TAIPEI (Taiwan News) — Taiwan’s wage increase outpaced inflation in April, marking 13 months of real income growth, the Directorate-General of Budget, Accounting, and Statistics reported Wednesday.

According to the DGBAS Census Department Deputy Director Tan Wen-ling (譚文玲), April’s average real regular wage rose 1.16% year-on-year to NT$43,727 (US$1,400) – the highest April increase in nearly five years, per CNA.

For the first four months of 2024, real regular wages rose 0.9% from a year earlier, reaching NT$43,519, per UDN. This marked the strongest growth for the same period since 2020.

Nominal wage growth also remained steady. In April, average regular wages hit NT$47,807, up 3.22% year-on-year, while total wages including bonuses and overtime rose 3.3% to NT$55,546.

The DGBAS also released median wage data to offer a clearer picture of overall income distribution. April’s median regular wage was NT$38,208, up 3.05% from a year ago, while the median for January-April stood at NT$38,116, a 3% increase. Real median wages for the period rose 0.82%.

Gender and age gaps remain evident. In the first four months, men earned a median of NT$39,922, while women earned NT$36,046 – up more than 3% for both. Workers under 30 earned NT$31,507, with wages climbing to NT$42,914 for those aged 50 to 64.

Education played a key role in wage levels. Median pay for university graduates was NT$40,339, while those with graduate degrees earned NT$65,927. The DGBAS noted that advanced degree holders have consistently seen faster wage growth over the past five years.