關於台灣病的圖像化整理

關於這期經濟學人的封面提到的台灣病，只要在2000出來工作的人都可以很深刻的體會（才會有最倒霉的6,7年級），工時長也剛好沒經歷到科技業分紅配股的那段，只能做個打工仔（就跟乞丐中的霸主還是丐幫幫主，還是乞丐一樣 ＸＤ）。 

Ref:

1. 央行特別假日加班回應了這期的報導

2. 數位時代 。台灣病是什麼？

3. 財經皓角 11月17日

4. DeepDive _ (市場成長最快的新行業) 雙重用途行銷：英台民主防禦與資訊戰

Navigating the "Taiwanese Disease"

A Financial Strategy for Individual Success & Retirement

The Dilemma: Economic Growth vs. Stagnant Income

A phenomenon known as the "Taiwanese Disease" describes a persistent economic challenge: while overall GDP grows, working individuals' incomes often fail to keep pace. This disconnect, potentially fueled by an undervalued currency, creates a high-pressure environment of soaring housing prices, eroding purchasing power, and a paradoxically high savings rate as people feel insecure about the future.

The Great Divergence

This chart illustrates the growing gap between Taiwan's GDP, housing prices, and average wages over the last two decades. While the economy (GDP) and property values soar, wage growth remains comparatively flat.

Purchasing Power Squeeze

Even when wages do increase, they are often outpaced by inflation (CPI). This "squeeze" means that the real value of your money—what you can actually buy—decreases over time.

The Core Imbalance: High Savings, Low Returns

This environment fosters a culture of excessive saving. However, in a low-interest-rate world, saving in cash is not a path to wealth; it's a slow leak. An undervalued currency further complicates this, making foreign investments seem expensive while diminishing the global purchasing power of TWD-denominated savings.

35%+

Taiwan's Gross Savings Rate

Among the highest in the world. This represents a vast pool of capital that is often under-utilized and depreciating in real terms.

A Global Outlier

Compared to other developed economies, Taiwan's savings rate is exceptionally high. This "safety" behavior ironically creates financial risk by failing to outpace inflation and market growth.

The Escape Plan: A New Financial Strategy

Escaping this dilemma requires a fundamental shift in mindset: from *saving* to *investing*, from *local* to *global*, and from *fixed* to *flexible* assets.

Strategy 1: Put Savings to Work

Cash is not king in an inflationary environment. The single most powerful tool to combat stagnant wages is compounding. By investing your "excess" savings, you allow your money to work for you, creating a new source of growth independent of your salary.

This chart shows the potential growth of $100,000 over 30 years in three scenarios: cash (0.5% interest), a conservative portfolio (4%), and a growth portfolio (7%).

Strategy 2: Diversify Globally

If your home currency is systematically undervalued, holding all your assets in that currency is a concentrated risk. Global diversification allows you to participate in growth worldwide and hedge against local economic stagnation.

A balanced, global portfolio (e.g., 60% equities, 30% bonds) helps capture worldwide growth while managing risk.

Strategy 3: Redefine "Success"

When housing prices are disconnected from income, the traditional goal of homeownership can become a financial trap. Consider a more flexible approach: "Rent & Invest the Difference."

Path A: The Traditional "Buy" Trap

• Take on massive debt (high mortgage).
• Income is locked into loan payments for 20-30 years.
• Wealth is concentrated in a single, illiquid asset.
• High vulnerability to market downturns or income loss.
• Result: "House Rich, Cash Poor" with low financial flexibility.

Path B: The "Rent & Invest" Strategy

• Rent a home that fits your needs (lower monthly cost).
• Calculate the difference between renting and buying.
• Invest this difference every month into a diversified global portfolio.
• Build liquid wealth that grows through compounding.
• Result: Financial flexibility, diversified assets, and true wealth creation.

This infographic is a conceptual visualization based on general economic observations. It is not financial advice.