Taiwan Jobless Rate Rises to 4-Month High

Taiwan’s seasonally adjusted unemployment rate fell to 3.33% in February 2026 from 3.36% in the previous month. This marked the lowest reading since October last year, as the number of unemployed persons fell by 4 thousand from a month earlier to a seven-month low of 401 thousand. Among youths aged 15 to 24, the unemployment rate fell to 11.34% from 11.44% in January. Meanwhile, total employment declined by 5 thousand from the previous month to 11.64 million, driven by small reductions in agriculture and services, while industry employment remained stable. At the same time, the labor force participation rate remained largely unchanged to 59.6%.

Taiwan’s seasonally adjusted unemployment rate edged up to 3.36% in January 2026 from 3.35% in December. It marked the highest level since April 2025, as the number of unemployed persons fell by 2,000 month-on-month, totaling 396,000, with new jobseekers numbering 88,000. Meanwhile, overall employment rose by 40,000, reaching 11.65 million. Among youths aged 20 to 24, the unemployment rate slowed to 11.62% from 11.75% in December. The labor force participation rate increased marginally to 59.61% in January 2026, compared with 59.59% the previous month.

Taiwan’s seasonally adjusted unemployment rate remained unchanged at 3.35% in December, holding the highest level since April 2025. The total number of unemployed fell by 3,000 month-on-month to 398,000, the lowest level since May 2025. Overall employment rose by 6,000 to 11.65 million. Among younger workers, the unemployment rate for those aged 20–24 edged up slightly to 11.75%, compared with 11.70% in November. The labor force participation rate increased marginally to 59.59% from 59.57%, reaching the highest level since August 1990.