TAIPEI (Taiwan News) — Taiwan’s unemployment rate fell to 3.29% in January, the lowest level for the month in 26 years, the Directorate-General of Budget, Accounting, and Statistics said Wednesday.
The DGBAS said the rate slipped 0.01 percentage points from December, per CNA. After seasonal adjustment, it stood at 3.36%, per Newtalk.
The number of unemployed people was 396,000 in January, down 2,000 from December. Those leaving jobs due to dissatisfaction, illness or poor health each fell by 2,000, while layoffs linked to business downsizing or closures rose by 3,000.
The jobless rate has declined for five consecutive months since September last year. DGBAS Census Department Deputy Director Tan Wen-ling (譚文玲) said a strengthening economy has supported hiring and job stability.
According to the agency’s latest forecast, economic growth reached 8.68% in 2025 and is projected at 7.71% in 2026 despite a high base. Tan said rising wages, bonuses and stock market gains have created wealth effects that boosted consumption and helped lower unemployment.
She noted that both layoffs and voluntary job changes declined notably in the second half of last year. That trend has contributed to the steady easing in the unemployment rate.
A wave of job changes typically follows the Lunar New Year, pushing up unemployment. Tan said this year’s February survey week fell before the holiday, so any post-holiday impact may appear in the March data.
