TAIPEI (Taiwan News) — Taipei experienced a net loss of 44,000 residents last year, a trend experts attribute to soaring housing prices and rising living costs.
Ministry of the Interior statistics show that Taiwan’s inter-city population movements reached 2.12 million in 2025, an increase of 74,000 from 2024, an annual growth rate of 3.6%, and the highest level in nearly three years, per UDN. Taipei’s population continued to move to New Taipei, whose population, in turn, spilled over into Taoyuan, while Taichung has become a population magnet.
Only nine of Taiwan’s 22 jurisdictions recorded net inflows, including Chiayi, Keelung, Miaoli County, Hsinchu County, Yilan County, Taoyuan, Taichung, Tainan, and New Taipei. Taoyuan ranked first with a net inflow of 19,000 people, followed by Taichung with 15,000 and New Taipei with 12,000.
The largest population movements occurred within the capital region. Taipei recorded the biggest net loss, followed by Changhua with more than 10,000 and Yunlin with 4,203.
Last year, 57,000 people moved from Taipei to New Taipei, the highest intercity flow, followed by 23,000 from New Taipei to Taoyuan. Residents continue to trade longer commutes for more affordable housing.
In central Taiwan, population movement shows a concentrated “magnet effect.” Last year, 10,984 people moved from Changhua to Taichung, while 3,745 from Yunlin also relocated there, reflecting Taichung’s growing role as a regional core city.
The MOI noted that population shifts are closely tied to jobs, infrastructure, housing market trends, and social welfare. Last year, adjustments to owner-occupied housing tax rates, which vary by household registration, drew renewed attention to the link between residency location and housing costs.
Lu Bing-yi (呂秉怡), CEO of the Tsuei Ma Ma Foundation for Housing and Community Service, told PTS News that high housing prices, a high cost of living, and mounting daily pressures are driving Taipei residents to leave. Rising rents and a severe shortage of rental units have further compounded the trend.
Civic groups recommend government support through subsidized housing policies, including social housing, rent subsidies, and lease-and-management programs. To retain families, the Taipei City Government has also expanded public childcare, provided lunch subsidies, and offered flexible working-hour allowances.
