View Intelligence Dossier Back to 1996 CSV Excel Print All Years

Communications

Military and security forces (Branches) [time series]

Army, Navy (includes Marines), Air Force, Coastal Patrol and Defense Command, Armed Forces Reserve Command, Combined Service Forces

Military expenditures (Defense expenditures) [time series]

exchange rate conversion - $11.5 billion, 3.6% of GDP (FY96/97)

Manpower availability [time series]

males age 15-49: 6,278,159 males fit for military service: 4,849,057 males reach military age (19) annually: 204,313 (1996 est.)

Broadcast media (Radio broadcast stations) [time series]

AM 91, FM 23, shortwave 0

Radios [time series]

8.62 million

Telecommunication systems (Telephone system) [time series]

best developed system in Asia outside of Japan domestic: extensive microwave radio relay trunk system on east and west coasts international: satellite earth stations - 2 Intelsat (1 Pacific Ocean and 1 Indian Ocean); submarine cables to Japan (Okinawa), Philippines, Guam, Singapore, Hong Kong, Indonesia, Australia, Middle East, and Western Europe

Telephones - fixed lines (Telephones) [time series]

10,253,773 (1993 est.)

Broadcast media (Television broadcast stations) [time series]

15 (repeaters 13)

Televisions [time series]

6.66 million (1993 est.) Defense

Economy

Agricultural products (Agriculture) [time series]

rice, wheat, corn, soybeans, vegetables, fruit, tea; pigs, poultry, beef, milk; fish catch increasing, reached 1.4 million metric tons in 1988

Budget [time series]

revenues: $30.3 billion expenditures: $30.1 billion, including capital expenditures of $NA (1991 est.)

Exchange rates (Currency) [time series]

1 New Taiwan dollar (NT$) = 100 cents

Economic aid [time series]

$NA

Economic overview [time series]

Taiwan has a dynamic capitalist economy with considerable government guidance of investment and foreign trade and partial government ownership of some large banks and industrial firms. Real growth in GDP has averaged about 9% a year during the past three decades. Export growth has been even faster and has provided the impetus for industrialization. Inflation and unemployment are low. Agriculture contributes about 4% to GDP, down from 35% in 1952. Taiwan currently ranks as number 13 among major trading countries. Traditional labor-intensive industries are steadily being replaced with more capital- and technology-intensive industries. Taiwan has become a major investor in China, Thailand, Indonesia, the Philippines, Malaysia, and Vietnam. The tightening of labor markets has led to an influx of foreign workers, both legal and illegal.

Electricity [time series]

capacity: 21,460,000 kW production: 108 billion kWh consumption per capita: 4,789 kWh (1993)

Exchange rates [time series]

New Taiwan dollars per US$1 - 27.4 (1995), 26.2 (1994), 26.6 (1993), 25.4 (1992), 25.748 (1991)

Exports [time series]

$93 billion (f.o.b., 1994) commodities: electrical machinery 19.7%, electronic products 19.6%, textiles 10.9%, footwear 3.3%, foodstuffs 1.0%, plywood and wood products 0.9% (1993 est.) partners: US 27.6%, Hong Kong 21.7%, EU countries 15.2%, Japan 10.5% (1994 est.)

Debt - external (External debt) [time series]

$620 million (1992 est.)

Fiscal year [time series]

1 July - 30 June

Real GDP (purchasing power parity) (GDP) [time series]

purchasing power parity - $290.5 billion (1995 est.)

GDP - composition, by sector of origin (GDP composition by sector) [time series]

agriculture: 3.6% industry: 37.3% services: 59.1% (1994 est.)

Real GDP per capita (GDP per capita) [time series]

$13,510 (1995 est.)

Real GDP growth rate (GDP real growth rate) [time series]

6% (1995 est.)

Illicit drugs [time series]

an important heroin transit point; also a drug money laundering center

Imports [time series]

$85.1 billion (c.i.f., 1994) commodities: machinery and equipment 15.7%, electronic products 15.6%, chemicals 9.8%, iron and steel 8.5%, crude oil 3.9%, foodstuffs 2.1% (1993 est.) partners: Japan 30.1%, US 21.7%, EU countries 17.6% (1993 est.)

Industrial production growth rate [time series]

4.5% (1994 est.)

Industries [time series]

electronics, textiles, chemicals, clothing, food processing, plywood, sugar milling, cement, shipbuilding, petroleum refining

Inflation rate (consumer prices) [time series]

4% (1995 est.)

Labor force [time series]

8.874 million by occupation: services 49%, industry 39%, agriculture 11% (1993 est.)

Unemployment rate [time series]

1.6% (1995)

Geography

Area [time series]

total area: 35,980 sq km land area: 32,260 sq km comparative area: slightly smaller than Maryland and Delaware combined note: includes the Pescadores, Matsu, and Quemoy

Climate [time series]

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

Coastline [time series]

1,448 km

Environment - current issues (Environment) [time series]

current issues: water pollution from industrial emissions, raw sewage; air pollution; contamination of drinking water supplies; trade in endangered species natural hazards: earthquakes and typhoons international agreements: signed, but not ratified - Marine Life Conservation

Geographic coordinates [time series]

23 30 N, 121 00 E

Disputes - international (International disputes) [time series]

involved in complex dispute over the Spratly Islands with China, Malaysia, Philippines, Vietnam, and possibly Brunei; Paracel Islands occupied by China, but claimed by Vietnam and Taiwan; Japanese-administered Senkaku-shoto (Senkaku Islands/Diaoyu Tai) claimed by China and Taiwan

Irrigated land [time series]

NA sq km

Land boundaries [time series]

0 km

Land use [time series]

arable land: 24% permanent crops: 1% meadows and pastures: 5% forest and woodland: 55% other: 15%

Location [time series]

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 [time series]

Southeast Asia

Maritime claims [time series]

exclusive economic zone: 200 nm territorial sea: 12 nm

Natural resources [time series]

small deposits of coal, natural gas, limestone, marble, and asbestos

Terrain [time series]

eastern two-thirds mostly rugged mountains; flat to gently rolling plains in west lowest point: South China Sea 0 m highest point: Yu Shan 3,997 m

Government

Administrative divisions [time series]

some of the ruling party in Taipei claim to be the government of all China; in keeping with that claim, the central administrative divisions include 2 provinces (sheng, singular and plural) and 2 municipalities* (shih, singular and plural) - Fu-chien (some 20 offshore islands of Fujian Province including Quemoy and Matsu), Kao-hsiung*, T'ai-pei*, and Taiwan (the island of Taiwan and the Pescadores islands); note - the more commonly referenced administrative divisions are those of Taiwan Province - 16 counties (hsien, singular and plural), 5 municipalities* (shih, singular and plural), and 2 special municipalities** (chuan-shih, singular and plural); Chang-hua, Chia-i, Chia-i*, Chi-lung*, Hsin-chu, Hsin-chu*, Hua-lien, I-lan, Kao-hsiung, Kao-hsiung**, Miao-li, Nan-t'ou, P'eng-hu, P'ing-tung, T'ai-chung, T'ai-chung*, T'ai-nan, T'ai-nan*, T'ai-pei, T'ai-pei**, T'ai-tung, T'ao-yuan, and Yun-lin; the provincial capital is at Chung-hsing-hsin-ts'un note: Taiwan uses the Wade-Giles system for romanization

Capital [time series]

Taipei

Constitution [time series]

1 January 1947, amended in 1992, presently undergoing revision

Data code [time series]

Diplomatic representation in the US (Diplomatic representation in US) [time series]

none; unofficial commercial and cultural relations with the people of the US are maintained through a private instrumentality, the Taipei Economic and Cultural Representative Office (TECRO) with headquarters in Taipei and field offices in Washington and 10 other US cities

Executive branch [time series]

chief of state: President LI Teng-hui (succeeded to the presidency following the death of President CHIANG Ching-kuo 13 January 1988, elected by the National Assembly 21 March 1990, reelected by popular vote in the first-ever direct elections for president 23 March 1996); election last held 23 March 1996 (next to be held NA 2000); results - LI Teng-hui 54%, PENG Ming-min 21%, LIN Yang-kang 15%, and CHEN Li-an 10%; Vice President-elect LIEN Chan (to be inaugurated 20 May 1996) head of government: Premier (President of the Executive Yuan) LIEN Chan (since 23 February 1993) and Vice Premier (Vice President of the Executive Yuan) HSU Li-teh (since 23 February 1993) were appointed by the president; note - LIEN Chan will continue to serve as premier until 20 May 1996 when he will be inaugurated as vice president; a new premier is expected to be appointed sometime in May 1996 cabinet: Executive Yuan was appointed by the president

Flag [time series]

red with a dark blue rectangle in the upper hoist-side corner bearing a white sun with 12 triangular rays

International organization participation [time series]

APEC, AsDB, BCIE, ICC, IOC, WCL, WTrO (applicant)

Judicial branch [time series]

Judicial Yuan, justices nominated and appointed for nine-year terms by the president

Legal system [time series]

based on civil law system; accepts compulsory ICJ jurisdiction, with reservations

Legislative branch (Legislative Yuan) [time series]

elections last held 2 December 1995 (next to be held NA December 1998); results - percent of vote by party NA; seats - (164 total) KMT 85, DPP 54, CNP 21, independents 4; note - since the election, there has been a change in the distribution of seats - KMT 83, DPP 54, CNP 21, independents 6

Legislative branch [time series]

unicameral Legislative Yuan and unicameral National Assembly

Country name (Name of country) [time series]

conventional long form: none conventional short form: Taiwan local long form: none local short form: T'ai-wan

Legislative branch (National Assembly) [time series]

elections last held 23 March 1996 (next to be held NA 2000); results - KMT 55%, DPP 30%, CNP 14%, other 1%; seats - (334 total) KMT 183, DPP 99, CNP 46, other 6

National holiday [time series]

National Day, 10 October (1911) (Anniversary of the Revolution)

Political parties (Other political or pressure groups) [time series]

Taiwan independence movement, various environmental groups note: debate on Taiwan independence has become acceptable within the mainstream of domestic politics on Taiwan; political liberalization and the increased representation of the opposition Democratic Progressive Party in Taiwan's legislature have opened public debate on the island's national identity; advocates of Taiwan independence, both within the DPP and the ruling Kuomintang, oppose the ruling party's traditional stand that the island will eventually unify with mainland China; the aims of the Taiwan independence movement include establishing a sovereign nation on Taiwan and entering the UN; other organizations supporting Taiwan independence include the World United Formosans for Independence and the Organization for Taiwan Nation Building

Political parties (Political parties and leaders) [time series]

Kuomintang (KMT, Nationalist Party), LI Teng-hui, chairman; Democratic Progressive Party (DPP), leader NA; Chinese New Party (CNP), leader NA; Labor Party (LP), leader NA

Suffrage [time series]

20 years of age; universal

Government type (Type of government) [time series]

multiparty democratic regime; opposition political parties legalized in March 1989

Diplomatic representation from the US (US diplomatic representation) [time series]

none; unofficial commercial and cultural relations with the people of Taiwan are maintained through a private institution, the American Institute in Taiwan (AIT), which has offices in Taipei at #7, Lane 134, Hsin Yi Road, Section 3, telephone [886] (2) 709-2000, FAX [886] (2) 702-7675, and in Kao-hsiung at #2 Chung Cheng 3d Road, telephone [886] (7) 224-0154 through 0157, FAX [886] (7) 223-8237, and the American Trade Center at Room 3207 International Trade Building, Taipei World Trade Center, 333 Keelung Road Section 1, Taipei 10548, telephone [886] (2) 720-1550

People

Age structure [time series]

0-14 years: 23% (male 2,605,495; female 2,436,864) 15-64 years: 69% (male 7,505,344; female 7,252,188) 65 years and over: 8% (male 907,310; female 758,680) (July 1996 est.)

Birth rate [time series]

15.01 births/1,000 population (1996 est.)

Death rate [time series]

5.52 deaths/1,000 population (1996 est.)

Ethnic groups (Ethnic divisions) [time series]

Taiwanese 84%, mainland Chinese 14%, aborigine 2%

Infant mortality rate [time series]

7 deaths/1,000 live births (1996 est.)

Languages [time series]

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

Life expectancy at birth [time series]

total population: 76.02 years male: 73.43 years female: 78.82 years (1996 est.)

Literacy [time series]

age 15 and over can read and write (1980 est.) total population: 86% male: 93% female: 79%

Nationality [time series]

noun: Chinese (singular and plural) adjective: Chinese

Net migration rate [time series]

-0.61 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1996 est.)

Population [time series]

21,465,881 (July 1996 est.)

Population growth rate [time series]

0.89% (1996 est.)

Religions [time series]

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

Sex ratio [time series]

at birth: 1.08 male(s)/female under 15 years: 1.07 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 1.04 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 1.2 male(s)/female all ages: 1.06 male(s)/female (1996 est.)

Total fertility rate [time series]

1.76 children born/woman (1996 est.)

Transportation

Airports [time series]

total: 38 with paved runways over 3 047 m: 8 with paved runways 2 438 to 3 047 m: 12 with paved runways 1 524 to 2 437 m: 4 with paved runways 914 to 1 523 m: 6 with paved runways under 914 m: 7 with unpaved runways 1 524 to 2 437 m: 1 (1995 est.)

Heliports [time series]

1 (1995 est.)

Roadways (Highways) [time series]

total: 19,860 km paved: 17,119 km (including 382 km of expressways) unpaved: 2,741 km (1990 est.)

Merchant marine [time series]

total: 198 ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 5,812,534 GRT/8,885,092 DWT ships by type: bulk 50, cargo 29, combination bulk 3, combination ore/oil 1, container 83, oil tanker 19, refrigerated cargo 11, roll-on/roll-off cargo 2 (1995 est.)

Pipelines [time series]

petroleum products 615 km; natural gas 97 km

Ports [time series]

Chi-lung (Keelung), Hua-lien, Kao-hsiung, Su-ao, T'ai-chung

Railways [time series]

total: 4,600 km; note - 1,075 km in common carrier service and about 3,525 km is dedicated to industrial use narrow gauge: 4,600 km 1.067-m