2016 Edition

Background

First inhabited by Austronesian people, Taiwan became home to Han immigrants beginning in the late Ming Dynasty (17th century). In 1895, military defeat forced China's Qing Dynasty to cede Taiwan to Japan, which governed Taiwan for 50 years. Taiwan came under Chinese Nationalist control after World War II. In the four years leading to the communist victory on the mainland in 1949, 2 million Nationalists fled to Taiwan and established a government under the 1947 constitution drawn up for all of China. The Nationalist government established authoritarian rule under martial law in 1948. Beginning in the late 1970s, the ruling authorities gradually democratized and incorporated the local population within the governing structure. This process expanded rapidly in the 1980s, with the founding of the first opposition party (the Democratic Progressive Party or DPP) in 1986 and the lifting of martial law in 1987. Taiwan held its first direct presidential election in 1996. In 2000, Taiwan underwent its first peaceful transfer of power from the Nationalist Party (Kuomintang or KMT) to the DPP. Throughout this period, the island prospered and became one of East Asia's economic "Tigers." The dominant political issues continue to be management of sensitive relations between Taiwan and China - specifically the question of Taiwan's eventual status - as well as domestic priorities for economic reform and growth.

Area

35,980 sq km 32,260 sq km 3,720 sq km includes the Pescadores, Matsu, and Quemoy islands

land

32,260 sq km

note

includes the Pescadores, Matsu, and Quemoy islands

total

35,980 sq km

water

3,720 sq km

Area - comparative

slightly smaller than Maryland and Delaware combined

Climate

tropical; marine; rainy season during southwest monsoon (June to August); persistent and extensive cloudiness all year

Coastline

1,566.3 km

Elevation

1,150 m lowest point: South China Sea 0 m highest point: Yu Shan 3,952 m

elevation extremes

lowest point: South China Sea 0 m

highest point

Yu Shan 3,952 m

mean elevation

1,150 m

Environment - current issues

air pollution; water pollution from industrial emissions, raw sewage; contamination of drinking water supplies; trade in endangered species; low-level radioactive waste disposal

Environment - international agreements

none of the selected agreements because of Taiwan's international status

party to

none of the selected agreements because of Taiwan's international status

Geographic coordinates

23 30 N, 121 00 E

Geography - note

strategic location adjacent to both the Taiwan Strait and the Luzon Strait

Irrigated land

3,820 sq km (2012)

Land boundaries

0 km

Land use

22.7% arable land 16.9%; permanent crops 5.8%; permanent pasture NA NA 77.3% (2011 est.)

agricultural land

22.7%

forest

NA

other

77.3% (2011 est.)

Location

Eastern Asia, islands bordering the East China Sea, Philippine Sea, South China Sea, and Taiwan Strait, north of the Philippines, off the southeastern coast of China

Map references

Southeast Asia

Maritime claims

12 nm 200 nm

exclusive economic zone

200 nm

territorial sea

12 nm

Natural hazards

earthquakes; typhoons Kueishantao Island (elev. 401 m), east of Taiwan, is its only historically active volcano, although it has not erupted in centuries

volcanism

Kueishantao Island (elev. 401 m), east of Taiwan, is its only historically active volcano, although it has not erupted in centuries

Natural resources

small deposits of coal, natural gas, limestone, marble, asbestos, arable land

Terrain

eastern two-thirds mostly rugged mountains; flat to gently rolling plains in west

Age structure

13.13% (male 1,588,679/female 1,493,419) 13.17% (male 1,585,222/female 1,505,004) 46.74% (male 5,477,446/female 5,490,829) 13.89% (male 1,593,024/female 1,665,354) 13.07% (male 1,408,367/female 1,657,443) (2016 est.)

0-14 years

13.13% (male 1,588,679/female 1,493,419)

15-24 years

13.17% (male 1,585,222/female 1,505,004)

25-54 years

46.74% (male 5,477,446/female 5,490,829)

55-64 years

13.89% (male 1,593,024/female 1,665,354)

65 years and over

13.07% (male 1,408,367/female 1,657,443) (2016 est.)

Birth rate

8.4 births/1,000 population (2016 est.)

Death rate

7.3 deaths/1,000 population (2016 est.)

Ethnic groups

Taiwanese (including Hakka) 84%, mainland Chinese 14%, indigenous 2%

HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate

NA

HIV/AIDS - deaths

NA

HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS

NA

Infant mortality rate

4.4 deaths/1,000 live births 4.8 deaths/1,000 live births 4 deaths/1,000 live births (2016 est.)

female

4 deaths/1,000 live births (2016 est.)

male

4.8 deaths/1,000 live births

total

4.4 deaths/1,000 live births

Languages

Mandarin Chinese (official), Taiwanese (Min), Hakka dialects

Life expectancy at birth

80.1 years 77 years 83.5 years (2016 est.)

female

83.5 years (2016 est.)

male

77 years

total population

80.1 years

Literacy

age 15 and over can read and write 98.5% 99.7% 97.3% (2014 est.)

definition

age 15 and over can read and write

female

97.3% (2014 est.)

male

99.7%

total population

98.5%

Major urban areas - population

TAIPEI (capital) 2.666 million; Kaohsiung 1.523 million; Taichung 1.225 million; Tainan 815,000 (2015)

Median age

40.2 years 39.5 years 40.9 years (2016 est.)

female

40.9 years (2016 est.)

male

39.5 years

total

40.2 years

Nationality

Taiwan (singular and plural) example - he or she is from Taiwan; they are from Taiwan Taiwan (or Taiwanese)

adjective

Taiwan (or Taiwanese)

note

example - he or she is from Taiwan; they are from Taiwan

noun

Taiwan (singular and plural)

Net migration rate

0.9 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2016 est.)

Population

23,464,787 (July 2016 est.)

Population growth rate

0.2% (2016 est.)

Religions

mixture of Buddhist and Taoist 93%, Christian 4.5%, other 2.5%

Sex ratio

1.07 male(s)/female 1.06 male(s)/female 1.05 male(s)/female 1 male(s)/female 0.96 male(s)/female 0.86 male(s)/female 0.99 male(s)/female (2016 est.)

0-14 years

1.06 male(s)/female

15-24 years

1.05 male(s)/female

25-54 years

1 male(s)/female

55-64 years

0.96 male(s)/female

65 years and over

0.86 male(s)/female

at birth

1.07 male(s)/female

total population

0.99 male(s)/female (2016 est.)

Total fertility rate

1.12 children born/woman (2016 est.)

Administrative divisions

includes main island of Taiwan plus smaller islands nearby and off coast of China's Fujian Province; Taiwan is divided into 13 counties (xian, singular and plural), 3 cities (shi, singular and plural), and 6 special municipalities directly under the jurisdiction of the Executive Yuan Changhua, Chiayi, Hsinchu, Hualien, Kinmen, Lienchiang, Miaoli, Nantou, Penghu, Pingtung, Taitung, Yilan, Yunlin Chiayi, Hsinchu, Keelung Kaohsiung (city), New Taipei (city), Taichung (city), Tainan (city), Taipei (city), Taoyuan (city) Taiwan uses a variety of romanization systems; while a modified Wade-Giles system still dominates, the city of Taipei has adopted a Pinyin romanization for street and place names within its boundaries; other local authorities use different romanization systems

cities

Chiayi, Hsinchu, Keelung

counties

Changhua, Chiayi, Hsinchu, Hualien, Kinmen, Lienchiang, Miaoli, Nantou, Penghu, Pingtung, Taitung, Yilan, Yunlin

note

Taiwan uses a variety of romanization systems; while a modified Wade-Giles system still dominates, the city of Taipei has adopted a Pinyin romanization for street and place names within its boundaries; other local authorities use different romanization systems

special municipalities

Kaohsiung (city), New Taipei (city), Taichung (city), Tainan (city), Taipei (city), Taoyuan (city)

Capital

Taipei 25 02 N, 121 31 E UTC+8 (13 hours ahead of Washington, DC, during Standard Time)

geographic coordinates

25 02 N, 121 31 E

name

Taipei

time difference

UTC+8 (13 hours ahead of Washington, DC, during Standard Time)

Citizenship

no at least one parent must be a citizen of Taiwan yes, except that citizens of Taiwan are not recognized as dual citizens of the People's Republic of China 5 years

citizenship by birth

no

citizenship by descent only

at least one parent must be a citizen of Taiwan

dual citizenship recognized

yes, except that citizens of Taiwan are not recognized as dual citizens of the People's Republic of China

residency requirement for naturalization

5 years

Constitution

previous 1912, 1931; latest adopted 25 December 1946, promulgated 1 January 1947, effective 25 December 1947; revised several times, last in 2005 (2016)

Country name

none Taiwan none Taiwan Formosa "Tayowan" was the name of the coastal sandbank where the Dutch erected their colonial headquarters on the island in the 17th century; the former name "Formosa" means "beautiful" in Portuguese

conventional long form

none

conventional short form

Taiwan

etymology

"Tayowan" was the name of the coastal sandbank where the Dutch erected their colonial headquarters on the island in the 17th century; the former name "Formosa" means "beautiful" in Portuguese

former

Formosa

local long form

none

local short form

Taiwan

Diplomatic representation from the US

none; commercial and cultural relations with the people on Taiwan are maintained through an unofficial instrumentality, the American Institute in Taiwan (AIT), a private nonprofit corporation that performs citizen and consular services similar to those at diplomatic posts [1] [886] (02) 2162-2000 [1] [886] (02) 2162-2251 Kaohsiung (Branch Office)

FAX

[1] [886] (02) 2162-2251

other offices

Kaohsiung (Branch Office)

telephone

[1] [886] (02) 2162-2000

Diplomatic representation in the US

none; commercial and cultural relations with the people in the United States are maintained through an unofficial instrumentality, the Taipei Economic and Cultural Representative Office in the United States (TECRO), a private nonprofit corporation that performs citizen and consular services similar to those at diplomatic posts KAO Shuo-tai (a.k.a. Stanley KAO) (since 5 June 2016) 4201 Wisconsin Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20016 [1] 202 895-1800 Atlanta, Boston, Chicago, Denver (CO), Hagatna (Guam), Houston, Honolulu, Los Angeles, Miami, New York, San Francisco, Seattle

office

4201 Wisconsin Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20016

representative

KAO Shuo-tai (a.k.a. Stanley KAO) (since 5 June 2016)

Taipei Economic and Cultural Offices (branch offices)

Atlanta, Boston, Chicago, Denver (CO), Hagatna (Guam), Houston, Honolulu, Los Angeles, Miami, New York, San Francisco, Seattle

telephone

[1] 202 895-1800

Executive branch

President TSAI Ing-wen (since 20 May 2016); Vice President CHEN Chien-jen (since 20 May 2016) Premier LIN Chuan (President of the Executive Yuan) (since 20 May 2016); Vice Premier LIN Hsi-yao, Vice President of the Executive Yuan (since 20 May 2016) Executive Yuan - ministers appointed by president on recommendation of premier president and vice president directly elected on the same ballot by simple majority popular vote for a 4-year term (eligible for a second term); election last held on 16 January 2016 (next to be held in 2020); premier appointed by the president; vice premiers appointed by the president on the recommendation of the premier TSAI Ing-wen elected president; percent of vote - TSAI Ing-wen (DPP) 56.1%, Eric CHU Li-lun (KMT) 31.0%, James SOONG Chu-yu (PFP) 12.8%; note - TSAI is the first woman elected president of Taiwan

cabinet

Executive Yuan - ministers appointed by president on recommendation of premier

chief of state

President TSAI Ing-wen (since 20 May 2016); Vice President CHEN Chien-jen (since 20 May 2016)

election results

TSAI Ing-wen elected president; percent of vote - TSAI Ing-wen (DPP) 56.1%, Eric CHU Li-lun (KMT) 31.0%, James SOONG Chu-yu (PFP) 12.8%; note - TSAI is the first woman elected president of Taiwan

elections/appointments

president and vice president directly elected on the same ballot by simple majority popular vote for a 4-year term (eligible for a second term); election last held on 16 January 2016 (next to be held in 2020); premier appointed by the president; vice premiers appointed by the president on the recommendation of the premier

head of government

Premier LIN Chuan (President of the Executive Yuan) (since 20 May 2016); Vice Premier LIN Hsi-yao, Vice President of the Executive Yuan (since 20 May 2016)

Flag description

red field with a dark blue rectangle in the upper hoist-side corner bearing a white sun with 12 triangular rays; the blue and white design of the canton (symbolizing the sun of progress) dates to 1895; it was later adopted as the flag of the Kuomintang Party; blue signifies liberty, justice, and democracy; red stands for fraternity, sacrifice, and nationalism, white represents equality, frankness, and the people's livelihood; the 12 rays of the sun are those of the months and the twelve traditional Chinese hours (each ray equals two hours)

Government type

semi-presidential republic

International law organization participation

has not submitted an ICJ jurisdiction declaration; non-party state to the ICCt

International organization participation

ADB (Taipei, China), APEC (Chinese Taipei), BCIE, ICC (national committees), IOC, ITUC (NGOs), SICA (observer), WTO (Taipei, China)

Judicial branch

Supreme Court (consists of the court president, vice president, and approximately 100 judges organized into 8 civil and 12 criminal divisions, each with a division chief justice and 4 associate justices); Constitutional Court (consists of the court president, vice president, and 13 justices) Supreme Court justices appointed by the president; Constitutional Court justices appointed by the president with approval of the Legislative Yuan; Supreme Court justices appointed for life; Constitutional Court justices appointed for 8-year terms with half the membership renewed every 4 years high courts; district courts; hierarchy of administrative courts

highest court(s)

Supreme Court (consists of the court president, vice president, and approximately 100 judges organized into 8 civil and 12 criminal divisions, each with a division chief justice and 4 associate justices); Constitutional Court (consists of the court president, vice president, and 13 justices)

judge selection and term of office

Supreme Court justices appointed by the president; Constitutional Court justices appointed by the president with approval of the Legislative Yuan; Supreme Court justices appointed for life; Constitutional Court justices appointed for 8-year terms with half the membership renewed every 4 years

subordinate courts

high courts; district courts; hierarchy of administrative courts

Legal system

civil law system

Legislative branch

unicameral Legislative Yuan (113 seats; 73 members directly elected in single-seat constituencies by simple majority vote, 34 directly elected in a single islandwide constituency by proportional representation vote, and 6 directly elected in multi-seat aboriginal constituencies by proportional representation vote; members serve 4-year terms) Legislative Yuan - last held on 16 January 2016 (next to be held in January 2020) Legislative Yuan - percent of vote by party - DPP 44.1%, KMT 26.9%, PFP 6.5%, NPP 6.1%, other 16.4%; seats by party - DPP 68, KMT 35, NPP 5, PFP 3, NPSU 1, independent 1

description

unicameral Legislative Yuan (113 seats; 73 members directly elected in single-seat constituencies by simple majority vote, 34 directly elected in a single islandwide constituency by proportional representation vote, and 6 directly elected in multi-seat aboriginal constituencies by proportional representation vote; members serve 4-year terms)

election results

Legislative Yuan - percent of vote by party - DPP 44.1%, KMT 26.9%, PFP 6.5%, NPP 6.1%, other 16.4%; seats by party - DPP 68, KMT 35, NPP 5, PFP 3, NPSU 1, independent 1

elections

Legislative Yuan - last held on 16 January 2016 (next to be held in January 2020)

National anthem

"Zhonghua Minguo guoge" (National Anthem of the Republic of China) HU Han-min, TAI Chi-t'ao, and LIAO Chung-k'ai/CHENG Mao-Yun adopted 1930; also the song of the Kuomintang Party; it is informally known as "San Min Chu I" or "San Min Zhu Yi" (Three Principles of the People); because of political pressure from China, "Guo Qi Ge" (National Banner Song) is used at international events rather than the official anthem of Taiwan; the "National Banner Song" has gained popularity in Taiwan and is commonly used during flag raisings

lyrics/music

HU Han-min, TAI Chi-t'ao, and LIAO Chung-k'ai/CHENG Mao-Yun

name

"Zhonghua Minguo guoge" (National Anthem of the Republic of China)

note

adopted 1930; also the song of the Kuomintang Party; it is informally known as "San Min Chu I" or "San Min Zhu Yi" (Three Principles of the People); because of political pressure from China, "Guo Qi Ge" (National Banner Song) is used at international events rather than the official anthem of Taiwan; the "National Banner Song" has gained popularity in Taiwan and is commonly used during flag raisings

National holiday

Republic Day (Anniversary of the Chinese Revolution), 10 October (1911)

National symbol(s)

white, 12-rayed sun on blue field; national colors: blue, white, red

white, 12-rayed sun on blue field; national colors

blue, white, red

Political parties and leaders

Democratic Progressive Party or DPP [TSAI Ing-wen] Kuomintang or KMT (Nationalist Party) [HUNG Hsiu-chu] New Power Party or NPP [HUANG Kuo-chang] Non-Partisan Solidarity Union or NPSU [LIN Pin-kuan] People First Party or PFP [James SOONG Chu-yu] Taiwan Solidarity Union or TSU [HUANG Kun-huei]

Political pressure groups and leaders

environmental groups; independence movement; various business groups public opinion polls consistently show most Taiwanese support maintaining Taiwan's status quo; advocates of Taiwan independence oppose unification with mainland China; most advocates of eventual unification predicate their goal on the democratic transformation of the mainland

note

public opinion polls consistently show most Taiwanese support maintaining Taiwan's status quo; advocates of Taiwan independence oppose unification with mainland China; most advocates of eventual unification predicate their goal on the democratic transformation of the mainland

other

environmental groups; independence movement; various business groups

Suffrage

20 years of age; universal

Agriculture - products

rice, vegetables, fruit, tea, flowers; pigs, poultry; fish

Budget

$83.43 billion $82.89 billion (2015 est.)

expenditures

$82.89 billion (2015 est.)

revenues

$83.43 billion

Budget surplus (+) or deficit (-)

0.1% of GDP (2015 est.)

Central bank discount rate

1.63% (31 December 2015) 1.88% (31 December 2014)

Commercial bank prime lending rate

2.83% (31 December 2015 est.) 2.88% (31 December 2014 est.)

Current account balance

$76.17 billion (2015 est.) $65.42 billion (2014 est.)

Debt - external

$159 billion (31 December 2015 est.) $177.9 billion (31 December 2014 est.)

Distribution of family income - Gini index

33.6 (2014) 32.6 (2000)

Economy - overview

Taiwan has a dynamic capitalist economy with gradually decreasing government guidance on investment and foreign trade. Exports, led by electronics, machinery, and petrochemicals have provided the primary impetus for economic development. This heavy dependence on exports exposes the economy to fluctuations in world demand. Taiwan's diplomatic isolation, low birth rate, and rapidly aging population are other major long-term challenges. Free trade agreements have proliferated in East Asia over the past several years. Following the landmark Economic Cooperation Framework Agreement (ECFA) signed with China in June 2010, Taiwan in July 2013 signed a free trade deal with New Zealand - Taipei’s first-ever with a country with which it does not maintain diplomatic relations - and, in November, inked a trade pact with Singapore. However, follow-on components of the ECFA, including a signed agreement on trade in services and negotiations on trade in goods and dispute resolution, have stalled. In early 2014, the government bowed to public demand and proposed a new law governing the oversight of cross-Strait agreements, before any additional deals with China are implemented; the legislature has yet to vote on such legislation, leaving the future of ECFA up in the air as of the conclusion of President MA's second and final term in May 2016. MA portrayed ECFA as Taiwan’s key to greater participation in East Asia’s free trade networks, and has also expressed interest in Taiwan joining the Trans-Pacific Partnership. Taiwan's total fertility rate of just over one child per woman is among the lowest in the world, raising the prospect of future labor shortages, falling domestic demand, and declining tax revenues. Taiwan's population is aging quickly, with the number of people over 65 expected to account for nearly 20% of the island's total population by 2025. The island runs a trade surplus, largely because of its surplus with China, and its foreign reserves are the world's fifth largest, behind those of China, Japan, Saudi Arabia, and Switzerland. In 2006 China overtook the US to become Taiwan's second-largest source of imports after Japan. China is also the island's number one destination for foreign direct investment. Taiwan since 2009 has gradually loosened rules governing Chinese investment on the island and has also secured greater market access for its investors in the mainland. In August 2012, the Taiwan Central Bank signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) on cross-Strait currency settlement with its Chinese counterpart. The MOU allows for the direct settlement of Chinese Renminbi (RMB) and the New Taiwan Dollar across the Strait, which has helped Taiwan develop into a local RMB hub. Closer economic links with the mainland bring opportunities for Taiwan’s economy but also pose challenges as political differences remain unresolved and China’s economic growth is slowing. Domestic economic issues loomed large in public debate ahead of the 16 January 2016 presidential and legislative elections, including concerns about stagnant wages, high housing prices, youth unemployment, job security, and financial security in retirement.

Exchange rates

New Taiwan dollars (TWD) per US dollar - 31.911 (2015 est.) 30.363 (2014 est.) 30.363 (2013 est.) 29.62 (2012 est.) 29.47 (2011 est.)

Exports

$335.5 billion (2015 est.) $379.7 billion (2014 est.)

Exports - commodities

semiconductors, petrochemicals, automobile/auto parts, ships, wireless communication equipment, flat display displays, steel, electronics, plastics, computers

Exports - partners

China 27.1%, Hong Kong 13.2%, US 10.3%, Japan 6.4%, Singapore 4.4% (2012 est.)

Fiscal year

calendar year

GDP - composition, by end use

52.3% 13.9% 20.7% 0.1% 64.6% -51.6% (2015 est.)

exports of goods and services

64.6%

government consumption

13.9%

household consumption

52.3%

imports of goods and services

-51.6% (2015 est.)

investment in fixed capital

20.7%

investment in inventories

0.1%

GDP - composition, by sector of origin

1.8% 36.5% 61.7% (2015 est.)

agriculture

1.8%

industry

36.5%

services

61.7% (2015 est.)

GDP - per capita (PPP)

$46,800 (2015 est.) $46,600 (2014 est.) $44,900 (2013 est.) data are in 2015 US dollars

note

data are in 2015 US dollars

GDP - real growth rate

0.7% (2015 est.) 3.9% (2014 est.) 2.2% (2013 est.)

GDP (official exchange rate)

$523.6 billion (2015 est.)

GDP (purchasing power parity)

$1.099 trillion (2015 est.) $1.091 trillion (2014 est.) $1.05 trillion (2013 est.) data are in 2015 US dollars

note

data are in 2015 US dollars

Gross national saving

35.2% of GDP (2015 est.) 33.6% of GDP (2014 est.) 32.1% of GDP (2013 est.)

Household income or consumption by percentage share

6.4% 40.3% (2010)

highest 10%

40.3% (2010)

lowest 10%

6.4%

Imports

$262.9 billion (2015 est.) $318.8 billion (2014 est.)

Imports - commodities

oil/petroleum, semiconductors, natural gas, coal, steel, computers, wireless communication equipment, automobiles, fine chemicals, textiles

Imports - partners

Japan 17.6%, China 16.1%, US 9.5% (2012 est.)

Industrial production growth rate

-0.7% (2015 est.)

Industries

electronics, communications and information technology products, petroleum refining, chemicals, textiles, iron and steel, machinery, cement, food processing, vehicles, consumer products, pharmaceuticals

Inflation rate (consumer prices)

-0.3% (2015 est.) 1.2% (2014 est.)

Labor force

11.64 million (2015 est.)

Labor force - by occupation

5% 36% 59% (2015 est.)

agriculture

5%

industry

36%

services

59% (2015 est.)

Market value of publicly traded shares

$741.1 billion (31 December 2015) $847.8 billion (31 December 2014) $818.7 billion (31 December 2013)

Population below poverty line

1.5% (2012 est.)

Public debt

32.7% of GDP (2015 est.) 32.8% of GDP (2014 est.) data for central government

note

data for central government

Reserves of foreign exchange and gold

$430.7 billion (31 December 2015 est.) $423.9 billion (31 December 2014 est.)

Stock of broad money

$1.249 trillion (31 December 2014 est.) $1.186 trillion (31 December 2013 est.)

Stock of direct foreign investment - abroad

$336.1 billion (31 December 2015 est.) $321.4 billion (31 December 2014 est.)

Stock of direct foreign investment - at home

$72.34 billion (31 December 2015 est.) $69.93 billion (31 December 2014 est.)

Stock of domestic credit

$734 billion (31 December 2015 est.) $740 billion (31 December 2014 est.)

Stock of narrow money

$462.5 billion (31 December 2015 est.) $451.2 billion (31 December 2014 est.)

Taxes and other revenues

15.9% of GDP (2015 est.)

Unemployment rate

3.8% (2015 est.) 4% (2014 est.)

Carbon dioxide emissions from consumption of energy

26.69 million Mt (2014 est.)

Crude oil - exports

0 bbl/day (2015 est.)

Crude oil - imports

841,300 bbl/day (2015 est.)

Crude oil - production

196 bbl/day (2015 est.)

Crude oil - proved reserves

10.06 million bbl (1 January 2016 es)

Electricity - consumption

249.5 billion kWh (2015 est.)

Electricity - exports

0 kWh (2015 est.)

Electricity - from fossil fuels

75.6% of total installed capacity (2014 est.)

Electricity - from hydroelectric plants

5.4% of total installed capacity (2014 est.)

Electricity - from nuclear fuels

10.6% of total installed capacity (2014 est.)

Electricity - from other renewable sources

8.4% of total installed capacity (2014 est.)

Electricity - imports

0 kWh (2015 est.)

Electricity - installed generating capacity

54 million kW (2014 est.)

Electricity - production

258 billion kWh (2015 est.)

Natural gas - consumption

17.79 billion cu m (2015 est.)

Natural gas - exports

0 cu m (2015 est.)

Natural gas - imports

17.94 billion cu m (2014 est.)

Natural gas - production

1.294 billion cu m (2015 est.)

Natural gas - proved reserves

6.229 billion cu m (1 January 2016 es)

Refined petroleum products - consumption

818,700 bbl/day (2015 est.)

Refined petroleum products - exports

352,600 bbl/day (2015 est.)

Refined petroleum products - imports

363,100 bbl/day (2013 est.)

Refined petroleum products - production

1.299 million bbl/day (2015 est.)

Broadcast media

5 nationwide television networks operating roughly 75 TV stations; about 85% of households utilize multi-channel cable TV; national and regional radio networks with about 170 radio stations (2008)

Internet country code

.tw

Internet users

20.601 million 88% (July 2015 est.)

percent of population

88% (July 2015 est.)

total

20.601 million

Telephone system

provides telecommunications service for every business and private need thoroughly modern; completely digitalized country code - 886; roughly 15 submarine fiber cables provide links throughout Asia, Australia, the Middle East, Europe, and the US; satellite earth stations - 2 (2015)

domestic

thoroughly modern; completely digitalized

general assessment

provides telecommunications service for every business and private need

international

country code - 886; roughly 15 submarine fiber cables provide links throughout Asia, Australia, the Middle East, Europe, and the US; satellite earth stations - 2 (2015)

Telephones - fixed lines

13,916,334 59 (July 2015 est.)

subscriptions per 100 inhabitants

59 (July 2015 est.)

total subscriptions

13,916,334

Telephones - mobile cellular

29.681 million 127 (July 2015 est.)

subscriptions per 100 inhabitants

127 (July 2015 est.)

total

29.681 million

Airports

37 (2013)

Airports - with paved runways

2 (2013)

1,524 to 2,437 m

10

2,438 to 3,047 m

7

914 to 1,523 m

8

over 3,047 m

8

total

35

under 914 m

2 (2013)

Airports - with unpaved runways

1 (2013)

1,524 to 2,437 m

1

total

2

under 914 m

1 (2013)

Civil aircraft registration country code prefix

B (2016)

Heliports

31 (2013)

Merchant marine

bulk carrier 35, cargo 20, chemical tanker 1, container 31, passenger/cargo 4, petroleum tanker 12, refrigerated cargo 7, roll on/roll off 2 3 (France 2, Vietnam 1) 579 (Argentina 2, Cambodia 1, Honduras 1, Hong Kong 25, Indonesia 1, Italy 10, Kiribati 2, Liberia 94, Marshall Islands 8, Panama 328, Philippines 1, Sierra Leone 7, Singapore 77, South Korea 1, Thailand 1, UK 11, Vanuatu 1, unknown 8) (2010)

by type

bulk carrier 35, cargo 20, chemical tanker 1, container 31, passenger/cargo 4, petroleum tanker 12, refrigerated cargo 7, roll on/roll off 2

foreign-owned

3 (France 2, Vietnam 1)

registered in other countries

579 (Argentina 2, Cambodia 1, Honduras 1, Hong Kong 25, Indonesia 1, Italy 10, Kiribati 2, Liberia 94, Marshall Islands 8, Panama 328, Philippines 1, Sierra Leone 7, Singapore 77, South Korea 1, Thailand 1, UK 11, Vanuatu 1, unknown 8) (2010)

total

112

National air transport system

221 (2015)

inventory of registered aircraft operated by air carriers

221 (2015)

number of registered air carriers

8

Pipelines

condensate 25 km; gas 802 km; oil 241 km (2013)

Ports and terminals

Chilung (Keelung), Kaohsiung, Hualian, Taichung Chilung (Keelung) (1,749,388), Kaohsiung (9,363,289), Taichung (1,383,578) Yung An (Kaohsiung), Taichung

container port(s) (TEUs)

Chilung (Keelung) (1,749,388), Kaohsiung (9,363,289), Taichung (1,383,578)

LNG terminal (import)

Yung An (Kaohsiung), Taichung

major seaport(s)

Chilung (Keelung), Kaohsiung, Hualian, Taichung

Railways

1,597 km 345 km 1.435-m gauge (345 km electrified) 1,102 km 1.067-m gauge (692 km electrified); 150 km 0.762-m gauge the 0.762-gauge track belongs to three entities: the Forestry Bureau, Taiwan Cement, and TaiPower (2014)

narrow gauge

1,102 km 1.067-m gauge (692 km electrified); 150 km 0.762-m gauge

note

the 0.762-gauge track belongs to three entities: the Forestry Bureau, Taiwan Cement, and TaiPower (2014)

standard gauge

345 km 1.435-m gauge (345 km electrified)

total

1,597 km

Roadways

42,520 km 42,078 km (includes 1,348 km of highways and 737 km of expressways) 442 km (2013)

paved

42,078 km (includes 1,348 km of highways and 737 km of expressways)

total

42,520 km

unpaved

442 km (2013)

Military branches

Army, Navy (includes Marine Corps), Air Force, Military Police Command, Armed Forces Reserve Command, Coast Guard Administration (2016)

Military service age and obligation

starting with those born in 1994, males 18-36 years of age may volunteer for military service or must complete 4 months of compulsory military training (or substitute civil service in some cases); women may enlist; women in Air Force service are restricted to noncombat roles; for men born before December 1993, compulsory service (military or civil) is 1 year; for 8 years after discharge, men are subject to training recall four times for periods not to exceed 20 days (2016)

Disputes - international

involved in complex dispute with Brunei, China, Malaysia, the Philippines, and Vietnam over the Spratly Islands, and with China and the Philippines over Scarborough Reef; the 2002 "Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the South China Sea" has eased tensions but falls short of a legally binding "code of conduct" desired by several of the disputants; Paracel Islands are occupied by China, but claimed by Taiwan and Vietnam; in 2003, China and Taiwan became more vocal in rejecting both Japan's claims to the uninhabited islands of the Senkaku-shoto (Diaoyu Tai) and Japan's unilaterally declared exclusive economic zone in the East China Sea where all parties engage in hydrocarbon prospecting

Illicit drugs

regional transit point for heroin, methamphetamine, and precursor chemicals; transshipment point for drugs to Japan; major problem with domestic consumption of methamphetamine and heroin; rising problems with use of ketamine and club drugs