Taiwan to Give Every Citizen NT$10,000 in 2027 as AI Boom Boosts Revenue

Taiwanese President Lai Ching-te announced on Monday that the proposed 2027 central government budget will include a universal cash handout of NT$10,000 (USD 314) for every citizen. The measure is funded by an additional NT$235.7 billion (USD 7.4 billion) in expenditures, made possible by a surge in government revenue driven by the booming artificial intelligence (AI) sector.

The government's projected revenue for 2027 has been raised to NT$3.9266 trillion (USD 123.43 billion), allowing the handout to be included while maintaining a balanced budget and what Lai described as "effectively no new borrowing."

Lai said the cash payment represents an "AI dividend" that should be shared by all, noting that the benefits of rapid economic growth have not been felt evenly across society. Many workers in services, traditional industries, and small and medium-sized businesses have not seen the same gains as those in the technology sector.

The announcement follows a revised forecast from Taiwan's statistics agency, which raised its 2026 economic growth projection to 11.05 percent from 9.64 percent. The economy grew 14.15 percent in the first half of the year, with full-year growth expected to reach its highest level in 39 years, driven by global demand for AI, high-performance computing, and cloud services.

Individuals and families will be free to decide how to use the money, with Lai citing education, elder care, household expenses, and support for local businesses as potential uses. The Presidential Office has not yet provided details on eligibility, distribution methods, or payment timing.

Taiwan previously issued a similar NT$10,000 handout in 2025 under a special budget aimed at helping citizens cope with U.S. tariffs and inflation. That round included Taiwanese citizens, foreign permanent residents, and foreign spouses of Taiwanese citizens with residence permits.

Beyond the cash handout, the 2027 budget will prioritize family support, national defense, technology development, public infrastructure, and increased financial support for local governments. A total of NT$373 billion (USD 11.71 billion) is earmarked for family support measures, while overall defense spending will reach NT$1.1225 trillion (USD 35.25 billion), exceeding NT$1 trillion for the first time and remaining above 3 percent of GDP.

Lai urged the Cabinet to complete budget preparations as planned and expressed hope that the Legislature would review it on schedule. His appeal comes three days after the opposition-controlled Legislature passed the 2026 budget after a record delay, cutting NT$48 billion (USD 1.51 billion) from the Cabinet's proposed expenditures.