2015 Edition

Background

In 1895, military defeat forced China's Qing Dynasty to cede Taiwan to Japan. Taiwan came under Chinese Nationalist control after World War II. Following the communist victory on the mainland in 1949, 2 million Nationalists fled to Taiwan and established a government under the 1947 constitution drawn up for all of China. Beginning in the 1950s, the ruling authorities gradually democratized and incorporated the local population within the governing structure. This process expanded rapidly in the 1980s. In 2000, Taiwan underwent its first peaceful transfer of power from the Nationalist (Kuomintang or KMT) to the Democratic Progressive Party. Throughout this period, the island prospered and became one of East Asia's economic "Tigers." The dominant political issues continue to be management of sensitive relations between Taiwan and China - specifically the question of Taiwan's eventual status - as well as domestic priorities for economic reform and growth.

Area

land

32,260 sq km

note

includes the Pescadores, Matsu, and Quemoy islands

total

35,980 sq km

water

3,720 sq km

Area - comparative

slightly smaller than Maryland and Delaware combined

Climate

tropical; marine; rainy season during southwest monsoon (June to August); persistent and extensive cloudiness all year

Coastline

1,566.3 km

Elevation extremes

highest point

Yu Shan 3,952 m

lowest point

South China Sea 0 m

Environment - current issues

air pollution; water pollution from industrial emissions, raw sewage; contamination of drinking water supplies; trade in endangered species; low-level radioactive waste disposal

Environment - international agreements

party to

none of the selected agreements because of Taiwan's international status

Geographic coordinates

23 30 N, 121 00 E

Geography - note

strategic location adjacent to both the Taiwan Strait and the Luzon Strait

Irrigated land

NA

Land boundaries

0 km

Land use

arable land 16.9%; permanent crops 5.8%; permanent pasture NA

agricultural land

22.7%

forest

NA

other

77.3% (2011 est.)

Location

Eastern Asia, islands bordering the East China Sea, Philippine Sea, South China Sea, and Taiwan Strait, north of the Philippines, off the southeastern coast of China

Map references

Southeast Asia

Maritime claims

exclusive economic zone

200 nm

territorial sea

12 nm

Natural hazards

earthquakes; typhoons

volcanism

Kueishantao Island (elev. 401 m), east of Taiwan, is its only historically active volcano, although it has not erupted in centuries

Natural resources

small deposits of coal, natural gas, limestone, marble, asbestos, arable land

Terrain

eastern two-thirds mostly rugged mountains; flat to gently rolling plains in west

Total renewable water resources

67 cu km (2011)

Age structure

0-14 years

13.52% (male 1,632,763/female 1,531,895)

15-24 years

13.36% (male 1,606,940/female 1,521,617)

25-54 years

47.06% (male 5,505,063/female 5,513,395)

55-64 years

13.59% (male 1,556,205/female 1,625,436)

65 years and over

12.48% (male 1,348,686/female 1,573,126) (2015 est.)

Birth rate

8.47 births/1,000 population (2015 est.)

Death rate

7.11 deaths/1,000 population (2015 est.)

Ethnic groups

Taiwanese (including Hakka) 84%, mainland Chinese 14%, indigenous 2%

HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate

NA

HIV/AIDS - deaths

NA

HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS

NA

Infant mortality rate

female

4.01 deaths/1,000 live births (2015 est.)

male

4.84 deaths/1,000 live births

total

4.44 deaths/1,000 live births

Languages

Mandarin Chinese (official), Taiwanese (Min), Hakka dialects

Life expectancy at birth

female

83.33 years (2015 est.)

male

76.85 years

total population

79.98 years

Literacy

definition

age 15 and over can read and write

female

97.3% (2014 est.)

male

99.7%

total population

98.5%

Major urban areas - population

TAIPEI (capital) 2.666 million; Kaohsiung 1.523 million; Taichung 1.225 million; Tainan 815,000 (2015)

Median age

female

39.9 years (2014 est.)

male

38.5 years

total

39.2 years

Nationality

adjective

Taiwan (or Taiwanese)

note

example - he or she is from Taiwan; they are from Taiwan

noun

Taiwan (singular and plural)

Net migration rate

0.89 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2015 est.)

Population

23,415,126 (July 2015 est.)

Population growth rate

0.23% (2015 est.)

Religions

mixture of Buddhist and Taoist 93%, Christian 4.5%, other 2.5%

Sex ratio

0-14 years

1.07 male(s)/female

15-24 years

1.06 male(s)/female

25-54 years

1 male(s)/female

55-64 years

0.96 male(s)/female

65 years and over

0.86 male(s)/female

at birth

1.07 male(s)/female

total population

0.99 male(s)/female (2015 est.)

Total fertility rate

1.12 children born/woman (2015 est.)

Administrative divisions

includes main island of Taiwan plus smaller islands nearby and off coast of China's Fujian Province; Taiwan is divided into 13 counties (hsien, singular and plural), 3 municipalities (shih, singular and plural), and 6 special municipalities (chih-hsia-shih, singular and plural)

counties

Changhua, Chiayi, Hsinchu, Hualien, Kinmen, Lienchiang, Miaoli, Nantou, Penghu, Pingtung, Taitung, Yilan, Yunlin

municipalities

Chiayi, Hsinchu, Keelung

note

Taiwan uses a variety of romanization systems; while a modified Wade-Giles system still dominates, the city of Taipei has adopted a Pinyin romanization for street and place names within its boundaries; other local authorities use different romanization systems; names for administrative divisions that follow are taken from the Taiwan Yearbook 2007 published by the Government Information Office in Taipei

special municipalities

Kaohsiung (city), New Taipei (city), Taichung (city), Tainan (city), Taipei (city), Taoyuan (city)

Capital

geographic coordinates

25 02 N, 121 31 E

name

Taipei

time difference

UTC+8 (13 hours ahead of Washington, DC, during Standard Time)

Constitution

previous 1912, 1931; latest adopted 25 December 1946, promulgated 1 January 1947, effective 25 December 1947; revised several times, last in 2005 (2013)

Country name

conventional long form

none

conventional short form

Taiwan

former

Formosa

local long form

none

local short form

Taiwan

Diplomatic representation from the US

none; commercial and cultural relations with the people on Taiwan are maintained through an unofficial instrumentality, the American Institute in Taiwan (AIT), a private nonprofit corporation that performs citizen and consular services similar to those at diplomatic posts

FAX

[1] [886] (02) 2162-2251

other offices

Kaohsiung (Branch Office)

telephone

[1] [886] (02) 2162-2000

Diplomatic representation in the US

none; commercial and cultural relations with the people in the United States are maintained through an unofficial instrumentality, the Taipei Economic and Cultural Representative Office in the United States (TECRO), a private nonprofit corporation that performs citizen and consular services similar to those at diplomatic posts

office

4201 Wisconsin Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20016

representative

SHEN Lyu-shin (since 1 April 2014)

Taipei Economic and Cultural Offices (branch offices)

Atlanta, Boston, Chicago, Hagatna (Guam), Houston, Honolulu, Kansas City (MO), Los Angeles, Miami, New York, San Francisco, Seattle

telephone

[1] 202 895-1800

Executive branch

cabinet

Executive Yuan - ministers appointed by president on recommendation of premier

chief of state

President MA Ying-jeou (since 20 May 2008); Vice President WU Den-yih (since 20 May 2012)

election results

MA Ying-jeou elected president; percent of vote - MA Ying-jeou (KMT) 51.6%, TSAI Ing-wen (DPP) 45.6%, James SOONG Chu-ye (PFP) 2.8%

elections/appointments

president and vice president directly elected on the same ballot by simple majority popular vote for a 4-year term (eligible for a second term); election last held on 14 January 2012 (next to be held in January 2016); premier appointed by the president; vice premiers appointed by the president on the recommendation of the premier

head of government

Premier MAO Chi-kuo (President of the Executive Yuan) (since 8 December 2014); Vice Premier CHANG San-cheng, Vice President of the Executive Yuan (since 8 December 2014)

Flag description

red field with a dark blue rectangle in the upper hoist-side corner bearing a white sun with 12 triangular rays; the blue and white design of the canton (symbolizing the sun of progress) dates to 1895; it was later adopted as the flag of the Kuomintang Party; blue signifies liberty, justice, and democracy; red stands for fraternity, sacrifice, and nationalism, white represents equality, frankness, and the people's livelihood; the 12 rays of the sun are those of the months and the twelve traditional Chinese hours (each ray equals two hours)

Government type

multiparty democracy

International law organization participation

has not submitted an ICJ jurisdiction declaration; non-party state to the ICCt

International organization participation

ADB, APEC, BCIE, ICC (national committees), IOC, ITUC (NGOs), SICA (observer), WTO

Judicial branch

highest court(s)

Supreme Court (consists of the court president, vice president, and approximately 100 judges organized into 8 civil and 12 criminal divisions, each with a division chief justice and 4 associate justices); Constitutional Court (consists of the court president, vice president, and 13 justices)

judge selection and term of office

Supreme Court justices appointed by the president; Constitutional Court justices appointed by the president with approval of the Legislative Yuan; Supreme Court justices appointed for life; Constitutional Court justices appointed for 8-year terms with half the membership renewed every 4 years

subordinate courts

high courts; district courts; hierarchy of administrative courts

Legal system

civil law system

Legislative branch

description

unicameral Legislative Yuan (113 seats; 73 members directly elected in single-seat constituencies by simple majority vote, 34 directly elected in a single islandwide constituency by proportional representation vote, and 6 directly elected in multi-seat aboriginal constituencies by proportional representation vote; members serve 4-year terms)

election results

Legislative Yuan - percent of vote by party - KMT 44.6%, DPP 34.6%, TSU 9.0%, PFP 5.5%, others 6.3%; seats by party - KMT 64, DPP 40, PFP 3, TSU 3, NPSU 2, independent 1

elections

Legislative Yuan - last held on 14 January 2012 (next to be held in January 2016)

National anthem

lyrics/music

HU Han-min, TAI Chi-t'ao, and LIAO Chung-k'ai/CHENG Mao-Yun

name

"Zhonghua Minguo guoge" (National Anthem of the Republic of China)

note

adopted 1930; also the song of the Kuomintang Party; it is informally known as "San Min Chu I" or "San Min Zhu Yi" (Three Principles of the People); because of political pressure from China, "Guo Qi Ge" (National Banner Song) is used at international events rather than the official anthem of Taiwan; the "National Banner Song" has gained popularity in Taiwan and is commonly used during flag raisings

National holiday

Republic Day (Anniversary of the Chinese Revolution), 10 October (1911)

National symbol(s)

white, 12-rayed sun on blue field; national colors: blue, white, red

Political parties and leaders

Democratic Progressive Party or DPP [TSAI Ing-wen]

Kuomintang or KMT (Nationalist Party) [Eric Chu Li-lun]

New Party [YOK Mu-ming]

Non-Partisan Solidarity Union or NPSU [LIN Pin-kuan]

People First Party or PFP [James SOONG Chu-ye]

Taiwan Solidarity Union or TSU [HUANG Kun-huei]

Political pressure groups and leaders

note

debate on Taiwan independence has become acceptable within the mainstream of domestic politics; public opinion polls consistently show most Taiwanese support maintaining Taiwan's status quo for the foreseeable future; advocates of Taiwan independence oppose the stand that the island will eventually unify with mainland China; advocates of eventual unification predicate their goal on the democratic transformation of the mainland

other

environmental groups; independence movement; various business groups

Suffrage

20 years of age; universal

Agriculture - products

rice, vegetables, fruit, tea, flowers; pigs, poultry; fish

Budget

expenditures

$91.72 billion (2014 est.)

revenues

$85.12 billion

Budget surplus (+) or deficit (-)

-1.2% of GDP (2014 est.)

Central bank discount rate

1.88% (31 March 2015)

1.88% (31 December 2011)

Commercial bank prime lending rate

2.88% (31 January 2015 est.)

2.88% (31 December 2013 est.)

Current account balance

$52.65 billion (2014 est.)

$44.02 billion (2013 est.)

Debt - external

$191.9 billion (31 December 2014 est.)

$170.1 billion (31 December 2013 est.)

Distribution of family income - Gini index

33.8 (2012)

32.6 (2000)

Economy - overview

Taiwan has a dynamic capitalist economy with gradually decreasing government guidance of investment and foreign trade. Exports, led by electronics, machinery, and petrochemicals have provided the primary impetus for economic development. This heavy dependence on exports exposes the economy to fluctuations in world demand. Taiwan's diplomatic isolation, low birth rate, and rapidly aging population are other major long-term challenges.

Free trade agreements have proliferated in East Asia over the past several years. Following the landmark Economic Cooperation Framework Agreement (ECFA) signed with China in June 2010, Taiwan in July 2013 signed a free trade deal with New Zealand - Taipei’s first-ever with a country with which it does not maintain diplomatic relations - and, in November, inked a trade pact with Singapore. However, follow-on components of the ECFA, including a signed agreement on trade in services and negotiations on trade in goods and dispute resolution, have stalled. In early 2014, the government bowed to public demand and proposed a new law governing the oversight of cross-Strait agreements, before any additional deals with China are implemented; the legislature has yet to vote on such legislation, leaving the future of ECFA up in the air as President MA enters his final full year in office. MA has portrayed ECFA as Taiwan’s key to greater participation in East Asia’s free trade networks.

Taiwan's total fertility rate of just over one child per woman is among the lowest in the world, raising the prospect of future labor shortages, falling domestic demand, and declining tax revenues. Taiwan's population is aging quickly, with the number of people over 65 expected to account for nearly 20% of the island's total population by 2025.

The island runs a trade surplus, largely because of its surplus with China, and its foreign reserves are the world's fifth largest, behind those of China, Japan, Saudi Arabia, and Switzerland. In 2006 China overtook the US to become Taiwan's second-largest source of imports after Japan. China is also the island's number one destination for foreign direct investment. Taiwan since 2009 has gradually loosened rules governing Chinese investment on the island and has also secured greater market access for its investors in the mainland. In August 2012, the Taiwan Central Bank signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) on cross-Strait currency settlement with its Chinese counterpart. The MOU allows for the direct settlement of Chinese RMB and the New Taiwan dollar across the Strait, which has helped Taiwan develop into a local RMB hub.

Closer economic links with the mainland bring greater opportunities for Taiwan’s economy but also pose new challenges as the island becomes more economically dependent on China at a time when political differences remain unresolved. During 2014, the press paid increasing attention to domestic economic issues, while pushing aside the debates over trade liberalization that were a hallmark of MA’s tenure. The media focused on the divide between Taiwan’s “haves” and “have nots,” providing extensive coverage of public frustration with stagnant wages, skyrocketing housing prices, and the difficulty of finding decent entry-level jobs.

Exchange rates

New Taiwan dollars (TWD) per US dollar -

31.718 (2014 est.)

29.95 (2013 est.)

29.62 (2012 est.)

29.47 (2011 est.)

31.648 (2010 est.)

Exports

$318 billion (2014 est.)

$304.6 billion (2013 est.)

Exports - commodities

semiconductors, petrochemicals, automobile/auto parts, ships, wireless communication equipment, flat display displays, steel, electronics, plastics, computers

Exports - partners

China 27.1%, Hong Kong 13.2%, US 10.3%, Japan 6.4%, Singapore 4.4% (2012 est.)

Fiscal year

calendar year

GDP - composition, by end use

(2014 est.)

exports of goods and services

70%

government consumption

14.5%

household consumption

53.2%

imports of goods and services

-59.5%

investment in fixed capital

21.6%

investment in inventories

0.3%

GDP - composition, by sector of origin

agriculture

1.9%

industry

34.1%

services

64.1% (2014 est.)

GDP - per capita (PPP)

$45,900 (2014 est.)

$44,200 (2013 est.)

$43,200 (2012 est.)

note

data are in 2014 US dollars

GDP - real growth rate

3.7% (2014 est.)

2.2% (2013 est.)

2.1% (2012 est.)

GDP (official exchange rate)

$529.6 billion (2014 est.)

GDP (purchasing power parity)

$1.075 trillion (2014 est.)

$1.036 trillion (2013 est.)

$1.013 trillion (2012 est.)

note

data are in 2014 US dollars

Gross national saving

35.2% of GDP (2014 est.)

33.4% of GDP (2013 est.)

32.5% of GDP (2012 est.)

Household income or consumption by percentage share

highest 10%

40.3% (2010)

lowest 10%

6.4%

Imports

$277.5 billion (2014 est.)

$267.4 billion (2013 est.)

Imports - commodities

oil/petroleum, semiconductors, natural gas, coal, steel, computers, wireless communication equipment, automobiles, fine chemicals, textiles

Imports - partners

Japan 17.6%, China 16.1%, US 9.5% (2012 est.)

Industrial production growth rate

5.6% (2014 est.)

Industries

electronics, communications and information technology products, petroleum refining, chemicals, textiles, iron and steel, machinery, cement, food processing, vehicles, consumer products, pharmaceuticals

Inflation rate (consumer prices)

1.2% (2014 est.)

0.8% (2013 est.)

Labor force

11.54 million (2014 est.)

Labor force - by occupation

agriculture

5%

industry

36.1%

services

58.9% (2014 est.)

Market value of publicly traded shares

$831.9 billion (31 December 2012)

$784.1 billion (31 December 2011)

$738.3 billion (31 December 2010)

Population below poverty line

1.5% (2012 est.)

Public debt

33.4% of GDP (2014 est.)

33.9% of GDP (2013 est.)

note

data for central government

Reserves of foreign exchange and gold

$429.4 billion (31 December 2014 est.)

$421.9 billion (31 December 2013 est.)

Stock of broad money

$1.249 trillion (31 December 2014 est.)

$1.186 trillion (31 December 2013 est.)

Stock of direct foreign investment - abroad

$259.9 billion (31 December 2014 est.)

$246.1 billion (31 December 2013 est.)

Stock of direct foreign investment - at home

$66.78 billion (31 December 2014 est.)

$65.8 billion (31 December 2013 est.)

Stock of domestic credit

$786.6 billion (31 December 2014 est.)

$748.3 billion (31 December 2013 est.)

Stock of narrow money

$483.2 billion (31 December 2014 est.)

$449.8 billion (31 December 2013 est.)

Taxes and other revenues

16.1% of GDP (2014 est.)

Unemployment rate

4% (2014 est.)

4.2% (2013 est.)

Carbon dioxide emissions from consumption of energy

307.1 million Mt (2012 est.)

Crude oil - exports

0 bbl/day (2010 est.)

Crude oil - imports

885,900 bbl/day (2010 est.)

Crude oil - production

1,726 bbl/day (2013 est.)

Crude oil - proved reserves

2.38 million bbl (1 January 2014 est.)

Electricity - consumption

224.8 billion kWh (2011 est.)

Electricity - exports

0 kWh (2013 est.)

Electricity - from fossil fuels

72.5% of total installed capacity (2013 est.)

Electricity - from hydroelectric plants

6.3% of total installed capacity (2013 est.)

Electricity - from nuclear fuels

12.5% of total installed capacity (2013 est.)

Electricity - from other renewable sources

8.7% of total installed capacity (2013 est.)

Electricity - imports

0 kWh (2013 est.)

Electricity - installed generating capacity

48.48 million kW (2014 est.)

Electricity - production

235 billion kWh (2011 est.)

Natural gas - consumption

16.21 billion cu m (2014 est.)

Natural gas - exports

0 cu m (2014 est.)

Natural gas - imports

17.69 billion cu m (2014 est.)

Natural gas - production

379.4 million cu m (2014 est.)

Natural gas - proved reserves

6.229 billion cu m (1 January 2014 est.)

Refined petroleum products - consumption

974,000 bbl/day (2013 est.)

Refined petroleum products - exports

255,000 bbl/day (2011 est.)

Refined petroleum products - imports

304,700 bbl/day (2011 est.)

Refined petroleum products - production

920,200 bbl/day (2011 est.)

Broadcast media

5 nationwide television networks operating roughly 75 TV stations; about 85% of households utilize multi-channel cable TV; national and regional radio networks with about 170 radio stations (2008)

Internet country code

.tw

Internet users

percent of population

70.0% (2009)

total

16.1 million

Radio broadcast stations

AM 21, FM 143, shortwave 1 (2008)

Telephone system

domestic

thoroughly modern; completely digitalized

general assessment

provides telecommunications service for every business and private need

international

country code - 886; roughly 15 submarine fiber cables provide links throughout Asia, Australia, the Middle East, Europe, and the US; satellite earth stations - 2 (2011)

Telephones - fixed lines

subscriptions per 100 inhabitants

60 (2014 est.)

total subscriptions

14.04 million

Telephones - mobile cellular

subscriptions per 100 inhabitants

130 (2014 est.)

total

30.4 million

Television broadcast stations

76 (5 television networks with 46 digital and 30 analog stations) (2007)

Airports

37 (2013)

Airports - with paved runways

1,524 to 2,437 m

10

2,438 to 3,047 m

7

914 to 1,523 m

8

over 3,047 m

8

total

35

under 914 m

2 (2013)

Airports - with unpaved runways

1 (2013)

1,524 to 2,437 m

1

total

2

Heliports

31 (2013)

Merchant marine

by type

bulk carrier 35, cargo 20, chemical tanker 1, container 31, passenger/cargo 4, petroleum tanker 12, refrigerated cargo 7, roll on/roll off 2

foreign-owned

3 (France 2, Vietnam 1)

registered in other countries

579 (Argentina 2, Cambodia 1, Honduras 1, Hong Kong 25, Indonesia 1, Italy 10, Kiribati 2, Liberia 94, Marshall Islands 8, Panama 328, Philippines 1, Sierra Leone 7, Singapore 77, South Korea 1, Thailand 1, UK 11, Vanuatu 1, unknown 8) (2010)

total

112

Pipelines

condensate 25 km; gas 802 km; oil 241 km (2013)

Ports and terminals

container port(s) (TEUs)

Chilung (Keelung) (1,749,388), Kaohsiung (9,363,289), Taichung (1,383,578)

LNG terminal (import)

Yung An (Kaohsiung), Taichung

major seaport(s)

Chilung (Keelung), Kaohsiung, Hualian, Taichung

Railways

narrow gauge

1,102 km 1.067-m gauge (692 km electrified); 150 km 0.762-m gauge

note

the 0.762-gauge track belongs to three entities: the Forestry Bureau, Taiwan Cement, and TaiPower (2014)

standard gauge

345 km 1.435-m gauge (345 km electrified)

total

1,597 km

Roadways

paved

42,078 km (includes 1,348 km of highways and 737 km of expressways)

total

42,520 km

unpaved

442 km (2013)

Manpower available for military service

females age 16-49

6,006,676 (2010 est.)

males age 16-49

6,183,567

Manpower fit for military service

females age 16-49

4,951,088 (2010 est.)

males age 16-49

5,074,173

Manpower reaching militarily significant age annually

female

155,306 (2010 est.)

male

166,190

Military branches

Army, Navy (includes Marine Corps), Air Force, Coast Guard Administration, Armed Forces Reserve Command, Combined Service Forces Command, Armed Forces Police Command

Military service age and obligation

18-35 years of age for compulsory and voluntary military service; 1-year service obligation; women may enlist; women in Air Force service are restricted to noncombat roles; reserve obligation to age 36 (Army); the Ministry of Defense is in the process of implementing a voluntary enlistment system over the period 2010-2015, although nonvolunteers will still be required to perform alternative service or go through 4 months of military training (2012)

Disputes - international

involved in complex dispute with Brunei, China, Malaysia, the Philippines, and Vietnam over the Spratly Islands, and with China and the Philippines over Scarborough Reef; the 2002 "Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the South China Sea" has eased tensions but falls short of a legally binding "code of conduct" desired by several of the disputants; Paracel Islands are occupied by China, but claimed by Taiwan and Vietnam; in 2003, China and Taiwan became more vocal in rejecting both Japan's claims to the uninhabited islands of the Senkaku-shoto (Diaoyu Tai) and Japan's unilaterally declared exclusive economic zone in the East China Sea where all parties engage in hydrocarbon prospecting

Illicit drugs

regional transit point for heroin, methamphetamine, and precursor chemicals; transshipment point for drugs to Japan; major problem with domestic consumption of methamphetamine and heroin; rising problems with use of ketamine and club drugs