TAIPEI, July 10 (Xinhua) -- Taiwan's total population has declined for a 30th consecutive month, according to the latest statistics on Friday, signaling mounting demographic challenges driven by falling birth rates and rapid population aging.
As of the end of June, Taiwan's population stood at 23.24 million, down 103,176 from a year earlier and 9,076 lower than at the end of May, according to the island's internal affairs department.
The figures also revealed a continued slump in births. During the first six months of this year, 46,344 babies were born, a decrease of 9,031 from the 55,375 births recorded in the same period last year, adding to growing concerns over the island's long-term demographic outlook.
Taiwan became a super-aged society last year -- a society in which seniors aged 65 and above account for 20 percent of the total population. By the end of June, residents aged 65 and above totaled 4.76 million, accounting for 20.49 percent of the population.
Among Taiwan's cities and counties, Taipei recorded the highest share of elderly residents at 24.61 percent, while Hsinchu County had the lowest at 15.38 percent, according to statistics. ■
