Clipping Board » Environmental Pollution & Change ─ How dirty the human heart is, how dirty the environment will be...
The Commercial Times, January 12, 2008
[By Yu Guoqin / Taipei Report]
The Ministry of the Interior pointed out yesterday that under the influence of stagnant wage growth, limited employment opportunities, and an uncertain economic outlook, the number of newborn babies in Taiwan last year dropped to 204,000, with the birth rate falling to 8.92 per thousand, a record low. Meanwhile, the average marriage rate in the country last year dropped to 5.89 per thousand, the second lowest in history. The trends of not marrying and not having children have become structural issues for Taiwan's economic development.
The Ministry of the Interior completed the domestic population statistics for last year, which showed that the birth population in our country continues to hit new lows. Over the past decade, the number of births has decreased from over 320,000 per year to the current 200,000, with the birth rate dropping significantly from 15.1 per thousand to 8.92 per thousand.
Officials from the Ministry of the Interior stated that the Council for Economic Planning and Development originally estimated that negative population growth would not occur until 2019. However, given the consistently low birth rates, it is highly likely that Taiwan's negative population growth will arrive earlier than expected.
Officials analyzed that the significant decrease in newborns in Taiwan is partly due to young people marrying later. The average age of Taiwanese women giving birth to their first child has been delayed to 31 years old. After having their first child, many women are reluctant to have more children to avoid the risks associated with advanced maternal age.
The official mentioned that besides the "non-economic factor" of late marriage, a more significant reason is the poor economic conditions. In recent years, the growth of real wages in the country has stagnated, even showing negative growth, with only a 0.4% increase last year. Considering the substantial future costs of raising and educating children, the willingness of people to have children has naturally decreased significantly.
Although the results of the Directorate-General of Budget, Accounting and Statistics show that the employed population continues to increase and the unemployment rate has not further expanded, the official familiar with the domestic economy pointed out: "In the past, university graduates were unwilling to settle for jobs with a monthly salary of 20,000 yuan, but now everyone is scrambling for such jobs. Many university graduates end up setting up street stalls, driving taxis, or even working as janitors."
The Ministry of the Interior also released marriage and divorce rates yesterday. The number of marriages dropped to 135,000, with the marriage rate falling below 6 per thousand, the second lowest in history. Relevant officials stated that the significant decline in the marriage rate is closely related to stagnant employment and wage growth.
The official analyzed that with the number of newborn babies decreasing by over 100,000, it has already made it difficult for preschool education-related industries to recruit enough students in recent years. In a few years, this will affect the operation of middle schools and universities, and schools that cannot recruit enough students will inevitably be unable to sustain themselves, leading to more unemployment problems.
Source: http:/ / news. chinatimes. com/ C……0601+122008011200517,00. html
Where are the Voters? Taiwan's Birth Rate Hits Record Low
[By Yu Guoqin / Taipei Report]
The Ministry of the Interior pointed out yesterday that under the influence of stagnant wage growth, limited employment opportunities, and an uncertain economic outlook, the number of newborn babies in Taiwan last year dropped to 204,000, with the birth rate falling to 8.92 per thousand, a record low. Meanwhile, the average marriage rate in the country last year dropped to 5.89 per thousand, the second lowest in history. The trends of not marrying and not having children have become structural issues for Taiwan's economic development.
The Ministry of the Interior completed the domestic population statistics for last year, which showed that the birth population in our country continues to hit new lows. Over the past decade, the number of births has decreased from over 320,000 per year to the current 200,000, with the birth rate dropping significantly from 15.1 per thousand to 8.92 per thousand.
Officials from the Ministry of the Interior stated that the Council for Economic Planning and Development originally estimated that negative population growth would not occur until 2019. However, given the consistently low birth rates, it is highly likely that Taiwan's negative population growth will arrive earlier than expected.
Officials analyzed that the significant decrease in newborns in Taiwan is partly due to young people marrying later. The average age of Taiwanese women giving birth to their first child has been delayed to 31 years old. After having their first child, many women are reluctant to have more children to avoid the risks associated with advanced maternal age.
The official mentioned that besides the "non-economic factor" of late marriage, a more significant reason is the poor economic conditions. In recent years, the growth of real wages in the country has stagnated, even showing negative growth, with only a 0.4% increase last year. Considering the substantial future costs of raising and educating children, the willingness of people to have children has naturally decreased significantly.
Although the results of the Directorate-General of Budget, Accounting and Statistics show that the employed population continues to increase and the unemployment rate has not further expanded, the official familiar with the domestic economy pointed out: "In the past, university graduates were unwilling to settle for jobs with a monthly salary of 20,000 yuan, but now everyone is scrambling for such jobs. Many university graduates end up setting up street stalls, driving taxis, or even working as janitors."
The Ministry of the Interior also released marriage and divorce rates yesterday. The number of marriages dropped to 135,000, with the marriage rate falling below 6 per thousand, the second lowest in history. Relevant officials stated that the significant decline in the marriage rate is closely related to stagnant employment and wage growth.
The official analyzed that with the number of newborn babies decreasing by over 100,000, it has already made it difficult for preschool education-related industries to recruit enough students in recent years. In a few years, this will affect the operation of middle schools and universities, and schools that cannot recruit enough students will inevitably be unable to sustain themselves, leading to more unemployment problems.
Source: http:/ / news. chinatimes. com/ C……0601+122008011200517,00. html