Taiwan
East and Southeast Asia Taipei
Population
23.60M
Area
35,980 km²
GDP
$611.39B
GDP Per Capita
$32,300
Pop. Density
656/km²
Quick Facts
Currency
$New Taiwan dollar(TWD)
Calling Code
+886
Timezone
UTC+08:00
Languages
Chinese+more
Driving Side
right
Demonym
Taiwanese
Background
First inhabited by Austronesian peopleTaiwan became home to Han immigrants beginning in the late Ming Dynasty (17th century). In 1895military defeat forced China's Qing Dynasty to cede Taiwan to Japanwhich then governed Taiwan for 50 years. Taiwan came under Chinese Nationalist (KuomintangKMT) control after World War II. With the communist victory in the Chinese civil war in 1949the Nationalist-controlled Republic of China government and 2 million Nationalists fled to Taiwan and continued to claim to be the legitimate government for mainland China and Taiwanbased on a 1947 constitution drawn up for all of China. Until 1987howeverthe Nationalist Government ruled Taiwan under a civil war martial law declaration dating to 1948. Beginning in the 1970sNationalist authorities gradually began to incorporate the native population into the governing structure beyond the local level.
The democratization process expanded rapidly in the 1980sleading to the then-illegal founding of the Democratic Progressive Party (DPP)Taiwan’s first opposition partyin 1986 and the lifting of martial law the following year. Taiwan held legislative elections in 1992the first in over 40 yearsand its first direct presidential election in 1996. In the 2000 presidential electionsTaiwan underwent its first peaceful transfer of power with the KMT loss to the DPP and afterwards experienced two additional democratic transfers of power in 2008 and 2016. Throughout this periodthe island prospered and turned into one of East Asia's economic "Tigers," becoming a major investor in mainland China after 2000 as cross-Strait ties matured. The dominant political issues continue to be economic reform and growthas well as management of sensitive relations between Taiwan and China.
The democratization process expanded rapidly in the 1980sleading to the then-illegal founding of the Democratic Progressive Party (DPP)Taiwan’s first opposition partyin 1986 and the lifting of martial law the following year. Taiwan held legislative elections in 1992the first in over 40 yearsand its first direct presidential election in 1996. In the 2000 presidential electionsTaiwan underwent its first peaceful transfer of power with the KMT loss to the DPP and afterwards experienced two additional democratic transfers of power in 2008 and 2016. Throughout this periodthe island prospered and turned into one of East Asia's economic "Tigers," becoming a major investor in mainland China after 2000 as cross-Strait ties matured. The dominant political issues continue to be economic reform and growthas well as management of sensitive relations between Taiwan and China.
Geography17
Location
Eastern Asiaislands bordering the East China SeaPhilippine SeaSouth China Seaand Taiwan Straitnorth of the Philippinesoff the southeastern coast of China
Geographic coordinates
23 30 N121 00 E
Map references
Southeast Asia
Area
total : 35,980 sq km
land: 32,260 sq km
water: 3,720 sq km
land: 32,260 sq km
water: 3,720 sq km
note: includes the PescadoresMatsuand Kinmen islands
Area - comparative
slightly smaller than Maryland and Delaware combined
Land boundaries
total: 0 km
Coastline
1,566.3 km
Maritime claims
territorial sea: 12 nm
exclusive economic zone: 200 nm
exclusive economic zone: 200 nm
Climate
tropical; marine; rainy season during southwest monsoon (June to August); persistent and extensive cloudiness all year
Terrain
eastern two-thirds mostly rugged mountains; flat to gently rolling plains in west
Elevation
highest point: Yu Shan 3,952 m
lowest point: South China Sea 0 m
mean elevation: 1,150 m
lowest point: South China Sea 0 m
mean elevation: 1,150 m
Natural resources
small deposits of coalnatural gaslimestonemarbleasbestosarable land
Land use
agricultural land
22% (2023 est.)
agricultural land: arable land
arable land: 16.6% (2023 est.)
agricultural land: permanent crops
permanent crops: 5.4% (2023 est.)
agricultural land: permanent pasture
permanent pasture: 0% (2022 est.)
forest
0% (2022 est.)
other
78% (2022 est.)
Irrigated land
3,820 sq km (2012)
Population distribution
distribution exhibits a peripheral coastal settlement patternwith the largest populations on the north and west coasts
Natural hazards
earthquakes; typhoons
volcanism: Kueishantao Island (401 m)east of Taiwanis the only historically active volcanobut it has not erupted in centuries
volcanism: Kueishantao Island (401 m)east of Taiwanis the only historically active volcanobut it has not erupted in centuries
Geography - note
strategic location adjacent to both the Taiwan Strait and the Luzon Strait
People & Society20
Population
total: 23,600,776 (2025 est.)
male: 11,596,835
female: 12,003,941
male: 11,596,835
female: 12,003,941
Nationality
noun: Taiwan (singular and plural)
adjective: Taiwan (or Taiwanese)
adjective: Taiwan (or Taiwanese)
note: example - he or she is from Taiwan; they are from Taiwan
Ethnic groups
Han Chinese (including Holowho compose approximately 70% of Taiwan's populationHakkaand other groups originating in mainland China) more than 95%indigenous Malayo-Polynesian peoples 2.3%
note 1: there are 16 officially recognized indigenous groups: AmisAtayalBununHla'aluaKanakaravuKavalanPaiwanPuyumaRukaiSaisiyatSakizayaSeediqThaoTrukuTsouand Yami; AmisPaiwanand Atayal are the largest and account for roughly 70% of the indigenous population
note 2: although not definitivethe majority of current geneticarcheologicaland linguistic data support the theory that Taiwan is the ultimate source for the spread of humans across the Pacific to Polynesia; the expansion (ca. 3000 B.C. to A.D. 1200) took place via the Philippines and eastern Indonesia and reached Fiji and Tonga by about 900 B.C.; from there voyagers spread across the rest of the Pacific islands over the next two millennia
note 2: although not definitivethe majority of current geneticarcheologicaland linguistic data support the theory that Taiwan is the ultimate source for the spread of humans across the Pacific to Polynesia; the expansion (ca. 3000 B.C. to A.D. 1200) took place via the Philippines and eastern Indonesia and reached Fiji and Tonga by about 900 B.C.; from there voyagers spread across the rest of the Pacific islands over the next two millennia
Languages
Languages: Mandarin (official)Min NanHakka dialectsapproximately 16 indigenous languages
major-language sample(s):
世界概況 – 不可缺少的基本消息來源 (Mandarin)
The World Factbookthe indispensable source for basic information.
major-language sample(s):
世界概況 – 不可缺少的基本消息來源 (Mandarin)
The World Factbookthe indispensable source for basic information.
Religions
Buddhist 35.3%Taoist 33.2%Christian 3.9%folk religion (includes Confucian) approximately 10%none or unspecified 18.2% (2005 est.)
Age structure
0-14 years: 12.1% (male 1,472,059/female 1,391,031)
15-64 years: 69% (male 8,132,356/female 8,155,582)
65 years and over: 18.8% (2024 est.) (male 2,002,076/female 2,442,170)
15-64 years: 69% (male 8,132,356/female 8,155,582)
65 years and over: 18.8% (2024 est.) (male 2,002,076/female 2,442,170)
Dependency ratios
total dependency ratio: 46.5 (2025 est.)
youth dependency ratio: 17.7 (2025 est.)
elderly dependency ratio: 28.7 (2025 est.)
potential support ratio: 3.5 (2025 est.)
youth dependency ratio: 17.7 (2025 est.)
elderly dependency ratio: 28.7 (2025 est.)
potential support ratio: 3.5 (2025 est.)
Median age
total: 45.1 years (2025 est.)
male: 43.6 years
female: 45.5 years
male: 43.6 years
female: 45.5 years
Population growth rate
0.02% (2025 est.)
Birth rate
7.22 births/1,000 population (2025 est.)
Death rate
8.18 deaths/1,000 population (2025 est.)
Net migration rate
1.17 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2025 est.)
Population distribution
distribution exhibits a peripheral coastal settlement patternwith the largest populations on the north and west coasts
Urbanization
urban population: 80.1% of total population (2023)
rate of urbanization: 0.65% annual rate of change (2020-25 est.)
rate of urbanization: 0.65% annual rate of change (2020-25 est.)
Major urban areas - population
4.504 million New Taipei City2.754 million TAIPEI (capital)2.319 million Taoyuan1.553 million Kaohsiung1.369 million Taichung863,000 Tainan (2023)
Sex ratio
at birth: 1.06 male(s)/female
0-14 years: 1.06 male(s)/female
15-64 years: 1 male(s)/female
65 years and over: 0.82 male(s)/female
total population: 0.97 male(s)/female (2024 est.)
0-14 years: 1.06 male(s)/female
15-64 years: 1 male(s)/female
65 years and over: 0.82 male(s)/female
total population: 0.97 male(s)/female (2024 est.)
Infant mortality rate
total: 3.8 deaths/1,000 live births (2025 est.)
male: 4.2 deaths/1,000 live births
female: 3.5 deaths/1,000 live births
male: 4.2 deaths/1,000 live births
female: 3.5 deaths/1,000 live births
Life expectancy at birth
total population: 81.6 years (2024 est.)
male: 78.6 years
female: 84.7 years
male: 78.6 years
female: 84.7 years
Total fertility rate
1.12 children born/woman (2025 est.)
Gross reproduction rate
0.54 (2025 est.)
Government21
Country name
conventional long form
none
conventional short form
Taiwan
local long form
none
local short form
Taiwan
former
Formosa
etymology
the name may derive from the Chinese words tai (terrace) and wan (bay)referring to the island's terrain; in 1590the Portuguese named it Formosameaning "beautiful"
Government type
semi-presidential republic
Capital
name: Taipei
geographic coordinates: 25 02 N121 31 E
time difference: UTC+8 (13 hours ahead of WashingtonDCduring Standard Time)
etymology: the name means "Northern Taiwan," from the Chinese words tai (a short form of Taiwan) and bei (north)reflecting the city's position in the far north of the island
geographic coordinates: 25 02 N121 31 E
time difference: UTC+8 (13 hours ahead of WashingtonDCduring Standard Time)
etymology: the name means "Northern Taiwan," from the Chinese words tai (a short form of Taiwan) and bei (north)reflecting the city's position in the far north of the island
Administrative divisions
includes main island of Taiwanplus smaller islands nearby and off coast of China's Fujian Province; Taiwan is divided into 13 counties (xiansingular and plural)3 cities (shisingular and plural)and 6 special municipalities directly under the jurisdiction of the Executive Yuan
counties: ChanghuaChiayiHsinchuHualienKinmenLienchiangMiaoliNantouPenghuPingtungTaitungYilanYunlin
cities: ChiayiHsinchuKeelung
special municipalities: Kaohsiung (city)New Taipei (city)Taichung (city)Tainan (city)Taipei (city)Taoyuan (city)
counties: ChanghuaChiayiHsinchuHualienKinmenLienchiangMiaoliNantouPenghuPingtungTaitungYilanYunlin
cities: ChiayiHsinchuKeelung
special municipalities: Kaohsiung (city)New Taipei (city)Taichung (city)Tainan (city)Taipei (city)Taoyuan (city)
note: Taiwan uses a variety of romanization systems for names; a modified Wade-Giles system still dominatesbut the city of Taipei has adopted a Pinyin romanization for street and place names; other local authorities use different romanization systems
Legal system
civil law system
Constitution
history: previous 19121931; latest adopted 25 December 1946promulgated 1 January 1947effective 25 December 1947
amendment process: proposed by at least one fourth of the Legislative Yuan membership; passage requires approval by at least three-fourths majority vote of at least three fourths of the Legislative Yuan membership and approval in a referendum by more than half of eligible voters
amendment process: proposed by at least one fourth of the Legislative Yuan membership; passage requires approval by at least three-fourths majority vote of at least three fourths of the Legislative Yuan membership and approval in a referendum by more than half of eligible voters
International law organization participation
has not submitted an ICJ jurisdiction declaration; non-party state to the ICCt
Citizenship
citizenship by birth: no
citizenship by descent only: at least one parent must be a citizen of Taiwan
dual citizenship recognized: yesexcept that citizens of Taiwan are not recognized as dual citizens of the People's Republic of China
residency requirement for naturalization: 5 years
citizenship by descent only: at least one parent must be a citizen of Taiwan
dual citizenship recognized: yesexcept that citizens of Taiwan are not recognized as dual citizens of the People's Republic of China
residency requirement for naturalization: 5 years
Suffrage
20 years of age; universal
Executive branch
chief of state
President LAI Ching-te (since 20 May 2024)
head of government
Premier CHO Jung-tai (President of the Executive Yuan) (since 20 May 2024)
cabinet
Executive Yuan; ministers appointed by president on recommendation of premier
election/appointment process
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); premier appointed by the president; vice premiers appointed by the president on the recommendation of the premier
most recent election date
13 January 2024
election results
2024: LAI Ching-te elected president; percent of vote - LAI Ching-te (DPP) 40.1%HOU Yu-ih (KMT) 33.5%KO Wen-je (TPP) 26.5%)
2020: TSAI Ing-wen reelected president; percent of vote - TSAI Ing-wen (DPP) 57.1%HAN Kuo-yu (KMT) 38.6%James SOONG (PFP) 4.3%
expected date of next election
2028
Legislative branch
legislature name
Legislative Yuan
legislative structure
unicameral
number of seats
113 (directly elected)
electoral system
plurality/majority
scope of elections
full renewal
term in office
4 years
most recent election date
13 January 2024
parties elected and seats per party
Kuomintang (KMT) 52Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) 51Taiwan People's Party (TPP) 8independent 2
percentage of women in chamber
41.6%
expected date of next election
January 2028
Judicial branch
highest court(s): Supreme Court (consists of the court presidentvice presidentand approximately 100 judges organized into civil and criminal panelseach with a chief justice and 4 associate justices); Constitutional Court (consists of the court presidentvice presidentand 13 justices)
judge selection and term of office: Supreme Court justices appointed for life by the president; Constitutional Court justices appointed by the presidentwith approval of the Legislative Yuanfor 8-year termswith half the membership renewed every 4 years
subordinate courts: high courts; district courts; hierarchy of administrative courts
judge selection and term of office: Supreme Court justices appointed for life by the president; Constitutional Court justices appointed by the presidentwith approval of the Legislative Yuanfor 8-year termswith half the membership renewed every 4 years
subordinate courts: high courts; district courts; hierarchy of administrative courts
Political parties
Democratic Progressive Party or DPP
Kuomintang or KMT (Nationalist Party)
Taiwan People's Party or TPP
Kuomintang or KMT (Nationalist Party)
Taiwan People's Party or TPP
note: the DPP and the KMT are the two major political parties; more than 30 parties garnered votes in the 2024 election
Diplomatic representation in the US
chief of mission: none
Taipei Economic and Cultural Offices (branch offices): AtlantaBostonChicagoDenver (CO)Hagatna (Guam)HonoluluHoustonLos AngelesMiamiNew YorkSan FranciscoSeattleWashington DC
Taipei Economic and Cultural Offices (branch offices): AtlantaBostonChicagoDenver (CO)Hagatna (Guam)HonoluluHoustonLos AngelesMiamiNew YorkSan FranciscoSeattleWashington DC
Note: commercial and cultural relations with its citizens in the US are maintained through an unofficial instrumentalitythe 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 postsrepresented by Ambassador Alexander YUI (since 11 December 2023); office: 4201 Wisconsin Avenue NWWashingtonDC 20016; telephone: [1] (202) 895-1800; fax: [1] (202) 363-0999
Diplomatic representation from the US
chief of mission
the US does not have an embassy in Taiwan; commercial and cultural relations with the people of Taiwan are maintained through an unofficial instrumentalitythe American Institute in Taiwan (AIT)a private nonprofit corporation that performs citizen and consular services similar to those at diplomatic posts; it is managed by Director Raymond F. GREENE (since 8 July 2024)
mailing address
4170 AIT Taipei PlaceWashington DC 20521-4170
telephone
[886] 2-2162-2000
FAX
[886] 2-2162-2251
email address and website
branch office(s)
American Institute in Taiwan
No. 100Jinhu Road,
Neihu District 11461Taipei City
No. 100Jinhu Road,
Neihu District 11461Taipei City
other offices
Kaohsiung (Branch Office)
International organization participation
ADB (Chinese Taipei)APEC (Chinese Taipei)BCIECABEIIOCITUC (NGOs)SICA (observer)WTO (Chinese Taipei)
note: separate customs territory of TaiwanPenghuKinmenand Matsu
National holiday
Republic Day (National Day)10 October (1911)
note: celebrates the anniversary of the Chinese Revolutionalso known as Double Ten (10-10) Day
Flag
description: red field with a dark blue rectangle in the upper-left cornerbearing a white sun with 12 triangular rays
meaning: blue stands for libertyjusticeand democracy; red for fraternitysacrificeand nationalism; white for equalityfranknessand the people's livelihood; the 12 rays represent the months of the year and the traditional Chinese hours (each ray equals two hours)
history: the blue-and-white design of the canton (symbolizing the sun of progress) dates to 1895
meaning: blue stands for libertyjusticeand democracy; red for fraternitysacrificeand nationalism; white for equalityfranknessand the people's livelihood; the 12 rays represent the months of the year and the traditional Chinese hours (each ray equals two hours)
history: the blue-and-white design of the canton (symbolizing the sun of progress) dates to 1895
note: similar to the flag of Samoa
National symbol(s)
white sun with 12 rays on a blue field
National color(s)
bluewhitered
National anthem(s)
title: "Zhonghua Minguo guoge" (National Anthem of the Republic of China)
lyrics/music: HU Han-minTAI Chi-t'aoand LIAO Chung-k'ai/CHENG Mao-yun
history: adopted 1937; also the song of the Kuomintang Party; informally known as "San Min Chu I" or "San Min Zhu Yi" (Three Principles of the People); the anthem is banned from performance in mainland ChinaHong Kongand Macau
lyrics/music: HU Han-minTAI Chi-t'aoand LIAO Chung-k'ai/CHENG Mao-yun
history: adopted 1937; also the song of the Kuomintang Party; informally known as "San Min Chu I" or "San Min Zhu Yi" (Three Principles of the People); the anthem is banned from performance in mainland ChinaHong Kongand Macau
Economy22
Economic overview
high-income East Asian economy; most technologically advanced computer microchip manufacturing; increasing Chinese interference threatens market capabilities; minimum wages rising; longstanding regional socioeconomic inequality
Real GDP (purchasing power parity)
Real GDP (purchasing power parity) 2023: $1.743 trillion (2023 est.)
Real GDP (purchasing power parity) 2022: $1.664 trillion (2022 est.)
Real GDP (purchasing power parity) 2021: $1.512 trillion (2021 est.)
Real GDP (purchasing power parity) 2022: $1.664 trillion (2022 est.)
Real GDP (purchasing power parity) 2021: $1.512 trillion (2021 est.)
Real GDP growth rate
Real GDP growth rate 2023: 1.28% (2023 est.)
Real GDP growth rate 2022: 2.59% (2022 est.)
Real GDP growth rate 2021: 6.62% (2021 est.)
Real GDP growth rate 2022: 2.59% (2022 est.)
Real GDP growth rate 2021: 6.62% (2021 est.)
note: annual GDP % growth based on constant local currency
Real GDP per capita
Real GDP per capita 2023: $32,300 (2023 est.)
Real GDP per capita 2022: $32,600 (2022 est.)
Real GDP per capita 2021: $32,900 (2021 est.)
Real GDP per capita 2022: $32,600 (2022 est.)
Real GDP per capita 2021: $32,900 (2021 est.)
note: data are in current dollars
GDP (official exchange rate)
$611.391 billion (2023 est.)
note: data in current dollars at official exchange rate
Inflation rate (consumer prices)
Inflation rate (consumer prices) 2024: 2.2% (2024 est.)
Inflation rate (consumer prices) 2023: 2.5% (2023 est.)
Inflation rate (consumer prices) 2022: 2.9% (2022 est.)
Inflation rate (consumer prices) 2023: 2.5% (2023 est.)
Inflation rate (consumer prices) 2022: 2.9% (2022 est.)
note: annual % change based on consumer prices
GDP - compositionby end use
household consumption
48.3% (2023 est.)
government consumption
13.3% (2023 est.)
investment in fixed capital
23.7% (2023 est.)
investment in inventories
-0.6% (2023 est.)
exports of goods and services
64% (2023 est.)
imports of goods and services
-49.1% (2023 est.)
Agricultural products
ricevegetablesporkchickencabbagesmilksugarcanetropical fruitspineappleseggs (2023)
note: top ten agricultural products based on tonnage
Industries
electronicscommunications and information technology productspetroleum refiningchemicalstextilesiron and steelmachinerycementfood processingvehiclesconsumer productspharmaceuticals
Unemployment rate
Unemployment rate 2024: 3.4% (2024 est.)
Unemployment rate 2023: 3.5% (2023 est.)
Unemployment rate 2022: 3.7% (2022 est.)
Unemployment rate 2023: 3.5% (2023 est.)
Unemployment rate 2022: 3.7% (2022 est.)
note: % of labor force seeking employment
Gini Index coefficient - distribution of family income
Gini Index coefficient - distribution of family income 2023: 33.9 (2023 est.)
note: index (0-100) of income distribution; higher values represent greater inequality
Average household expenditures
on food: 13.8% of household expenditures (2023 est.)
on alcohol and tobacco: 2.5% of household expenditures (2023 est.)
on alcohol and tobacco: 2.5% of household expenditures (2023 est.)
Budget
revenues: $94.943 billion (2019 est.)
expenditures: $105.833 billion (2019 est.)
expenditures: $105.833 billion (2019 est.)
Public debt
Public debt 2017: 35.7% of GDP (2017 est.)
note: data for central government
Current account balance
Current account balance 2023: $105.076 billion (2023 est.)
Current account balance 2022: $101.032 billion (2022 est.)
Current account balance 2021: $118.298 billion (2021 est.)
Current account balance 2022: $101.032 billion (2022 est.)
Current account balance 2021: $118.298 billion (2021 est.)
note: balance of payments - net trade and primary/secondary income in current dollars
Exports
Exports 2023: $432.432 billion (2023 est.)
Exports 2022: $479.415 billion (2022 est.)
Exports 2021: $446.371 billion (2021 est.)
Exports 2022: $479.415 billion (2022 est.)
Exports 2021: $446.371 billion (2021 est.)
note: figures complied according to the General Trade System - exports of goods and services in current dollars
Exports - partners
China 20%USA 17%Hong Kong 13%Singapore 9%Japan 7% (2023)
note: top five export partners based on percentage share of exports
Exports - commodities
integrated circuitsmachine partsbroadcasting equipmentcomputersplastics (2023)
note: top five export commodities based on value in dollars
Imports
Imports 2023: $351.441 billion (2023 est.)
Imports 2022: $428.083 billion (2022 est.)
Imports 2021: $381.958 billion (2021 est.)
Imports 2022: $428.083 billion (2022 est.)
Imports 2021: $381.958 billion (2021 est.)
note: figures complied according to the General Trade System - imports of goods and services in current dollars
Imports - partners
China 21%Japan 13%USA 11%S. Korea 9%Australia 5% (2023)
note: top five import partners based on percentage share of imports
Imports - commodities
integrated circuitscrude petroleummachinerynatural gascoal (2023)
note: top five import commodities based on value in dollars
Exchange rates
Currency
New Taiwan dollars (TWD) per US dollar -
Exchange rates 2024
32.108 (2024 est.)
Exchange rates 2023
31.15 (2023 est.)
Exchange rates 2022
29.777 (2022 est.)
Exchange rates 2021
28.022 (2021 est.)
Exchange rates 2020
28.211 (2020 est.)
Energy7
Electricity
installed generating capacity: 64.535 million kW (2023 est.)
consumption: 270.648 billion kWh (2023 est.)
transmission/distribution losses: 7.907 billion kWh (2023 est.)
consumption: 270.648 billion kWh (2023 est.)
transmission/distribution losses: 7.907 billion kWh (2023 est.)
Electricity generation sources
fossil fuels
84.2% of total installed capacity (2023 est.)
nuclear
6.4% of total installed capacity (2023 est.)
solar
4.6% of total installed capacity (2023 est.)
wind
2.2% of total installed capacity (2023 est.)
hydroelectricity
1.2% of total installed capacity (2023 est.)
biomass and waste
1.3% of total installed capacity (2023 est.)
Nuclear energy
Number of operational nuclear reactors: 1 (2025)
Net capacity of operational nuclear reactors: 0.94GW (2025 est.)
Percent of total electricity production: 6.9% (2023 est.)
Number of nuclear reactors permanently shut down: 5 (2025)
Net capacity of operational nuclear reactors: 0.94GW (2025 est.)
Percent of total electricity production: 6.9% (2023 est.)
Number of nuclear reactors permanently shut down: 5 (2025)
Coal
production: 5.212 million metric tons (2023 est.)
consumption: 64.609 million metric tons (2023 est.)
exports: 47,000 metric tons (2023 est.)
imports: 58.15 million metric tons (2023 est.)
proven reserves: 1 million metric tons (2023 est.)
consumption: 64.609 million metric tons (2023 est.)
exports: 47,000 metric tons (2023 est.)
imports: 58.15 million metric tons (2023 est.)
proven reserves: 1 million metric tons (2023 est.)
Petroleum
total petroleum production: 800 bbl/day (2023 est.)
refined petroleum consumption: 954,000 bbl/day (2023 est.)
crude oil estimated reserves: 2.38 million barrels (2021 est.)
refined petroleum consumption: 954,000 bbl/day (2023 est.)
crude oil estimated reserves: 2.38 million barrels (2021 est.)
Natural gas
production: 60.761 million cubic meters (2023 est.)
consumption: 27.222 billion cubic meters (2023 est.)
imports: 26.997 billion cubic meters (2023 est.)
proven reserves: 6.23 billion cubic meters (2021 est.)
consumption: 27.222 billion cubic meters (2023 est.)
imports: 26.997 billion cubic meters (2023 est.)
proven reserves: 6.23 billion cubic meters (2021 est.)
Energy consumption per capita
Total energy consumption per capita 2023: 206.102 million Btu/person (2023 est.)
Communications6
Telephones - fixed lines
total subscriptions: 10 million (2023 est.)
subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 43 (2023 est.)
subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 43 (2023 est.)
Telephones - mobile cellular
total subscriptions: 29.8 million (2024 est.)
subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 128 (2024 est.)
subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 128 (2024 est.)
Broadcast media
5 national TV networks with about 22 stations; over 300 satellite TV channels available; about half of households use multi-channel cable TV; almost all subscribe to digital cable TV; national and regional radio networks with about 171 radio stations (2023)
Internet country code
.tw
Internet users
percent of population: 90% (2021 est.)
Broadband - fixed subscriptions
total: 5,831,470 (2019 est.)
subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 25 (2019 est.)
subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 25 (2019 est.)
Transportation6
Civil aircraft registration country code prefix
B
Airports
57 (2025)
Heliports
56 (2025)
Railways
total: 1,613.1 km (2018)
standard gauge: 345 km (2018) 1.435-m gauge (345 km electrified)
narrow gauge: 1,118.1 km (2018) 1.067-m gauge (793.9 km electrified)
standard gauge: 345 km (2018) 1.435-m gauge (345 km electrified)
narrow gauge: 1,118.1 km (2018) 1.067-m gauge (793.9 km electrified)
150 0.762-m gauge note: the 0.762-gauge track belongs to three entities: the Forestry BureauTaiwan Cementand TaiPower
Merchant marine
total: 465 (2023)
by type: bulk carrier 29container ship 53general cargo 58oil tanker 35other 290
by type: bulk carrier 29container ship 53general cargo 58oil tanker 35other 290
Ports
total ports
8 (2024)
large
1
medium
3
small
2
very small
2
ports with oil terminals
8
key ports
Chi-LungHua-Lien KangKao-HsiungSu-Ao
Military & Security6
Military and security forces
Taiwan Armed Forces: ArmyNavy (includes Marine Corps)Air ForceInformation Communication and Electronic Force (ICEF)
Ocean Affairs Council: Coast Guard Administration (CGA)
Ministry of Interior: National Police (2025)
Ocean Affairs Council: Coast Guard Administration (CGA)
Ministry of Interior: National Police (2025)
note: the CGA is a law enforcement organization with homeland security functions during peacetime and national defense missions during wartime
Military expenditures
Military Expenditures 2024: 2.4% of GDP (2024 est.)
Military Expenditures 2023: 2.5% of GDP (2023 est.)
Military Expenditures 2022: 2.1% of GDP (2022 est.)
Military Expenditures 2021: 2.1% of GDP (2021 est.)
Military Expenditures 2020: 2.1% of GDP (2020 est.)
Military Expenditures 2023: 2.5% of GDP (2023 est.)
Military Expenditures 2022: 2.1% of GDP (2022 est.)
Military Expenditures 2021: 2.1% of GDP (2021 est.)
Military Expenditures 2020: 2.1% of GDP (2020 est.)
Military and security service personnel strengths
approximately 170,000 active duty Armed Forces (2025)
Military equipment inventories and acquisitions
the military's inventory is a mix of domestically produced and foreign-supplied armamentsmostly from the US either as secondhand or direct acquisitions; Taiwan's domestic defense industry produces weapons systems such as aircraftarmored vehiclesmissilesand naval platforms (2025)
Military service age and obligation
men 18-36 years of age may volunteer or must complete 12 months of compulsory military service; civil service can be substituted for military service in some cases; women can volunteer (2025)
note: in January 2024Taiwan extended compulsory service from 4 to 12 months for men born in 2005 and thereafter
Military - note
the military’s primary responsibility is external securityincluding the defense and protection of the country’s air spacemaritime claimssea lines of communicationssovereigntyand territory; its main focus is the challenge posed by the People’s Republic of China (2025)
Transnational Issues2
Refugees and internally displaced persons
IDPs: 380 (2024 est.)
Illicit drugs
USG identification:
major precursor-chemical producer (2025)
major precursor-chemical producer (2025)