Taiwan may pay each citizen $314 amid AI boom

The Taiwanese government is considering paying each citizen NT$10,000 (approximately US$314) in response to the country's accelerated economic growth. The draft national budget allocates NT$235.7 billion for this purpose. President Lai Qingde described the initiative as a way to allow the population to share in the "dividends of the AI boom."

According to official data, Taiwan's economy grew 14.15% in the first half of 2026, the best first six months of the year in half a century. Consequently, the full-year growth forecast has been revised upward from 9.64% to 11.05%.

Authorities attribute the accelerated economic growth to strong global demand for semiconductors, technology products, high-performance computing systems, and cloud services.

Citizens will be able to receive these payments until January 7, 2027, provided parliament approves the proposed budget in its third reading by the end of 2026. The government assures that the distribution of funds will not lead to an increase in net public debt, as budget revenues and expenditures are planned to be balanced.

As a reminder, Uzbekistan is developing a new compensation system for 54,000 civil servants. Instead of numerous allowances and bonuses, three main types of incentive payments are proposed, and salaries will be based on qualifications, KPIs, and performance.