TAIPEI (Taiwan News) — Taiwan’s population has declined for 22 consecutive months as seniors edge toward 20% of all residents, which is the World Health Organization’s threshold for a super-aged society.

The Ministry of the Interior said Monday that residents ages 65 and older now account for 19.9% of the population, just shy of the 20% mark. Taipei had the highest elderly share at 24%, while Hsinchu County was lowest at 14.95%.

CNA reported the data indicate Taiwan will officially become a super-aged society in 2025, when one in five people will be over 65. The ministry also noted it took only seven years for Taiwan to move from an “aged” to “super-aged” society — faster than Japan or South Korea.

Economists said the trend could weigh on Taiwan’s economy as the workforce ages. The number of senior workers grew 5.5% this year, the fastest rate among all age groups, per CNA.

National Taiwan University Associate Professor Hsin Ping-lung (辛炳隆) said both the government and businesses are still “underprepared” for the aging shift. He urged companies to automate production lines and make workplaces more friendly to older workers.

If the labor shortage worsens, Hsin warned, more seniors may stay in low-paid jobs just to survive. He said Taiwan must ensure older workers are valued, not stuck at the bottom of the labor market.