Taiwan faces a demographic shift, with more than half a million pets surpassing the number of young children, highlighting a demographic crisis. President Lai Ching-te considers it a national security issue, as an analysis shows there were approximately 3.2 million pet cats and dogs in 2025 compared to 2.68 million children under 14. This analysis, conducted by New Taipei City-based real estate brokerage Sinyi Realty using government statistics, mirrors trends seen globally, where fertility rates drop below the 2.1 births per woman needed to sustain population levels, according to the United Nations.
Policymakers are increasingly concerned about the economic impact as aging populations strain pensions, healthcare systems, and social safety nets. Reassessing Taiwan’s demographic data reveals significant changes. Last year, Taiwan overtook South Korea as the lowest-fertility society globally, with its total fertility rate falling dramatically from 0.885 in 2024 to just 0.695. The island recorded only around 107,000 births in the year, a substantial drop from the births seen in the 1960s.
Taiwan’s Ministry of Health and Welfare was contacted by Newsweek for comments via email.
The Fur Baby Generation
Taiwan’s trend of more pets than children is starkly visible in its 22 counties and special municipalities, where only seven have more children than pets. In New Taipei City, the most populous municipality, approximately 597,000 dogs and cats outnumber children under 14 by about 162,000. This discrepancy is influenced by rapid development in New Taipei’s rezoning districts and the migration of residents priced out of Taipei, the Taiwanese capital, according to Sinyi Realty Executive Vice President Wang Jianwei.
The financial challenges young Taiwanese face such as rising housing costs, smaller living spaces, and the expense of raising children prompt many to delay parenthood or opt against it, choosing pets instead for companionship. This trend is significantly altering consumer behavior and housing preferences.
National Security Consideration
Taiwan’s leaders emphasize that the declining birthrate transcends social implications. In May, President Lai categorized it as a “national security issue” and proposed comprehensive family support measures to promote child-rearing. His initiatives include a monthly subsidy of around $150 per child under 18. However, demographers suggest that cash incentives alone won’t reverse the trend without addressing structural challenges like long working hours, high housing costs, and increasing living expenses. Despite years of pronatalist policies in nations like South Korea, China, and Japan, birth rates continue to fall.
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