Average household income in Taiwan up 3.3%

Average total household income in Taiwan reached NT$1,529,000 (US$48,009) last year, marking a 3.3 percent increase from the previous year, according to the latest data from the Directorate-General of Budget, Accounting and Statistics (DGBAS). The median disposable household income also saw a rise, up 3.4 percent to NT$1,018,000.

Employee compensation was identified as the main driver of household income across the island. However, significant regional variations were observed. Hsinchu City and Hsinchu County recorded the highest average total household incomes at NT$2,042,000 and NT$2,007,000, respectively. This is largely attributed to the dominance of the high-paying technology sector in these areas, which contributes to higher salaries, overtime pay, and year-end bonuses. Taipei followed with NT$1,857,000, then Taoyuan at NT$1,557,000, and New Taipei City at NT$1,506,000.

Beyond salaries, other important income sources included interest and investment income, as well as property income such as rental earnings. Average household property income nationwide was NT$76,000 last year. Taipei stood out, with its households earning an average of NT$180,000 from property, representing nearly 10 percent of their total average income. Hsinchu City was the only other administrative division where average household property income exceeded NT$100,000, reaching NT$131,000.

The DGBAS noted that while Taiwanese stocks, particularly in artificial intelligence, saw significant gains last year, these were not included in the household income calculations. Such gains are classified as changes in wealth rather than income.