Is Vietnam Really the Top Origin for Foreign Spouses in Taiwan? Latest Rankings Reveal a Surprise Leader

When people think of foreign spouses in Taiwan, Vietnam might come to mind first. However, when including spouses from mainland China, Hong Kong, and Macau, the largest cumulative source over the years is actually not Vietnam. The latest monthly data from Taiwan's Ministry of the Interior Immigration Agency, titled 'Statistics on Foreign Spouses and Mainland (including Hong Kong and Macau) Spouses by Document Type,' has been updated to July 2026. The most recent official ranking of new residents' origins, released by the agency, covers data up to June 2026 and ranks the sources as follows: mainland China, Vietnam, Indonesia, Hong Kong/Macau, and the Philippines. This article analyzes the latest official data from the Immigration Agency and the Ministry of the Interior, comparing cumulative origins over decades with annual marriage registrations to clarify where Taiwan's foreign, mainland, and Hong Kong/Macau spouses primarily come from.

Where Do Most Foreign and Mainland/Hong Kong/Macau Spouses in Taiwan Come From? Mainland China Tops the List

According to the Immigration Agency's report 'Building a Multicultural Society with New Residents,' from January 1987 to June 2026, new residents in Taiwan originated mostly from mainland China, followed by Vietnam, Indonesia, Hong Kong/Macau, and the Philippines. This data comes from the 'Statistics on Foreign Spouses and Mainland (including Hong Kong and Macau) Spouses' table. The latest official ranking of origins is as follows:

- 1st: Mainland China - 2nd: Vietnam - 3rd: Indonesia - 4th: Hong Kong and Macau - 5th: Philippines

Therefore, when considering the cumulative number of foreign, mainland, and Hong Kong/Macau spouses since 1987, Vietnam is not the top source—mainland China is.

Why Do Many in Taiwan Believe Vietnamese Spouses Are the Most Common?

The key lies in the scope of statistics. Government data often separates foreign nationals from those from mainland China, Hong Kong, and Macau. Thus, the answer to 'Which country has the most foreign spouses in Taiwan?' depends on whether mainland China and Hong Kong/Macau are included. According to the Immigration Agency's data up to June 2026, if mainland China and Hong Kong/Macau are included, mainland China ranks first and Vietnam second. If these regions are excluded, Vietnam becomes the top source among foreign nationals. In other words, the belief that 'Vietnam has the most' is not entirely wrong—it depends on whether the comparison includes only foreign nationals or also mainland and Hong Kong/Macau spouses.

In 2025, Vietnamese Spouses Surpassed Mainland Chinese in New Marriages

If we shift focus from cumulative numbers over 30 years to 'new marriages registered in a single year between Taiwanese citizens and non-nationals,' the answer changes. According to marriage registration data released by the Ministry of the Interior's Statistics Division for 2025, a total of 104,376 couples registered marriages, of which 85,042 couples (81.5%) were both Taiwanese citizens. Couples where one spouse was a foreign national, from mainland China, or from Hong Kong/Macau totaled 19,334, accounting for 18.5% of all marriages.

Further analysis shows that in 2025, Southeast Asian nationals accounted for 9,596 of the non-Taiwanese spouses, or 49.6% of the total. Spouses from mainland China numbered 5,170, or 26.7%. When excluding mainland China and Hong Kong/Macau and focusing only on foreign nationals, the top three countries were:

- 1st: Vietnam, 6,427 people - 2nd: United States, 880 people - 3rd: Indonesia, 821 people

Moreover, when comparing single nationalities or regions, Vietnamese spouses marrying Taiwanese citizens in 2025 (6,427) outnumbered those from mainland China (5,170). This shows that to understand 'Where do most spouses in Taiwan come from?', one must first clarify the type of statistics: cumulative data over nearly 30 years shows mainland China as the top source, but in 2025, Vietnam had more new marriages.

About 1 in 5 to 6 New Marriages in Taiwan Involves a Non-Taiwanese Spouse

From the overall marriage structure, cross-border and cross-strait marriages still account for a significant proportion in Taiwan. In 2025, 104,376 couples registered marriages, with 19,334 couples (18.5%) involving one spouse who was a foreign national, from mainland China, or from Hong Kong/Macau. This means that about 1 in every 5 to 6 newly married couples falls into this category. Among them, Southeast Asian spouses totaled 9,596, accounting for 49.6% of non-Taiwanese spouses, while mainland Chinese spouses numbered 5,170, or 26.7%. Together, they accounted for over three-quarters of non-Taiwanese spouses marrying Taiwanese citizens in 2025.

The Image of 'Foreign Spouse = Foreign Bride' Is Changing

Beyond national origins, the gender composition of non-Taiwanese spouses is also shifting. Ministry of the Interior statistics show that in 2025, 13,471 female non-Taiwanese spouses (69.7%) married Taiwanese citizens, compared to 5,863 males (30.3%). While females still outnumber males, the gender gap is narrowing. The Ministry noted that the gender ratio of non-Taiwanese spouses rose from 31.8 in 2016 to 43.5 in 2025, indicating a growing share of male foreign spouses. The traditional image of 'foreign spouse equals foreign bride' no longer fully reflects the reality of cross-border and cross-strait marriages in Taiwan.

Where Do Most Foreign Spouses in Taiwan Come From? It Depends on the Statistics

Therefore, the question 'Where do most foreign and mainland/Hong Kong/Macau spouses in Taiwan come from?' cannot be answered by a single ranking. Based on the Immigration Agency's cumulative data from 1987 to June 2026, when including all foreign, mainland, and Hong Kong/Macau spouses, mainland China ranks first, followed by Vietnam, Indonesia, Hong Kong/Macau, and the Philippines. If mainland China and Hong Kong/Macau are excluded, Vietnam becomes the top source among foreign nationals. However, when looking at 2025's annual marriage data, Vietnamese spouses (6,427) outnumbered those from mainland China (5,170).

References

- Ministry of the Interior Immigration Agency, 'Building a Multicultural Society with New Residents,' data period: January 1987 to June 2026 - Ministry of the Interior Immigration Agency, 'Statistics on Foreign Spouses (including Mainland, Hong Kong, and Macau Residents),' latest monthly data updated to July 2026 - Ministry of the Interior Statistics Division, '115th Year, 26th Week Interior Statistics Bulletin,' 2025 marriage registration and non-Taiwanese spouse statistics

This article is compiled from publicly available data from government agencies such as the Ministry of the Interior and the Immigration Agency. Should there be updates to statistical data, classification methods, or content, the latest announcements from the relevant authorities shall prevail.