Taipei: Nearly four in 10 children and adolescents in Taiwan believe "the world would be no different without me," the Child Welfare League Foundation (CWLF) announced, highlighting a concerning level of psychological alienation that has reached a three-year high.
According to Focus Taiwan, the CWLF emphasized the importance of World Children's Day as a reminder for society to listen to children's voices. The foundation's 2025 Child Well-Being Survey revealed that Taiwanese children scored a subjective life-satisfaction score of 72, which is a four-point increase from the previous year. However, this score remains below the results found in the 2021/2022 international study of Health Behavior in School-Aged Children (HBSC).
The CWLF report highlighted that Taiwanese children consistently scored below the international average in satisfaction levels across all age and gender categories. Notably, thirteen-year-old Taiwanese girls reported a satisfaction score of only 48.9 points, which is significantly lower than their international peers.
The survey also revealed that Taiwanese children were most satisfied with their home environment and generally reported having positive friendships. However, they expressed the least satisfaction with their appearance, free time, and life choices. The foundation noted that while Taiwanese children displayed stability in daily life and relationships, they continued to struggle with weaker self-identity and insufficient "sense of control."
Additionally, the report indicated that only 27 percent of children described themselves as "very healthy," with this percentage declining as they aged, particularly among 13-year-old girls. Assessments of physical appearance were predominantly negative, with many children perceiving themselves as overweight compared to international averages.
In terms of lifestyle habits, Taiwanese children reportedly had better sleep patterns compared to their international counterparts. However, they exercised significantly less, with only 24.5 percent of 13-year-old girls engaging in regular physical activity. The survey also found that only 46.7 percent of children felt their classmates were friendly, helpful, or accepting, with nearly half feeling isolated or unable to integrate during classroom interactions, which adversely affected their mental health.
Academic pressure was found to emerge earlier in Taiwan than elsewhere, with 40.8 percent of 11-year-old boys already experiencing stress related to studies. This pressure among girls increased significantly between the ages of 11 and 13, rising from 34.5 percent to 46 percent. School satisfaction was notably low, with only about 30 percent of students stating they really liked school, and just around 10 percent of 13-year-old girls expressing the same sentiment.
The CWLF welcomed the government's plan to establish the Children and Families Administration under the Ministry of Health and Welfare (MOHW), a move announced by President Lai Ching-te. The foundation called for the strengthening of preventive mental health services and the promotion of weekend sports days to address these issues.