Population Power Surge! Miaoli County, Taiwan, Sees Rare Demographic Shift After New Policy

A surprising turnaround in Miaoli's population, marking a significant change after the implementation of a new housing policy.

Miaoli County in Taiwan, has experienced a decade-long decline in its total population. Despite growth in areas like Zhunan and Toufen due to the Science Park, other townships and cities have consistently seen population decreases, primarily due to a "birth rate lower than death rate." However, in March of this year, there was an unexpected "major reversal" in the county's population, with an increase of 190 people compared to February. Even Shitan, a township with a population of under 4,000, saw a resurgence in February.

Miaoli County's population has decreased over the past 10 years. Compared to its peak of 567,132 people in 2014, it had lost 34,728 people by the end of last year. The county's population at the end of February this year was 532,672. It grew to 532,862 in March, a reversal of 190 people, which is a situation that has almost never occurred in previous years. Shitan Township, which has the most serious aging population in the county, fell below a whole number of 4,000 in January this year, with only 3,993 people, and miraculously returned to 4,008 people in December last year in February. The County's Civil Affairs Department analyzed that this change is likely due to the impact of the new "housing tax 2.0" policy.