Taiwan
Based on the most recent published official birth records (and Birthgap harmonisation where noted).
Taiwan's total maternal rate increased slightly in 2024 to 47.8%, continuing a modest upward shift after several years of decline, yet it remains one of the lowest globally. Meanwhile, the total fertility gap remains high, indicating a significant proportion of potential births not realized, and childlessness is also notably elevated despite a small decrease from the previous year. The average maternal age continues its gradual rise, now averaging 31.2 years.
- Mothers in Taiwan had an average of 1.86 children in 2024, largely stable year-over-year and among the lowest globally.
- The total fertility gap rose slightly to 57.0%, reflecting sustained challenges in achieving desired fertility levels and ranking Taiwan 2nd highest among comparable countries.
- Lifetime childlessness decreased marginally to 52.2%, yet remains one of the highest rates worldwide, showing slow changes over the last five years.
- Average maternal age increased to 31.2 years, placing Taiwan 8th highest internationally, consistent with a trend toward older motherhood.
In 2024, Taiwan exhibits one of the lowest maternal rates and fertility levels globally, accompanied by high childlessness and future worker gaps.
- Total maternal rate among the lowest worldwide (38/39)
- Average children per mother stable at low level, ranked 35/39 globally
- High average maternal age at birth, ranked 8/39
- Among highest fertility and childlessness gaps globally (2/39)
- Future worker gap remains elevated, ranked 4/36 worldwide
Key fertility indicators — Taiwan
| Total Maternal Rate (TMR) | 47.8% |
| Childlessness Rate (TCR) | 52.2% |
| Average Maternal Age (AMA) | 31.2 years |
| TGI (great-grandchildren per 100 parents) | 8 |
Motherhood prevalence (TMR)
In 2024, the total maternal rate (TMR) is 47.8%. It has edged up slightly from 2023 (up 0.9pp). Over the past five years, TMR has been falling; the 2020–2024 average is 49.2%. Looking back to the 2020s (49.2%), TMR stands lower by about 1.4pp.
Globally, Taiwan has one of the lowest TMR values (ranked 41/42).
| Year | TMR | Year | TMR |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1970 | n/a | 2010 | 47.4% |
| 1980 | 84.4% | 2020 | 51.9% |
| 1990 | 76.8% | 2023 | 46.9% |
| 2000 | 77.8% | 2024 | 47.8%* |
Source: Human Fertility Database. *Measure estimated by Birthgap.org based on partial data from DGBAS.
Children per mother (CPM)
In 2024, mothers in Taiwan had an average of 1.86 children. It remains broadly stable compared with 2023 (little change). Looking at the last five years, CPM has been broadly stable (five-year average 1.87). Compared with the long-run norm from the 2020s (1.87), mothers in Taiwan are now having close to that long-run level children on average.
Globally, Taiwan has one of the lowest CPM values (ranked 38/42).
| Year | CPM | Year | CPM |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1970 | n/a | 2010 | 1.87 |
| 1980 | 2.95 | 2020 | 1.90 |
| 1990 | 2.34 | 2023 | 1.84 |
| 2000 | 2.15 | 2024 | 1.86* |
Source: Human Fertility Database. *Measure estimated by Birthgap.org based on partial data from DGBAS.
Average maternal age (AMA)
In 2024, the average maternal age (AMA) at birth is 31.2 years. It has edged up slightly (+0.2 years). Over the past five years, AMA has been rising, averaging 30.9 years. Compared with the long-run norm from the 2020s (30.9 years), the average maternal age today is higher by about 0.3 years.
Globally, Taiwan ranks 8 out of 42 countries for average maternal age.
| Year | BIRTH | Year | BIRTH |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1970 | n/a | 2010 | 29.31 |
| 1980 | 23.96 | 2020 | 30.59 |
| 1990 | 25.37 | 2023 | 31.03 |
| 2000 | 26.81 | 2024 | 31.23* |
Source: Human Fertility Database. *Measure estimated by Birthgap.org based on partial data from DGBAS.
Total Fertility Gap (TFG)
In 2024, Taiwan’s TFG is 57.0% (equivalent to a TFR of 0.89). It has eased slightly from 2023 (down 1.3pp). Looking at the last five years, the Total Fertility Gap has been rising (average 55.6% across 2020–2024). Looking back to the 2020s (55.6%), the gap is now higher by about 1.4pp.
Globally, Taiwan has one of the highest TFG values (ranked 2/42).
| Year | TFG | Year | TFG |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1970 | n/a | 2010 | 57.2% |
| 1980 | n/a | 2020 | 52.4% |
| 1990 | 13.1% | 2023 | 58.3% |
| 2000 | 19.2% | 2024 | 57.0%* |
Source: Human Fertility Database. *Measure estimated by Birthgap.org based on partial data from DGBAS.
Future Worker Gap (FWG)
The Future Worker Gap (FWG) for Taiwan stands at 61.0% in 2024. It remains broadly flat versus the previous year (little change). Looking at the last five years, FWG has been rising (average 59.2% across 2020–2024). Compared with the long-run norm from the 2020s (59.2%), the future worker gap today is higher by about 1.8pp. A sustained high for FWG occurred in the early 2020s (2022–2024), averaging 61.0%.
Globally, Taiwan has one of the highest FWG values (ranked 4/39).
| Year | FWG | Year | FWG |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1970 | n/a | 2010 | 54.9% |
| 1980 | -147.7% | 2020 | 56.1% |
| 1990 | -91.6% | 2023 | 60.9% |
| 2000 | -21.5% | 2024 | 61.0%* |
Source: Human Fertility Database. *Measure estimated by Birthgap.org based on partial data from DGBAS.
Societal Half-Life (SHL)
Taiwan’s SHL stands at 27.3 years in 2024. It moved sharply up from 2023 (up 1.1 years). Over the past five years, SHL has been falling; the 2020–2024 average is 28.2 years. Relative to the earliest available baseline in the 2020s (28.2 years), today’s SHL is lower by about 0.9 years. A sustained low for SHL occurred in the early 2020s (2022–2024), averaging 26.7 years.
Globally, Taiwan has one of the lowest SHL values (ranked 41/42).
Triple Generation Impact (TGI)
With this Birthgap (TFG) for every 100 people of fertility age in Taiwan, there would be 8 great-grandchildren, representing a -92.0% drop from the current generation.
Globally, Taiwan has one of the lowest TGI values (ranked 41/42).
Birth trajectory
Milestones Years: - Births down 50% in 2051 - Births down 75% in 2079 - Births down 90% in 2115
Based on the 2024 birth pattern, total births would fall by half from 134,856 in 2024 to 67,428 in 2051, and by 90% to 13,486 in 2115 (ignoring migration).
Childlessness rate (TCR)
In 2024, Taiwan’s lifetime childlessness rate (TCR) stands at 52.2%. It is down marginally since 2023 (down 0.9pp). Looking at the last five years, childlessness has been rising (average 50.8% across 2020–2024). Compared with the long-run norm from the 2020s (50.8%), Taiwan’s current TCR is higher by about 1.4pp.
Globally, Taiwan has one of the highest childlessness rates (ranked 2/42).
| Year | TCR | Year | TCR |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1970 | n/a | 2010 | 52.6% |
| 1980 | 15.6% | 2020 | 48.1% |
| 1990 | 23.2% | 2023 | 53.1% |
| 2000 | 22.2% | 2024 | 52.2%* |
Source: Human Fertility Database. *Measure estimated by Birthgap.org based on partial data from DGBAS.
Total births
Total births in Taiwan were 134,856 in 2024. It is up from 2023 by 1,024 births. Over the past five years, total births have been falling, averaging 144,838 per year. Compared with the 2020s average (144,838), total births are now lower by 9,982 births (6.9% decrease).
| Year | Births | Year | Births |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1970 | n/a | 2010 | 166.4k |
| 1980 | 411.3k | 2020 | 161.2k |
| 1990 | 336.0k | 2023 | 133.8k |
| 2000 | 307.0k | 2024 | 134.9k* |
Source: Human Fertility Database. *Measure estimated by Birthgap.org based on partial data from DGBAS.
Future Worker Gap (FWG)
The Future Worker Gap (FWG) for Taiwan stands at 61.0% in 2024. It remains broadly flat versus the previous year (little change). Looking at the last five years, FWG has been rising (average 59.2% across 2020–2024). Compared with the long-run norm from the 2020s (59.2%), the future worker gap today is higher by about 1.8pp. A sustained high for FWG occurred in the early 2020s (2022–2024), averaging 61.0%.
Globally, Taiwan has one of the highest FWG values (ranked 4/39).
| Year | FWG | Year | FWG |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1970 | n/a | 2010 | 54.9% |
| 1980 | -147.7% | 2020 | 56.1% |
| 1990 | -91.6% | 2023 | 60.9% |
| 2000 | -21.5% | 2024 | 61.0%* |
Source: Human Fertility Database. *Measure estimated by Birthgap.org based on partial data from DGBAS.
