Taipei, Taiwan — In a recent survey conducted by the Child Welfare League Foundation (CWLF), Taiwan received a disappointing score of just 46.8 out of 100 for its child-friendliness, with parents citing several key issues related to accessibility and safety for families with young children.
The “2024 Taiwan Child-Friendliness Survey for Families with Young Children,” released on Tuesday, showed that many parents of children aged 0-6 continue to face significant challenges when navigating public spaces, with more than half reporting stress when taking their children out in public.
Taiwan’s Child-Friendliness: A Struggle for Parents
The survey, which included responses from parents across Taiwan, highlighted several areas where the country falls short in providing a child-friendly environment. Among the major concerns were inadequate infrastructure, lack of accessibility for strollers, and the general unfriendliness of public spaces towards young families.
Key Findings from the Survey:
- Score of 46.8/100: Taiwan’s overall score for child-friendliness was 46.8 points, well below a passing grade. This score reflects the ongoing difficulties faced by families with young children in Taiwan’s public spaces.
- Stress for Parents: 57.5% of parents reported feeling “stressed” when taking their children out in public, a situation that has not improved since a similar survey in 2017.
- Public Unfriendliness: 56.3% of parents described Taiwanese society as “unfriendly” toward young children, with many pointing to issues such as poorly designed public spaces and lack of consideration for families.
Accessibility Issues for Stroller Users
One of the most frequently mentioned problems in the survey was the difficulty of navigating public spaces with strollers. More than three-quarters (79%) of the parents surveyed use strollers, and the majority of them reported significant challenges:
| Issue | Percentage Affected |
|---|---|
| Uneven road or sidewalk surfaces | 85.2% |
| Motorcycles or vendors blocking paths | 70.4% |
| Narrow sidewalks | 64.8% |
| Other obstacles blocking the path | 58.4% |
| Need to use overpasses or underpasses | 27% |
These issues are compounded by a lack of infrastructure designed to accommodate strollers, making everyday activities more difficult for families with young children.
Public Transportation: A Mixed Experience
Public transportation is another area where many parents feel that Taiwan is lacking in child-friendliness. The survey found that while the MRT (Mass Rapid Transit) system is the most favored mode of transport, it still falls short in several ways:
- Space for Strollers: 37.9% of parents felt that the MRT does not provide enough space for strollers.
- Noise Complaints: 10.5% of parents reported receiving complaints from other passengers about their children being too noisy.
For buses, the situation was also concerning:
- Bus Movement: 74% of parents reported that buses sometimes started moving before they had a chance to sit down with their children.
- Seat Availability and Safety: 46.2% mentioned difficulties in finding seats, while others noted that drivers sometimes drove too fast for comfort.
The Larger Issue: Taiwan’s Declining Birth Rate
The findings of the CWLF’s survey are particularly significant given Taiwan’s ongoing struggle with its declining birth rate. In 2023, Taiwan’s fertility rate hit an alarming low of 0.865 children per woman, far below the replacement rate of 2.1 children per woman. This demographic trend is expected to continue, with Taiwan’s population projected to fall to just 14.97 million by 2070.
The government has launched several initiatives to encourage young couples to have children, including subsidizing fertility treatments and offering housing incentives. However, many parents still feel that Taiwan’s public infrastructure and societal attitudes towards children are not supportive enough to encourage family growth.
Moving Forward: What Needs to Change?
To improve Taiwan’s standing as a child-friendly country, experts argue that the government must invest in better public infrastructure, including stroller-friendly sidewalks, more accessible public transport, and spaces where families can feel welcomed. Moreover, there is a need for societal shifts to make public spaces safer and more accommodating for children, which could alleviate the stress many parents experience daily.
Survey Methodology
The CWLF conducted the survey via an online questionnaire, gathering responses from parents across Taiwan. Although the full methodology has not been disclosed, the survey collected a representative sample of families with children aged 0-6, providing valuable insights into the daily challenges they face.
FAQs: Understanding the Survey and Taiwan’s Child-Friendliness Challenges
1. What was the key finding of the 2024 Taiwan Child-Friendliness Survey?
The survey revealed that Taiwan scored only 46.8 points out of 100 for its child-friendliness, indicating widespread dissatisfaction among parents regarding public infrastructure and social attitudes towards young families.
2. What issues did parents face with strollers?
Parents reported frequent problems with uneven sidewalks, motorcycles or vendors blocking paths, and narrow sidewalks, making it difficult to move around with strollers.
3. How did Taiwan’s public transport perform for parents?
Parents favored the MRT system but noted issues like insufficient space for strollers and complaints about noise. Bus services also presented challenges, with many parents struggling to find seats or feeling unsafe due to fast driving.
4. Why does the survey matter?
The survey highlights the barriers to family life in Taiwan and is particularly important in light of the country’s declining birth rate. Improving child-friendliness could encourage more families to have children.
5. What can Taiwan do to improve its child-friendliness score?
Taiwan needs to improve infrastructure for families, such as stroller-friendly sidewalks, better public transport facilities, and safer public spaces for children, along with fostering a more child-friendly societal attitude.
