Overview                                                                                                                                        

Unit: USD thousands

Sources: IIE Open Doors 2022 Report; NAFSA Economic Analysis for 2020-2021 Academic Year; Exchange rates: U.S. Treasury Department 

According to the Institute of International Education’s 2022 Open Doors Report, 20,487 students from Taiwan studied in the United States during the 2021/2022 academic year, a 4.14% increase over the previous academic year.  These students contributed $706 million to the U.S. economy.  Taiwan is the sixth leading source of students going to the United States.  Of the Taiwan students in the United States for the 2021/2022 academic year, 43.9% were graduate students, 29.0% were undergraduates, 3.0% were non-degree students, and 23.0% undertook Optional Practical Training (OPT).  The most popular fields of study for students from Taiwan were STEM (52.7%), business and management (17.1%), fine or applied arts (7.7%), and social science (6.0%). 

Taiwan’s Bilingual 2030 Plan 

In late 2018, Taiwan launched an initiative to become a bilingual English-Mandarin society by 2030, with a particular focus on K-12 students and civil service personnel.  While English is the main foreign language taught in Taiwan schools, Taiwan’s Ministry of Education has identified oral proficiency as an area for improvement, relative to reading and writing.  

Local regulations limit the number of foreign teachers in Taiwan’s public school system.  Consequently, Taiwan sees online and education technology as a way to connect students with skilled bilingual educators. Simultaneously, Taiwan is increasing its budget to the public sector, schools, and libraries to improve the public’s English proficiency.  To achieve its Bilingual 2030 plan, Taiwan allocated a total of $361 million for the period 2021 to 2024.  The leading focus areas by budget allocation are the K-12 sector ($234.26 million) and the higher education sector ($90.1 million).    

U.S. remains the top destination for Taiwan students  

According to statistics from the Taiwan Ministry of Education (MOE), a total of 53,051 Taiwan students traveled abroad to study or work in 2022. After the United States, Australia came in second place, with 11,877 students, and Japan third place, with 4,887 Taiwan students in 2022. Canada, the United Kingdom, Germany, Korea, and New Zealand were also popular among Taiwan students.

Most Taiwan students choose to go to the United States to attend degree, certificate, or language programs. In contrast, most Australia-bound students take part in working holiday programs. Canada and Japan offer similar visas to allow Taiwan citizens to work and study in short-term programs. 

Taiwan Student Study Abroad Destinations in 2022 

Source: Taiwan Ministry of Education (MOE) 

Traditionally, English-speaking countries have dominated foreign education recruiting in Taiwan. In recent years, neighboring Asian countries and territories such as Hong Kong, China, and Singapore have stepped up recruitment efforts that target students from Taiwan, especially high school students. Aside from foreign recruitment efforts, other factors that contribute to this increase include parents’ dissatisfaction with inadequate prospects available to Taiwan youth, mainly regarding higher education, job opportunities, and compensation and benefits packages.

Despite these incentives offered by China and other Asian countries, the United States remains the top choice for Taiwan parents. This trend is supported by the growing number of bilingual international schools operating in Taiwan that prepare students to study in the United States and at other foreign universities. 

Because many of these students remain in the United States through graduate school, graduate institutions should expect growing demand in the coming years due to these changes. For many Taiwan students, studying abroad at U.S. institutions remains an appealing alternative to studying in Taiwan. Although Taiwan schools are far more affordable than those in the United States, studying in the United States (or in other overseas locations) provides better employment opportunities after graduation. As a result, U.S. schools that emphasize post-graduation job placement are popular with Taiwan students. 

U.S. schools would do well to promote their institutions to Taiwan students by hiring student recruitment agencies, developing active alumni networks, and reaching out to potential students through education fairs and social media. 

Leading Sub-Sectors 

• High schools and boarding schools. 
• Joint-diploma programs with local high schools. 
• Joint-degree programs with local universities.
• Programs containing a work or internship component.
• Programs in critical industry sectors: semiconductors, AI, smart manufacturing, circular economy, and finance. 
• Pathway or bridge programs. 

Opportunities 

Partnering with local schools is an effective strategy for U.S. schools interested in recruiting Taiwan students to  joint-degree or short-term summer programs. U.S. schools should also consider establishing cultural or language exchange relationships with Taiwan schools. The Commercial Service in Taiwan can help match U.S. schools with local universities or high schools. 

Partnering with local student recruiting agents also provides U.S. schools with year-round exposure in the Taiwan market. Recruiting agents are a primary resource used by Taiwan students and parents when planning study abroad activities. The Commercial Service in Taiwan can help U.S. schools pre-screen prospective agents and arrange one-on-one meetings in Taipei, Taichung, and Kaohsiung. 

Participation in education fairs is another effective method for recruiting Taiwan students. Fair organizers have a deep knowledge of the market and can greatly reduce U.S. schools’ marketing expenses.  Local fair organizers also counsel students throughout the year and can follow up with prospective students. 

Education Technology (EdTech) 

Taiwan’s MOE has announced a $672 million Digital Learning Improvement Project (DLIP) for 2022 to 2025. Although acquisition of tablets for remote learning will account for most of the budget, $188 million has been allocated for digital content and software for Grades 1-12. This presents opportunities for U.S. EdTech solution providers whose digital content pairs well with tablets. The DLIP supports Taiwan’s 2030 bilingual policy goal, which focuses on ensuring Taiwan’s K-12 students and its civil service achieve English proficiency by 2030. 

To implement the DLIP, in April 2022, Taiwan’s MOE issued a request for proposals (RFP) for EdTech solutions.  The RFP included a $47 million budget for K-12 schools’ procurement of education instruction software each year until 2025. RFPs specify technology products eligible for schools to purchase using MOE funding. Going forward, the MOE will release a new RFP every six months. U.S. EdTech solution providers can work with Taiwanese distributors to be listed on the MOE-approved purchasing list.

Upcoming Education Fairs

-OH! Study Overseas Education Expo: https://ohstudy.net/expo/ 
International Education Consultants Association (IECA) Education Fair: 
https://www.iecatpe.org.tw/article/detail/270 

-IDP Taiwan: https://www.idp.com/taiwan/ 

-The Association of Boarding Schools (TABS) Fair: https://www.boardingschools.com

-The MBA Tour: https://www.mba.com/connect-with-schools/gmac-tours 

Resources 

-U.S. Commercial Service – Taiwan: https://www.trade.gov/taiwan 

-Taiwan’s Bilingual 2030 Policy: https://www.trade.gov/market-intelligence/taiwans-bilingual-2030-plan 

-Taiwan’s Education EdTech: https://www.trade.gov/market-intelligence/taiwan-education-edtech 

-U.S. & Foreign Commercial Service Global Education Team: https://www.trade.gov/education-industry 

-Industry and Analysis, Office of Supply Chain, Professional & Business Services: 
https://www.trade.gov/professional-and-business-services 

-Foundation for International Cooperation in Higher Education of Taiwan (FICHET): 
http://www.fichet.org.tw/  

-Taiwan Ministry of Education (MOE): http://english.moe.gov.tw/