I Love Taiwan! 92.1% of New Immigrants Respond Being Happy Living in Taiwan.Ministry of the Interior: Committed to Ongoing Development of Comprehensive Policies for New Immigrants

• Date： 2024-07-19
• Source：Immigration Counseling Section
• Hit：719
• Updated date：2024-07-19

The Ministry of the Interior (MOI) announced today (19th) the results of the 2023 "New Immigrant Living Needs Survey." The survey reveals that 92.1% of new immigrants in Taiwan are happy with their lives, 94.8% are satisfied with their jobs, 62.9% have availed various support services, and about one-third have participated in social activities in the past year. Overall, new immigrants are increasingly integrating into Taiwanese society and contributing to charitable causes, becoming a new driving force in national development.Interior Minister Liu Shyh-Fang noted that Taiwan is home to nearly 600,000 marriage immigrants. To understand their living needs, the nationwide "New Immigrant Living Needs Survey" has been conducted every five years since 2003. This year's survey, the fifth of its kind, has collected over 10,000 valid samples. Results indicate improvements in new immigrants' insurance coverage, family income, and utilization of government support services, demonstrating the effectiveness of assistance provided by both governmental and non-governmental organizations. With the recent passage of the new immigrant special law, which expands the definition of new immigrants, the government aims to develop more comprehensive policies to support new immigrants in Taiwan.The survey indicates that most new immigrants are middle-aged, between 45 and 64 years old (45.6%), followed by adults aged 35 to 44 (41.1%). A significant number work in the service industry (60.5%), similar to the general population of Taiwan. The overall labor force participation rate for new immigrants is 75.0%, significantly higher than the 59.2% for the general population of Taiwan. Additionally, the average monthly family income has increased by 18.2% since the last survey in 2018, rising by NT$9,576. The government's efforts to promote diverse employment opportunities for new immigrants have led to job satisfaction reaching 94.8%, and the proportion of respondents holding technical certificates increased from 6.1% in the previous survey to 8.7%.Additionally, 15.4% of new immigrants have started their own businesses. For example, Mr. Liu Ming-Kai, a pastry chef from Singapore, moved to Taiwan in 2019, was moved by the warmth and hospitality of the people, and decided to settle down and start a business in Tamsui, fulfilling his dream. Similarly, Ms. Vo Boi Van from Vietnam obtained the highest-level argon tungsten inert gas welding certification, and Ms. Wang Ting from China earned a Class B computer software application certificate. Both received new immigrant certification incentive rewards this year, hoping their stories will inspire other new immigrants to pursue their dreams and achieve their goals.The MOI noted that 75.9% of new immigrants have lived in Taiwan for over a decade, and 39.0% for more than twenty years. The proportion of new immigrants participating in various support and care services increased from 54.2% in the 2018 survey to 62.9%, with popular programs including driving lessons, supplementary education for junior high and elementary school students, adult basic education workshops, and literacy classes. This indicates new immigrants' willingness to integrate into life in Taiwan. Beyond family and work, 31.5% of new immigrants participated in social charity activities and public service in the past year, enriching Taiwan's society with their concrete actions and contributions.The survey also specifically asked new immigrant respondents over 50 about their thoughts on future elderly life. Of these, 77.3% chose to retire in Taiwan, 15.6% are undecided, and they hope the government will provide information and assistance on long-term care services and employment opportunities for middle-aged and older adults. More than half of the new immigrants believe that Taiwanese society, workplaces, and government attitudes and services towards new immigrants have improved since they first arrived, while 40% feel it has remained the same, indicating that Taiwan is steadily progressing towards a more diverse and inclusive society.According to the MOI, it will use these survey results as a reference for policy-making at all levels of government. The data will be available on the New Immigrant Care Services section of the National Immigration Agency website (https://www.immigration.gov.tw/5385/7445/7451/7457/7460/7469/) for public access and download. The MOI will continue to collaborate with various interministerial agencies, and civic organizations, leveraging public-private partnerships to provide services that better meet the needs of new immigrants.