TAIPEI (TVBS News) — Taiwan's per capita GDP will surpass South Korea's for the first time in over two decades this year, driven by artificial intelligence growth and Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company's dominance. Chun-Hsien Yeh (葉俊顯), chief of Taiwan's National Development Council, Taiwan's cabinet-level economic planning agency, announced this milestone Wednesday (Sept. 17) during his first media briefing since taking office.
Yeh emphasized Taiwan's commanding position in advanced semiconductor manufacturing, artificial intelligence, and cutting-edge technology during the briefing. The economic planning chief identified these sectors as the foundation of Taiwan's remarkable growth trajectory. Taiwan's strategic focus on innovation and high-tech industries will propel its economic performance slightly ahead of South Korea's this year, he predicted.
South Korean media outlets recently reported that their nation's per capita GDP will fall behind Taiwan's for the first time in 22 years. South Korea's per capita GDP is projected at around US$37,430 (approximately NT$1.1 million), trailing Taiwan's estimated US$38,066 (around NT$1.14 million) for 2025. This historic reversal highlights Taiwan's ascending economic influence and strategic dominance in critical technology sectors.
Yeh projected that Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company's technological supremacy will persist for at least five to 10 years ahead. The economic chief contrasted Taiwan's economy, built on agile small and medium-sized enterprises, with South Korea's structure dominated by massive conglomerates heavily dependent on Chinese markets. This fundamental difference gives Taiwan greater flexibility and resilience in navigating global economic shifts, he argued.
