Is economic migration necessary for economic growth in Taiwan?

Affirmative Side:

  • Economic migration plays a crucial role in Taiwan’s economic growth. By filling critical labor shortages, particularly in sectors unattractive to young Taiwanese workers due to low wages, economic migrants contribute significantly.

Negative Side:

  • While economic migration may offer some benefits, Taiwan can boost economic growth through education and trade. Taiwanese industries don’t heavily rely on cheap labor. 

Arguments for Economic Migration

  • Filling Labor Shortages: Economic migrants are willing to take on low-wage jobs that Taiwanese graduates often reject.
  • Acquiring Skills: Migrants have the potential to acquire Taiwanese skills and integrate into the local workforce, bringing new abilities that contribute to economic development.
  • Demographic Benefits: Given Taiwan’s decreasing population and aging society, economic migrants can offset demographic challenges.
  • Economic Contributions: Migrants contribute to tax revenue upon arrival, reducing the need for educational investment and addressing economic inequalities caused by labor shortages. “Immigrants contribute to tax revenue because they migrate as adults. This reduces the need to provide education, thus lowering the cost.”
  • Benefits to Home Countries: Migrants send remittances to their home countries, boosting their economies.

Arguments Against Economic Migration

  • Alternatives to Migration: Education and trade are viable methods for boosting economic growth without the need for migration.
  • Strain on Public Services: A surge in population may require adjustments in public services, creating additional burdens.
  • Skills Mismatch: Many economic migrants lack the skills required for high-paying jobs.
  • Existing Policies: Taiwan already has a policy for determining the number of immigrants it can accommodate.

Rebuttals

  • Affirmative Rebuttal: The focus should be on skills and abilities rather than academic qualifications when considering economic migrants.
  • Negative Rebuttal: Taiwan can mitigate population surges by having policies for determining the number of immigrants.

Conclusion

  • Affirmative Conclusion: Economic migration offers vital solutions to labor shortages and demographic challenges, and contributes to economic growth by bringing in revenue and needed skills.

Negative Conclusion: While acknowledging some benefits, focusing on education, trade, and skills development within Taiwan remains the most sustainable and effective path to economic growth.

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