The number of senior citizens in the nation could surpass that of children younger than 14 by the end of next year, Deputy Minister of Internal Affairs Hua Ching-chun (花敬群) said.
Statistics published by the ministry yesterday showed that the nation’s average aging index — which compares of the number of people aged 65 or older with that of children younger than 14 — last year reached 92.18 percent, nearly double the 52.05 percent recorded in 2014.
“The index is rising at a rate of 6 percent to 7 percent every year, and is to surpass 100 percent either this year or next year, which means that there will be more people 65 or older than children younger than 14,” Hua said.
Ministry statistics showed that the index of 14 counties and cities surpassed 100 percent last year, with Chiayi County having the highest at 161.09 percent, followed by Yunlin County’s 131.1 percent.
Hsinchu and Taoyuan were the nation’s “youngest” cities, with index readings of 59.36 percent and 62.3 percent respectively.
Taoyuan has a number of newly designated development zones and the highest subsidies for newborns, which likely prompted many families to move into the municipality, resulting in a younger population, Hua said.
Many young professionals working at Hsinchu Science Park live close to their offices with their families, which was likely a contributing factor behind Hsinchu City’s low aging index, Hua said.
Conversely, many young people from Chiayi and Yunlin moved to large cities in search of work, while their parents mostly chose to remain in their hometowns, which contributed to the two counties’ older population, he said.
The ministry said that in 1975, 38.17 percent of mothers had three children or more, but that number last year dropped to 10.67 percent.
Taipei residents are the most reluctant to have a second child, the ministry said, citing the municipality’s high cost of living as a reason.
Most couples living in Taipei have to work and do not have time for children, which could be another factor behind Taipei’s low birth rate, the ministry said.
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