Abstract

PIP: In an effort to decrease Taiwan's population growth rate from 1.9 per 1000, to 1.25 per 1000 in 1989, the Taiwanese government has increased the 1980 family planning budget 15%. Several changes in population related policy such as broadening legal categories for induced abortion are being reviewed by the Ministry of Judicial Administration, and the Taiwan Congress. However, due to increases in the number of young women of childbearing age, and the desired number of children in the typical Chinese family, reaching the 1.25 per 1000 goal may be difficult. IUDs have been used by 70% of married women of childbearing age at some time and have been obtained both within and from outside of the national family planning program. Tables show the lower ages of acceptors for the pill, the IUD, and condoms. It is estimated that the program has reached about 84% of Taiwanese eligible couples and that nearly 70% of couples with the wife between the ages of 20-39 are practicing birth control. This level is comparable with that of developed countries. The budget for population education has been increased 35% from 1977. Various groups of young people are targeted for education. The family planning program conducts a wide variety of evaluative and experimental research, following up on acceptors, making knowledge/attitude/perception surveys of newlyweds and noting directions of change in family size preference.