Why Taiwan's health premium gains came amidst weaker collections

Government subsidies accounted for $3.9b of the 2024 total.

Taiwan’s National Health Insurance (NHI) programme reported higher premium revenues in 2024, whilst the collection rate from insured individuals and group insurance applicants continued to decline, according to the latest financial data released in February 2026.

Total premiums collected reached $19.3b (NT$622.6b) in 2024, up from $18.7b (NT$602.1b) in 2023.

Of the 2024 total, $15.4b (NT$496.5b) came from insured individuals and group insurance applicants, whilst $3.9b (NT$126.1b) was contributed through government subsidies.

Despite the rise in premium collections, the overall collection rate dropped to 93.63% in 2024, compared with 95.86% in 2023 and 97.06% in 2022.

Earlier years recorded even higher levels, including 99.32% in 2014.

Monthly figures for 2025 show a further decline in the collection rate during the year.

The rate stood at 85.90% in January and 86.41% in February, before falling to 79.02% in March and 76.09% in April.

It continued to drop to 74.70% in May and 71.81% in June. By July and August, the rate had declined to 57.56% and 52.79%, respectively.

The rate dropped further to 34.66% in September and 27.01% in October, before reaching 25.05% in November.

Financial data also shows that NHI premium revenues continued to rise over the past decade.

Premium revenues increased from $16.9b (NT$545.7b) in 2014 to $24.7b (NT$797.1b) in 2024. Over the same period, medical benefit expenditures rose from $16.1b (NT$519.3b) to $24.4b (NT$787.2b).

For 2025, preliminary figures show premium revenues of $26.3b (NT$847.8b) and medical benefit payments of $26.0b (NT$838.2b).

The NHI reserve fund accumulated balance was estimated at $6.4b (NT$207.8b) by the end of the year, compared with $5.0b (NT$162.2b) in 2024.

The data was updated on February 5, 2026, and reflects both cash flow and accrual-based financial status of the National Health Insurance Fund.

($1.00 = NT$32.01)