Taiwan faces a two-to-one gap between retirees and new workers, NDC warns

The National Development Council’s latest projection indicates that an average of 618 Taiwanese will age out of the workforce each day, more than double the influx of young entrants, resulting in a two-to-one retiree-to-new-worker ratio. Over the next two decades the 15-64 age group is set to contract sharply, with the proportion of workers aged 45-64 climbing from one outlet 46.3% to over half of the labour force. The council warns that this demographic shift could strain pension schemes, civil-servant retirement funds and the National Health Insurance system unless policies such as raising the retirement age, boosting female and elderly labour participation, or increasing immigration are pursued.

In parallel, Typhoon Champi is forecast to affect the entire island with heavy rain, gusts near 191 kph and large waves, leading to school and work closures, transport disruptions and a postponed stock-exchange settlement. Authorities have issued sea and land warnings and are monitoring the storm’s path as it moves toward Japan’s Kyushu island.