TAIPEI -- The total population of Taiwan fell in the first five months of this year due to low birth rate and population ageing, according to the island's internal affairs department.

A total of 74,662 people died in Taiwan from January to May this year while only 65,513 infants were born, leading to a natural population decrease of 9,149, according to the latest statistics released by the department earlier this week.

The number of newborns in Taiwan in the first five months was 7,562 fewer than that of the same period last year, according to the statistics.

The natural population decrease in Taiwan in the first five months of 2019 was only 1,721.

If the declining trend continues in the coming months, Taiwan is highly likely to see its first-ever year of natural population decrease, the department said.

Last year 176,296 people died in Taiwan while 177,767 infants were born, resulting in natural population growth of 1,471.

The natural population decline will pose serious challenges to the island's economic potential, social security system, education and real estate market, the department warned.