Population declines for 32nd straight month, data show

Taiwan’s population last month declined for the 32nd consecutive month, with births totaling 7,492, household registration data released yesterday by the Ministry of the Interior showed.

Taiwan’s population stood at 23,224,721 at the end of last month, down 103,622 from a year earlier and 10,281 from the previous month, the data showed.

There were 7,492 births in the month, 972 fewer than in the same month last year and 414 fewer than in July, the data showed.

A child skips on the street in Taipei yesterday.

Photo: CNA

The crude birthrate stood at 3.8 per 1,000 people, they showed.

Lienchiang County (Matsu) recorded the highest rate at 6.05 per 1,000 people, followed by Taitung County at 6.01 and Hsinchu County at 4.98, the data showed.

Keelung recorded the lowest rate at 1.87, followed by Chiayi County at 2.96 and Tainan at 3.21, they showed.

Meanwhile, 16,470 deaths were recorded in the month, 1,244 more than in the same month last year, but 649 fewer than in July, meaning Taiwan had a natural population decrease of 8,978, the ministry said.

Taiwan became a super-aged society last year, meaning that people aged 65 or older account for at least 20 percent of the population.