Taipei: Taiwan reported 6,832 births in May, marking the second-lowest monthly total ever recorded, according to data released by the government on Wednesday. This continues a downward trend in the country's birth rates, with a 29-month streak of year-on-year declines.

According to Focus Taiwan, the Ministry of the Interior (MOI) revealed that Taiwan's population was 23,252,641 at the end of May. This number reflects a decrease of 102,829 compared to the same time last year, and 9,903 fewer than the previous month. The data further showed that May's birth count of 6,832 was a significant drop from April's 8,144 and May of last year's 8,433, second only to February's record low of 6,523.

The crude birth rate for May stood at 3.64 per 1,000 people. Taitung County led the figures with a rate of 5.09, followed by Penghu County at 4.64 and Hsinchu City at 4.37. Conversely, Keelung recorded the lowest rate at 1.90, followed by Miaoli at 2.69 and Chiayi County at 2.75.

May also saw 15,158 deaths, resulting in a crude death rate of 7.67 per 1,000 people. This represents a decrease of 224 deaths compared to the same period last year and 836 fewer than in April.

Taiwan transitioned to a super-aged society last year, a designation given to populations where 20 percent or more are aged 65 or older. As of the end of May, the MOI reported that 2,642,980 people, or 11.37 percent, were aged 0-14. Those aged 15-64 totaled 15,859,310, making up 68.20 percent, while individuals aged 65 and above reached 4,750,351, accounting for 20.43 percent of the population.