We are aware that the birth rate in Taiwan is incredibly low, but what is the reason behind the declining numbers? Does it mean that fewer couples are walking down the aisle? Or does it indicate that people are generally getting married later in life? Here on CTS, we are revealing the latest study, which shows that there are more single ladies out there than ever, setting a record high in 32 years.

Oil prices keep soaring and salaries don't increase, as Taiwan's working women may marry late or not have children.

According to the DGBAS's latest survey, 31.12 % of women over the age of 15, are unmarried, the highest in 32 years, setting a new record.

And for women between the age of 25 to 29, unmarried women have the highest rate of being single, which 5 years ago was 65.06 % and has now increased to 74.21%.

And for those that are already married, the average birth rate was 2.52, which was a decline of 0.11 from the previous survey, also setting a record low.

Women's groups believe that the trend of low fertility in advanced countries such as Taiwan, Japan and other Asian countries is also based upon the problem of low wages, leading young people not to marry and have children.

Apart from maternity allowances and incentives, more affordable public child care institutions should be available allowing white-collar workers to have less of a burden, otherwise the maternity benefits alone cannot solve the problem of low fertility rates.

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