As Taiwan's population structure continues to age rapidly, the government is adjusting its health and care policies accordingly. Premier Cho Jung-tai recently attended the opening of the “2026 Healthy Taiwan Aging Forum,” noting that Taiwan's population aged 65 and above has reached 4.67 million, accounting for 20.06 percent of the total population, marking the country's official entry into a super-aged society. Extending healthy life expectancy has thus become a key issue in national governance.
Cho stated that the government is focusing on preventive medicine and health promotion through the “888 Three Highs Prevention Program,” aiming to incorporate high-risk groups into the healthcare system, improve lifestyles, and provide comprehensive medical support to reduce the impact of chronic diseases on individuals and society. In terms of long-term care, building on the foundation of Long-term Care 2.0, the government officially launched Long-term Care 3.0 in 2026, continuing to expand service coverage, broaden eligible groups, and strengthen links among home-based, community, institutional, and medical care.
He added that more than 15,000 long-term care service sites have been established nationwide, with over 100,000 caregivers trained. Long-term Care 3.0 will further enhance the care network to meet the diverse needs of older adults, ensuring that those requiring assistance receive basic support in appropriate settings.
The Healthy Taiwan Aging Forum brought together representatives from government, industry, and academia to discuss challenges and strategies related to an aging society. (Photo/Provided by the Executive Yuan)
Regarding health promotion policies, Cho explained that the Ministry of Health and Welfare is planning to introduce “Health Coin” to encourage vaccinations and health checkups. At the same time, the Ministry of Sports will roll out “Sports Coin,” with the aim of using tangible incentives to encourage regular physical activity and health management, thereby reducing future healthcare costs.
Cho also referenced President Lai Ching-te's repeated remarks that while the average life expectancy in Taiwan is close to 80 years, the average unhealthy life expectancy remains around eight years, imposing a heavy burden on families and society. Enhancing healthy life expectancy therefore remains a key focus of ongoing medical and policy efforts. The forum's discussions on heart and liver health, critical care, and strategies for addressing an aging society directly respond to these challenges.
He emphasized that as Taiwan enters a super-aged society, social systems, welfare policies, and the education system must be adjusted in tandem. Through cross-ministerial collaboration and public-private partnerships, the government will integrate digital transformation and medical innovation to build a more comprehensive healthcare environment and steadily advance toward the goal of a “Healthy Taiwan.”
