POPULATION DISTRIBUTION AND CHANGE IN TAIWAN

Abstract

The first census in Taiwan was held in 1905, but it was not until 1920 when the third census was held that a reasonably accurate demographic figure was obtained. The last census during the Japanese occupation was taken in 1940, but due to the Pacific War, detailed data was not properly arranged. As the post-war political situation was uncertain and for other reasons, the population figures were not so reliable as they were in pre-war days. A simple census was held on September 16, 1956, but, as preparations were not sufficient and trained personnel were not enough, the result was not so satisfactory as had been expected ; probably two yeares more will be needed for the arrangement and statistical work. This study is, :therefore, mostly based on the records of 1920 and 1940. The 1940 record has been obtained from original cards, which were little used by laymen, and, in fact, only one set exists, it is preserved by our Institute. The base maps used in this paper are also compiled by the Office of Cartography in our Institute. Previous to this, there have never been such detailed maps of administrative divisions. The statistical unit used in this paper is mostly the “village”. There were altogether 2, 958 such units in 1940. Map 4 indicates changes in the distribution of population in Taiwan between 1920 and 1940. Economic development and urbanization are the major factors of such changes. In the respect of increase, there are four main areas: the first area is the urbanized areas which include Taipei, Keelung, Taichung, Hsinchu, Chiayi and Kaohsiung. In all these cities, population increased by far more than double between 1920 and 1940. The second area is the Longitudinal Valley of East Taiwan, which was exploited with great efforts by the Japanese and was inhabited partly by subsidized Japanese migrants. The third area is the northern part of the southwest coastal plain which is tbe largest alluvial fan formed by the biggest river in Taiwan. Here, topography benefits the construction of irrigation systems. With the development of irrigation, the carrying capacity of land is immediately improved; consequently population increases. The fourth area is some of the hilly regions near the central mountains, especially those around the Sun Moon Take. Ln this region population increase is partly related to the establishment of the banana plantations, tea gardens and the completion of the hydro-electric power stations. In the respect of population decrease, the outstanding area is the hilly land in the northeast corner of Taiwan. Here, natural resources being few, the productivity of land is low; and except for a few terraced paddy fields bordering the small rivers, there is little vegetation cover. Most of the hilly slopes consist of bare rocks. The soil is thin and poor, and even trees grow badly. So this areas is economically unattractive. When the adjacent sea ports of Keelung and Su-o and the mining towns at Shui-fang and Chiu-fen were booming and human labour was needed, the poverty-stricken settlers in this corner then moved out in large groups. Another area where population has shown a noticeable decrease is the Pescadores which is one of the poorest areas not only in China, but in the whole world. Here population long long ago reached its saturation point so each year a considerable surplus population moves to Taiwan proper where population is also already over-crowded. The lately rising of the port of Kaohsiung, in particular, receives the largest quota. Of the population of Kaoh-siung, those from the Pescadores constitute a rather high percentage and also have some influence. The other areas where population decrease are all scattered and formed through local reasons such as the destruction of the irrigation work, construction of the reservoirs, the broadening of military bases and so on.