TAIPEI (Taiwan News) — A Taiwan Public Opinion Foundation poll released Sunday shows 49.4% of Taiwanese aged 20 and over back the increased 2026 defense budget.
The 2026 defense budget will reach NT$949.5 billion (US$29 billion), up NT$176.8 billion from this year and equivalent to 3.32% of GDP. The poll also shows 39.7% oppose the increase.
TPOF Chair You Ying-lung (游盈隆) said the results indicate most Taiwanese are willing to support defense spending. He added that the findings suggest the Lai administration’s new defense policy has “considerable public support,” including from a notable share of KMT and TPP supporters, though resistance remains.
The poll asked, “To enhance Taiwan’s self-defense capability, next year (2026) the central government's total budget for defense will reach NT$949.5 billion, NT$176.8 billion more than this year, accounting for 3.32% of GDP. Do you agree or disagree?" The results show 23.2% strongly support, 26.2% somewhat support, 19.6% somewhat oppose, 20.1% strongly oppose, 6.4% have no opinion, and 4.5% don’t know.
You added that with frequent PLA pressure and past US criticism of Taiwan’s low defense spending, the public appears mentally prepared to adapt as needed.
By age, support exceeds opposition in all groups except those 55–64, where 46% favor and 48% oppose. Support ranges from 54% to 22% among 20–24-year-olds, 51% to 41% for 25–34, 54% to 40% for 35–44, 54% to 41% for 45–54, and 43% to 37% for those 65 and older.
By occupation, support stands at 53% to 41% for self-employed and business owners, 54% to 42% for senior white-collar workers, 52% to 41% for junior white-collar workers, 50% to 49% for military, civil servants, and teachers, 52% to 43% for laborers, and 49% to 36% for farmers.
Students favor the increase 69% to 16%, homemakers from 43% to 37%, retirees are evenly split 41% to 41%, and unemployed or job seekers from 50% to 15%.
By political affiliation, views sharply diverge between the ruling and opposition camps. Specifically, 83% of DPP supporters approve and 10% oppose, 25% of KMT supporters approve and 67% oppose, 34% of TPP supporters approve and 63% oppose, and 41% of independents approve and 38% oppose.
The survey included 1,085 respondents, including 760 via landline and 325 over mobile phones. The sampling error is around ±2.98 percentage points at a 95% confidence level.
