Investigating the Perception of Taiwanese Youth on Migrant Workers

Julia Justine C. Mariano, Girard Mariano L. Lopez, and  Chih-Ning Ho
Migrante – Taiwan
November 24, 2025

Abstract

This study aimed to describe the perception of Taiwanese students on the range of factors related to migrants and migrant workers — their impact on Taiwan’s economy; respondents’ personal experience with migrants; migrants’ participation, impact or assimilation to Taiwan society and culture; and, migrants rights and equality. A total of 312 students were surveyed using a 40-item self-administered questionnaire. Data were compared along demographic variables of age, location, academic area, academic level, frequency of exposure to migrants, and family employment of a migrant worker.  Significant differences were found among the various scales except for students coming from either rural or urban areas. Key finding is the counterintuitive result of those who have employed migrants have a less positive perception on migrants on several scales versus their counterparts who have not employed one. Results have implication on student organizing strategies and policy advocacy.

Keywords:  Migrants, students, perception, attitudes