Taiwan President Lai Ching-te announced plans to distribute 10,000 Taiwan dollars, about $314, in cash next year to eligible residents, citing the island’s rapid economic growth.
Taiwan’s economy grew 12.9% in the second quarter, driven largely by strong global demand for artificial intelligence and semiconductors. The country is on track for its fastest annual economic expansion in four decades.
Lai said the government must balance fiscal discipline with national security, economic development and public welfare, noting that the benefits of the economic boom have not been evenly distributed among industries and households.
Taiwan distributed the same amount to residents in 2025, when the economy grew 8.8%. The statistics office has raised its 2026 growth forecast to 11.1%, while projecting 6% growth for 2027.
