Taiwan's population and family planning efforts: an historical perspective
Cernada, G.; Sun, T.H.; Chang, M.C.; Tsai, J.F.
International Quarterly of Community Health Education 27(2): 99-120
2006
ISSN/ISBN: 0272-684X PMID: 18364300 DOI: 10.2190/iq.27.2.bDocument Number: 199937
The unprecedented decline of Taiwan's natural population increase rate from 3% in 1963 to 1.9% in 1973, attributed primarily to an increasing use of contraception, brought universal attention to one of the first and most successful national family planning programs, at a time when successes were few. Taiwan met its goal of decreasing its natural increase rate despite its young population, increasing numbers of women of childbearing ages, a strong preference for sons and a per capita income at the outset in 1963 of less than U.S.$200. Recognition of this achievement brought thousands of professionals, particularly from developing countries, to study the program firsthand: more than 3,000 during 1970--73 alone. This was matched by an avalanche of publications about the program that appeared around the world, written by practitioners, academics and others. This article tells the story of this success.