.
Regarding the plan for those aged 6 to 18 to have half the allowance saved in a future fund and half disbursed as cash, Li stated that this considers that children will enter compulsory education after age 6, but families will still have daily expenses. Therefore, the hope is that half can be used for daily expenses, while parents can save the other half to provide their children with a nest egg when they become adults. The specifics of whether this is mandatory or how accounts will be set up will be fully reported next week.
The media inquired whether this policy is a pork-barrel measure by the DPP government for the year-end elections, and whether the Executive Yuan is simply matching and raising a proposal by the KMT legislative caucus, which just on the 18th proposed a NT$5,000 monthly childcare subsidy for ages 0 to 15.
Li Hui-chih stated that the declining birthrate is a global trend, with fertility rates continuing to fall in most European and American countries. Therefore, Taiwan's new population strategy is the result of very long-term planning and consolidation, creating a complete support package from birth and parenting to education for ages 0 to 18. It will also undergo a comprehensive and complete financial assessment, taking into account fiscal discipline, intergenerational equity, and national sustainable development.
Li emphasized that the growth allowance for ages 0 to 18 is just one of several measures. Others include childcare support, educational assistance, and family-friendly workplace measures. The goal is to reduce the burden on families, encouraging young people to have children and raise them with greater peace of mind.
Regarding public concern about funding, Li said the government will plan appropriately under the premise of ensuring the nation's fiscal sustainability. She added that thanks to the collective efforts of the entire nation in recent years, Taiwan's economic performance has been outstanding. The fruits of this economy should not only be shared by all but also invested in the next generation. Promoting population policy is not a short-term cash handout but the most important strategic investment in the nation's future, hoping to care for children while also reducing the pressure on parents and caregivers.
President Lai announced the "New Strategy for Taiwan's Population" in his second-anniversary-of-governance address yesterday. To address the problem of a declining birthrate, the government has decided to provide a growth allowance of NT$5,000 per person per month for those aged 0 to 18, with an estimated annual budget of around NT$200 billion. The Ministry of Health and Welfare said that for children aged 0 to 2, who currently receive a parenting allowance starting at NT$5,000, an additional NT$5,000 cash growth allowance will bring the total to at least NT$10,000. For those aged 6 to 18, half will be saved in a future fund and half will be disbursed as cash.
Regarding the details and financial planning of the new population strategy, Li Hui-chih said at a press conference after the Executive Yuan's meeting today that President Lai's announcement reflects a comprehensive consideration of the changes in the national population structure. The government will continue to study the relevant content thoroughly and provide explanations at the appropriate time. Details on family support and the budget size will be reported to the public as early as next week, and the government hopes for the support of the Legislative Yuan.
Regarding the plan for those aged 6 to 18 to have half the allowance saved in a future fund and half disbursed as cash, Li stated that this considers that children will enter compulsory education after age 6, but families will still have daily expenses. Therefore, the hope is that half can be used for daily expenses, while parents can save the other half to provide their children with a nest egg when they become adults. The specifics of whether this is mandatory or how accounts will be set up will be fully reported next week.
The media inquired whether this policy is a pork-barrel measure by the DPP government for the year-end elections, and whether the Executive Yuan is simply matching and raising a proposal by the KMT legislative caucus, which just on the 18th proposed a NT$5,000 monthly childcare subsidy for ages 0 to 15.
Li Hui-chih stated that the declining birthrate is a global trend, with fertility rates continuing to fall in most European and American countries. Therefore, Taiwan's new population strategy is the result of very long-term planning and consolidation, creating a complete support package from birth and parenting to education for ages 0 to 18. It will also undergo a comprehensive and complete financial assessment, taking into account fiscal discipline, intergenerational equity, and national sustainable development.
Li emphasized that the growth allowance for ages 0 to 18 is just one of several measures. Others include childcare support, educational assistance, and family-friendly workplace measures. The goal is to reduce the burden on families, encouraging young people to have children and raise them with greater peace of mind.
Regarding public concern about funding, Li said the government will plan appropriately under the premise of ensuring the nation's fiscal sustainability. She added that thanks to the collective efforts of the entire nation in recent years, Taiwan's economic performance has been outstanding. The fruits of this economy should not only be shared by all but also invested in the next generation. Promoting population policy is not a short-term cash handout but the most important strategic investment in the nation's future, hoping to care for children while also reducing the pressure on parents and caregivers.
FAQ
台灣政府提出的「成長津貼」是什麼？
這是總統賴清德為應對少子女化問題提出的新政策，計畫提供0至18歲國民每人每月新台幣5000元津貼。此政策是「台灣人口對策新戰略」的一部分，預計每年預算規模約2000億元。
這項政策被質疑是「大撒幣」，政府如何回應？
行政院發言人李慧芝澄清，推動人口政策並非短期撒幣，而是對國家未來最重要的戰略投資。她強調政府會兼顧財政紀律、世代公平及永續發展，並進行通盤的財政評估。
成長津貼如何發放給不同年齡層的孩童？
根據初步規劃，0到2歲孩童在現行育兒津貼外，可再領5000元現金，合計至少1萬元。6至18歲的津貼則規劃半數撥發現金，半數存入「未來基金」，作為成年後的第一桶金。
政策的財源從何而來？
行政院表示，政府會在兼顧國家財政永續的前提下妥善規劃財源。發言人李慧芝指出，台灣近年經濟表現亮眼，應將經濟果實共享並投資下一代。
除了現金津貼，「台灣人口對策新戰略」還包含什麼？
此戰略是一個從生育、養育到教育的全程支持方案。除了成長津貼，還包括育兒支持、教育協助、友善職場措施等，目標是全面減輕家庭負擔，讓年輕人敢生、安心養育。