Taiwan's population density, over 600 people p/sq. km, is one of the the most crowded places in the world (2nd after Bangladesh, India according to the Ministry of the Interior.) Taipei has over 9,730 people p/sq. km and is the most crowded urban area in Taiwan!

The postwar baby boom and an increase in average life expectancy (due to improved health conditions) have pushed the population to 22.5 million. Family planning and increased financial security have limited the growth rate to about .7% per year and falling, with an ageing population.

Technically speaking, the only native people in Taiwan are the aborigines who are thought to have arrived from the nearby Pacific Islands in 8,000B.C. Approximately 500 years ago the first Chinese mainlanders from the Fujien Province came to Taiwan. After 1947, several million mainland Chinese came from all over China. In 1949, approximately 70% of the total population was Taiwanese. Today, the figure is closer to 85% because of intermarriage. The Hakka were once 5-10% of the population (prior to the Japanese occupation), but intermarriage has made them virtually indistinguishable today.

Aborigines in Taiwan currently form about 2% of the population with less intermarriage than among all other groups. In fact, intermarriage between Taiwanese (mostly men) and foreigners (westerners, Thai, Vietnamese...) is more common in Taiwan.

There are 10 recognized tribes in Taiwan (several other tribes are fighting for recognition, based on scientific DNA testing to determine distinct lineage) which include (in order of size) the Ami, Atayal, Bunun, Paiwan, Rukai, Saisiat, Shao, Tsou and Yami, each with their own language. Many aborigines have been converted to Christianity due to strong proselytizing by western organizations.

Aborigines have been the recipients of fierce discrimination, but with the increase in popularity of all things Aborigine, the trend is starting to shift towards a greater appreciation of the art, music, food and basic culture of the Aborigines. In fact, Aborigine music has hit the top of the music charts and one song was recently sampled by the western group, 'Enigma' (without credit...)