TAIPEI (Taiwan News) – The number of births rose to the highest level of the year so far, with 12,070 in October.
Even so, Taiwan’s overall population declined by 1,334 to 23.4 million, the Ministry of the Interior said Friday (Nov. 8).
Taiwan counted a population of 23,402,804 in October, or 9,504 less than in the same month last year, per CNA. The fall averages at 24.74 per month, with October listed as the 10th consecutive month of decline.
However, the 12,070 births recorded in October amounted to a high for the year so far. One birth was reported every 3.7 minutes, with the total 278 higher than in September, but 998 lower than in October last year, according to the MOI.
October saw 15,451 people die, or 112 fewer than in September. Chiayi County had the highest death rate, followed by Taitung and Yunlin, with the outlying islands of Matsu and Kinmen reporting the lowest mortality levels.
Migration data included 87,491 arrivals, or a decline of 15,084 compared to September. The number of departures declined by 15,830 to 85,444 over the same period, resulting in a net addition of 2,047 residents.
Looking at age groups, the interior ministry determined that 19.03% of the population was aged 65 or over, 69.22% was aged between 15 and 64, and 11.75% was aged 14 or younger.
