China’s greatest adversary, Taiwan, is grappling with a troubling decline in its birth rate, which is contributing to a significant decrease in its overall population. This demographic trend is not just a social issue; it directly impacts the nation’s military capabilities and security. Large, youthful populations are crucial for sustaining a strong military and defense posture. As fertility rates continue to fall, the proportion of young people is dwindling, which, in turn, shrinks the pool of eligible military recruits. Even with mandatory military service, Taiwan is facing shortages in its youth demographic, making it difficult to maintain adequate troop levels.
In response, the Taiwanese government is incentivizing families to have more children. Under a new program, parents can receive approximately 3 lakh rupees (around $3,320) for the birth of a single child and about 6 lakh rupees (around $7,000) for twins. This initiative is a part of broader efforts aimed at reversing the declining birth rate. The urgency of this situation is highlighted by Taiwan’s projection to become a “super-aged society” by the end of the year, with more than 20% of its population aged 65 or older.
In 2022, Taiwan recorded one of the lowest fertility rates worldwide, at just 0.87 children per woman, far below the 2.1 children needed to sustain population levels. This stark figure has raised alarms, as the island prepares for its ninth consecutive year of declining birth rates in 2024. The previous child support program offered benefits between $1,300 and $2,300, depending on the mother’s work status. The increase in financial support reflects the government’s recognition of the need for urgent action.
Ultimately, declining fertility rates pose risks not only to Taiwan’s social structure but also to its national security, as a smaller, aging population may struggle to meet military and economic challenges in a region characterized by great-power competition.
Original Source: https://www.india.com/news/world/chinas-biggest-enemy-is-giving-lakhs-of-money-to-its-citizen-for-having-more-children-rs-3-lakh-for-single-child-rs-6-lakh-for-twins-20-percent-of-population-super-aged-society-country-is-taiwan-8085914/
Category: World,china,Taiwan
Tags:
Publish Date: 2025-09-20 06:31:00
