Amid concerns about the nation's declining birth rate, officials from the Ministry of the Interior (MOI) announced amendments to its population policy last week, and officials said all government agencies were working together to alleviate the problem.
The birth rate among Taiwanese women dropped to 1.12 per person in 2004, according to a report released by the Bureau of Health Promotion two weeks ago. If births to foreign spouses are included, the rate is 1.18 per person.
According to ministry figures, 205,854 babies were born last year, a striking contrast to 1981, when 414,069 births were recorded.
Ministry officials said that a declining birth rate creates an aging society, and this may pose an economic burden on society, as the number of elderly retirees rises in relation to the number of young workers.
The ministry launched its population policy plan four years ago, focusing on improving child-care policies and facilities, as well as better medical care and subsidies.
Last September, the Cabinet established a population policy committee, which charged the minister of the interior with amending the population policy proposal.
Officials said the emphasis of the newly amended policy will be on social welfare, population structure, sustainable development and immigration.
Studies have shown that the rise of feminism is also seen as a crucial cause of declining birth rates.
The growing participation of females in the workforce has led many women to delay or decide against having children -- or to not have as many. A longer pursuit of education also delays marriages.
Greater female control over their own bodies combined with access to abortions and contraception also reduces rates.
Therefore, officials said that gender equality, child-care services and healthcare for women will be another focus.
Measures that have been implemented already include the Department of Health's encouragement of births and medical subsidies from the ministry for children under three years old, officials said.
Four factors led to the declaration of a typhoon day and the cancelation of classes yesterday, Taipei Mayor Chiang Wan-an (蔣萬安) said. Work and classes were canceled across Taiwan yesterday as Typhoon Krathon was forecast to make landfall in the southern part of the country. However, northern Taiwan had only heavy winds during the day and rain in the evening, leading some to criticize the cancelation. Speaking at a Taipei City Council meeting yesterday, Chiang said the decision was made due to the possibility of landslides and other problems in mountainous areas, the need to avoid a potentially dangerous commute for those
Typhoon Krathon, a military airshow and rehearsals for Double Ten National Day celebrations might disrupt flights at Taiwan Taoyuan International Airport in the first 10 days of next month, the airport’s operator said yesterday. Taoyuan International Airport Corp said in a statement that it has established a response center after the Central Weather Administration issued a sea warning for Krathon, and urged passengers to remain alert to the possibility of disruptions caused by the storm in the coming days. Flight schedules might also change while the air force conducts rehearsals and holds a final airshow for Double Ten National Day, it added. Although
SEMICONDUCTORS: TSMC is able to produce 2-nanometer chips and mass production is expected to be launched by next year, the company said In leading-edge semiconductor manufacturing China is behind Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co (TSMC) by at least 10 years as the Taiwanese chipmaker’s manufacturing process has progressed to 2 nanometers, National Science and Technology Council (NSTC) Minister Wu Cheng-wen (吳誠文) said yesterday. Wu made the remarks during a meeting of the Legislative Yuan’s Education and Culture Committee when asked by Democratic Progressive Party Legislator Wu Pei-yi (吳沛憶) about a report published in August by the Chinese version of Nikkei Asia that said Taiwan’s lead over China in chip manufacturing was only three years. She asked Wu Cheng-wen if the report was an accurate
PRO-CHINA SLOGANS: Two DPP members criticized police officers’ lack of action at the scene, saying that law enforcement authorities should investigate the incident Chinese tourists allegedly interrupted a protest in Taipei on Tuesday held by Hong Kongers, knocked down several flags and shouted: “Taiwan and Hong Kong belong to China.” Hong Kong democracy activists were holding a demonstration as Tuesday was China’s National Day. A video posted online by civic group Hong Kong Outlanders shows a couple, who are allegedly Chinese, during the demonstration. “Today is China’s National Day, and I won’t allow the displaying of these flags,” the male yells in the video before pushing some demonstrators and knocking down a few flagpoles. Radio Free Asia reported that some of the demonstrators
RSS