People and Society of Taiwan

Nationality

Chinese/Taiwanese (singular and plural)

Ethnic Groups

Taiwanese (including Hakka) 84%, mainland Chinese 14%, aborigine 2%

Population

23,593,794

Health facilities in Taiwan are adequate for routine and emergency medical treatment. Physicians are well trained and many have studied in the United States and speak English. State of the art medical equipment is available at many clinics and hospitals. Hospitals’ nursing services provide medication dispensing and wound care but generally not the daily patient maintenance functions found in U.S. hospitals. Taiwan regulations require ambulances to have emergency equipment and supplies and to be staffed by trained medical personnel (dial 119). For information on specific clinics and hospitals, please refer to AIT's website. You can find good information on vaccinations and other health precautions on the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s hotline for international travelers at 1-877-FYI-TRIP (1-877-394-8747), fax 1-888-CDC-FAXX (1-888-232-3299), or via the CDC’s website : http://wwwnc.cdc.gov/travel/destinations/taiwan.htm Or Taiwan's CDC: http://www.cdc.gov.tw/mp.asp?mp=5

Life Expectancy at Birth

Life expectancy at birth in Taiwan ranks among the highest in Asia and compares favorably with leading developed nations worldwide. As of the most recent available data, the average life expectancy across the total population stands at approximately 80 years, with women typically living longer than men. Female life expectancy is approximately 83 years, while male life expectancy averages around 77 years. These figures reflect a modest but notable decline from pre-pandemic peaks, as COVID-19 and its downstream effects on healthcare utilization contributed to slight reductions in life expectancy across many high-income countries, including Taiwan. This strong overall performance reflects decades of investment in public health infrastructure, universal healthcare coverage, and rising living standards. Taiwan introduced its National Health Insurance program in 1995, which provides comprehensive medical coverage to virtually the entire population. The system has been widely credited with improving access to preventive care, early diagnosis, and treatment of chronic diseases, all of which contribute significantly to longer lifespans. Major causes of mortality in Taiwan include cancer, heart disease, and stroke — patterns consistent with other aging, high-income societies. The prevalence of these non-communicable diseases has prompted sustained public health campaigns focused on smoking cessation, dietary improvement, and regular health screenings. Taiwan's relatively low infant mortality rate, sitting well below 5 deaths per 1,000 live births, also contributes positively to overall life expectancy calculations. Taiwan's aging population presents both a testament to its healthcare success and a growing demographic challenge. The proportion of residents aged 65 and older has risen steadily and now exceeds 18 percent of the total population, placing increasing pressure on pension systems, elder care services, and the healthcare budget. Government planners have been actively developing and expanding long-term care policies to address the needs of a population that is living longer but may require more intensive medical and social support in later years. Urbanization, high educational attainment, and broad access to clean water and sanitation have all reinforced the conditions that support longer, healthier lives. Taiwan continues to perform well on international health indices, reflecting the combined effect of strong institutions, a culturally health-conscious population, and sustained policy commitment to public wellness.

Infant Mortality Rate

Taiwan maintains one of the lowest infant mortality rates in the world, reflecting the island's highly developed healthcare infrastructure, widespread access to prenatal and postnatal care, and strong public health investments. The infant mortality rate in Taiwan stands at approximately 4 to 5 deaths per 1,000 live births, a figure that places it among the top-performing nations globally in terms of child survival outcomes. This achievement is the result of decades of sustained investment in public health. Taiwan's National Health Insurance (NHI) program, established in 1995, provides near-universal coverage to the population and ensures that expectant mothers have access to comprehensive prenatal screenings, skilled birth attendants, and postnatal follow-up care. Hospital births are the standard across the island, and neonatal intensive care units (NICUs) are available at major medical centers to address complications in premature or high-risk newborns. Key factors contributing to Taiwan's low infant mortality rate include high levels of maternal education, strong female workforce participation, access to family planning services, and a well-trained medical workforce. The government regularly conducts health campaigns targeting maternal nutrition, breastfeeding promotion, and early childhood vaccination, all of which contribute to reducing preventable infant deaths. Taiwan's infant mortality rate compares favorably with many high-income nations. For context, the global average infant mortality rate hovers around 27 to 28 deaths per 1,000 live births, making Taiwan's performance notably exceptional. Rates in neighboring countries vary considerably, but Taiwan consistently ranks at or near the lower end of the spectrum alongside countries such as Japan, Singapore, and the Scandinavian nations. Challenges that remain include slight disparities in health outcomes between urban centers like Taipei and more rural or indigenous communities, where access to specialized care may be more limited. Government health initiatives continue to address these gaps through targeted outreach programs and subsidized healthcare services in underserved regions. Overall, the infant mortality rate in Taiwan serves as a strong indicator of the country's broader success in achieving high standards of living, healthcare access, and social welfare for its population.

Literacy Definition

age 15 and over can read and write

• mixture of Buddhist, Confucian, and Taoist93.0%
• Christian4.5%
• other2.5%

Chinese: Mandarin (official), Taiwanese (Min), Hakka dialects

• Mandarin

Crime Information

Although the overall violent crime rate in Taiwan is low, you should avoid high crime areas, namely areas where massage parlors, barbershops, and nightclubs operate as covers for prostitution and are often run by criminals. In contrast to these illegal fronts, ordinary barbershops and other legitimate businesses prominently advertise their services, and you can see the interiors through storefront windows. Illicit establishments generally do not advertise, and casual passersby cannot view their interiors. Several U.S. citizens have been assaulted in these establishments and in the areas near bar and nightclub districts. Taiwan’s public buses and subway are generally considered safe, but passengers in taxis – particularly women - should exercise caution when traveling alone in taxis late at night. In several parts of Taiwan, incidents of purse snatching by thieves on motorcycles have been reported. You should keep a photocopy of your passport, other identification, and credit cards in a safe place. Don't buy counterfeit and pirated goods, even if they are widely available. Not only are the bootlegs illegal in the United States, but you may also be breaking local law. The emergency telephone number for Taiwan services (ambulance, fire, police) is 119. The number for police is 110. Victims of domestic violence or sexual assault may call 113. Taiwan Police also offers a 24 hour telephone line for foreigners in English: 0800-024-111.