Taiwan Current Account Suplus More Than Doubles

Taiwan’s current account surplus more than doubled to USD 62.53 billion in the first quarter of 2026, up from USD 29.69 billion in the same period a year earlier. The sharp increase was primarily driven by a shap increase of the goods trade surplus to USD 58.01 billion from USD 27.04 billion, supported by strong demand for emerging technologies and exports. The primary income surplus also widened to USD 9.22 billion from USD 6.86 billion, largely reflecting higher income from residents’ direct investments abroad. In contrast, the services deficit expanded to USD 3.42 billion from USD 3.08 billion, amid increased travel-related spending, while the secondary income deficit widened to USD 1.27 billion from USD 1.14 billion, reflecting an increase in remittances sent abroad by foreign workers.

Taiwan posted a current account surplus of USD 69.93 billion in the fourth quarter of 2025, more than doubling from USD 33.91 billion in the corresponding quarter in the previous year. This was the largest amount since records began in 1981. The goods trade surplus increased sharply to USD 63.64 billion from USD 25.75 billion a year ago, largely due to strong export growth supported by sustained momentum in AI and other emerging technologies. On the other hand, the services deficit rose to USD 2.47 billion from USD 1.82 billion, reflecting lower freight service receipts by resident carriers and higher travel-related spending. In addition, the primary income surplus narrowed to USD 10.59 billion from USD 11.35 billion last year, amid increased outward payments for nonresidents’ direct investment income. The secondary income deficit also widened to USD 1.83 billion from USD 1.37 billion, due to higher outward workers’ remittances.

Taiwan’s current account surplus widened to USD 45.84 billion in the third quarter of 2025 from USD 25.08 billion in the same period a year earlier, marking a new record high. The goods trade surplus climbed to USD 49.83 billion from USD 27.93 billion, driven by higher exports amid strong momentum in AI and other emerging technologies, as well as rising demand for new electronics products. Additionally, the primary income surplus increased to USD 2.64 billion from USD 2.14 billion, reflecting higher returns on residents’ outward direct investment. In contrast, the services deficit rose slightly to USD 4.08 billion from USD 3.90 billion due to increased travel spending and lower freight service receipts. The secondary income deficit also expanded to USD 2.54 billion from USD 1.08 billion, mainly because of an increase in outward workers' remittances.