How to Create Another Miracle in the Shadow of a Low Fertility Rate: The Case of Taiwan in the Light of the German Experience

• Main Authors: Marie-Alix COME, 康美希
• Other Authors: Kai-yin Allison Haga
• Format: Others
• Language: en_US
• Published: 2013
• Online Access: http://ndltd.ncl.edu.tw/handle/hk4u56

碩士 === 國立中山大學 === 國際經營管理碩士班 === 101 === In a context of declining fertility and slowing down economy, the primary purpose of this study is to determine how Taiwan could possess adequate human resources to boost and sustain the economic development. The research used a qualitative approach based on primary and secondary data collected through different interviews, official databases and websites, and relevant literatures on the topic. The data were organized in a descriptive and comparative analysis between Taiwan and Germany. The results first revealed that Taiwan is currently facing two major issues: a labor and skills shortage along with an increasing youth unemployment rate. Similarly to Taiwan, Germany has a very low birth rate; nevertheless, the nation seems less affected by those economic matters. In order to tackle both issues, the comparative analysis showed that immigration and vocational education can provide several benefits. Nevertheless, the Taiwanese immigration practices and their protectionist tendency tend to repel foreign workers. Moreover, the national devaluation of practical training has induced a decline in the quality of the vocational education, which led to a mismatch between education and industry. The research was concluded by providing some suggestions to relax the immigration practices and revalue the practical training in the education system in order to produce a human capital able to promote a new miracle. This thesis hopes to raise awareness among the Taiwanese population, and especially authorities, to maybe foster and orientate some changes. Therefore, this study could make a small contribution to improving the nation’s situation.