What are the big concerns of Taiwan's voters? It is NOT China

Taiwan is set to go to the polls on Saturday in what could be a sea-change election. While the threat of China continues to loom over the self-governing island, many voters particularly the young say a host of other issues are top of mind. But what are the issues? Let’s take a closer look: Taiwan’s economy has been sputtering since the pandemic. In 2023, Gross Domestic Product (GDP) was at an anaemic 1.4 per cent. That partly reflects inevitable ups and downs in demand for computer chips and other exports, and a slowing of the Chinese economy. Younger voters, particularly those in their 20s and 30s, are laser-focused on the economy.

Of Taiwan’s 23 million citizens, around six million voters are under the age of 40, as per BBC.

Some of Taiwan’s 23 million residents enjoy an enviable standard of living, with per-capita GDP at about $33,000, more than double that in the Chinese mainland_._ But many youth are struggling. Labour expert Lee Chien-hung from the Chinese Culture University told the outlet over a third of the island’s low-wage workers are under the age of 30. The outlet, quoting a survey conducted by Commonwealth Magazine of 15,000 Taiwanese, showed economic development was the top issue for voters. This was particularly so for those between 20 and 39. Many are staring at massive inequality, housing affordability and unemployment. As per The Guardian, 2022 saw wages decline the most steeply in a decade. [caption id=“attachment_13589902” align=“alignnone” width=“640”] Supporters of Taiwan’s Taiwan People’s Party (TPP) presidential candidate Ko Wen-je cheer outside of Ko’s campaign office in Xiangshan District, southwest Hsinchu City. AP[/caption] This, as housing in Taiwan continues to be among the most expensive in the world compared to income. Biotechnology student Shen Chih-hsiang summed the mood of the youth. The 25-year-old told The New York Times, “Instead of worrying about the politics of major powers that are hard to change I am more concerned about whether I can get a job and afford a house after graduation.” Even those with ‘good jobs’ are facing an uphill battle. ‘Given up hope’ Ziwei, a civil servant, speaking to BBC, said was paid around $1,285 per month in 2019.

At the time, all she could afford was a cramped apartment in Taipei.

The 10 square metre shoebox had no window, stank of sewage and the walls were painted orange. “With no windows, I felt so sad,” the 32-year-old recalled. “I would stay out really late every night, and I would come home only to sleep.” Home ownership is out of reach for many. Kaili, a friend of Ziwei’s, said she has “given up hope.” “I can’t see the reason why I should buy. My salary is quite low. I don’t think I can afford to put down a deposit on a home, not now, not even in ten years’ time,” the 37-year-old who works in documentaries said. As per The Guardian, while Taiwan faced relatively low inflation of 2.48 per cent in 2023, price rises on products like eggs didn’t help matters. Voters are also mindful of other factors such as the cost of childcare, corruption, judicial reform, education and rights of minorities. Dafydd Fell, director of the Centre of Taiwan Studies at Soas University of London, told the newspaper political corruption is the “most stressed issue in Taiwanese elections and has been the most influential issue in a number of local and national elections”. [caption id=“attachment_13605042” align=“alignnone” width=“640”] Supporters of Ko Wen-je, Taiwan People’s Party (TPP) presidential candidate, cheer as he canvass a neighbourhood in New Taipei City, Taiwan. AP[/caption] “After eight years in office, you would expect the DPP to be threatened by this issue, and the KMT has made a number of accusations. But it is not entirely clear which side owns this issue.” While the ruling Democratic Progressive Party (DPP)  and  Kuomintang (KMT) are in first and second place, many youth seem to be gravitating towards the Taiwan People’s Party (TPP) of Ko Wen-je. The newspaper quoted a poll from online magazine My Formosa as showing that 29 per cent of respondents from 20 to 29 supported Ko. Meanwhile, 36 per cent backed Vice-President  Lai Ching-te of the DPP. Lai, the son of a coal miner is the front-runner to take over from President Tsai Ing-wen when she steps down after her maximum two terms.

While some chalk up Ko’s campaign focusing on providing jobs and homes to the youth as being the reason for attracting the youth, others disagree.

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“So much of this youth support for Ko Wen-je is really driven not by actual admiration for the man and his policies, but by frustration,” Lev Nachman, a political science professor at National Chengchi University in Taipei told The New York Times. “This idea that the DPP and KMT are both equally bad seems to have taken hold among a lot of younger voters,” he added. Hou Yu-ih is the candidate for the Nationalists, also known as the Kuomintang or KMT. It agrees with Beijing’s stance that the mainland and Taiwan are part of the same country, though under separate governments. All this isn’t to suggest that younger voters don’t care about the threat of China. While the two sides split in 1949 after a civil war and have no official relations, they remain linked by tens of billions of dollars in trade and investment. Beijing has been courting Taiwan investment, while at the same time flying fighter planes and sailing warships near the island to enforce its stance that the island must eventually unite with the mainland, by force if necessary. Chang Yu-meng, the president of the Taiwan Youth Association for Democracy, told the newspaper, “I think young people are still highly concerned about international topics.” “But apart from that, they are really concerned about a diversity of issues.” It remains to be seen which party emerges on top. With inputs from agencies