Taipei: The number of registered motor vehicles in Taiwan, including motorcycles, trucks, coaches, and specially built vehicles, has surpassed the total population of the country, government statistics revealed. By the end of May, the total number of vehicles had reached over 23.357 million units, exceeding the population count.

According to Focus Taiwan, statistics from the Highway Bureau showed a total of 23,357,381 registered motor vehicles across Taiwan at the end of May, an increase of 5,200 units from the previous month. Simultaneously, data from the Ministry of the Interior reported Taiwan’s population at 23,355,470, marking a year-on-year decline of 58,138.

The figures indicate that as of the end of May, the number of vehicles exceeded the total population by 1,911. Citing analysis from the Highway Bureau, the Chinese-language newspaper China Times attributed this trend to the lack of restrictions on the number of motor vehicles that can be registered by individuals, businesses, or government agencies.

The Highway Bureau noted that improvements in living standards in Taiwan have led some individuals to own both a car and a motorcycle for different purposes. Motorcycles are often used for daily commuting, while cars are utilized during weekends or for long-distance travel. The trend of owning multiple vehicles is seen as a reflection of changing transportation patterns and lifestyles among Taiwanese people.