TAIPEI (TVBS News) — The Executive Yuan has completed the central government budget for next year, setting a record defense budget of NT$647 billion. On Tuesday (Aug. 6), officials briefed President Lai Ching-te (賴清德) on the budget details.
President Lai emphasized, "We are determined to enhance our self-defense capabilities and strengthen cooperation with our democratic partners to ensure peace and prosperity." The 2025 budget projects revenues of NT$3.1534 trillion and expenditures of NT$3.1325 trillion, marking a historic high for both figures.
President Lai noted that the budget follows a principle of balanced finances, yielding a surplus of NT$20.9 billion—the first since 2020. The budget avoids new debt and anticipates a reduction in the debt ratio, with debt repayment reaching NT$141.5 billion, the highest in 24 years.
Social welfare spending tops the budget, followed by education, science, and cultural expenditures. Economic development and defense budgets rank third and fourth, respectively. The long-term care budget has also hit a new high, increasing by NT$5.1 billion to NT$92.7 billion to address Taiwan's aging population.
The national child care policy program for ages 0-6 will see a NT$4.1 billion increase, bringing its total to NT$108.2 billion. The budget for net zero by 2050 surpasses NT$100 billion for the first time. Anti-fraud funding has increased nearly fivefold to enhance technological measures and strategies.
Housing solutions receive a significant boost, with NT$20 billion allocated for social housing and rent subsidies, aiming to increase rental assistance from 500,000 to 750,000 households next year. President Lai also stated that the central government will allocate more resources to support local infrastructure projects.
