Fertility Trends in Taiwan: Tradition and Change

Fertility rates have been falling in Taiwan for several years. The declines appear to be general throughout the island, and are occurring mainly in the age groups above 30, as would be expected if there are beginnings of family limitation. There are indications that the fertility rates are negatively correlated with indices of modernization in local areas. Several pilot studies indicate a consensus in the population on the desirability of a moderate number of children, the desirability of the idea of family planning, a positive valuation of such traditional Chinese values as the joint family and support of parents by their children in old age. In one urban area studied, a substantial minority of wives 25-29 years old have used a family planning method already. The "pre-pregnancy health program" of the Provincial Health Department has been quite successful in providing service to interested couples, and among these couples the programme is demonstrably effective in reducing birth rates. Data from the various sources are consistent with the speculation that Taiwanese couples want to use modern family planning methods to maintain elements of the traditional Chinese family in a modern setting.