Taiwan - Balance of payments

There was a consistent trade surplus after the mid-1970s, which exceeded $10 billion after the mid-1980s through the mid-1990s. The current account surplus was $19 billion in 2001 and was forecast to remain substantial in 2003. Taiwan's total foreign exchange reserves are the world's third largest after Japan and China; they stood at a record $175.2 billion in May 2003. Total foreign debt was only $24 million in 2001.

The US Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) reports that in 2001 the purchasing power parity of Taiwan's exports was $122 billion while imports totaled $109 billion resulting in a trade surplus of $13 billion.