The Relationship Between Population Aging and Travel Demand: Evidence from Taiwan

This study employed a recursive mixed-process model to analyze how sociodemographic characteristics affected household transportation expenditures and car ownership in Taiwan. Transportation expenditures were segmented into those for private vehicle use and those for public transport services. Data on households were sourced from Taiwan’s Family Income and Expenditure Survey for the years 2002 and 2022. The principal findings were as follows. First, household travel demand varied by household life cycle stage, with middle-aged households exhibiting the highest travel demand. Older households also exhibited substantial travel demand and had higher transportation expenditures and car ownership rates than households headed by individuals under 29 years old did. A finding of increased mobility among households headed by older adults reflected longer life expectancy, improved health, and greater wealth. Second, household composition considerably affected transportation expenditures and car ownership. For example, additional family members were typically associated with increased transportation expenditures. However, additional members aged 14 years or younger were associated with reduced public transportation expenditures because private vehicles often replaced public transit because they were used for caregiving and delivery. By contrast, additional older family members (aged 65 years or older) were associated with reduced private transportation expenditures and increased public transportation expenditures, reflecting older individuals’ limited wealth and the high costs of private vehicle use. These results clarify the determinants of transportation expenditures and highlight the characteristics of Taiwanese households reliant on private vehicles. As family structures change and population aging continues, age-friendly public transportation systems should be prioritized in the development of transportation.