Taiwan's Year-End Bonuses Soar: Financial Sector Leads the Pack

Boost in Bonuses Reflects Strong Performance Across Key Industries

Taipei, April 14 - The Directorate General of Budget, Accounting and Statistics (DGBAS) announced that average year-end bonuses in Taiwan's industrial and service sectors rose to 1.72 months of salaries in 2025. This increase reflects a positive economic outlook, with several sectors exceeding expectations.

The DGBAS data indicated that the average year-end bonuses reached NT$81,368 (US$2,503), equivalent to 1.72 months of wages, surpassing the 1.69 months recorded a year earlier. These bonuses are typically distributed before the Lunar New Year holiday.

The financial and insurance sector remains the most generous, offering an impressive 3.74 months of salaries, up from 3.66 months the previous year. While the DGBAS did not explicitly attribute the sector's strong performance, industry observers cite consistent profitability.

Following closely, the manufacturing sector delivered an average of 2.17 months of wages as year-end bonuses, up from 2.11 months in 2024. The transportation and warehousing sector also saw a rise, providing an average of 1.97 months of salaries, compared to 1.75 months the prior year, according to the DGBAS.

Tan Wen-ling (譚文玲), Deputy Director of the DGBAS's Census Department, noted the influence of artificial intelligence. Employers in the computer, optoelectronics, and electronic components industries offered substantial bonuses, with 3.46 and 2.92 months of wages, respectively.

The shipping industry, fueled by strong export demand and freight rates, provided an average of 5.69 months of salaries as year-end bonuses. The airline industry also benefited from post-COVID-19 tourism, offering 3.92 months of wages.

In February, average regular wages totaled NT$47,296, a 3.02% increase year-over-year. Average earnings, including bonuses and overtime, reached NT$58,182, though they decreased compared to the prior year due to the Lunar New Year holiday timing. The median wage rose to NT$37,986, representing a 2.89% increase.

Despite global uncertainties, the manufacturing sector continued to demonstrate strength, reporting a ninth consecutive month of growth in overtime working hours in February, averaging 16.1 hours. Strong global demand for AI devices was a key factor, according to Tan.

The electronic components industry, closely tied to AI development, saw the second-highest average overtime working hours in its history, reaching 26.9 hours in February. The industrial and service sectors collectively saw an increase in average overtime working hours, hitting 8.4 hours.