TAIWAN

A. THE COUNTRY

The Republic of China, Taiwan, is a mountainous island east of mainland China.  It is one of the world’s most densely populated countries. Politically, it is a multiparty democracy.  If Taiwan were to claim independence from China, it would likely bring a hostile response.  The two states are becoming closer than ever economically and culturally. With rapid industrialization and economic growth, Taiwan has become a dynamic export-oriented economy, focusing on high tech goods.

B. THE PEOPLE

The population is over 23.5 million.  The official language is Mandarin.

Chinese 96.2%: speaking Taiwanese (66.2%), Hakke (15%) and Mainland Chinese (15%). Austronesian mountain peoples 1.7%: 14 recognized tribes, 11 unrecognized.

Other 2.1%: Indonesian, Thai, Filipino, Vietnamese, other Asians,

Westerners.

C. RELIGIONS AND CHRISTIANITY/PENTECOSTALISM

Taiwan is a secular state with freedom of religion.  The majority follow a Chinese blend of Buddhism, Daoism and Taiwanese folk religion.  A “purer” Buddhism is growing steadily.

Chinese 60.74%, Buddhist 28.8%, Christian 5.82%, Non-religious 2.31%,

Other 1.9%, Muslim 0.35%, Baha’i 0.05%, Ethnoreligionist 0.03%.

In the Christian category:

Independent 2.04%, Protestant 1.79%, Catholic 1.25%, Unaffiliated 0.42%,

Anglican 0.01%.

Evangelicals are 2.8% of the population.

Charismatics are 1.3% (0.6% of these are Pentecostals).

Other groups originating in Western society represent 0.31%.

Donna Siemens

 

References:

http://en.wikipedia.org

Operation World, Jason Mandryk. Colorado Springs: Biblica Publishing, 2010.