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Taiwan’s economy is on track to achieve growth nearing 6% this year, fueled by an unprecedented surge in the artificial intelligence (AI) and semiconductor sectors, according to the Directorate-General of Budget, Accounting and Statistics (DGBAS). The island’s export-driven economy has thrived amid global demand for advanced chips used in AI technologies, offsetting challenges posed by U.S. tariffs on other goods.
In the third quarter, Taiwan’s gross domestic product (GDP) expanded by an impressive 7.64% year-on-year, far surpassing the 6% forecast from a Reuters poll of economists. This strong performance prompted the statistics agency to revise its full-year growth projection upward to more than 5%, with expectations now reaching as high as 5.5% to nearly 6%, DGBAS Minister Chen Shu-tzu told lawmakers. Initially, officials had anticipated only around 1% growth for the quarter, but the nation’s booming tech exports, particularly in semiconductors, dramatically outperformed expectations.
Taiwan is home to major global technology manufacturers, including Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company (TSMC), the world’s largest contract chipmaker, and a key supplier to AI leaders such as Nvidia. The surge in AI-related demand has strengthened Taiwan’s role in the global technology supply chain, driving exports and economic resilience despite international trade headwinds.
While Taiwan continues discussions with Washington to ease the 20% tariffs on non-semiconductor exports, the semiconductor sector remains exempt, providing a crucial advantage. The DGBAS is set to officially release its final economic forecast for 2025, along with an updated projection for 2026, on November 28, which is expected to reflect the sustained momentum from AI innovation and strong global chip demand.
