April 21, 2005
Taiwanese families have a little more elbow room at home than they did ten years ago, according to a report on residential floor space and modern home appliances released recently by the Directorate General of Budget, Accounting and Statistics. The report reveals that average household floor space has expanded 5.9 ping from 36 ping in 1993 to 41.9 ping in 2003. Floor space in Taiwan is measured in ping, with one ping equivalent to approximately 36 square feet.
Also, due to rising incomes and the belief that property is the most secure form of wealth, a higher percentage of families own their own homes than did a decade ago. The average rate of home ownership has increased 3.2% from 81.9% in 1993 to 85.1% in 2003. Taipei's ownership rate, 83.3%, is slightly lower than the national average. This because many people from outside of Taipei that move up to the capital for work chose to rent, and because Taipei's housing prices are higher.
Essentially every home in Taiwan has a television, washing machine and telephone, while air conditioners now keep 84.5% of homes cool, up 23.8% from 1993. In the crowded north, 90% of households have AC, the highest rate in Taiwan, while just 63.1% enjoy this modern luxury on the East Coast. Also, 42.4% of the homes in the wetter north are outfitted with dehumidifiers.
The rate of automobile ownership is highest in Central Taiwan, with 64.6% of households owning their own cars. Also, 51.9% of Central Taiwan homes have their own parking spaces, the highest rate in Taiwan. Motorbike ownership is most common in Southern Taiwan, where 87.9% of households have their own.
Mobile phones were carried by 84.6% of Taiwanese as of 2003, up 39% over the previous four years. Cable television is enjoyed by 70-80% of households in all areas of Taiwan except the East Coast, where, due to the relatively lower number of cable TV providers, only 57.7% of homes are hooked up.
(Central News Agency)
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