Comparison

Taiwan vs Denmark

Side-by-side comparison of how these places approach childhood.

At a glance

Taiwan

In Taiwan, cram schools (buxiban) are so common that streets around them have rush hour at 9 PM.

Taiwan's educational intensity rivals South Korea and Japan โ€” children's evenings are structured around supplementary classes that extend the school day well into the night.

Denmark

In Denmark, babies sleep outside in sub-zero weather.

It's considered healthy โ€” and it's just one of the things that surprises families arriving from abroad.

Indicators side by side
Under-5 mortality rate
4.2
Taiwan
3.1
Denmark
per 1,000
Education spending (% of GDP)
4.3%
Taiwan
6.4%
Denmark
%
Child poverty rate
n/a
Taiwan
4.2%
Denmark
%
Corporal punishment
Banned
Taiwan
Banned
Denmark
Childcare enrollment (0-2)
20%
Taiwan
66%
Denmark
%
Paid parental leave
26 wk
Taiwan
52 wk
Denmark
weeks
Child stunting rate
n/a
Taiwan
n/a
Denmark
%
Immunization (DPT3)
97%
Taiwan
97%
Denmark
%
Adolescent birth rate
4.0
Taiwan
3.5
Denmark
per 1,000
PISA average score
547
Taiwan
504
Denmark
points
Secondary completion rate
97%
Taiwan
89%
Denmark
%
Early childhood education enrollment
96%
Taiwan
98%
Denmark
%
Birth registration rate
100%
Taiwan
100%
Denmark
%
Child labor rate
0%
Taiwan
0%
Denmark
%
Child benefit spending (% of GDP)
0.9%
Taiwan
3.7%
Denmark
% of GDP
How they compare
Child independence expectations
Taiwan
Denmark
Low High
Structured enrichment emphasis
Taiwan
Denmark
Low High
Risk tolerance in play
Taiwan
Denmark
Low High
School systems
East Asian model with recent progressive reforms

Taiwan

Nine years of compulsory education plus a 12-year extension making senior high school nearly universal. The curriculum underwent major reform in 2019, adding elective courses and reducing mandatory content. Mandarin is the language of instruction, with Taiwanese Hokkien, Hakka, and indigenous languages offered.

Nordic model

Denmark

Formal academic instruction begins at age 6โ€“7 โ€” later than most countries. The first years emphasize social development, play-based learning, and creative exploration. Homework is minimal before age 10. No grades until 8th grade.

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โ† Taiwan profile ยท Denmark profile โ†’