TAIPEI (Taiwan News) — In the fourth quarter, housing prices declined across Taiwan, including in all six major cities, with Kaohsiung experiencing the sharpest drop at 10%.
Chinatrust Real Estate said Monday the market was hit hard following the Central Bank’s seventh round of credit controls introduced in September, per CNA. Tighter financial inspections further cooled buyer interest, and signs of a price correction began to emerge.
According to data from the Ministry of the Interior’s real estate information platform, the average nationwide housing price fell to NT$338,600 (US$10,400) per ping (3.3 square meters) in the fourth quarter—down 6.6% from NT$362,700 in the third quarter.
Comparing prices in Taiwan’s six special municipalities between the first and fourth quarters of last year, the data shows all six experienced quarterly declines. Kaohsiung posted the steepest drop at 10.4%, followed by Tainan at 7.1%. Taoyuan fell 4.8%, Taichung 3.2%, Taipei City 3%, and New Taipei City 2.3%.
Chuang Ssu-min (莊思敏), deputy manager at Chinatrust’s research and development office, said Kaohsiung and Tainan had previously seen price surges due to anticipated growth tied to future tech industry developments. However, the supporting infrastructure has not fully materialized, and residents’ incomes have not kept pace with housing price increases.
With many speculators exiting the market, end-user buyers now make up the majority. To avoid further declines, homeowners have proactively lowered asking prices and rushed to sell, contributing to the price correction in the fourth quarter.
Among the six cities, Taipei and New Taipei saw relatively smaller declines. Chuang noted that prime locations in these areas better retain value during downturns. With Greater Taipei already commanding the highest housing prices in Taiwan, speculative buying is more limited.
In addition, the region offers diverse job opportunities and steady housing demand, which help support market fundamentals. As a result, Greater Taipei continues to show stronger resilience, even amid an economic downturn.
Chuang added that the housing market now faces multiple headwinds, including the Central Bank’s seventh wave of credit controls on real estate, the US-China trade war initiated by US President Donald Trump, and rising cross-strait geopolitical risks. Without significant positive developments in the short term, the property market is likely to remain sluggish this year, with further corrections possible.
However, Chuang said the current market offers better conditions for homebuyers with genuine residential needs. Unlike during the boom years—when sellers held firm and left little room for negotiation—many are now more flexible under current pressures.
