Taiwan's Population and Family Planning Efforts: An Historical Perspective

Abstract

The unprecedented decline of Taiwan's natural population increase rate from 3% in 1963 to 1.9% in 1973, attributed primarily to an increasing use of contraception, brought universal attention to one of the first and most successful national family planning programs, at a time when successes were few. Taiwan met its goal of decreasing its natural increase rate despite its young population, increasing numbers of women of childbearing ages, a strong preference for sons and a per capita income at the outset in 1963 of less than U.S.$200. Recognition of this achievement brought thousands of professionals, particularly from developing countries, to study the program firsthand: more than 3,000 during 1970--73 alone. This was matched by an avalanche of publications about the program that appeared around the world, written by practitioners, academics and others. This article tells the story of this success.

‘I couldn't hold the whole thing’: the role of gender, individualisation and risk in shaping fertility preferences in Taiwan

“…It focused on fertility intentions rather than fertility ideals since intentions have a more powerfully predictive power for demographic outcomes than ideals, which typically reflect broader social norms and attitudes (Philipov, Thévenon, Klobas, Bernardi, & Liefbroer, 2009). In doing so, the study aimed to investigate the complex factors that shape individuals' fertility in this setting where contraceptive availability and use-willingness is high (Cernada, Sun, Chang, & Tsai, 2007).…”

Childbearing and quality of life decisions for women in Taiwan

“…This includes the fact that Taiwan is now highly industrialised and modernised and therefore most young women are highly educated and have considerable employment opportunities that they may not want to forsake. Furthermore, women becoming pregnant tend to be negatively discriminated in the workforce In addition, women are marrying later leading to decreased fertility, choosing to have smaller families, [11,12] and responding to the availability of contraceptive services by the government. [11] In Taiwan, in recent years, the low birth rate has become a national issue, which needs to be solved urgently.…”

“…Furthermore, women becoming pregnant tend to be negatively discriminated in the workforce In addition, women are marrying later leading to decreased fertility, choosing to have smaller families, [11,12] and responding to the availability of contraceptive services by the government. [11] In Taiwan, in recent years, the low birth rate has become a national issue, which needs to be solved urgently. [13] Despite many studies [13][14][15][16] having been conducted from different aspects such as socio-economic status, women's education, child-rearing attitudes and so on, they have appeared to have had little impact on the current situation.…”

A Re-Interpretation of the ‘Two-child Norm’ in Post-Transitional Demographic Systems: Fertility Intentions in Taiwan

“…In common with other Pacific Asian countries, effective anti-natalist (family planning) policies played an important role in fertility decline in Taiwan–cited by one study as ‘one of the first and most successful national family planning programs, at a time when successes were few’ [ 15 ] (p.99). While replacement fertility was reached in 1984, it was not until 2006 that specific pro-natalist measures were implemented in the form of the ‘Mega Warmth Programme’ (though pro-natalist statements were made in 1992)–again a turnaround common with other Pacific Asian countries [ 16 ].…”