申論題

Despite Taiwan’s overcrowded residential areas, the island is actually facing a demographic crisis. Like many rich developed countries, Taiwan is facing the prospect of an aged population. Currently 12% of the population is over the age of 65, which as it stands is not a very serious situation. In the European Union, roughly 17-18% of the population is in that age bracket, and in Japan it’s a quarter of the population. Thus, recent developments in Taiwan’s economy, and more importantly its population structure, have led to a rethinking of the national position on immigration. The Taiwan government has begun adopting a far more open approach to immigration, looking for ways to recruit highly skilled people from around the world to boost its plateauing economy and its soon-to-be declining population.