Politics · China · 2 days ago
Taiwan military early exits requiring compensation rose to 846 in 2025
A report by Taiwan’s legislature says the number of volunteer military personnel who left early and had to pay compensation rose from 40 in 2018 to 846 in 2025.
From 2021 through the end of 2025, 6,315 people applied to leave early, and 4,267 were liable to pay compensation totaling NT$929 million.
Analysts cited in the report point to heavier duties, staffing problems and a gap between recruits’ expectations and their experience in service.
One legislator also said low pay and poor personnel allocation may add to the burden on those who stay.
As of the end of June, volunteer personnel filled 76.62% of the military’s established positions, and several frontline combat units were below 80%.
The figures raise questions about whether Taiwan’s military can keep enough trained people to operate and maintain its equipment.
A Taiwan legislative report found that compensation-linked early exits by volunteer military personnel rose from 40 in 2018 to 846 in 2025.
From 2021 through the end of 2025, 6,315 personnel applied for early exit, and 4,267 were required to pay compensation.
The report put the total compensation owed at NT$929 million.
Researchers and a lawmaker cited heavier duties, recruitment and retention problems, and a gap between expectations and actual service conditions as possible reasons for departures.
The article also said the military’s volunteer personnel staffing ratio was 76.62% at the end of June 2026.
- Who
- Taiwan’s volunteer military personnel.
- What
- Compensation-linked early exits rose from 40 in 2018 to 846 in 2025.
- When
- The figures cover 2018 to 2025; the report was cited in an article published on October 10, 2026.
- Where
- Taiwan.
- Why
- Researchers and a lawmaker cited heavier workloads, recruitment and retention problems, and service conditions that did not meet new recruits’ expectations.
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
Compensation-linked early exits numbered 40.
The number of volunteer personnel applying for early exit began to rise noticeably, according to researcher Chieh Chung.
A total of 6,315 personnel applied for early exit, with 4,267 required to pay compensation.
Compensation-linked early exits reached 846.
The volunteer personnel staffing ratio stood at 76.62%.
- Early exits in 2018
- 40
- Early exits in 2025
- 846
- Early-exit applications, 2021–end of 2025
- 6,315
- Personnel required to pay compensation
- 4,267
- Total compensation owed
- NT$929 million
- Volunteer personnel staffing ratio, end of June 2026
- 76.62%
What people are saying
Soldiers do not know what they are fighting for, or whom they are fighting for?
The question is not just whether the weapons can be bought, but who will use them after they are bought.
Sources
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