Taiwan Introduces 0-18 Child Growth Allowance; Canadian Diaspora Applauds Pro-Family Policy

The Taiwanese government's newly announced '0 to 18 Growth Allowance' policy, aimed at addressing the nation's low birth rate, has sparked enthusiastic discussions within the Taiwanese diaspora community in Canada. Several members of the new generation of Taiwanese Canadians affirmed that the policy would be very helpful for young people who are starting families and careers.

Overseas Community Affairs Council (OCAC) Minister Hsu Chia-ching, currently visiting Canada, encouraged dozens of young and middle-aged diaspora members at a meeting with overseas Taiwanese youth and businesspeople on May 31 to take advantage of this new population welfare policy. While explaining the details of the policy designed to reverse Taiwan's demographic trends, Minister Hsu asked the audience, "Do you have Republic of China (ROC) nationality? If not, please get it as soon as possible."

Regarding funding sources and eligibility, Minister Hsu told CNA that Taiwan's tax revenue structure has undergone significant changes. Currently, high-income individuals bear the bulk of income tax, but the government is seeing increased fiscal revenue from corporate taxes and active stock market transaction taxes. "The nation's fiscal situation is very good now," she said, allowing the government to provide more services to its citizens.

Minister Hsu pointed out that all related government service plans have been calculated through financial planning, and the nation has already amended its laws. As long as one parent is an ROC national, their child is eligible to become an ROC national. As long as one is an ROC national, their rights are protected, even if they reside abroad. "We will not use 'whether or not one pays taxes' as a discriminatory criterion for enjoying rights," she emphasized.

Chen Yen-yu, the 31-year-old president of the Toronto Taiwanese Young Professional Association, said he was "very happy" to hear about the upcoming implementation of this new population welfare policy, feeling that now he "can have children."

Chen told CNA that he is currently unmarried but has a stable partner. He believes the 0 to 18 Growth Allowance policy will be very helpful for the younger generation who are starting families and careers.

Huang Chung-en, vice president of the same association, said he is currently single but finds Taiwan's population policy eye-catching. He noted that a child would receive a monthly allowance of NT$5,000 from birth until age 18, accumulating to at least NT$1 million by adulthood.

Huang pointed out that South Korea, facing a similar demographic crisis, is also making strenuous efforts. Taiwan's introduction of such a clear population welfare policy shows that "the government is taking action," and the prospects are promising.

The 0 to 18 Growth Allowance policy is expected to be implemented as early as 2027. Regarding this, Minister of Health and Welfare Shih Chung-liang previously explained that children aged 0 to under 6 would receive cash payments, while funds for those aged 6 to 18 would be deposited. Eligibility requires both "ROC nationality" and "household registration in Taiwan." Under current regulations, if a citizen leaves the country for more than two years without returning, their household registration is forcibly removed. Therefore, foreigners and those who have been abroad long-term are not eligible.