Taiwan's government plans to expand subsidies for in vitro fertilization (IVF) in hopes of raising the island democracy's birth rate, which is among the world's lowest.

Why It Matters

Roughly two-thirds of the world's population now live in places where fertility—births expected per woman—is below the 2.1 replacement level, according to the French Institute for Demographic Studies, as lifespans lengthen and the cost of living rises.

In 2024, Taiwan recorded about 135,000 births—a record low and the ninth straight annual decline—as more couples delay or forgo children. The island also joined South Korea and Japan as a "super-aged society," with people aged 65 and older comprising about 20 percent of the population. Officials warn of the long-term economic impact of these demographic tren

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