TAIPEI (TVBS News) — A recent survey by yes123 Job Bank revealed a significant shift in Taiwan's workforce on Tuesday (Jan. 14), with a notable 86.7% of respondents expressed willingness to work abroad, a five-year high. Preferred destinations include Japan (40.7%), the U.S. (39.6%), and Southeast Asia (38.3%).
Those considering overseas positions expect salaries averaging 123.2% higher than current earnings in Taiwan. Yes123 spokesman Yang Tsung-pin (楊宗斌) warned that continued talent outflow could pose a national security issue due to labor shortages. Yang emphasized the urgent need to address stagnating wages, youth unemployment, and the mismatch between education and job market demands. He called for industrial restructuring and upgrades to enhance the nation's competitiveness and retain its workforce.
Meanwhile, the survey, conducted from Dec. 27 last year to Jan. 9 this year, indicated a 16-year high in job-switching intentions. Notably, 74.8% have already begun job hunting, and 14.6% have secured new positions.
The survey highlights dissatisfaction with salaries, cited by 63.5% of respondents, as the primary reason for seeking new employment. Other factors include limited career prospects (50.4%), lack of promotion opportunities (47.8%), discontent with current job content (36.5%), and insufficient job fulfillment (35.4%). These findings underscore a growing trend among Taiwanese workers to explore overseas opportunities.
