WU En-tzu has delivered more than 2,000 babies working as an obstetrician but she has no desire to have children of her own an increasingly common position taken by Taiwanese families.
Since they married 12 years ago, Wu and her surgeon husband have been on the same page when it comes to kids.
"I just can't find one single reason that I must have a child," she told AFP at her office in an upscale clinic in Taipei.
"It's not just me. Now many young people think: 'Why do I have to get married and have babies? I don't necessarily have to follow the traditional family values'."
Few places have experienced quite as profound a demographic change as Taiwan.
In 1951, the average Taiwanese woman gave birth to seven children. Now it is less than one.
Last year the island recorded more deaths than births a watershed moment that signals Taiwan's population officially contracted for the first time.
In the first quarter of this year, deaths outpaced births by 47,626 to 34,917.
It is an increasingly familiar story across East Asia. Japan has led the way, hitting that population decline milestone in 2007.
South Korea, Hong Kong and Taiwan also joined the club last year.
Government census data released earlier this month showed China's population is now growing at its slowest pace in decades.
Much of Asia faces a looming labour crisis with few families supplying the average 2.1 children needed for a population to replicate.
Millions are approaching retirement age with neither enough younger generations, or immigrants, to fill their shoes.
- Empty classrooms -
Laosong Elementary School in the capital Taipei illustrates this drastic decline.
It was once dubbed the world's most populous school with more than 11,000 students in 1966, according to principal Lin Ming-ju.
Back then, the 158 classes each had 80 pupils who had to take turns to use classrooms, go to the toilet and even leave school.
"In the past getting through the school's field was like playing dodgeball but now students can jump and run as much as they like," Lin told AFP.
The current headcount is 500 with just 20 classes, each containing 25 pupils. Around 40 percent come from one-child families, Lin said.
Taiwan's dwindling birth rates reflect the increasing choice of younger people, especially women, to get married at an older age, have smaller families or stay single.
"Women's growing self-awareness is a key reason," said doctor Wu, 37.
"Many women have master's or doctoral degrees now and they don't have to depend on men like in the past. They can choose to cultivate their careers," she added.
Government employee Pauline Fu, 38, says her family went from seven children to zero in just three generations.
Fu, who lives in southern Tainan city, said she and her husband of 11 years prefer the "freer lifestyle" of being childless.
"Our friends often complain about the worries and difficulties of parenting so we feel that a life of just the two of us is good enough."
- 'A rational choice' -
Another cause of low births is the sheer cost of living. Taiwan's industrialisation last century transformed the island into a regional economic powerhouse.
But in the last decade or so wages have stagnated as daily expenses continue to rise.
Hung Hui-fen, a sociologist at Taipei's Soochow University, says young couples at their prime childbearing suffer from "time and economic poverty", working long hours for low pay, forcing them to postpone or abandon having families.
Women in places like Taiwan, Japan and South Korea also face "very high opportunity cost", according to demographer Stuart Gietel-Basten at Hong Kong University of Science and Technology.
"The impact on women's careers is clear and this is especially the case because the burden of care is not usually shared."
In East Asia's patriarchal cultures, women remain primary caretakers for children, parents and in-laws even if they have full-time jobs.
Authorities have been upping incentives from childcare stipends to tax deductions and infertility treatments.
But activists say gender inequality remains unresolved and must be tackled.
"As gender discrimination is common in society, it becomes a rational choice for many women not to have any child," said Chyn Yu-rung, secretary-general of women's rights group Awakening Foundation.
Unless there is a radical change, Taiwan is projected to become a "super-aged society" by 2025 with one in every five citizens aged over 65.
"In the next decade, there will be universities closing every year," predicts Hung, the sociologist.
"I think Taiwan may have already passed the point to turn around the population decline. What we can do now is to tackle the causes of low birth rate to try to ease the fall," she added.
ETX Studio
Sat May 29 2021
![Taiwan hurtles towards 'super-aged' status as birthrate plummets Taiwan hurtles towards 'super-aged' status as birthrate plummets](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/https://img.astroawani.com/2021-05/71622254697_TAIWAN.jpg)
Few places have experienced quite as profound a demographic change as Taiwan, with the average Taiwanese woman in 1951 giving birth to seven children, now it is less than one.
AWANI 7:45 [16/07/2024] - Suspek dibawa ke lokasi | Selamat tinggal rakyat Malaysia | Harimau Malaya hilang taring?
- Polis sahkan suspek bunuh Kartini anggota polis.
- Pan-Gon enggan dedah punca letak jawatan.
- Faisal Halim sedih mentor Pan-Gon undur diri.
- Pakai reben putih di Parlimen, tak salah.
- Pan-Gon enggan dedah punca letak jawatan.
- Faisal Halim sedih mentor Pan-Gon undur diri.
- Pakai reben putih di Parlimen, tak salah.
![E-sukan harus dijadikan kepentingan sehingga ke peringkat lebih tinggi E-sukan harus dijadikan kepentingan sehingga ke peringkat lebih tinggi](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/https://img.astroawani.com/2024-07/61721128633_MohdHidayatMohdSa.jpg)
E-sukan harus dijadikan kepentingan sehingga ke peringkat lebih tinggi
Kerajaan juga harus wujudkan sebuah dasar yang jelas supaya kepentingan e-sukan ini mampu diperkembangkan ke masa hadapan.
![Kerajaan pandang serius penularan ideologi liberalism, pluralism Kerajaan pandang serius penularan ideologi liberalism, pluralism](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/https://img.astroawani.com/2024-07/61721122322_ZulkifliHasan.jpg)
Kerajaan pandang serius penularan ideologi liberalism, pluralism
Kerajaan sentiasa memandang serius terhadap penularan ideologi dan aliran pemikiran yang bercanggah dengan ajaran Islam seperti ideologi liberalism dan pluralism agama.
![Tidak dapat tidak, atlet RTG mesti bawa pulang emas - MOM Tidak dapat tidak, atlet RTG mesti bawa pulang emas - MOM](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/https://img.astroawani.com/2024-03/61710754100_MohdNazifuddinNaji.jpg)
Tidak dapat tidak, atlet RTG mesti bawa pulang emas - MOM
Atlet di bawah projek Road To Gold (RTG) tidak mempunyai pilihan selain memenangi emas yang diidam-idamkan Malaysia pada Sukan Olimpik 2024 di Paris.
![KEDA peruntuk RM3.37 juta tahun ini bagi keterjaminan makanan KEDA peruntuk RM3.37 juta tahun ini bagi keterjaminan makanan](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/https://img.astroawani.com/2023-09/41693913999_RubiahWang.jpg)
KEDA peruntuk RM3.37 juta tahun ini bagi keterjaminan makanan
Lembaga Kemajuan Wilayah Kedah (KEDA) memperuntukkan RM3.37 juta pada tahun ini bagi memastikan keterjaminan makanan negara.
![Dewan Rakyat lulus RUU Agensi Kawalan dan Perlindungan Sempadan Malaysia Dewan Rakyat lulus RUU Agensi Kawalan dan Perlindungan Sempadan Malaysia](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/https://img.astroawani.com/2024-07/41721021538_TBSHAMSUL.jpg)
Dewan Rakyat lulus RUU Agensi Kawalan dan Perlindungan Sempadan Malaysia
Rang Undang-Undang Agensi Kawalan dan Perlindungan Sempadan Malaysia 2024 yang bertujuan menubuhkan MCBA diluluskan persidangan Dewan Rakyat, hari ini.
![PAC akan mulakan prosiding isu dibangkit LKAN Siri 2/2024 PAC akan mulakan prosiding isu dibangkit LKAN Siri 2/2024](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/https://img.astroawani.com/2024-03/61710922383_MasErmieyatiSamsud.jpg)
PAC akan mulakan prosiding isu dibangkit LKAN Siri 2/2024
Jawatankuasa Kira-Kira Wang Negara (PAC) akan memulakan prosiding bagi empat isu yang dibangkitkan dalam Laporan Ketua Audit Negara (LKAN) Siri 2/2024.
AWANI Ringkas: Kes bunuh Nur Farah Kartini | Skandal LCS
Ikuti rangkuman berita utama yang menjadi tumpuan sepanjang hari di Astro AWANI menerusi AWANI Ringkas.
ADUN Rembia sertai Pas, kenapa tak umum tahun lepas? - MP Kampar
Chong Zhemin, tindakan tersebut seolah-olah satu penghinaan paling besar kepada Parlimen yang telah meluluskan pindaan Perlembagaan Persekutuan berkait Akta Antilompat Parti.
Masuk Pas untuk sama-sama susah dengan rakyat - ADUN Rembia
Muhamad Jailani berkata, sebelum ini beliau pernah menghantar surat kepada Lembaga Disiplin UMNO memohon untuk memecat keahliannya daripada parti Melayu itu.
![Taiwan beri amaran tiada laluan mudah buat Malaysia Taiwan beri amaran tiada laluan mudah buat Malaysia](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/https://img.astroawani.com/2024-06/71718013294_TBGaryWhite.jpg)
Taiwan beri amaran tiada laluan mudah buat Malaysia
Taiwan memberi amaran bahawa mereka tidak akan memberikan laluan mudah kepada Malaysia yang sangat memerlukan kemenangan besar pada perlawanan akhir Kumpulan D.
![FAM puas hati keadaan padang SNBJ menjelang aksi Harimau Malaya, Taiwan FAM puas hati keadaan padang SNBJ menjelang aksi Harimau Malaya, Taiwan](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/https://img.astroawani.com/2024-05/61717061539_SNBJ.jpg)
FAM puas hati keadaan padang SNBJ menjelang aksi Harimau Malaya, Taiwan
Permukaan padang SNBJ berada pada tahap terbaik menjelang perlawanan terakhir Kumpulan D pusingan kedua Kelayakan Piala Dunia 2026/ Piala Asia 2027 antara Malaysia dan Taiwan.
![Gempa bumi dengan magnitud 5.8 gegarkan timur Taiwan Gempa bumi dengan magnitud 5.8 gegarkan timur Taiwan](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/https://img.astroawani.com/2024-04/61712503337_TBindonesia.jpg)
Gempa bumi dengan magnitud 5.8 gegarkan timur Taiwan
Gempa bumi dengan magnitud 5.8 melanda pesisir pantai Daerah Hualien di timur Taiwan pada pukul 3.45 petang Jumaat.
![Syed Saddiq mohon pelepasan sementara pasport untuk ke Singapura dan Taiwan Syed Saddiq mohon pelepasan sementara pasport untuk ke Singapura dan Taiwan](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/https://img.astroawani.com/2024-01/71706503931_TBSYEDSADDIQjpg.jpg)
Syed Saddiq mohon pelepasan sementara pasport untuk ke Singapura dan Taiwan
Ahli Parlimen Muar Syed Saddiq Syed Abdul Rahman telah memfailkan permohonan bagi pelepasan sementara pasportnya untuk membolehkan beliau ke Singapura dan Taiwan.
![Piala Thomas: Taiwan lakar kejutan singkir Denmark untuk mara ke separuh akhir Piala Thomas: Taiwan lakar kejutan singkir Denmark untuk mara ke separuh akhir](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/https://img.astroawani.com/2024-05/71714776779_tbThomasCup.jpg)
Piala Thomas: Taiwan lakar kejutan singkir Denmark untuk mara ke separuh akhir
Kejayaan sensasi itu menyaksikan Taiwan berdepan Indonesia dan Malaysia menentang China di pentas separuh akhir pada jam 5 petang hari ini.
![Piala Uber: Malaysia tewas kepada Taiwan Piala Uber: Malaysia tewas kepada Taiwan](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/https://img.astroawani.com/2024-04/81714284628_WongLingChing.jpg)
Piala Uber: Malaysia tewas kepada Taiwan
Malaysia memulakan kempen Kumpulan B Piala Uber 2024 mereka dengan langkah kiri apabila tewas 1-4 kepada Taiwan, di sini hari ini.
![Gempa bumi sederhana dikesan di Taiwan Gempa bumi sederhana dikesan di Taiwan](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/https://img.astroawani.com/2024-04/41713838055_tbGempabumi.jpg)
Gempa bumi sederhana dikesan di Taiwan
Gempa bumi dengan kedalaman 10 kilometer (km) itu berlaku pada jarak 71 km tenggara dari Taichung, Taiwan.
![Kejohanan Olahraga Tiger Klasik: Azeem rekod masa terpantas 2024 Kejohanan Olahraga Tiger Klasik: Azeem rekod masa terpantas 2024](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/https://img.astroawani.com/2023-09/61696084474_SukanAsiaHangzhou.jpg)
Kejohanan Olahraga Tiger Klasik: Azeem rekod masa terpantas 2024
Muhammad Azeem merekodkan prestasi terbaiknya musim ini apabila merakamkan 10.31 saat dalam acara 100m Kejohanan Olahraga Tiger Klasik, di Taiwan.
![Gempa bumi di Taiwan diunjur beri kesan minimum kepada industri semikonduktor Malaysia Gempa bumi di Taiwan diunjur beri kesan minimum kepada industri semikonduktor Malaysia](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/https://img.astroawani.com/2024-04/51712279285_earthquakejpg.jpg)
Gempa bumi di Taiwan diunjur beri kesan minimum kepada industri semikonduktor Malaysia
Antara bangunan di Hualien yang runtuh akibat gempa bumi yang melanda timur Taiwan. FOTO CNA / AFP
!['Tanah Besar China, Taiwan sedarah sedaging' - Presiden Xi 'Tanah Besar China, Taiwan sedarah sedaging' - Presiden Xi](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/https://img.astroawani.com/2024-04/51712829220_TBSeniorChineseL.jpg)
'Tanah Besar China, Taiwan sedarah sedaging' - Presiden Xi
Tanah Besar China dan Taiwan sedarah sedaging dan hubungan antara kedua-dua pantai Selat Taiwan harus ditangani dengan menjaga kepentingan keseluruhan dan memacu pembangunan untuk jangka masa panjang.