Cityscape at night in Taiwan

Taiwan Economic Data & Projections

Taiwan Economic Outlook

Technology and manufacturing hub:

Taiwan is a global leader in semiconductor manufacturing, with Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company (TSMC) dominating the advanced chip industry. The economy is heavily reliant on high-tech exports, particularly semiconductors, electronics, and precision machinery. Taiwan’s strong industrial base, efficient infrastructure, and skilled workforce have made it an indispensable player in global supply chains.

Export-dependent economy:

Taiwan's economy is deeply integrated into global trade, with exports accounting for over 60% of GDP. The U.S. and China are its largest trading partners, though geopolitical tensions have created economic risks. The government's focus on supply chain resilience and diversifying trade partners—particularly through stronger ties with the U.S., Japan, and the EU—aims to mitigate risks from potential trade disruptions with China.

Geopolitical uncertainty:

Taiwan faces unique economic risks due to its complex political relationship with China. While economic ties remain strong, Beijing's increasing military pressure and efforts to diplomatically isolate Taiwan create uncertainty for investors. In response, Taiwan has been increasing defense spending, strengthening alliances with democratic nations, and reducing economic dependence on China by expanding ties with Southeast Asia and the West.

Taiwan's economic prospects:

The Taiwanese economy is expected to maintain solid growth, driven by continued demand for advanced semiconductors, AI-related technologies, and 5G infrastructure. However, challenges include global economic headwinds, ongoing geopolitical uncertainties, and domestic energy security concerns. Taiwan’s long-term success will depend on sustaining its technological edge, diversifying export markets, and navigating geopolitical risks without disrupting economic stability.

Taiwan's Macroeconomic Analysis:

Nominal GDP of USD 757 billion in 2023.

GDP per capita of USD 32,466 compared to the global average of USD 10,589.

Average real GDP growth of 3.3% over the last decade.

Share of the region's population
Share of the region's GDP

Sector Analysis

In 2021, services accounted for 62% of overall GDP, manufacturing 32%, other industrial activity 4%, and agriculture 2%. Looking at GDP by expenditure, private consumption accounted for 45% of GDP in 2021, government consumption 14%, fixed investment 26%, and net exports 15%.

GDP by economic sector
GDP by type of expenditure

International trade

In 2021, manufactured products made up % of total merchandise exports, mineral fuels %, food %, ores and metals % and agricultural raw materials %, with other categories accounting for 31% of the total. In the same period, manufactured products made up % of total merchandise imports, mineral fuels %, food %, ores and metals % and agricultural raw materials 69%, with other goods accounting for 2% of the total. Total exports were worth USD 432 billion in 2023, while total imports were USD 352 billion.

Key exports
Key imports
Key export partners
Key import partners

Main Economic Indicators

Economic growth

The economy recorded average annual growth of 3.3% in the decade to 2024. To read more about GDP growth in Taiwan, go to our dedicated page.

Fiscal policy

Taiwan's fiscal deficit averaged 0.4% of GDP in the decade to 2023. Find out more on our dedicated page.

Unemployment

The unemployment rate averaged 3.7% in the decade to 2024. For more information on Taiwan's unemployment click here.

Inflation

Inflation averaged 1.3% in the decade to 2024. Go to our Taiwan inflation page for extra insight.

Monetary Policy

Taiwan's monetary policy rate ended 2024 at 2.00%, up from 1.88% a decade earlier. See our Taiwan monetary policy page for additional details.

Exchange Rate

From end-2014 to end-2024 the Taiwan dollar weakened by 3.7% vs the U.S. dollar. For more info on the Taiwan dollar, click here.

Economic situation in Taiwan

GDP growth slowed to 1.8% year on year in Q4 from 4.2% in Q3, the weakest reading since Q3 2023 and in line with our panelists’ forecasts. Exports and investment boomed thanks to the strong performance of the country’s dominant IT sector. That said, a surge in imports meant that the external sector dragged heavily on the economy, while both private and government consumption recorded modest expansions. Over 2024 as a whole, the economy grew above the average of the prior decade, buttressed by the IT sector—particularly semiconductors—amid surging global demand for AI. In politics, Taiwan’s legislature recently passed the 2025 budget, which contains USD 6 billion (around 0.8% of GDP) in spending cuts compared to the cabinet’s original version. That said, the budget is still slightly higher than in 2024, which will limit the hit to domestic demand.

Taiwan Economic Forecasts

Projections out to 2034.

47 indicators covered including both annual and quarterly frequencies.

Consensus Forecasts based on a panel of 28 expert analysts.

Want to get insight on the economic outlook for Taiwan in the coming years? FocusEconomics collects projections out to 2034 on 47 economic indicators for Taiwan from a panel of 28 analysts at the leading national, regional and global forecast institutions. These projections are then validated by our in-house team of economists and data analysts, and averaged to provide one Consensus Forecast you can rely on for each indicator. This means you avoid the risk of relying on out of date, biased or outlier forecasts. Our Consensus Forecasts can be visualized in whichever way best suits your needs, including via interactive online dashboards , direct data delivery and executive-style reports which combine analysts' projections with timely written analysis from our in-house team of economists on the latest developments in the Taiwan economy. To download a sample report on the Taiwan's economy, click here. To get in touch with our team for more information, fill in the form at the bottom of this page.

Taiwan Economic Indicators

2019 2020 2021 2022 2023
Inflation (CPI, ann. var. %, eop) 1.2 0.0 2.6 2.7 2.7
Exchange Rate (TWD per USD, eop) 29.98 28.10 27.67 30.74 30.69
Exchange Rate (TWD per USD, aop) 30.91 29.44 27.93 29.81 31.17
Unemployment (% of active population, eop) 3.7 3.7 3.6 3.5 3.3
Unemployment (% of active population, aop) 3.7 3.8 4.0 3.7 3.5
Discount Rate (%, eop) 1.38 1.13 1.13 1.75 1.88
Merchandise Trade Balance (USD bn) 43.5 59.0 64.4 51.3 80.8
Government Consumption (ann. var. %) 0.6 2.7 3.7 5.2 0.4
Inflation (CPI, ann. var. %, aop) 0.6 -0.2 2.0 2.9 2.5
Current Account Balance (USD bn) 65.7 97.6 118.3 101.5 105.8
Private Consumption (ann. var. %) 2.5 -2.4 -0.1 4.0 7.9
External Debt (USD bn) 185 190 214 202 206
Current Account Balance (% of GDP) 10.7 14.3 15.2 13.3 14.0
Inflation (Core, ann. var. %, aop) 0.5 0.4 1.3 2.6 2.6
External Debt (% of GDP) 30.1 27.9 27.4 26.4 27.3
Merchandise Exports (ann. var. %) -1.5 4.9 29.3 7.4 -9.8
GDP per capita (USD) 26,008 28,864 33,345 32,804 32,466
Domestic Demand (ann. var. %) 3.3 1.4 5.9 4.0 1.1
Money (ann. var. of M2 %) 4.5 9.4 7.3 6.7 5.6
GDP (USD bn) 614 680 779 765 757
10-Year Bond Yield (%, eop) 0.67 0.32 0.74 1.28 1.21
Fiscal Balance (% of GDP) 0.1 -1.0 -0.2 0.2 -0.6
Merchandise Exports (USD bn) 329 345 446 479 432
Exports (G&S, ann. var. %) 0.0 -0.5 15.1 2.8 -4.1
Imports (G&S, ann. var. %) -0.2 -5.2 16.1 5.2 -5.5
GDP (TWD bn) 18,974 20,024 21,773 22,820 23,597
Economic Growth (GDP, ann. var. %) 3.1 3.4 6.7 2.7 1.1
Economic Growth (Nominal GDP, ann. var. %) 3.0 5.5 8.7 4.8 3.4
Merchandise Imports (USD bn) 286 286 382 428 352
International Reserves (months of imports) 20.1 22.2 17.2 15.6 19.5
Merchandise Imports (ann. var. %) 0.3 0.2 33.5 12.1 -17.9
Fixed Investment (ann. var. %) 10.8 6.3 14.4 7.9 -7.8
Industrial Production (ann. var. %) 1.0 8.8 14.7 -1.7 -12.5
Retail Sales (ann. var. %) 3.1 0.2 3.3 7.4 9.7
Public Debt (% of GDP) 32.7 32.1 30.2 29.7 29.1
Population (million) 23.6 23.6 23.4 23.3 23.3
International Reserves (USD bn) 478 530 548 555 571
31-90 Day CP Rate (%, eop) 0.67 0.48 0.48 1.36 1.49
Stock Market (ann. var. of TAIEX %) 23.3 22.8 23.7 -22.4 26.8
Foreign Direct Investment (USD bn) 8.2 6.1 5.4 10.2 5.7
Free Sample Report

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