Taiwan Education and Training Services Industry Snapshot
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Capital:  Taipei

Population:  23.6 million (2022 est.)

GDP (Purchasing Power Parity): $1.143 trillion (2019 est., in 2017 dollars)

Currency:  New Taiwan dollars (TWD)

Language:  Mandarin Chinese (official)

 

CIA World Factbook

24.04% of the Taiwanese population is under 25 years of age.

OVERVIEW

Table 1: Education Market Unit       

 

2019

2020

2021

2022

Taiwan Students in the U.S.

23,369

23,724

19,673

20,487

Taiwan Students’ Contribution to U.S. Economy

$874M

$991M

$875M

$906M

 

Sources: IIE Open Doors 2022 Report; NAFSA Economic Analysis for 2020-2021 Academic Year

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.  Of the Taiwanese students studying in the United States in the 2021/2022 academic year, 43.9% were graduate students, 29.0% were undergraduates, 3.0% were non-degree students, and 23.0% undertook OPT (Optional Practical Training).  The most popular fields of study for Taiwanese students 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

Taiwan adopted a policy to become a bilingual English-Mandarin market by 2030, with a particular focus on K-12 students and its civil service. While English is the dominant foreign language in Taiwan (taught from elementary schools and onwards), oral proficiency needs improvement, relative to reading and writing.

Foreign teachers are scarce in Taiwan’s public school system due to local regulation.  Consequently, Taiwan seeks to leverage online and education technology solutions to increase its number of bilingual teachers. Simultaneously, the government is increasing budget to the public sector, schools, and libraries to improve the public’s English proficiency.  To achieve the Bilingual 2030 plan, the government allocated a total of US$361 million for the period 2021 to 2024.  By budget allocation, the top areas of focus are the K-12 sector (US$234.26 million) and the higher education sector (US$90.1 million).  

U.S. remains the top destination for Taiwan students

According to statistics from the Taiwan Ministry of Education, a total of 60,307 Taiwan students went abroad to study or work in 2021. The United States remained the top study destination for Taiwan students, with 19,673 students, accounting for 33% of Taiwan students going abroad. Australia came in second place, with 15,582 students, and Japan third place, with 7,174 Taiwan students in 2021. 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.

Table 2 TAIWAN STUDENT STUDY ABROAD DESTINATIONS IN 2021

TAIWAN STUDENT STUDY ABROAD DESTINATIONS IN 2021

NORTH AMERICA – MAINLY USA

23,673

OCEANIA – MAINLY AUSTRALIA

16,219

ASIA – MAINLY JAPAN

9,722

EUROPE – MAINLY UNITED KINGDOM

10,693

TOTAL

60,307

​Source: Taiwan Ministry of Education

Traditionally, English-speaking countries have dominated foreign education recruiting in Taiwan.  However, in recent years, neighboring Asian countries such as Hong Kong, China, and Singapore have stepped up recruitment efforts for Taiwan students, especially high school students. Aside from foreign recruitment efforts, other factors contributing 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 many incentives offered by China and other Asian countries, the United States remains the top choice for Taiwan parents. This is further 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. Since many of these students remain in the United States to continue their studies at the graduate level, graduate institutions may also expect growing demand in the future as a result of ongoing growth in the high school and undergraduate education markets.

Opportunities are also abound for accreditation services for secondary education in Taiwan as more and more local bilingual schools are interested in being recognized as internationally accredited institutions. 

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. Finally, it is recommended that U.S. schools 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.

SUB-SECTORS

  • High schools and boarding schools
  • U.S.-Taiwan dual-diploma programs in secondary education
  • Accreditation & certification services for secondary education in Taiwan
  • Joint-degree programs with local universities
  • Programs containing a work or internship component
  • Programs in business, engineering, computer sciences, health care, education, and fine arts
  • Pathway or bridge programs

OPPORTUNITIES

Partnering with local schools is an effective long-term strategy for U.S. schools to recruit Taiwan students for joint-degree programs or short-term summer programs. As many Taiwan universities have established Mandarin centers to educate foreign students, U.S. schools should consider increasing cultural and language exchanges with Taiwan schools. Commercial Service Taiwan can help match U.S. schools with local universities or high schools.

Partnering with student recruiting agents also allows U.S. schools to have year-round exposure to the Taiwan market.  Recruiting agents are one of the main resources used by Taiwan students and parents when planning study abroad activities.  Commercial Service Taiwan can help U.S. schools pre-screen prospective agents and arrange one-on-one meetings in Taipei, Hsinchu, Taoyuan, Taichung, Tainan, and Kaohsiung.

Participation in education fairs may also be an effective tool to recruit 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 are able to follow up with prospective students. 

Education Technology

Taiwan’s Ministry of Education (MOE) announced a $672 million Digital Learning Improvement Project for 2022 to 2025. Although acquisition of tablets for remote learning will account for most of the budget, $188 million will be allocated for digital content and software for G1-12. This presents opportunities for U.S. EdTech solution providers whose digital content pairs well with tablets. The Digital Learning Improvement Project supports Taiwan’s 2030 bilingual policy goal, which focuses on ensuring Taiwan’s K-12 students and its civil service become English-Mandarin bilingual by 2030.

To implement the Digital Learning Improvement Project, in April 2022 Taiwan’s MOE issued a tender or request for proposal (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.

EVENTS

Participation in education fairs may also be a very effective tool.  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 are able to follow up with the students who visited the fair.  Taiwan’s major education fairs featuring U.S. schools include:

RESOURCES

U.S. COMMERCIAL SERVICE CONTACTS

Ann Chen, Trade Promotion Coordinator

U.S. Commercial Service – Taipei, Taiwan
Email:  Ann.Chen@trade.gov

Phone:  +886 2 2162 2653