Taiwan enters super-aged society, driving demand for age-friendly housing

Taiwan has officially entered a ‘super-aged society’ as of late 2025, with citizens aged 65 and older accounting for over 20% of the total population. This demographic shift is driving a surge in demand for age-friendly housing and specialized elderly care services.

Real estate developers are increasingly integrating universal design into new constructions to accommodate changing life stages. Key features include barrier-free indoor circulation, non-slip bathroom materials, easy-to-use door handles, and kitchen lift baskets. These designs aim to serve not only the elderly but also young families with strollers or heavy loads.

However, challenges remain in providing immediate safety for vulnerable populations. While the Ministry of Health and Welfare has expanded home visits for elderly individuals, reports indicate that the installation rate for emergency rescue equipment among the estimated 700,000 single-person elderly households is only approximately 2.8%. Legislators are calling for the government to set clear targets to accelerate equipment installation, while officials emphasize the importance of respecting the personal will of the elderly regarding such devices.