TSMC growth boosts record number of Taiwanese working in US

The number of Taiwanese working in the US reached a record 137,000 in 2024, according to new data from Taiwan’s Directorate General of Budget, Accounting and Statistics (DGBAS).

Officials cited overseas expansion by Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co. (TSMC), especially new facilities in Arizona and Japan, as a major factor behind the rise.

Overall, 666,000 Taiwanese nationals were employed abroad in 2024, up 45,000 from the previous year, and the highest since the pandemic began.

China, including Hong Kong and Macao, remained the most popular destination for Taiwanese workers with 231,000, though this is down from over 400,000 before the pandemic.

The US now accounts for 20.5% of overseas Taiwanese workers, while Southeast Asia represents 14.6%.

🔗 Source: Focus Taiwan

🧠 Food for thought

Implications, context, and why it matters.

Taiwan’s semiconductor workforce shifts signal concentration beyond headline numbers

In 2024, 137,000 Taiwanese worked in the US 1, up about 7% from 128,000 in 2023 2. Taiwan’s Directorate General of Budget, Accounting and Statistics (DGBAS) tied the rise to TSMC’s projects in Arizona plus Kumamoto in Japan 1.
China’s share of Taiwanese overseas workers fell from 62.2% in 2011 2 to 34.7% in 2024 1. DGBAS cites rising labor plus compliance costs in China and other factors 1.
The 80,000 Taiwanese working in Japan plus South Korea in 2024 1 set a record. The chipmaker’s Kumamoto fab began mass production near year-end 2024 1, pulling talent to Japan.
Subsidies for TSMC reached about NT$147 billion over nearly two years, with NT$71.9 billion in the first three quarters of 2024 1. This backed the company’s global expansion.

Cross-border service firms can pursue Taiwan-headquartered suppliers as TSMC expands

Arizona plans worth $40 billion 3 plus mass production in Kumamoto, Japan 1 open doors for HR, immigration and payroll firms that assist Taiwan-based suppliers near these fabs.
Average total earnings for full-time Taiwanese employees hit NT$64,668 a month in 2024 4. Consultants can use that figure when advising suppliers on packages for staff moving to higher cost US or Japanese markets.
Technology infrastructure firms in Arizona can tap TSMC’s supplier network for construction plus facilities management work. Targets include data center developers, industrial contractors and equipment vendors that support chip fabs.