Taiwan
Based on the most recent published official birth records (and Birthgap harmonisation where noted).
Taiwan’s total maternal rate ticked up slightly in 2024 to 47.8%, continuing a long-term decline from much higher levels in the 1970s. Despite this small increase, the country still ranks near the bottom globally in terms of mothers per population, reflecting its entrenched demographic challenges.
- The total childlessness rate eased modestly to 52.2%, though it remains exceptionally high compared to global averages and its own historical low.
- Average maternal age at childbirth has continued to rise to 31.2 years, indicating later motherhood trends that are now over seven years older than in the 1970s.
- Children per mother remain low at 1.86, with little change year-over-year, and far below the 1970s norm of over three children, underscoring longstanding low fertility levels.
In 2024, Taiwan continued to show very low fertility with significant generational declines and high rates of childlessness amid rising maternal age.
- Total maternal rate at 47.8%, ranked 37th lowest globally among 38 countries
- Children per mother steady at 1.86, fifth lowest worldwide
- Lifetime childlessness high at 52.2%, second highest globally
- Generational Birthgap very pronounced, ranked 2nd highest internationally
- Average maternal age at birth 31.2 years, ninth oldest globally
Key fertility indicators — Taiwan
| Total Maternal Rate (TMR) | 47.8% |
| Childlessness Rate (TCR) | 52.2% |
| Children per Mother (CPM) | 1.86 |
| Average Maternal Age (AMA) | 31.2 years |
| TGI (great-grandchildren per 100 parents) | 8 |
Motherhood prevalence (TMR)
The total maternal rate (TMR) reached 47.8% in 2024, marking a modest increase of 0.9 percentage points from 2023. Despite this recent uptick, the TMR has shown a downward trend over the last five years, averaging 49.2% between 2020 and 2024. When compared to the 1970s average of 88.5%, the current rate is lower by approximately 40.7 percentage points. Taiwan's maternal rate stands among the lowest globally, placing it near the bottom in international comparisons.
| 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)
Taiwan recorded a children per mother (CPM) rate of 1.86 in 2024, showing minimal change from the 1.844 value in 2023. Over the past five years, the trend in CPM has been downward, with an average of 1.87. When compared to the average CPM of about 3.12 during the 1970s, the current figure is lower by roughly 1.26. This places Taiwan among countries with some of the lowest CPM rates globally.
| 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)
The average maternal age (AMA) at birth reached 31.23 years in 2024, marking a small increase of 0.2 years from 2023. Over the last five years, the AMA has shown a steady upward trend, with an average value of 30.91 years. This figure is significantly higher than it was in the 1970s, exceeding that average by 7.5 years. Taiwan currently holds the 9th position among 38 countries globally in this metric.
| 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.
Birthgap Generational Indicator (TFG)
The Birthgap Generational Indicator (TFG) for Taiwan stood at 57.0% in 2024, corresponding to a total fertility rate of 0.89. This represents a slight decrease from the previous year, down by 1.3 percentage points. Over the past five years, the TFG has been on an upward trend, averaging 55.6% between 2020 and 2024. Comparing this figure to the 1970s baseline of 0.0%, the current level is notably higher by about 57.0 percentage points. Since 1984, Taiwan has consistently exhibited a Generational Birthgap. The lowest recorded TFG was during the mid-1970s, specifically from 1976 to 1979, when it averaged 0.0%. On a global scale, Taiwan ranks second out of 38 in terms of TFG levels, placing it among the highest worldwide.
| Year | TFG | Year | TFG |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1970 | n/a | 2010 | 57.1% |
| 1980 | n/a | 2020 | 52.5% |
| 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.
Societal Half-Life (SHL)
Taiwan’s SHL stands at 27.3 years years in 2024. It has increased by 1.1 years compared with 2023. Over the past five years, SHL has been falling, averaging 28.2 years. Compared with the 1970s average (64.8 years), SHL is now shorter by about 37.5 years.
Globally, Taiwan has one of the shortest SHL values (ranked 37/38).
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 highest TGI drops (ranked 2/38).
Birth trajectory
The projected birth numbers show a significant decline over the coming decades if current trends continue. Starting from 134,856 births in 2024, the figure is expected to decrease by half to 67,428 by 2051. Looking further ahead, births are projected to drop by 75% by 2079, and ultimately reach a 90% reduction, falling to just 13,486 by 2115, assuming there is no migration to offset these changes.
Childlessness rate (TCR)
Taiwan’s lifetime childlessness rate (TCR) reached 52.2% in 2024, showing a slight decrease of 0.9 percentage points from 2023. Over the past five years, this rate has generally trended upward, averaging 50.8% between 2020 and 2024. Compared to the 1970s average of 11.5%, the current rate represents an increase of approximately 40.7 percentage points. This level places Taiwan among the highest childlessness rates globally, ranking 2nd out of 38 countries measured.
| 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
In 2024, the total number of births recorded in Taiwan reached 134,856, marking an increase of 1,024 compared to the previous year. Throughout the last five years, there has been a downward trend with an average of 144,838 births annually. When looking back to the 1970s, the average yearly births were substantially higher at 412,292, meaning current figures are lower by 277,436 births, a 67.3% decline.
| 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.
Birthgap Retirement Indicator (BRI)
Taiwan's Birthgap Retirement Indicator (BRI) reached 61.0% in 2024, showing very little difference compared to the previous year’s 60.9%. Over the latest five-year span from 2020 to 2024, the indicator has exhibited an upward trend, averaging 59.2%. When compared to the 1970s average of -160.9%, the current figure is approximately 221.9 percentage points higher. This places Taiwan among the top countries globally for BRI, ranking third out of 35.
| Year | BRI | Year | BRI |
|---|---|---|---|
| 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.
