The Taiwanese military has reportedly observed a significant rise in soldiers requesting early discharge amid escalating tensions with China.
Figures obtained through a legislative inquiry revealed that 1,565 military personnel chose to leave the service in 2024, despite facing financial penalties.
This marks a sharp increase compared to the approximately 400 personnel who sought early discharge in 2020.
Wan Mei-ling, a legislator from the opposition Kuomintang party, described the trend as “alarming,” warning that it could result in troop shortages and weaken Taiwan’s ability to defend itself.
Decrease in Strength
Taiwan has been relying on volunteer soldiers to form the backbone of its military in the event of an armed conflict with China.
Unlike conscripts, who receive only one year of basic training, volunteer troops undergo extensive drills to prepare for combat scenarios.
However, the island nation has been grappling with a “worrisome” decline in the number of active-duty volunteer soldiers, even reaching a six-year low in 2024.
Taiwan’s total troop strength, which stood at 164,000 in 2021, saw reductions of 5,492 personnel in 2022, 4,706 in 2023, and 1,801 in the first half of 2024.
Projections for fiscal year 2025 indicate a further decline of 5,486 personnel — equivalent to about 11 battalions.
If these trends continue, Taiwan’s active-duty force could drop to approximately 145,000 troops, raising concerns about its readiness to defend against a potential Chinese invasion.