The CPI in April 2013 was 102.04 (2011=100), increased 0.60% from the preceding month, went up 1.04% compared with the same month of 2012. The WPI was 96.76 (2011=100), declined 0.66% from the preceding month, moved down 3.69% compared with the same month of 2012.

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The seasonally adjusted real gross domestic product (GDP) decreased by 3.21% on a quarter-on-quarter annualized basis in 2013Q1, and the year-on-year(yoy) growth rate of unadjusted GDP was 1.54%, according to the advance estimate by DGBAS.

Advance Estimation of GDP in 2013Q1

        Due to the moderate growth of exports and subdued private consumption, the seasonally adjusted real GDP decreased from previous quarter (saqr) by 0.81%, and the seasonally adjusted annualized rate (saar) fell by 3.21%. Meanwhile, the year-on-year (yoy) growth rate of seasonally unadjusted real GDP was 1.54% in 2013Q1, 1.72 percentage points lower than the former prediction (3.26%) in February.

Full text and tables (PDF)

Manpower Survey Results in March 2013

Link to statistical tables

• Table 1. Important Indicators Based on Manpower Survey Results
• Table 2. Important Results of Manpower Survey in Seasonally Adjusted Series
• Table 3. Labor Force Participation Rate by Educational Attainment
• Table 4. Labor Force Participation Rate by Age
• Table 5. Employed Persons by Industry
• Table 6. Employed Persons by Occupation
• Table 7. Employed Persons by Class of Worker
• Table 8. Unemployed Persons, by Reason Why in Unemployment
• Table 9. Unemployment Rate by Educational Attainment
• Table10. Unemployment Rate by age
• Table11. Persons Not in the Labor Force by Reason Why Not

In February 2013, the total nonagricultural payroll employment, at 6,950 thousand, decreased by 19 thousand (or 0.27%) than last month. In comparison with February 2012, payroll employees increased by 76 thousand (or 1.10%). The average employment since January 2013 was 6,960 thousand, increased by 86 thousand (or 1.25%) than the same period of last year. The average monthly hours of work for industry and service sector in February 2013 was 135.2 hours, mainly impacted by the Chinese Lunar New Year holidays in February of this year, which decreased by 49.9 hours from last month and decreased by 34.6 hours from February 2012. The average working-hour since January 2013 was 1.1 hours less than the same period of last year. The average regular earnings in February 2013 was NT$37,229, which was 1.20% less than last month and 0.28% more than the same month of last year. Mainly influenced by year-end bonuses and production bonuses were granted continually, the average monthly earnings (including regular and irregular earnings) were $62,343, which was 2.70% more than last month. Since the bonuses were granted mostly in January of last year, the average monthly earning of February 2013 was reported 47.56% more than the same month of last year. The average regular earnings since January 2013 was NT$37,456, which was 0.88% more than the same period of last year. The real regular earnings fell 1.14%. The average monthly earnings since January 2013 was NT$61,521, decreased by 2.40% than the same period of last year, while the real average earnings fell 4.35％.

The CPI in March 2013 was 101.45 (2011=100), decreased 1.41% from the preceding month, went up 1.39% compared with the same month of 2012. The WPI was 97.49 (2011=100), declined 0.39% from the preceding month, moved down 3.01% compared with the same month of 2012.

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　　For recognizing the limits of GDP as a measure of people's lives, President Ma announced in Jan. 2012 to develop a well-being measurement beyond economic growth.

　　Since the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development's (OECD) "Your Better Life Index(BLI)" includes topics we define as essential, the National Well-being Indicators(NWI) in R.O.C.(Taiwan) adopt its 11 topics, including both material living conditions (housing, income, jobs) and quality of life matters (community, education, environment, civic engagement, health, life satisfaction, safety and work-life balance). Taking into account both purposes of international comparison and domestic characteristics, the NWI embraces two sets of indicators－international indicators and domestic indicators within each topic.

　　The international indicator set for compiling composite index is based completely on the BLI indicators, to allow for consistent comparison with OECD member and partnership countries. The domestic one is for a better indication of public sentiment, which has been developed through multiple meetings with scholars, professionals and government officials. It will observe our nation in 38 indicators, rather than the OECD's original 24, as covering more specific aspects of our people's lives. No composite index will be added up for the domestic indicators.

　　Of the total 62 indicators, data for most will be compiled by DGBAS and related agencies. Information on civic engagement and governance, however, which directly involves the government, will be gathered with the help of the Academia Sinica to enhance credibility.

　　The outcome of National Well-being Indicators will first be launched by the end of August, 2013, appended with indicator attributes if decomposable. The domestic indicators are still in the experimental stage, so DGBAS is open to discussion on them.

Appendix : The National Well-being Indicators in R.O.C. (Taiwan)

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Manpower Survey Results in February 2013

Link to statistical tables

• Table 1. Important Indicators Based on Manpower Survey Results
• Table 2. Important Results of Manpower Survey in Seasonally Adjusted Series
• Table 3. Labor Force Participation Rate by Educational Attainment
• Table 4. Labor Force Participation Rate by Age
• Table 5. Employed Persons by Industry
• Table 6. Employed Persons by Occupation
• Table 7. Employed Persons by Class of Worker
• Table 8. Unemployed Persons, by Reason Why in Unemployment
• Table 9. Unemployment Rate by Educational Attainment
• Table10. Unemployment Rate by age
• Table11. Persons Not in the Labor Force by Reason Why Not

In January 2013, the total nonagricultural payroll employment, at 6,969 thousand, increased by 4 thousand (or 0.07%) than last month. In comparison with January 2012, payroll employees increased by 95 thousand (or 1.39%). The average monthly hours of work in January 2013 was 185.1 hours, increased by 6.1 hours from last month. Since the Chinese Lunar New Year holiday was in January of 2012, the average monthly work-hour was 32.6 hours more than January 2012. The average regular earnings in January 2013 was NT$37,683, which was 0.49% more than last month and 1.48% more than the same month of last year, while the real regular earnings was 0.36% more than January 2012. Average monthly earnings in January was NT$60,702, which was 27.21% more than last month and 27.58% less than the same month of last year. The manufacturing sector's labor productivity index decreased by 5.06% from the same month of last year, while the unit output labor cost index decreased by 39.82%.

The CPI in February 2013 was 102.91 (2011=100), increased 0.48% from the preceding month, went up 2.97% comparing with the same month of 2012. The WPI was 97.94 (2011=100), rose 1.47% from the preceding month, moved down 2.20% comparing with the same month of 2012.

Full text : (PDF)(DOC)

Manpower Survey Results in January 2013

Link to statistical tables

• Table 1. Important Indicators Based on Manpower Survey Results
• Table 2. Important Results of Manpower Survey in Seasonally Adjusted Series
• Table 3. Labor Force Participation Rate by Educational Attainment
• Table 4. Labor Force Participation Rate by Age
• Table 5. Employed Persons by Industry
• Table 6. Employed Persons by Occupation
• Table 7. Employed Persons by Class of Worker
• Table 8. Unemployed Persons, by Reason Why in Unemployment
• Table 9. Unemployment Rate by Educational Attainment
• Table10. Unemployment Rate by age
• Table11. Persons Not in the Labor Force by Reason Why Not