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A Warning Sign: Children's Life Satisfaction in Taiwan Drops to 69 out of 100, Down from Last Year
Research & Advocacy
2026-05-08
The Child Welfare League Foundation (CWLF) surveyed 1,577 children for the 2026 Child Well-Being Survey Report.[1] Ahead of Taiwan's Children's Day on April 4, 2026, CWLF released the findings, showing that the average life satisfaction score among children in Taiwan was only 69 out of 100. In addition, 27.8% gave their own lives a score below the survey's passing threshold of 60, signaling a worrying downward trend.
The survey reveals that when children feel that no one in real life understands their thoughts or cares about their emotions, as many as 70% turn to the virtual world for happiness. Many also project their feelings onto comforting or powerful anime and fictional characters, using these characters to fill the emotional gaps they experience in real life.
[1] The survey collected 1,577 valid responses, including 687 elementary school students (44%) and 873 junior high school students (56%). Among the respondents, 778 were girls, 762 were boys, and 12 who selected “other”.
The survey also reveals a clear age gap in children's well-being. Elementary school students had an average life satisfaction score of 73, compared with only 66 among junior high school students, showing a 7-point difference. CWLF noted that as academic competition and peer pressure increase in junior high school, children's enthusiasm for life appears to decline under the pressure of schoolwork and exams. Supporting children who are losing their smiles under growing pressure has become an urgent issue that adults must face.
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This suggests that under academic pressure and real-life constraints, children are more likely to seek happiness in the virtual world, where they can receive instant feedback, feel a stronger sense of control, and gain the sense of happiness they may be missing in everyday life.
This "compensation" also appears in children's desire for fictional characters. If they could choose one fictional character to be by their side, 57.4% chose Doraemon as their top choice. With his all-purpose gadgets and image as a supportive friend, Doraemon represents the kind of companionship children most hope for when facing real-life problems. He was followed by Pikachu (34.7%), a comforting and healing character, and Satoru Gojo (32.3%), a powerful character who can take control of difficult situations.
In the survey's open-ended responses, Crayon Shin-chan ranked first among all works mentioned. This also reflects children's simple wish for humor, relaxation, and lighthearted fun.
More than half also said they hope adults will not focus only on grades (55.7%) and will give them basic respect (56.0%). These findings show that under academic pressure, children want adults to see who they really are beyond their scores. They want to be seen as more than just well-behaved, obedient children.
CWLF's survey also found that "I hope to be listened to" (52.2%) and "I need rest, too" (49.0%) were feelings shared by about one in every two children. This points to a shared need among children: what they want is not tangible rewards, but basic acceptance, empathy, and room to breathe.
If these warning signs continue to be ignored, children may close the door to real-life dialogue and turn to the virtual world for comfort. This may further weaken their rights to express their views, to enjoy good health, and to partake in play, rest, and leisure activities.
◼ ︎Read more:
Childcare Services Act Passed: A Step Forward for Children and Parents
CWLF Survey: 1 in 5 Children Show Social Anxiety Symptoms, with School Refusal and Poor Sleep
CWLF Survey: School Choice Feels Life-or-Death as 57% of Students Face Learning Fatigue
The survey reveals that when children feel that no one in real life understands their thoughts or cares about their emotions, as many as 70% turn to the virtual world for happiness. Many also project their feelings onto comforting or powerful anime and fictional characters, using these characters to fill the emotional gaps they experience in real life.
[1] The survey collected 1,577 valid responses, including 687 elementary school students (44%) and 873 junior high school students (56%). Among the respondents, 778 were girls, 762 were boys, and 12 who selected “other”.
Children's Well-Being Declines: Average Life Satisfaction Falls to 69 out of 100 in 2026, with Nearly 30% Reporting a Failing Score
CWLF's survey shows that in 2026, the average life satisfaction score among children in Taiwan was only 69.2 out of 100. In addition, 27.8% gave their lives a score below the passing mark of 60. Compared with 2025 score of 72, children's well-being has not recovered. Instead, it shows a worrying downward trend.The survey also reveals a clear age gap in children's well-being. Elementary school students had an average life satisfaction score of 73, compared with only 66 among junior high school students, showing a 7-point difference. CWLF noted that as academic competition and peer pressure increase in junior high school, children's enthusiasm for life appears to decline under the pressure of schoolwork and exams. Supporting children who are losing their smiles under growing pressure has become an urgent issue that adults must face.
What Makes Children Happy: Mobile Games and Online Activities Rank at 72%, Higher Than Having No Homework During Breaks or Doing Sports and Dancing
As children's sense of happiness in real life declines, the digital world has become a key space for emotional relief. CWLF's survey shows that interacting with friends remains the top source of happiness for children (77.5%). However, the happiness they get from playing video games or joining online activities (72.3%) has already surpassed having no homework during breaks (69.0%) and doing sports or dancing (37.6%).This suggests that under academic pressure and real-life constraints, children are more likely to seek happiness in the virtual world, where they can receive instant feedback, feel a stronger sense of control, and gain the sense of happiness they may be missing in everyday life.
This "compensation" also appears in children's desire for fictional characters. If they could choose one fictional character to be by their side, 57.4% chose Doraemon as their top choice. With his all-purpose gadgets and image as a supportive friend, Doraemon represents the kind of companionship children most hope for when facing real-life problems. He was followed by Pikachu (34.7%), a comforting and healing character, and Satoru Gojo (32.3%), a powerful character who can take control of difficult situations.
In the survey's open-ended responses, Crayon Shin-chan ranked first among all works mentioned. This also reflects children's simple wish for humor, relaxation, and lighthearted fun.
What Children Want from Parents: 68% Hope Their Emotions Will be Understood, and More Than Half Hope Adults Will Not Focus Only on Grades
Behind children's shift toward the virtual world is a deeper desire to be better understood by adults in real life. CWLF's survey shows a clear gap between what children need and how parents and teachers often respond. As many as 68.2% of children said they hope adults can understand how they feel. This shows that emotional connection between children and adults is often overlooked in daily conversations.More than half also said they hope adults will not focus only on grades (55.7%) and will give them basic respect (56.0%). These findings show that under academic pressure, children want adults to see who they really are beyond their scores. They want to be seen as more than just well-behaved, obedient children.
CWLF's survey also found that "I hope to be listened to" (52.2%) and "I need rest, too" (49.0%) were feelings shared by about one in every two children. This points to a shared need among children: what they want is not tangible rewards, but basic acceptance, empathy, and room to breathe.
If these warning signs continue to be ignored, children may close the door to real-life dialogue and turn to the virtual world for comfort. This may further weaken their rights to express their views, to enjoy good health, and to partake in play, rest, and leisure activities.
◼ ︎Read more:
Childcare Services Act Passed: A Step Forward for Children and Parents
CWLF Survey: 1 in 5 Children Show Social Anxiety Symptoms, with School Refusal and Poor Sleep
CWLF Survey: School Choice Feels Life-or-Death as 57% of Students Face Learning Fatigue