Taiwan raises 2026 GDP growth outlook to 16-year high on strong AI demand

TAIPEI - Taiwan's tech-driven economy is expected to grow at its fastest pace in 16 years in 2026, the government statistics agency said on Friday, thanks to booming demand for artificial intelligence-related technologies.

Gross domestic product is now expected to be 9.64% higher than a year earlier, the agency said, the quickest pace since 10.25% was recorded in 2010 and revising up the 7.71% forecast it issued in February.

The island plays an essential role in the global AI supply chain for companies like Nvidia and Apple, led by the world's largest contract chipmaker, Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co.

Strong demand for AI drove Taiwan's economy in 2025 to expand 8.76%, the agency added, its fastest pace in 15 years.

The agency also revised up its first-quarter 2026 economic growth view to 14.55%, marking its fastest quarterly pace in nearly 48 years, versus a preliminary reading of 13.69%.

(Reporting by Faith Hung and Jeanny Kao; Editing by Tomasz Janowski and Thomas Derpinghaus)

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This story was originally published May 29, 2026 at 1:45 AM.