Taiwan’s military recruitment pool shrinking due to low birthrate

Number of new conscripts at lowest level in a decade as country tries to build defences amid threat of Chinese invasion

The declining birthrate in Taiwan could cause major challenges" to the island's military recruitment capabilities, at a time when Taiwan is building its defences to ward off potential Chinese invasion, its government has been told.

Like much of east Asia, Taiwan is facing a demographic crisis, with fewer people having children each year as the population ages. The issue has social and economic effects on countries but in Taiwan there is also concern over its impact on military personnel levels.