Taiwan (Republic of China)

https://www.humantruth.info/taiwan.html

By Vexen Crabtree 2013

Taiwan Republic of China
Status	Proto Independent State
Social and Moral Index	25th best
Capital	Taipei
Land Area
Location	Asia
Groupings	Small Islands
Population
GNI
ISO3166-1 Codes	TW, TWN, 158₁
Internet Domain	.tw₂
Currency	Dollar (TWD)₃
Telephone	+886₄

1. Overview

#buddhism #china #confucianism #japan #taiwan #taoism #USA

Taiwan is an independent nation-state that first separated from China in 1895 when taken by Japan, until World War 2. Not long after, when the 1949 Communist revolution saw mainland China fall under a new government, Taiwan did not follow suit, and the original Chinese government exiled itself there. Ever since, Taiwan has operated independent of China, but, China claims it, and has the aim of governing it again in the future. It exerts diplomatic pressure across the world to prevent others from recognizing Taiwan as independent.

“In 1895, military defeat forced China's Qing Dynasty to cede Taiwan to Japan. Taiwan came under Chinese Nationalist control after World War II. Following the Communist victory on the mainland in 1949, 2 million Nationalists fled to Taiwan and established a government using the 1947 constitution drawn up for all of China. Beginning in the 1950s, the ruling authorities gradually democratized and incorporated the local population within the governing structure. This process expanded rapidly in the 1980s. In 2000, Taiwan underwent its first peaceful transfer of power from the Nationalist to the Democratic Progressive Party. Throughout this period, the island prospered and became one of East Asia's economic "Tigers." The dominant political issues continue to be the relationship between Taiwan and China - specifically the question of Taiwan's eventual status - as well as domestic political and economic reform.”
CIA's The World Factbook (2013)₅

As a result of political pressure, the USA does not formally list Taiwan as an independent state, but does actively arm it for self-defense₆, and China refrains "from using military force to gain control over the island". Ambassadors of countries routinely visit Taiwan when making trade deals or discussing politics, which often upsets China. This status-quo is however, "increasingly under pressure"₆:

Travel Commentary:

“In the past years, citizens in all countries polled for the Munich Security Index have become considerably more concerned about the risk a Chinese invasion of Taiwan poses to the world. China seeks to bring the island under its control, with Chinese President Xi Jinping linking unification with Taiwan to his “national rejuvenation” goal for China. [...] In 2022, the Chinese military made more than 1,700 incursions into Taiwan's self-declared Air Defense Identification Zone, more than in the previous three years combined.”
"Munich Security Report" (2024)₇

“With its all-round adventure landscape, heritage-rich capital, diverse folk traditions and feted night market scene, Taiwan offers a continent-sized travel list for one green island. Famed for centuries as Ilha Formosa (Beautiful Isle), in Taiwan you can criss-cross mountains on colonial-era hiking trails, cycle a lone highway with the blue Pacific on one side and green volcanic arcs on the other or climb to the summit of Yushan, Taiwan´s 3952m alpine roof.
To fuel all of this adventure, Taiwan offers the gamut of Chinese cuisines, as well as the best Japanese outside Tokyo, and a full-house of local specialities from Hakka stir-fries and Taipei beef noodles to aboriginal-style barbecued wild boar.
Taiwan will feed your soul, too: the island is heir to the entire Chinese tradition of Buddhism, Taoism, Confucianism and that amorphous collection of deities and demons worshipped as folk faith. But over the centuries the people have blended their way to a unique and tolerant religious culture. In doing so, the Taiwanese have created Asia's most vibrant democracy, and liberal society, with a raucous free press, gender equality and respect for human rights and increasingly animal rights as well.”
"The World" by Lonely Planet (2014)₈

2. Taiwan National and Social Development

#human_development

Social & Moral Development Index₉
Pos.		Lower is better Avg Rank₉
1	Denmark	27.2
2	Norway	31.1
3	Sweden	33.2
	...
22	Monaco	47.3
23	Portugal	48.7
24	Liechtenstein	49.5
25	Taiwan	50.3
26	Estonia	51.9
27	Czechia	52.0
28	S. Korea	53.8
29	Uruguay	54.5
	Asia Avg	92.0
	World Avg	89.3
q=199.

The Social and Moral Development Index concentrates on moral issues and human rights, violence, public health, equality, tolerance, freedom and effectiveness in climate change mitigation and environmentalism, and on some technological issues. A country scores higher for achieving well in those areas, and for sustaining that achievement in the long term. Those countries towards the top of this index can truly said to be setting good examples and leading humankind onwards into a bright, humane, and free future. See: Which are the Best Countries in the World? The Social and Moral Development Index.

3. Human Rights, Equality & Tolerance

#equality #freedom #gender_equality #human_rights #morals #politics #prejudice #Taiwan #taiwan_freedom #tolerance

Human Rights, Equality & Tolerance (2025)₁₀
Pos.		Lower is better Avg Rank₁₀
1	Sweden	6.1
2	Denmark	8.6
3	Norway	9.0
	...
27	Malta	39.7
28	Cyprus	40.5
29	Czechia	43.1
30	Taiwan	43.7
31	Lithuania	44.7
32	Chile	47.9
	Asia Avg	103.0
	World Avg	86.6
q=199.

When it comes to ensuring human rights and freedom, Taiwan leads the world, setting excellent examples. Taiwan performs the best for its average Freedom in the World rating and in freethought₁₁. It does the second-best in eliminating modern slavery₁₂. And finally, it does better than average when it comes to supporting press freedom₁₃ (the highest in Asia), supporting personal, civil & economic freedoms₁₄ (one of the lowest in Asia) and in LGBT equality₁₅.

For tables, charts and commentary, see:

Human Rights and Freedom in Taiwan

4. Taiwan's Responsibility Towards The Environment

#climate_change #energy #food #germany #iceland #meat #singapore #south_korea #sustainability #taiwan #the_environment #veganism #vegetarianism

Compared to Asia (2025)₁₆
Pos.		Lower is better Avg Rank₁₆
1	Sri Lanka	37.6
2	Philippines	46.2
3	Nepal	46.9
	...
23	Cyprus	84.8
24	Georgia	84.8
25	China	85.9
26	Taiwan	86.1
27	Iraq	89.9
28	Malaysia	89.9
29	Israel	91.3
30	Azerbaijan	91.4
31	Lebanon	93.5
	Asia Avg	86.4
q=50.

Responsibility Towards The Environment (2025)₁₆
Pos.		Lower is better Avg Rank₁₆
1	Sri Lanka	37.6
2	Burundi	42.9
3	Philippines	46.2
	...
87	Comoros	85.3
88	Dominica	85.7
89	China	85.9
90	Taiwan	86.1
91	Norway	86.3
92	Haiti	86.5
93	Luxembourg	87.2
94	Equatorial Guinea	87.2
	World Avg	86.3
q=184.

Taiwan ranks 90th in the world regarding its responsibility towards the environment. This rank is derived from 4 data sets. Taiwan does better than average in its environmental performance₁₇ (one of the highest in Asia). However Taiwan performs less well in most areas. It does worse than average in its score on the Green Future Index₁₈ (still high for Asia) and in energy to GDP efficiency₁₉. And finally, it falls into the worst-performing 20 in reducing annual meat consumption per person₂₀ (one of the highest in Asia).

Environmental Performance Higher is better₁₇
Pos.		2018₁₇
1	Switzerland	87.4
2	France	84.0
3	Denmark	81.6
	...
20	Japan	74.7
21	Australia	74.1
22	Greece	73.6
23	Taiwan	72.8
24	Cyprus	72.6
25	Canada	72.2
26	Portugal	71.9
27	USA	71.2
	Asia Avg	54.5
	World Avg	56.4
q=180.

Energy to GDP Efficiency Lower is better₁₉
Pos.		2022 Avg₁₉
1	Rwanda	0.25
2	Chad	0.26
3	Tanzania	0.31
	...
87	Albania	1.08
88	Jordan	1.10
89	Mexico	1.10
90	Taiwan	1.10
91	Bolivia	1.11
92	Chile	1.11
93	Honduras	1.15
94	Slovenia	1.15
	Asia Avg	1.50
	World Avg	1.23
q=165.

Meat Consumption Lower is better₂₀
Pos.		2021 kg₂₀
1	Congo, DR	03.0
2	Burundi	03.5
3	Bangladesh	04.3
	...
165	Belarus	88.9
166	Poland	89.3
167	St Lucia	89.6
168	Taiwan	89.8
169	Croatia	90.8
170	French Polynesia	92.5
171	Portugal	94.6
172	St Kitts & Nevis	96.6
	Asia Avg	46.7
	World Avg	52.5
q=185.

In the 2010s, meat consumption per person in Taiwan was well above the global average (of 49kgs per year), putting unnecessary strain on water supplies and the environment.₂₀

Green Future Index Higher is better₁₈
Pos.		2023 Score₁₈
1	Iceland	6.7
2	Finland	6.7
3	Norway	6.4
	...
42=	Philippines	4.6
42=	Israel	4.6
42=	Australia	4.6
45	Taiwan	4.5
46=	Mexico	4.5
47	Ukraine	4.4
48	Argentina	4.3
49	Indonesia	4.3
	Asia Avg	4.3
	World Avg	4.8
q=76.

The 2023 edition of the Green Futures Index lists Taiwan among five countries who are doing the best at recycling, alongside Germany, Iceland, Singapore and South Korea).₂₁

5. Taiwan's Modernity and Learning

#education #english #intelligence #it_security #maths #research #science

Modernity and Education:

Research & Development Higher is better
Pos.		2016 % RDP PPP
1	S. Korea	4.29₂₂
2	Israel	4.11₂₂
3	Japan	3.58₂₂
4	Finland	3.17₂₂
5	Sweden	3.16₂₂
6	Denmark	3.05₂₂
7	Taiwan	3.01₂₂
8	Austria	3.00₂₃
9	Switzerland	2.96₂₄
10	Germany	2.84₂₂
11	USA	2.74₂₅
12	Belgium	2.46₂₂
	Asia Avg	0.75
	World Avg	0.84
q=126.

Maths, Science & Reading Higher is better₂₆
Pos.		2015 Score₂₆
1	Singapore	1655
2	Hong Kong	1598
3	Japan	1586
4	Macau	1582
5	Estonia	1573
6=	Taiwan	1571
6=	Canada	1571
8	Finland	1568
9	S. Korea	1557
10	China	1543₂₇
11=	Ireland	1528
11=	Slovenia	1528
	Asia Avg	1398
	World Avg	1389
q=70.

IQ Higher is better₂₈
Pos.		2006₂₈
1=	Hong Kong	108
1=	Singapore	108
3	S. Korea	106
4=	Japan	105
4=	Taiwan	105
4=	China	105
7	Italy	102
8=	Iceland	101
8=	Switzerland	101
8=	Mongolia	101
11	Netherlands	100
12=	Norway	100
	Asia Avg	90.4
	World Avg	85.6
q=138.

Technology and Information:

IT Security Lower is better₂₉
Pos.		2013₂₉
1=	Ireland	0.11
1=	Luxembourg	0.11
1=	Belize	0.11
	...
14	Peru	0.30
15	Latvia	0.33
16	Pakistan	0.38
17	Taiwan	0.44
18	Sweden	0.44
19	Romania	0.52
20	Turkey	0.52
21	Poland	0.55
	Asia Avg	1.08
	World Avg	0.98

6. National Culture

#charity #corruption #happiness #morals #politics

Taiwan has a good long-term record on keeping corruption low, and has spent the last ten years making things even better.

World Giving Index Higher is better₃₀
Pos.		2022 %₃₀
1	Indonesia	68.0
2	Kenya	61.0
3	USA	59.0
	...
96=	Montenegro	34.0
96=	Kazakhstan	34.0
96=	Gabon	34.0
96=	Taiwan	34.0
100	Bangladesh	33.0
101=	Tanzania	33.0
102	Spain	32.0
103=	Benin	32.0
	Asia Avg	37.9
	World Avg	39.6
q=125.

Corruption Higher is better₃₁
Pos.		2022 Points₃₁
1	Denmark	90.0
2=	Finland	87.0
2=	New Zealand	87.0
	...
22	Austria	71.0
23	Seychelles	70.0
24	USA	69.0
25=	Taiwan	68.0
25=	Bhutan	68.0
27	UAE	67.0
28=	Chile	67.0
29	Barbados	65.0
	Asia Avg	39.98
	World Avg	42.98
q=180.

Happiness Higher is better₃₂
Pos.		2024 Score₃₂
1	Finland	7.7
2	Denmark	7.5
3	Iceland	7.5
	...
24	USA	6.7
25	Belize	6.7
26	Poland	6.7
27	Taiwan	6.7
28	Uruguay	6.7
29	Kosovo	6.7
30	Kuwait	6.6
31	Serbia	6.6
	Asia Avg	5.41
	World Avg	5.58
q=147.

7. Peace Versus Instability

#extremism #human_development #peace #politics #religious_violence #terrorism

Global Peace Index Lower is better₃₃
Pos.		2023 Score₃₃
1	Iceland	1.12
2	Denmark	1.31
3	Ireland	1.31
	...
30	Bulgaria	1.64
31=	Spain	1.65
31=	Romania	1.65
31=	Taiwan	1.65
34	Italy	1.66
35	Kuwait	1.67
36	Lithuania	1.67
37	UK	1.69
	Asia Avg	2.17
	World Avg	2.07
q=163.

Impact of Terrorism Lower is better₃₄
Pos.		2019 Score₃₄
1	Togo	0.00
2	Mongolia	0.00
3	Swaziland	0.00
	...
52	Honduras	0.99
53=	Vietnam	1.00
53=	Montenegro	1.00
55	Taiwan	1.01
56	Laos	1.03
57	Armenia	1.17
58	Senegal	1.19
59	Morocco	1.22
	Asia Avg	3.60
	World Avg	2.78
q=150.

8. Economic Inequality and Poverty

#capitalism #economics #inequality #social_development

Income Inequality (Gini Coefficient) Lower is better₃₅
Pos.		2023 %₃₅
1	Slovakia	24.1%₃₆
2	Slovenia	24.3%₃₆
3	Belarus	24.4%₃₇
	...
41=	Mongolia	31.4%₃₈
41=	Malta	31.4%₃₇
43	France	31.5%₃₆
44	Taiwan	31.6%₃₆
45	Canada	31.7%₃₉
46=	Lebanon	31.8%₄₀
46=	Estonia	31.8%₃₆
48	Egypt	31.9%₃₉
	Asia Avg	33.0%
	World Avg	36.5%
q=167.

9. Religion and Beliefs

#belief #buddhism #christianity #god #hinduism #islam #judaism #religion #religion_in_taiwan #Taiwan

Disbelief In God (2007)₄₁
Pos.		Higher is better %₄₁
1	Vietnam	81
2	Japan	65
3	Sweden	64
	...
18	Finland	28
19	Russia	27
20	Australia	25
21	Taiwan	24
22=	New Zealand	22
22=	Canada	22
24	Latvia	20
25=	Ukraine	20
25=	Mongolia	20
27	Austria	18
28=	Slovakia	17
28=	Switzerland	17
28=	Belarus	17
31	Greece	16
32=	Iceland	16
33	Spain	15
	World Avg	9.9
q=137.

Data from the Pew Forum, a professional polling outfit, states that in 2010 the religious makeup of this country was as follows in the table below₄₂:

Christian	5.5%
Muslim	0.1%
Hindu	0.1%
Buddhist	21.3%
Folk Religion	44.2%
Jewish	0.1%
Unaffiliated	12.7%

The CIA World Factbook has slightly different data, and states: mixture of Buddhist and Taoist 93%, Christian 4.5%, other 2.5%₄₃.

Freedom of Religion and Belief:

Taiwan has enjoyed an increase in religious liberty since 1989. In that year the Law on Civic Organizations "allowed all religions to exist and removed multiple prohibitions". At the start of this period, in 1990, there were 83 religious groups in Taiwan and this surged to 1062 in the year 2004 "and the total number of temples and churches more than doubled"₄₄.

Links: