Demographics of Taiwan

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Demographics of Taiwan
Taiwan Population Pyramid.svg
Population pyramid of Taiwan at the end of 2021
Population23,347,374 (April 2023)
Growth rate0.04% (2022 est.)
Birth rate6.0 births/1,000 population (2022 est.)
Death rate8.9 deaths/1,000 population (2022 est.)
Life expectancy81.16 years
 • male78.17 years
 • female84.34 years
Fertility rate0.87 children born/woman (2022 est.)
Infant mortality rate3.97 deaths/1,000 live births
Net migration rate0.85 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2022 est.)
Age structure
0–14 years12.22%
15–64 years69.72%
65 and over18.07%
Sex ratio
Total0.97 male(s)/female (2022 est.)
At birth1.06 male(s)/female
Under 151.06 male(s)/female
65 and over0.73 male(s)/female
Nationality
NationalityTaiwanese
Major ethnicHan Chinese
Language
OfficialMandarin
Residents per square kilometre by village Taiwan population density map.svg
Residents per square kilometre by village

The population of Taiwan is approximately 23.35 million as of April 2023. [1]

Contents

Immigration of Han Chinese to the Penghu Islands started as early as the 13th century. The main island was inhabited by a diversity of Taiwanese indigenous peoples speaking Austronesian languages until Han settlement began in the early 17th century, around the time of the Ming–Qing transition, when workers were imported from Fujian to the colony of Dutch Formosa in the southwest of Taiwan. According to governmental statistics, in the early 21st century, 95% to 97% of Taiwan's population are Han Chinese, while about 2.3% are Taiwanese of Austronesian ethnicity. [2] [3] Half the population are followers of one or a mixture of 25 recognized religions.

During the 20th century, the population of Taiwan rose more than sevenfold, from about 3 million in 1905 to more than 22 million by 2001. This high growth was caused by a combination of factors, such as very high fertility rates up to the 1960s, and low mortality rates. [4] In addition, there was a surge in population as the Chinese Civil War ended and the Kuomintang (KMT) forces retreated, bringing an influx of 1.2 million soldiers and civilians to Taiwan in 1948–1949, representing less than 15% of the population at the time (who constitute approximately 10% of the population in 2004 [5] ). [6] [3] [7] Consequently, the population growth rate after that was very rapid, especially in the late 1940s and 1950s, with an effective annual growth rate as high as 3.68% during 1951–1956.

Fertility rates decreased gradually thereafter; in 1984 the rate reached the replacement level (2.1 children per woman, which is needed to replace the existing population). Fertility rates have continued to decline. In 2010, Taiwan had a population growth of less than 0.2% and a fertility rate of only 0.9, the lowest rate ever recorded in that country. The population of Taiwan peaked at 23.6 million in 2019 and has been continuously decreasing ever since.

Most Taiwanese speak Mandarin. Around 70% of the people also speak Taiwanese Hokkien and 10% speak Hakka. Japanese speakers are becoming rare as the elderly generation who lived under Japanese colonization are dying out. The Formosan languages are endangered as the indigenous peoples have become acculturated under Chinese culture.

Population

According to February 2022 statistics from the Ministry of the Interior, the population of Taiwan was 23,319,776, 99.6% of whom live on the island of Taiwan. The remaining 0.4% live on offshore islands (Penghu, Lanyu, Green, Kinmen, and Matsu).

Taiwan is ranked the 57th most populous nation in the world.

Historical

The number of Chinese people living on the island in 1624, prior to Dutch colonial rule, was about 25,000. [8] During Dutch Formosa rule, between 1624 and 1662, the Dutch began to encourage large-scale Han immigration to the island for labour, mainly from the south of Fujian.

It is estimated that prior to the Kingdom of Tungning (1661), the population of Taiwan was no greater than 100,000 people, and the initial Zheng army with families and retainers that settled in Taiwan is estimated to be 30,000 at minimum. [9] During Qing rule (1683–1895), the population of Han Chinese in Taiwan grew rapidly from 100,000 to ≈2.5 million, while the aboriginal population was estimated to be at least 200,000 by 1895. [10] (The plains aboriginal population is estimated to have decreased by 90% over the hundred years from 1800 to 1900.) [11]

The Japanese Colonial Government performed detailed censuses every five years starting in 1905. Statistics showed a population growth rate of about 1% to 3% per year throughout Japanese rule. In 1905, the population of Taiwan was roughly 3 million; by 1940, the population had grown to 5.87 million, and after the Second World War in 1946 it numbered 6.09 million. [12]

Population census

Historical Populations
YearPop.±%
1905 3,123,302—    
1910 3,299,493+5.6%
1920 3,757,838+13.9%
1930 4,679,066+24.5%
1940 6,077,478+29.9%
1950 7,554,399+24.3%
1960 10,792,202+42.9%
1970 14,753,911+36.7%
1980 17,866,008+21.1%
1990 20,401,305+14.2%
2000 22,276,672+9.2%
2010 23,162,123+4.0%
2020 23,561,236+1.7%
Source: https://www.census.gov/popclock/world/tw
YearMales (thousands)Females (thousands)Total population (thousands)Average annual growth rate (%)
19051,6111,4293,040
19151,8131,6693,4801.4
19201,8941,7623,6551.0
19252,0531,9413,9931.8
19302,4592,2394,5932.8
19352,6602,5535,2122.6
19402,9712,9015,8722.4
19564,7724,5969,3683.0
19667,1536,35213,5053.7
1970 (sampling)7,7237,04714,7702.3
1975 (sampling)8,4397,84016,2792.0
19809,4058,62418,0302.1
199010,6189,77520,3941.2
200011,38610,91522,3010.9
201023,0520.4
Population of Taiwan (1981–2018) [13] [14]
Year1981198219831984198519861987198819891990
Population18,193,95518,515,75418,790,53819,069,19419,313,82519,509,08219,725,01019,954,39720,156,58720,401,305
±%—+ 1.768%+ 1.484%+ 1.483%+ 1.283%+ 1.011%+ 1.107%+ 1.163%+ 1.013%+ 1.214%
Year1991199219931994199519961997199819992000
Population20,605,83120,802,62220,995,41621,177,87421,357,43121,525,43321,742,81521,928,59122,092,38722,276,672
±%+ 1.003%+ 0.955%+ 0.927%+ 0.869%+ 0.848%+ 0.787%+ 1.010%+ 0.854%+ 0.747%+ 0.834%
Year2001200220032004200520062007200820092010
Population22,405,56822,520,77622,604,55022,689,12222,770,38322,876,52722,958,36023,037,03123,119,77223,162,123
±%+ 0.579%+ 0.514%+ 0.372%+ 0.374%+ 0.358%+ 0.466%+ 0.358%+ 0.343%+ 0.359%+ 0.183%
Year2011201220132014201520162017201820192020
Population23,224,91223,315,82223,373,51723,433,75323,492,07423,539,81623,571,22723,588,93223,600,90323,539,588
±%+ 0.271%+ 0.391%+ 0.247%+ 0.258%+ 0.249%+ 0.203%+ 0.133%+ 0.075%+ 0.051%– 0.260% [14]

Details

County
City		Area
(km2)		PopulationMarginDensity
(people/km2)		Sort
New Taipei 2052.56674,010,657+28431,9541(8)
Taichung 2214.89682,811,729+5811,2702(8)
Kaohsiung 2951.85242,773,786+1959393(8)
Taipei 271.79972,650,154-38549,7654(8)
Taoyuan 1220.95402,240,328+23851,8335(8)
Tainan 2191.65311,881,730-668596(8)
Changhua County 1074.39601,273,613-6611,1867(8)
Pingtung 2775.6003820,798-3982968(8)
Yunlin 1290.8326682,577-3355299(8)
Hsinchu County 1427.5369561,766+104739310(8)
Miaoli 1820.3149546,461-3730011
Chiayi 1903.6367504,750-34726512(8)
Nantou 4106.4360495,084-2212113
Yilan 2143.6251454,636-5721214
Hsinchu City 104.1526447,781+297429615(8)
Keelung 132.7589369,305-55278216
Hualien 4628.5714326,780-336917(8)
Chiayi City 60.0256268,068-163446918
Taitung County 3515.2526217,540-2966219
Kinmen County 151.6560139,319-4691820
Penghu County 126.8641104,711+382521
Lienchiang County 28.800013,073+1145522(8)
Free area of the Republic of China36,197.066923,593,794+1196651-(8)

Net migration rate

During 2004 – 2010, Taiwan's migration rate was positive. On average, the annual net migration amounted to 22,000 people during that period, which is equivalent to a rate of 1.0 per 1,000 inhabitants per year.

Age structure

Age range198019902000201020152020
0–14 years32.1%26.9%21.2%15.65%13.6%12.6%
15–64 years63.6%67.0%70.2%73.61%73.9%71.4%
65 years and over4.3%6.1%8.6%10.74%12.5%16.0%

Sex ratio

under 15 years: 1.06 male(s)/female
15–24 years: 1.05 male(s)/female
25–54 years: 1.00 male(s)/female
55–64 years: 0.96 male(s)/female
65 years and over: 0.84 male(s)/female
total population: 0.98 male(s)/female (2018 est)

Population growth and age structure

Demographic transition models (DTM) show how population pyramids change and go through specific stages. By looking at Taiwan's population pyramid, the country is in stage 4 of the DTM and its shape contracts but it will soon enter stage 5. [15] In stage 5 of the DTM, death rate gradually exceeds fertility rate and a country starts to experience overall population loss. [16] Access to good medical care increases the lifespan of a population. Knowledge of and access to contraception, along with an increase in women's participation in the workforce, cause a sharp decline in the fertility rate. [16]

National statistics of Taiwan in 2018 indicate that there are approximately 140,000 more females than males. The birth rate (8.3 births/1,000 population) is slightly higher than the death rate (7.4 deaths/1,000 population). [17] The total dependency ratio in Taiwan is 35.2%, which is relatively low. [18] The low dependency ratio indicates that the dependent part of the population is less than half of the working part. Experts estimate the dependency ratio will rise to 92.9% by 2060. [19] A rising dependency ratio and longer life expectancy will most likely require the government to support part of the elderly population as the working-age population is shrinking and thus less able to support the elderly directly.

Demographic transition and population aging

The process of population aging is primarily determined by fertility and mortality rate. [20] The proportions of elderly people are different across countries. For example, developing countries with limited access to healthcare and contraceptives, where populations have a high fertility rate, tend to have a lower proportion of older people. [21] Medical advancements, industrial developments, and better knowledge of sanitation, which started in the 18th century in many developed countries, have caused a decline in mortality rates and an increase in fertility rates, factors which raise the number of older people worldwide. [22] According to the United Nations, many developed countries are in more advanced stages (4 or 5) of the demographic transition model and their number of elderly will remain high compared to less developed countries. [23] This phenomenon is known as population aging.

According to the World Health Organization (WHO), since 1993, Taiwan has reached the threshold of an aging society. It was estimated the percentage of people over 65 was 8%. [24] The CEPD estimated that the percentage of people 65 years or older will be over 20% in 2025, which means Taiwan will soon become a "super aged society". [25] The critical factors that accelerate the speed of aging in Taiwan are high life expectancy and low fertility rate. The average life expectancy in 2014 was 80 years. The total fertility rate in 2014 was 1.1 (per 1,000 women) and dropped to 0.87 in 2022. [26]

Ethnicity

The ROC government reports that 95 to 97 percent of Taiwan's population is of the Han Chinese ethnicity, which includes Hoklo, Hakka, and other ethnic groups originating from mainland China. [27] [28] Over 2% of the population consists of indigenous Taiwanese. [3] 21,000 Westerners live in Taiwan, accounting for 0.1% of its total population. [29]

Indigenous Taiwanese

Original geographic distributions of Taiwanese aboriginal peoples Formosan Distribution 01.png
Original geographic distributions of Taiwanese aboriginal peoples

The total population of recognized indigenous people in Taiwan is approximately 569,000, or approximately 2.38% of Taiwan's population. [30] These groups primarily inhabit the eastern half of Taiwan, which consists mostly of mountainous terrain. Their population growth rate (1.2%) and population pyramid are considerably more youthful than the overall population. [31] Including migrant workers, the Austronesian population of Taiwan is approaching 1 million. [32]

PlacePopulationPct
MaleFemaleTotal
Living in the Eastern plains111,372109,141220,51347.1%
Living in the mountains122,016126,073248,08952.9%
Total233,388235,214468,602100%
Note: Source data obtained from the Ministry of the Interior website (Spreadsheet data: m1-04.xls Archived 2017-06-20 at the Wayback Machine )

The Taiwanese government officially recognizes sixteen ethnic groups of Taiwanese indigenous peoples (Chinese :原住民; pinyin :yuánzhùmín; Pe̍h-ōe-jī :Gôan-chū-bîn). [33] In the early 1910s, research in the Japanese era recognized nine ethnic groups: Amis, Atayal, Bunun, Paiwan, Puyuma, Rukai, Saisiyat, Tsou, and Yami. After the 2000s, indigenous cultural revitalization movements forced the government to change its attitude towards the indigenous people of Taiwan. The Yami people were renamed to Tao. New ethnic groups were also recognized by the government, including Thao in 2001, Kavalan in 2002, Truku (Taroko) in 2004, Sakizaya in 2007, Seediq in 2008, Kanakanavu in 2014, and Saaroa in 2014. There are at least another dozen groups that are not officially recognized by the government.

Officially Recognized Taiwanese Indigenous Peoples
Name Formosan
native name		 Chinese Population
at census 2000 [34] 		Population
(02/2016) [35] 		Notes
Amis Pangcah, 'Amis阿美族148,992203,740Recognized since Japanese era. Amis name means "north"
Atayal Tayal, Tayan泰雅族91,88387,156Recognized since Japanese era. Atayal name means "brave person"
Bunun Bunun布農族41,03856,844Recognized since Japanese era.
Kanakanavu Kanakanavu卡那卡那富族—267Classified as Tsou, recognized since 2014
Kavalan Kebalan, Kbaran噶瑪蘭族—1,416Some Kavalan were classified as Amis, recognized since 2002
Paiwan Payuan排灣族70,33197,788Recognized since Japanese era.
Puyuma Pinuyumayan卑南族9,60613,651Recognized since Japanese era.
Rukai Drekay魯凱族12,08412,996Recognized since Japanese era.
Saaroa Hla'alua拉阿魯哇族—294Classified as Tsou, recognized since 2014
Saisiyat Say-Siyat賽夏族5,3116,495Recognized since Japanese era.
Sakizaya Sakizaya撒奇萊雅族—863Classified as Amis, recognized since 2007
Seediq Seediq賽德克族—9,451Classified as Atayal, recognized since 2008
Taroko Truku太魯閣族—30,382Classified as Atayal, recognized since 2004
Thao Thao, Ngan邵族—768Classified as Tsou, recognized since 2001
Tsou Cou鄒族6,1696,647Recognized since Japanese era.
Yami Tao達悟族、雅美族3,8724,494Recognized since Japanese era. Yami name means "person"
Unspecified尚未申報8,24914,206
Total397,535547,465

Unrecognized indigenous groups may include extinct tribes (mostly Plains indigenous peoples) or communities currently classified with other groups. There are also 25,943 indigenous people who are currently not classified in any group.

Unrecognized Taiwanese indigenous Peoples
Name Formosan
native name		 Chinese Notes
Arikun Arikun阿立昆族Sometimes classified as Hoanya
Babuza Babuza, Poavasa貓霧拺族
Basay Basay, Basai巴賽族、馬塞族Sometimes classified as Ketagalan
Hoanya Hoanya洪雅族、和安雅族Sometimes split into Lloa and Arikun
Kaxabu Kaxabu, Kahapu噶哈巫族Sometimes classified as Pazeh. In revitalization.
Ketagalan Ketagalan凱達格蘭族
Kulon Kulon龜崙族
Lloa Lloa羅亞族Sometimes classified Hoanya
Luilang Luilang雷朗族Sometimes classified as Ketagalan
Makatao Makatao, Tao馬卡道族Sometimes classified as Siraya. Recognized in Pingtung. In revitalization.
Papora Papora, Vupuran拍瀑拉族、巴布拉族
Pazeh Pazéh, Pazih巴宰族、巴則海族In revitalization.
Qauqaut Qauqaut猴猴族
Siraya Siraya西拉雅族、希萊耶族Recognized in Tainan and Fuli. In revitalization.
Taivoan Taivoan, Taivuan大武壠族Sometimes classified as Siraya. Recognized in Fuli. In revitalization.
Taokas Taokas道卡斯族In revitalization.

Han Chinese

The majority of Han Chinese descend from immigrants who arrived to the island prior to Japanese rule (1895–1945) and can be classified as the Hoklo and Hakka, on the basis of language and customs. [36] As the majority of early immigrants were Hokkien speakers from Fujian [37] who arrived starting in the 17th century, the Hoklos account for about 70% of the total population today. During Qing rule, a large number of Hoklo men took indigenous brides. [38] Some of the plains aboriginals also adopted Chinese customs and language so as to be indistinguishable from the Han. [39] Thus, many who categorize themselves as Han have some degree of indigenous ancestry.

A significant minority of Han Chinese are Hakka, and they constitute about 15% of the total population. The Hakkas emigrated chiefly from eastern Guangdong, speak Hakka Chinese, and originally took up residence in the hills of the indigenous border districts. [40] [38]

Waishengren form another significant mixed ethnic group in Taiwan. The term refers to migrants who moved from China to Taiwan between 1945, when the ROC took control of Taiwan from the Japanese empire, and 1949 during the relocation of the ROC from mainland China to Taiwan. Estimates vary regarding how many waishengren migrated, with most estimates ranging between 950,000 and 2 million, [41] with 1.2 million being the most commonly cited figure in Taiwan, [42] which would have constituted less than 15% of the population at the time (who constitute approximately 10% of the population in 2004 [5] ). [7]

Foreign residents

Foreign residents in Taiwan COB data Taiwan vers3.PNG
Foreign residents in Taiwan

There are 812,603 foreign residents in Taiwan as of April 2023, representing 3.48% of the country's population. [43] [44] [1]

Nationality / Origin201920212022% in 2019
1Flag of Indonesia.svg  Indonesia 255,770254,403234,32933.1%
2Flag of Vietnam.svg  Vietnam 224,108247,817234,10029.0%
3Flag of the Philippines.svg  Philippines 152,179156,996154,07519.7%
4Flag of Thailand.svg  Thailand 64,38167,30872,0618.34%
5Flag of Malaysia.svg  Malaysia 20,54922,81923,7492.66%
6Flag of Japan.svg  Japan 13,76816,16015,9561.78%
7Flag of the United States (23px).png  United States 9,97912,84711,4621.29%
8Flag of South Korea.svg  South Korea 4,4815,1324,8430.58%
9Flag of India.svg  India 3,7484,6954,6710.49%
10Flag of the United Kingdom.svg  United Kingdom 2,0972,9612,9890.27%
11Flag of Myanmar.svg  Myanmar 1,6711,8522,6110.22%
12Flag of Canada (Pantone).svg  Canada 2,1672,7372,5790.28%
13Flag of France.svg  France 1,5531,7901,8410.20%
14Flag of Singapore.svg  Singapore 1,4561,7261,7660.19%
15Flag of South Africa.svg  South Africa 1,2071,4161,5390.16%
16Flag of Germany.svg  Germany 9651,2241,2710.12%
18Flag of Australia (converted).svg  Australia 8381,0519850.11%
19Flag of Russia.svg  Russia 5786636800.07%
20Flag of the Netherlands.svg  Netherlands 3465125310.04%
21Flag of Italy.svg  Italy 4895795230.06%
22Flag of Mongolia.svg  Mongolia 1,1266845000.15%
23Flag of Spain.svg  Spain 3904734920.05%
24Flag of Eswatini.svg  Eswatini 3634120.05%
25Flag of Honduras.svg  Honduras 2883740.04%
26Flag of Cambodia.svg  Cambodia 1643590.02%
27Flag of Belize.svg  Belize 1813340.02%
28Flag of Paraguay.svg  Paraguay 1763280.02%
28Flag of New Zealand.svg  New Zealand 3133523280.04%
30Flag of Poland.svg  Poland 2172853110.03%
31Flag of Portugal.svg  Portugal 2173123000.03%
32Flag of Pakistan.svg  Pakistan 1862970.02%
33Flag of Denmark.svg  Denmark 1472840.02%
33Flag of Turkey.svg  Turkey 2793112840.04%
35Flag of Brazil.svg  Brazil 3072612590.04%
36Flag of Belgium (civil).svg  Belgium 1983022540.03%
37Flag of Mexico.svg  Mexico 1962262290.03%
38Flag of Ireland.svg  Ireland 1652160.02%
39Flag of Ukraine.svg  Ukraine 2452302140.03%
40Flag of Guatemala.svg  Guatemala 1381990.02%
41Flag of Switzerland (Pantone).svg  Switzerland 1682191810.02%
42Flag of Saint Lucia.svg  Saint Lucia 102170
43Flag of Ethiopia.svg  Ethiopia 1811640.02%
43Flag of Nepal.svg  Nepal 1591640.02%
45Flag of Iran.svg  Iran 1181630.02%
46Flag of Haiti.svg  Haiti 1481580.02%
47Flag of Egypt.svg  Egypt 87157
48Flag of Sweden.svg  Sweden 1251520.02%
49Flag of Israel.svg  Israel 105151
50Flag of Nicaragua.svg  Nicaragua 1831410.02%
51Flag of Saint Vincent and the Grenadines.svg  Saint Vincent and the Grenadines 104140
52Flag of Colombia.svg  Colombia 106128
53Flag of Austria.svg  Austria 1171260.02%
54Flag of Nigeria.svg  Nigeria 81116
55Flag of Sri Lanka.svg  Sri Lanka 95109
56Flag of Peru.svg  Peru 85104
57Flag of The Gambia.svg  Gambia 1221000.02%
58Flag of Saint Kitts and Nevis.svg  Saint Kitts and Nevis 7396
59Flag of Jordan.svg  Jordan 8095
60Flag of Bangladesh.svg  Bangladesh 6294
61Flag of the Czech Republic.svg  Czech Republic 10192
62Flag of El Salvador.svg  El Salvador 125900.02%
62Flag of Hungary.svg  Hungary 7986
63Flag of Venezuela.svg  Venezuela 8881
64Flag of Belarus.svg  Belarus 6578
65Flag of Palau.svg  Palau 4866
66Flag of Chile.svg  Chile 4865
67Flag of Tanzania.svg  Tanzania 64
68Flag of Romania.svg  Romania 63
69Flag of Argentina.svg  Argentina 5761
69Flag of Kyrgyzstan (2023).svg  Kyrgyzstan 4561
71Flag of Burkina Faso.svg  Burkina Faso 6555
72Flag of Malawi.svg  Malawi 6054
73Flag of Laos.svg  Laos 4154
74Flag of the Marshall Islands.svg  Marshall Islands 4352
74Flag of Panama.svg  Panama 8352
76Flag of Slovakia.svg  Slovakia 4148
77Flag of Uzbekistan.svg  Uzbekistan 3846
78Flag of Uganda.svg  Uganda 1943
78Flag of Finland.svg  Finland 3743
80Flag of Ecuador.svg  Ecuador 4242
81Flag of Kenya.svg  Kenya 3241
81Flag of Lithuania.svg  Lithuania 41
83Flag of Croatia.svg  Croatia 3139
84Flag of Latvia.svg  Latvia 1735
85Flag of Tuvalu.svg  Tuvalu 3034
86Flag of Morocco.svg  Morocco 3033
87Flag of Papua New Guinea.svg  Papua New Guinea 2732
88Flag of Nauru.svg  Nauru 2431
89Flag of Ghana.svg  Ghana 2830
90Flag of Burundi.svg  Burundi 1529
90Flag of Greece.svg  Greece 2529
92Flag of Norway.svg  Norway 2828
92Flag of Serbia.svg  Serbia 2128
94Flag of Mauritius.svg  Mauritius 2327
94Flag of the Dominican Republic.svg  Dominican Republic 4327
96Flag of Kazakhstan.svg  Kazakhstan 2225
97Flag of Bulgaria.svg  Bulgaria 1824
98Bandera de Bolivia (Estado).svg  Bolivia 1522
99Flag of Iraq.svg  Iraq 1719
100Flag of Costa Rica.svg  Costa Rica 1718
101Flag of North Macedonia.svg  North Macedonia 1417
101Flag of Lebanon.svg  Lebanon 917
103Flag of Slovenia.svg  Slovenia 2316
103Flag of Zimbabwe.svg  Zimbabwe 1716
103Flag of Yemen.svg  Yemen 1116
106Flag of the Solomon Islands.svg  Solomon Islands 8815
107Flag of Brunei.svg  Brunei 2114
108Flag of Armenia.svg  Armenia 2113
108Flag of Turkmenistan.svg  Turkmenistan 1313
108Flag of the Republic of the Congo.svg  Republic of the Congo 1013
108Flag of Fiji.svg  Fiji 813
112Flag of Uruguay.svg  Uruguay 1312
114Flag of Tunisia.svg  Tunisia 1111
114Flag of Palestine.svg  Palestine 611
116Flag of Syria.svg  Syria 910
116Flag of Bhutan.svg  Bhutan 710
118Flag of Algeria.svg  Algeria 98
118Flag of Zambia.svg  Zambia 68
118Flag of Estonia.svg  Estonia 118
118Flag of Iceland.svg  Iceland 38
118Flag of Luxembourg.svg  Luxembourg 8
118Flag of Jamaica.svg  Jamaica 58
125Flag of Lesotho.svg  Lesotho 47
125Flag of Cameroon.svg  Cameroon 87
127Flag of Georgia.svg  Georgia 96
127Flag of Trinidad and Tobago.svg  Trinidad and Tobago 46
127Flag of Namibia.svg  Namibia 76
127Flag of Chad.svg  Chad 66
127Flag of the Democratic Republic of the Congo.svg  Democratic Republic of the Congo 66
127Flag of Senegal.svg  Senegal 46
132Flag of Cyprus.svg  Cyprus 25
132Flag of Botswana.svg  Botswana 55
132Flag of Benin.svg  Benin 25
132Flag of Tajikistan.svg  Tajikistan 65
132Flag of Albania.svg  Albania 25
137Flag of Cote d'Ivoire.svg  Ivory Coast 44
137Flag of Moldova.svg  Moldova 94
137Flag of Kiribati.svg  Kiribati 854
137Flag of Sudan.svg  Sudan 74
137Flag of Mozambique.svg  Mozambique 64
137Flag of Tonga.svg  Tonga 64
137Flag of East Timor.svg  Timor-Leste 44
144Flag of Sierra Leone.svg  Sierra Leone 63
144Flag of Dominica.svg  Dominica 13
144Flag of Guyana.svg  Guyana 3
144Flag of Niger.svg  Niger 43
144Flag of Togo.svg  Togo 23
144Flag of Azerbaijan.svg  Azerbaijan 33
144Flag of Maldives.svg  Maldives 23
144Flag of Oman.svg  Oman 43
152Flag of Guinea-Bissau.svg  Guinea-Bissau 12
152Flag of Libya.svg  Libya 42
152Flag of Cuba.svg  Cuba 52
152Flag of Mali.svg  Mali 32
152Flag of Rwanda.svg  Rwanda 32
152Flag of Bahrain.svg  Bahrain 22
152Flag of Saudi Arabia.svg  Saudi Arabia 32
152Flag of Vanuatu.svg  Vanuatu 12
152Flag of Malta.svg  Malta 22
152Flag of the Taliban.svg  Afghanistan 12
152Flag of Suriname.svg  Suriname 12
152Flag of Samoa.svg  Samoa 2
164Flag of Guinea.svg  Guinea 31
164Flag of Madagascar.svg  Madagascar 21
164Flag of Djibouti.svg  Djibouti 1
164Flag of Gabon.svg  Gabon 11
164Flag of the Federated States of Micronesia.svg  Federated States of Micronesia 11
164Flag of Seychelles.svg  Seychelles 11
164Flag of Grenada.svg  Grenada 1
164Flag of Bosnia and Herzegovina.svg  Bosnia and Herzegovina 1
164Flag of Barbados.svg  Barbados 11
164Flag of Kuwait.svg  Kuwait 1
164Flag of the Bahamas.svg  Bahamas 1
164Flag of the United Arab Emirates.svg  United Arab Emirates 1
176Flag of Sao Tome and Principe.svg  São Tomé and Príncipe 3
177Flag of Somalia.svg  Somalia 2
178Flag of Angola.svg  Angola 1
179Flag of Cape Verde.svg  Cape Verde 1
180Flag of Bermuda.svg  Bermuda 1
-Other (stateless)103102<0.02%
Total772,281783,662100.0%

Languages

During Japanese rule (between 1895 and 1945), Japanese was the medium of instruction and could be fluently spoken by many of those educated during that period. Almost everyone in Taiwan born after the early 1950s can speak Mandarin, [48] which was the official language and has been the medium of instruction in schools ever since.

Hanyu Pinyin, the official romanization system in mainland China, has also been the standard of Taiwan since 2009. A number of romanization systems are still seen in Taiwan, including Tongyong, the official romanization in Taiwan between 2002 and 2008, Wade–Giles, often found on passports, and Postal.

Other Sinitic languages can also be seen in Taiwan. The majority speak Taiwanese Hokkien, a branch of Southern Min, which had formerly been the most commonly spoken language. On Matsu Islands, the Eastern Min Fuzhou dialect is prevalent. Although people on Kinmen (Quemoy) also speak Southern Min, it is not the case in the Wuqiu Islands, for they speak a dialect of the Pu-Xian Min. The ethnic Hakka speak various Taiwanese Hakka dialects including Sixian, Hailu, Dabu, Raoping, and Zhao'an.

The most widely spoken Formosan languages today are Amis, Atayal, Bunun, and Paiwan. The other aboriginal languages that have gained official recognition are Kanakanavu, Kavalan, Puyuma, Rukai, Hla’alua, Saisiyat, Sakizaya, Seediq (closely related to Truku), Thao, Tsou, and Yami (also known as Tao).

Languages used at home for the resident nationals aged 6 years and over (2010, per 100 resident nationals) [lower-alpha 1] [49]
DivisionPopulation Mandarin Hokkien Hakka Indigenous Others
Total21,407,23583.581.96.61.42
New Taipei City 3,779,5759282.92.40.92.4
Taipei 2,475,42293.273.53.50.53.2
Keelung 358,92787.291.10.91.81.8
Hsinchu 427,7929270.711.10.81.6
Yilan 393,10978.294.90.61.81
Taoyuan 1,982,73493.458.217.11.31.3
Hsinchu County 464,16590.627.75621.1
Taichung 2,521,92687.189.93.50.61.4
Miaoli 482,32979.445.852.410.5
Changhua 1,123,43969.598.10.30.20.9
Nantou 426,63175.3923.24.31.2
Yunlin 573,0646098.21.60.11.4
Tainan 1,719,85371.795.80.50.32.7
Kaohsiung 2,596,51078.690.930.72.4
Chiayi 250,90076.594.70.40.31
Chiayi County 458,2446197.50.80.83.6
Pingtung 750,12266.282.3124.70.5
Penghu 80,2037593.60.50.32.4
Taitung 187,76389.965.95.421.35.5
Hualien 287,85890.860.910.816.91.6
Kinmen 52,60385.492.81.10.50.8
Lienchiang 14,06696.644.73.91.624.1

Religion

Lungshan Temple of Manka, Taipei Longshan Temple, Taipei 01.jpg
Lungshan Temple of Manka, Taipei
Still Thoughts Hall, Hualien City Taiwan 2009 HuaLien City JingSi Hall FRD 8410.jpg
Still Thoughts Hall, Hualien City
Holy Rosary Cathedral, Kaohsiung Mei Gui Sheng Mu Zhu Jiao Zuo Tang .JPG
Holy Rosary Cathedral, Kaohsiung
Taipei Grand Mosque, Taipei TaipeiMosque.JPG
Taipei Grand Mosque, Taipei

Article 13 of the Constitution of the Republic of China guarantees freedom of religion as a right of all its citizens. As of 2013, the Republic of China government recognizes 27 religions which are registered with the Civil Affairs Department of the Ministry of the Interior (MOI). [50]

Statistics on registered religions (2005)

About 81.3% of the population can be considered religious believers, most of whom identify as Buddhists (35%) or Taoists (33%). Chinese folk religion is generally practised under the aegis of Taoism, while more than 10% of the population adheres to popular movements of salvation. Confucianism also is an honored school of thought and ethical codes. Christian churches have been active in Taiwan for centuries; a majority of them are Protestant, with Presbyterians playing a particularly significant role. The Republic of China's government has diplomatic relations with the Holy See, which is the only European nation to formally recognize the Republic of China and is its longest-lasting diplomatic ally, having established relations in 1942. Islam has seen a surge in recent years as a result of foreign Muslims seeking work in Taiwan, most notably from Indonesia. There is also a small group of Shinto followers under the Tenriist sect, which was introduced in the 1970s.

The table below shows official statistics on religion issued by the Department of Civil Affairs, Ministry of the Interior ("MOI"), in 2005. The Taiwanese government recognises 26 religions in Taiwan. [51] The statistics are reported by the various religious organisations to the MOI: [51] [52]

ReligionMembers% of total populationTemples & churches
Buddhism (佛教) (including Tantric Buddhism)8,086,00035.1%4,006
Taoism (道教)7,600,00033.0%18,274
Yiguandao (一貫道)810,0003.5%3,260
Protestantism (基督新教)605,0002.6%3,609
Roman Catholic Church (羅馬天主教)298,0001.3%1,151
Lord of Universe Church—Tiandiism (天帝教)298,0001.3%50
Miledadao (彌勒大道)250,0001.1%2,200
Holy Church of the Heavenly Virtue—Tiandiism (天德教)200,0000.9%14
Zailiism/Liism (理教)186,0000.8%138
Xuanyuanism (軒轅教)152,7000.7%22
Islam (伊斯蘭教)58,0000.3%7
Mormonism (耶穌基督後期聖徒教會)51,0900.2%54
Tenriism (天理教)35,0000.2%153
Church of Maitreya the King of the Universe (宇宙彌勒皇教)35,0000.2%12
Haizidao (亥子道)30,0000.1%55
Church of Scientology (山達基教會)20,000< 0.1%7
Bahá'í Faith (巴哈伊教)16,000< 0.1%13
Jehovah's Witnesses (耶和華見證人)9,256< 0.1%85
True School of the Mysterious Gate (玄門真宗)5,000< 0.1%5
Holy Church of the Middle Flower (中華聖教)3,200< 0.1%7
Mahikari (真光教團)1,000< 0.1%9
Precosmic Salvationism (先天救教)1,000< 0.1%6
Yellow Middle (黃中)1,000< 0.1%1
Dayiism (大易教)1,000< 0.1%1
Total religious population18,724,82381.3%33,223
Total population23,036,087100%-

The figures for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints are not from the MOI, rather they are based on self-reported data from LDS Newsroom. [53] The figures for Jehovah's Witnesses are not from the MOI either, they are based on the Witnesses' own 2007 Service Year Report. [54] In the original report, both of them were counted as part of Protestantism. [51]

Vital statistics

Births and deaths

[55] [56]

Average population (x 1000)Live birthsDeathsNatural changeCBR*CDR*NC*TFR*
19063,060119,107102,00016,00038.633.45.26.13
19073,090121,756100,00021,00039.132.46.76.16
19083,120119,800100,00019,00038.231.96.36.14
19093,160127,28698,00029,00040.231.19.16.29
19103,210132,14188,00045,00041.327.513.86.37
19113,270135,65886,00051,00041.826.215.66.42
19123,330136,62283,00055,00041.325.016.36.46
19133,390136,96785,00053,00040.825.015.86.45
19143,440141,45095,00047,00041.427.613.86.62
19153,480137,669110,00029,00040.031.58.56.45
19163,510128,605100,00031,00037.328.68.7
19173,560142,41496,00050,00040.927.013.9
19183,590139,465122,00021,00039.734.15.6
19193,630136,70797,00043,00038.526.811.7
19203,655141,313117,00027,00039.532.17.46.48
19213,720155,15990,00069,00042.824.218.6
19223,790154,53193,00065,00041.824.617.2
19233,860146,98482,00069,00039.121.317.8
19243,930158,68896,00067,00041.424.516.9
19253,993159,42395,00068,00040.823.916.9
19264,100175,80292,00087,00043.722.421.3
19274,210177,42293,00089,00043.222.121.1
19284,330183,69995,00094,00043.722.021.7
19294,460190,03196,000100,00044.021.622.4
19304,593198,18689,000117,00044.819.425.47.02
19314,710208,137100,000116,00045.821.324.5
19324,867204,91399,000115,00044.020.423.6
19334,995211,73798,000123,00044.319.724.6
19345,128219,189105,166123,51044.620.524.1
19355,255225,980106,905129,04044.920.324.6
19365,384223,961106,332127,72543.519.823.7
19375,530237,090109,096138,57044.819.725.1
19385,678235,821111,723133,11743.119.723.4
19395,821244,707115,044139,11943.719.823.9
19405,987246,691116,239141,23243.019.423.66.11
19416,163241,89499,858153,44741.116.224.95.98
19426,339242,796112,161143,24340.317.722.65.93
19436,507247,427122,001138,66240.018.821.2
1944
1945
1946
19476,294241,071114,000127,00038.318.120.2
19486,648264,00095,000169,00039.714.325.45.98
19497,099300,84393,000208,00042.413.129.36.49
19507,468323,64386,000238,00043.411.531.97.14
19517,695385,38389,000296,00050.011.638.57.59
19528,000372,90579,000294,00046.69.936.87.56
19538,297374,53678,000297,00045.29.435.87.54
19548,617383,57471,000313,00044.68.236.37.25
19558,924403,68377,000327,00045.38.636.67.32
19569,242414,03674,000340,00044.88.036.87.27
19579,539394,87081,000314,00041.48.532.96.83
19589,858410,88575,000336,00041.77.634.16.48
195910,227421,45874,000347,00041.27.233.95.98
196010,602419,44274,000345,00039.57.032.55.75
196110,983420,25474,000346,25438.36.731.55.58
196211,312423,46972,000351,46937.46.431.15.46
196311,680424,25071,000353,25036.36.130.25.35
196412,088416,92669,000347,92634.55.728.85.10
196512,442406,60467,887338,71732.75.527.24.82
196612,812415,10869,778345,33032.45.427.04.95
196713,147374,28271,861302,42128.55.523.04.22
196813,474394,26073,650320,61029.35.523.84.36
196913,995390,72870,549320,17927.95.022.94.14
197014,507394,01571,135322,88327.24.922.34.00
197114,837380,42470,954309,47025.64.820.93.70
197215,145365,74971,486294,26324.14.719.43.36
197315,424366,94273,477293,46523.84.819.03.21
197415,699355,93374,760293,06323.44.818.72.94
197515,999357,65375,061292,58623.04.718.32.76
197616,298424,07577,000347,07526.04.721.33.08
197716,601393,63379,000316,79623.74.819.12.64
197816,951411,63779,000330,20324.34.719.52.71
197917,337421,72082,000340,51824.34.719.62.67
198017,608413,88184,333329,54823.54.818.72.51
198117,972414,06987,192326,87723.04.918.22.45
198218,261405,26387,578317,68522.24.817.42.32
198318,538383,43990,951292,48820.74.915.82.17
198418,873371,00889,915281,09319.74.814.92.05
198519,135346,20892,348253,86018.14.813.31.88
198619,356309,23095,057214,17316.04.911.11.68
198719,564314,02496,319217,70516.14.911.11.70
198819,788342,031102,113239,91817.35.212.11.86
198920,004315,299103,288212,01115.85.210.61.68
199020,230335,618105,669229,94916.65.211.41.81
199120,455321,932106,284215,64815.75.210.51.72
199220,655321,632110,516211,11615.65.410.21.73
199320,848325,613110,901214,71215.65.310.31.76
199421,087322,938113,866209,07215.35.49.91.76
199521,268329,581119,112210,46915.55.69.91.78
199621,441325,545122,489203,05615.25.79.51.76
199721,634326,002121,000205,00215.15.69.51.77
199821,836271,450123,180148,27012.45.66.81.47
199922,011283,661126,113157,54812.95.77.21.56
200022,185305,312125,957179,35513.85.78.11.68
200122,342260,354127,647132,70711.75.75.91.40
200222,464247,530128,636118,89411.05.75.31.34
200322,554227,070130,80196,26910.15.84.31.24
200422,647216,419135,09281,3279.66.03.61.18
200522,730205,854139,39866,4569.16.12.91.12
200622,824204,459135,83968,6209.06.03.01.12
200722,918204,414141,11163 3038.96.22.81.10
200822,998198,733143,62455,1098.66.22.41.05
200923,079191,310143,58247,7288.36.22.11.03
201023,141166,886145,77221,1147.26.30.90.90
201123,194196,627152,91543,7128.56.61.91.07
201223,271229,481154,25175,2309.96.63.21.27
201323,345199,113155,90843,2058.56.71.81.07
201423,434210,383163,92946,4549.07.02.01.17
201523,472213,598163,85849,7409.17.02.11.18
201623,540208,440172,40536,0358.87.31.51.17
201723,571193,844171,24222,6028.27.30.91.13
201823,589181,601172,7848,8177.77.30.41.06
201923,603177,767176,2961,4717.57.50.01.05
2020 [57] 23,561165,249173,156-7,9077.07.4-0.40.99
202123,359153,820183,732-29,9126.67.9-1.30.98
202223,264138,986207,230-68,2446.08.9-2.90.87
202323,420135,571205,368-69,7975.88.8-3.00.85(e)
* CBR=crude birth rate (per 1000); CDR=crude deathrate (per 1000); NC=natural change (per 1000); TFR=total fertility rate

Current vital statistics

[58]

PeriodLive birthsDeathsNatural increase
January - February 202321,06136,276-15,215
January - February 202420,68636,926-16,240
DifferenceDecrease2.svg -375 (-1.78%)Increase Negative.svg +650 (+1.79%)Decrease2.svg -1,025

Fertility rate

The fertility rate [59] [60] in Taiwan is one of the lowest ever recorded in the world in historical times. It reached its lowest level in 2022: 0.87 children per female. In 1980, the rate was still well above replacement level (2.515), but it dropped to 1.88 in 1985, 1.81 in 1990, 1.78 in 1995, 1.68 in 2000, 1.12 in 2005, 0.90 in 2010.

Infant mortality rate

total: 6.29 deaths/1,000 live births
male: 6.97 deaths/1,000 live births
female: 5.55 deaths/1,000 live births (2006 est.)

Life expectancy at birth

Historical development of life expectancy in Taiwan Life expectancy in Taiwan.svg
Historical development of life expectancy in Taiwan

Taiwan is ranked 39th in the world for highest life expectancy at birth.

GenderLife expectancy in 2009 [61]
Male75.88 years
Female82.46 years

Fertility trend

In developed countries, trends like late marriage, no marriage, and having fewer children are growing. Developed countries tend to have lower fertility rates because access to birth control and contraceptives are easier and having children could become an economic burden caused by housing, education cost, and other costs for childcare. [62] Most women in developed countries are in the workforce and tend to have higher educations and professional careers. As a result, many women tend to have children late in life or no children at all. [63]

According to the BBC, the total fertility rate in Taiwan had decreased to 0.9 children per woman in 2010. [64] This figure is much lower than the replacement level and one of the lowest in the world. This indicates the population is experiencing negative growth and population aging is happening fast. [25] According to a Central News Agency Report, total births in 2017 were below 200,000. Compared to previous decades, the total number of births since 2000 has been between 197,000 and 230,000. [65] If this trend continues, the senior population in Taiwan will be almost 5 times higher than the youth population by 2060. [66]

HIV/AIDS

The first reported case of HIV/AIDS occurred in December 1984 and the first local infection was recorded in February 1986. As of May 2006, there were 11,486 recorded cases of HIV, of which 2,631 were confirmed with AIDS. There were 1,425 deaths, leaving 10,029 people living with HIV/AIDS. This is less than 0.05% of the total population of Taiwan. Statistics by the Center for Disease Control show that the gender distribution of infected persons was 90% male and 10% female.

DataPopulation
Adult prevalence11,486
People living with HIV/AIDS10,029
Deaths1,425
Source: Center for Disease Control (CDC), Republic of China – May 2006 est.(PDF file) (in Chinese)

Military personnel

The Republic of China has a compulsory military draft for males aged 19–35 years of age with a service obligation of 4 months (2018).

Population available for draft

Defined as 19–49 years of age.

GenderPopulation
Male5,883,828
Female5,680,773
Total11,564,601

Fit for military service

Of the available population, the following are fit for military service. Defined as 19–49 years of age.

GenderPopulation
Male4,749,537
Female4,644,607
Total9,394,144

Education

Taiwan has a nine-year compulsory education program initiated by the Ministry of Education in 1968. This consists of six years in elementary education and three years in junior high education. About 94.7% of junior high graduates continue their studies in either a senior high or vocational school [ citation needed ]. Reflecting a strong commitment to education, in FY 2001 16% of the ROC budget was allocated for education [ citation needed ]. The enrollment rate was 96.77% for the 2004–2005 school year. [67] For the 2005–2006 school year, there were 5,283,855 students in both public and private schools, about a quarter of the entire population. The literacy rate is above 95%.

Since the mid-1990s, the government has introduced several education reforms in a bid to further improve education standards such as the replacement in 2002 of the 48-year-long Joint University Entrance Examination (JUEE; 大學聯考; Dàxué liánkǎo), which had been set up in 1954.

Distribution of students

SectorEducationYears of studyTypical Age rangeStudentsDistribution
Pre-schoolKindergarten(2 years)4–6 years old224,2204.2%
CompulsoryElementary6 years6–12 years old1,831,91334.7%
Junior High3 years12–15 years old951,23618%
Senior SecondarySenior High3 years15–18 years old420,6088%
Senior Vocation3 years15–18 years old331,6046.3%
Higher EducationJunior College2–5 years15–20 years old37,0680.7%
University & College4–7 years
(up to 13 years)		18–25 years old
(up to 31 years old)		1,259,49023.8%
OtherSpecial Schoolup to 14 years4–18 years old6,3610.1%
Supplementary Schooln/an/a200,5733.8%
Open Universityn/an/a20,7820.4%
Total5,283,855100%
Source: Number of students at each level (SY 2005–2006), Ministry of Education, Republic of China.

Literacy

The definition of literacy is those aged 15 and over who can read and write.

GenderPopulation
Male99.6%
Female96.8%
Total98.2%

"International Comparison of Education Statistical Indicators – 2012 Edition", Ministry of Education, 2012. pp. 17. Retrieved on 2012-10-05. (Table 1-2-5. Literacy Rate for Age 15 Plus by Gender).

2.02 Population of 15 Years and Over by Educational Attainment Archived 2013-02-17 at the Wayback Machine , Statistical Yearbook of Interior, Ministry of the Interior, Republic of China (Taiwan). 2012. Retrieved on 10-05-2012.

Data source limitations

The World Bank does not publish data on Taiwan in most of its online databases. [68] [69]

Notes

  1. ↑ One may use more than one language at home. This table refers to the relative frequency of languages used at home to the total of resident nationals.

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<span class="mw-page-title-main">Miaoli County</span> County in Taiwan Province, Republic of China

Miaoli County is a county in western Taiwan. Miaoli is adjacent with Hsinchu County and Hsinchu City to the north, Taichung to the south, and borders the Taiwan Strait to the west. Miaoli is classified as a county in central Taiwan by the National Development Council, while the Taiwan Central Weather Bureau classifies Miaoli as a county in northern Taiwan. Miaoli City is the capital of the county, and is also known as "Mountain Town", owing to the number of mountains nearby, making it a destination for hiking.

The term "Taiwanese people" has various interpretations. It may generally be considered the people living on the island of Taiwan who share a common culture, ancestry and speak Mandarin, Hokkien, Hakka, or indigenous Taiwanese languages as a mother tongue. Taiwanese people may also refer to the indigenous peoples of the areas under the control of the Government of the Republic of China since 1945, including Kinmen and Matsu Islands that collectively form its streamlined Fujian Province. However, the inhabitants of Kinmen and the Matsu Islands themselves may not consider the "Taiwanese" label to be accurate as they are a part of Fujian and not Taiwan. They have a distinctive identity from that of the Taiwanese; viewing themselves as Kinmenese or Matsunese, respectively, or as simply Chinese.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Languages of Taiwan</span>

The languages of Taiwan consist of several varieties of languages under the families of Austronesian languages and Sino-Tibetan languages. The Formosan languages, a geographically designated branch of Austronesian languages, have been spoken by the Taiwanese indigenous peoples for thousands of years. Owing to the wide internal variety of the Formosan languages, research on historical linguistics recognizes Taiwan as the Urheimat (homeland) of the whole Austronesian languages family. In the last 400 years, several waves of Han emigrations brought several different Sinitic languages into Taiwan. These languages include Taiwanese Hokkien, Hakka, and Mandarin, which have become the major languages spoken in present-day Taiwan.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Taiwan Province, People's Republic of China</span> Claimed province of the Peoples Republic of China

Taiwan Province is a nominal administrative division of the People's Republic of China (PRC). The PRC constitution defines Taiwan as part of its territories although the PRC has never controlled Taiwan since the PRC's establishment in 1949. Taiwan is currently administered by the Republic of China (ROC).

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Jiadong</span> Rural township

Jiadong Township is a rural township in Pingtung County, Taiwan.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Special municipality (Taiwan)</span> Administrative division of the Republic of China

Special municipality, historically known as Yuan-controlled municipality, is a first-level administrative division unit in the Republic of China (Taiwan). It is the highest level of the country's administrative structure and is equivalent to a province. After the suspension of the provincial governments of 2018, the special municipalities along with provincial cities and counties have all governed directly under the central government.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Plains Indigenous peoples</span> Indigenous people of Taiwan

Plains indigenous peoples, also known as Pingpu people and previously as plain aborigines, are Taiwanese indigenous peoples originally residing in lowland regions, as opposed to Highland indigenous peoples. Plains indigenous peoples consist of anywhere from eight to twelve individual groups, or tribes, rather than being a single ethnic group. They are part of the Austronesian family. Beginning in the 17th century, plains indigenous peoples have been heavily influenced by external forces from Dutch, Spanish, and Han Chinese immigration to Taiwan. This ethnic group has since been extensively assimilated with Han Chinese language and culture; they have lost their cultural identity, and it is almost impossible without careful inspection to distinguish plains indigenous peoples from Taiwanese Han people.

Han Taiwanese, Taiwanese Han, Taiwanese Han Chinese, or Han Chinese are Taiwanese people of full or partial ethnic Han ancestry. According to the Executive Yuan of Taiwan, they comprise 95 to 97 percent of the Taiwanese population, which also includes Austronesians and other non-Han people. Major waves of Han immigration occurred since the 17th century to the end of Chinese Civil War in 1949, with the exception of the Japanese colonial period (1895-1945). Han Taiwanese mainly speak three languages of Chinese: Mandarin, Hokkien and Hakka.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Taiwanese Hakka</span> Chinese topolect spoken in Taiwan

Taiwanese Hakka is a language group consisting of Hakka dialects spoken in Taiwan, and mainly used by people of Hakka ancestry. Taiwanese Hakka is divided into five main dialects: Sixian, Hailu, Dabu, Raoping, and Zhao'an. The most widely spoken of the five Hakka dialects in Taiwan are Sixian and Hailu. The former, possessing 6 tones, originates from Meizhou, Guangdong, and is mainly spoken in Miaoli, Pingtung and Kaohsiung, while the latter, possessing 7 tones, originates from Haifeng and Lufeng, Guangdong, and is concentrated around Hsinchu. Taiwanese Hakka is also officially listed as one of the national languages of Taiwan. In addition to the five main dialects, there are the northern Xihai dialect and the patchily-distributed Yongding, Fengshun, Wuping, Wuhua, and Jiexi dialects.

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Bibliography

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