Nantou County Boosts Elderly and Child Welfare Amid Population Drop, Sparking 'Vote-Buying' Concerns

Nantou County is grappling with a declining population, now standing at just over 467,000 residents. In response, various townships and the county government are significantly boosting welfare benefits for the elderly and children. These measures include increased allowances for the elderly, higher subsidies for newborns, and direct cash distributions. Some initiatives, like Nantou City's doubling of the elderly gift allowance to 2,000 NT dollars and Caotun and Puli townships offering 20,000 NT dollars annually for children aged 1-5, are particularly generous.

However, these expanded benefits are drawing criticism, with accusations that they amount to "policy vote-buying" ahead of elections. Critics argue that simply distributing money, without addressing fundamental issues such as job creation and industrial transformation, is a short-term fix that will not effectively reverse population decline or encourage higher birth rates. The effectiveness of these policies is questioned, especially in areas like Lugu Township, which has the highest elderly population but saw only 47 births compared to 247 deaths in 2024.

Despite the concerns, some local governments are adopting more sustainable approaches. Shuili Township, for instance, offers monthly transportation subsidies for parents using childcare services and provides educational subsidies for local students. Yuchi Township offers a 40,000 NT dollar grant to students who complete three years of junior high school within the township. These initiatives aim to alleviate financial burdens on families and retain young residents, offering a more long-term strategy to combat population loss.