Taiwan’s birthrate likely continued to decline last year despite it being the Year of the Dragon, which is believed by some people to bring good fortune and greatness.
There are typically more babies born during a Year of the Dragon in Taiwan.
Birthrates in the past three dragon years have been higher than the surrounding years.
Photo: Huang Cheng-chia, Taipei Times
In the previous Year of the Dragon, 2012, there were 229,400 births, a 16.7 percent increase from the previous year.
In 2013, the number of births dropped below 200,000, showing that the Year of the Dragon produced a spike in the birthrate.
As of November last year, there were 122,360 births, Ministry of the Interior data showed.
To surpass 2023’s birthrate, at least 13,211 babies would need to have been born last month, which was unlikely.
This means that the birthrate likely declined for the ninth consecutive year.
Cathay General Hospital reported only three New Year’s babies born yesterday, with seven women still in labor.
Lee Women’s Hospital in Taichung reported only two New Year’s babies.
As people get married and have children later than they used to, a declining birthrate is inevitable, Taiwan Association of Obstetrics and Gynecology chairman Huang Chien-pei (黃建霈) said.
In the past, Taiwanese typically got married in their 20s and had more than 20 years to have children, Huang said.
Now people typically get married in their 30s, with an increasing number getting married later or not at all, he said.
People getting married later and having less time than before to have children have led to a decrease in pregnancy rate, he added.
The declining birthrate has also negatively affected the talent shortage in the pediatric, obstetrics and gynecology specialties, Huang said.
The enrollment rate has dropped by 30 to 40 percent for pediatrics, and by about 10 percent for obstetrics and gynecology, he said.
The number of doctors focusing on obstetrics is decreasing annually, he added.
To face the declining birthrate, mothers must receive comprehensive care during prenatal checkups, delivery and postpartum, Huang said.
Prenatal care in Taiwan focuses on physical health, while mental health and postpartum care are underdeveloped, he said.
Stress during pregnancy and postpartum can significantly impact the health of the baby and mother, he added.
The government should invest in resources to provide more comprehensive support to pregnant women and mothers, Huang said.
If fathers learn how to better support their partners, it would also help improve overall family health, he said.
Comprehensive support measures, including mental and physical healthcare, and economic assistance policies, can positively impact the birthrate, he said.
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