|
|
Updated Monday, November 30, 2009 9:39 am TWN, AFP Having the world's lowest birth rate 'could hurt' Taiwan societyIn a population of 23 million, just 1.07 children are born per woman in Taiwan, even lower than Japan's 1.57, the United Daily News quoted Yaung Chih-liang as saying. “This is a tragic society,” Yaung said. “There is no war or other major disasters in Taiwan but the birth rate is plummeting so fast. It's unseen in other countries.” Taiwan is likely to face more social problems, such as lack of care for the elderly and younger people committing suicides because of economic pressure, he warned. “Many people choose to have a pet over having children,” Yaung said, adding that a growing number of baby shops have been going out of business in recent years while pet stores are mushrooming. Education officials have warned that more than one in three Taiwanese colleges could be forced to close by 2021 because of a shortage of students. Taiwan's government has been offering various incentives in an unsuccessful bid to boost fertility rates amid growing concerns that a severe manpower shortage will trigger more social and economic woes. Health authorities have said the declining birth rate is because many women are choosing to marry at a later age or to stay single. Subscribe to The China Post and save 25%. Click here Comments December 10, 2009 elumpen@ It won't "hurt" Taiwan, it's perfectly normal. All resource-limited animal populations naturally self-limit to prevent disaster. Humans are no different. The worst possible thing Taiwan can do is encourage more overcrowding in an island which already has an excessive population. Far better to accept the natural dynamics and make allowances: provide sensible means of economic participation for an aging population and allow them to contribute their experience - which is often considerable - instead of relying on Taiwan's slack-jawed youth for support. |
National Breaking News Most Read
| |||||||||||
Sitemap | Top Stories | Taiwan | China | Business | Asia | World | Sports | Life | Arts & Leisure | Health | Editorial | Commentary
Travel | Movies | TV Guide | Classifieds | Bookstore | Getting Around | Weather | Guide Post | Student Post | English Courses | Terms of Use | Sitemap
2-"Health authorities have said the declining birth rate is because many women are choosing to marry at a later age or to stay single."
I don't think that # 2 is the main reason.
Due to life style here, people are very busy so it is not possible to raise children, and if they will have a child it would be another financial burden on them.
And people think that Incentives offered by the government are not enough to cover the child care expenses, (education and other expenses).
The government should offer very attractive incentives to the couples and see the result!
In Canada, the government is offering good incentive that's why most of the immigrants have more then two children.
"A rapidly ageing society could lead to a spate of social problems in Taiwan,"
Unfortunately we are going to see the impact soon.
So authorities should thoroughly study incentive plans offered by other countries to increase the birth rate.
If you are serious then, "Don't waste time! Please save Taiwan!"