Tainan's Demographic Challenges: Population Decline and Rapid Aging

Navigating the Complexities of an Aging Population and Declining Birth Rates in Taiwan's Historic City

Tainan, a city in Taiwan, is facing a significant demographic shift. The city has experienced a consistent trend of "deaths exceeding births" in recent years. In the past year, the number of deaths reached 17,407, nearly double the number of births. The crude birth rate stands at 4.88‰, second lowest among Taiwan's six major cities. The natural population growth rate is a concerning -4.48%, the highest among the six cities, highlighting a serious negative population growth and an increasingly aging population structure.

In 2023, the Tainan City Government increased the birth incentive payments, offering NT$20,000 for the first and second child. However, this initiative hasn't significantly improved the situation. The birth rate is still declining, with only 9,069 births last year, even the influence of the "Year of the Dragon" didn't boost the birth rate. The city government is implementing various strategies, including providing a child-friendly environment, actively attracting investment to generate more employment opportunities, with the aim of encouraging young people to move to and stay in Tainan.