TAIPEI (Taiwan News) — Taiwan’s population numbered 23.26 million in March, down from 23.52 million the same month last year, the Ministry of Interior (MOI) said Friday (April 8).

In one year, the country’s population declined by 1.09%, or 256,632 people, and in one month from February to March, by 0.22%, or 50,785 people, the Liberty Times reported.

March saw the birth of 12,788 babies, an increase of more than 3,000 from the 9,617 births reported in February. Nevertheless, 18,239 people died in March, meaning deaths still outnumbered births in Taiwan, according to MOI data. During the same month, a total of 103,168 people moved to Taiwan, but 148,502 people emigrated.

The MOI also looked at population shifts between the country’s different regions. Lienchiang, the island county off the coast of China  and better known as Matsu, saw its largest population increase by 2.81% compared to March 2021.

Hsinchu County followed in second place with 0.69% growth and Penghu County in third with 0.29%. Over the past year, Taipei lost 3.72% of its population, falling below 2.5 million.