Under 18s constitute 15% of the population, equating to 3.7 million children. Taiwan reports a low poverty rate, under 2%, however poverty rates are underreported, and values may relate to the rate of extreme poverty and severe material deprivation. Meaning that real poverty rates are likely to be much higher. Many people, mostly working-poor, are disqualified from receiving support and are not considered as low-income. The leading causes of homelessness in Taiwan is long-term unemployment and an inability to pay rent, indicating that there is a lack of social protection for people at risk of, or falling into, poverty. While recent policies and subsidies are increasing protection for young children, child allowances end when a child reaches 5 years of age, and parents may then be unable to access further support. Children are disproportionately more vulnerable to poverty and its consequences, potentially facing long-term consequences on their life as adults, including a wide range of physical and mental health challenges, social exclusion and poorer educational attainment that worsen their prospects and facilitate multigenerational poverty.