Country profile
Taiwan
The centre of advanced semiconductor manufacturing; electronics and computers make up about 80% of its exports.
Updated 10 November 2026. Sources at the bottom of the page.
- Capital
- Taipei
- Population
- 23.2 million (August 2026)
- Currency
- New Taiwan dollar (TWD)
- Exports, 2025
- US$640.2 billion
- Exchange rate
- 1 USD = 32.8 TWD (9 Nov 2026)
Economy
IMF World Economic Outlook, October 2026 (as reported by Focus Taiwan). 2026 and 2027 are IMF projections.
10.7%Real GDP growth, 2026
2%Inflation, 2026
3.4%Unemployment, 2026
22% of GDPCurrent account, 2026
Trade
Top export markets
Share of the country’s exports, 2025
- United States (31%)
- China (15.6%)
- Hong Kong (11%)
- Singapore (6.3%)
- Malaysia (5.8%)
Main exports
Product groups, share of exports
- Electrical machinery and equipment, including chips (43.1%)
- Machinery, including computers and servers (37.3%)
- Plastics (2.4%)
- Mineral fuels (1.9%)
- Optical, technical and medical apparatus (1.9%)
Main trade agreements
- Economic Cooperation Framework Agreement (ECFA) with China (some tariff concessions suspended by China in 2024)
- Taiwan–New Zealand (ANZTEC) and Taiwan–Singapore (ASTEP) economic agreements
- US–Taiwan Initiative on 21st-Century Trade (first agreement 2023)
Trade policy to watch
- Semiconductors: the US has investigated semiconductor imports under Section 232, and Taiwanese chipmakers are building plants in the US, Japan and Germany.
- Export controls: Taiwan restricts exports of advanced chips and equipment to some Chinese companies.
- Cross-strait tension: shipping and trade disruption around Taiwan is a key risk for global electronics supply chains.
Energy
Taiwan imports almost all of its energy. Natural gas and coal produce most of its electricity, and offshore wind and solar are growing. Taiwan shut its last nuclear reactor in May 2025.
What it means for your supply chain
- Map which of your components rely on Taiwanese chips or contract manufacturers, including through your suppliers’ suppliers.
- AI server demand is tying up chip and assembly capacity; expect long lead times for some parts.
- Consider second sources or safety stock for single-sourced Taiwanese electronics.
Sources
- IMF, World Economic Outlook, October 2026, as reported by Focus Taiwan (CNA), 13 October 2026: growth, inflation, unemployment, current account (2026 projections).
- Ministry of the Interior, as reported by Focus Taiwan (CNA): population (end of August 2026).
- World’s Top Exports, 2025: export markets and main exports.
- Bank of Canada, daily exchange rates, 9 November 2026 (cross rates calculated from CAD rates).
- Energy Institute, Statistical Review of World Energy 2026: energy profile.
Figures are the latest published at the time of the update and may since have been revised. This page is for general information, not investment or legal advice.