Taiwan’s marriage rate stood at 6.32 per thousand population last year, up from a low of 5.07 per thousand in 2009, according to figures released May 25 by the ROC Ministry of the Interior.
The MOI attributed the rebound to government policies that encourage people to marry and have children.
In recent years, the marriage rate peaked at 7.13 per thousand in 2011, before falling to 6.16 per thousand in 2012, then further rebounding last year.
The MOI previously attributed the exceptionally high marriage rate in 2011 to the ROC celebrating its centennial that year, as the number 100 connotes happiness and eternal love in Chinese culture.
Overall government policy is to encourage marriages, childbearing and family care, the MOI said. To this end a raft of supportive programs have been introduced, including subsidies, allowances and relief measures covering such things as having children, mortgage interest, national and farmers’ insurance, nannies, pre-school education and maternity and paternity leave.
Local governments have also been encouraged to participate by providing additional subsidies under their own schemes. For example, Taipei City’s program includes pre- and post-natal checkups as well as subsidies.
The MOI has introduced many programs to boost the value placed on marriage and family. These include matchmaking services, youth forums, as well as support for health forums and friendship events organized by civic organizations. The ministry also made a short film in which celebrities Tsai Shih-ping and Claudia Lin share their experience of being happily married and raising children.
Boosting the marriage rate is not the sole way to ensure the nation has enough births and a stable population structure, the MOI stressed, adding that it is important that other ministries contribute in creating marriage-friendly policies. With this in mind, the Cabinet approved July 12, 2013 a white paper detailing a series of such measures. (SDH)