A group of young citizens and social organizations held a joint press conference on the National Youth Day to call the government's attention to the worsening issue of youth poverty. As the authorities have yet to address the problems concerning high student loan debts, high unemployment rates, and low basic wages, many young people now lament that there is little to look forward to in the future.

On March 29th, which was Youth Day, young people around Taiwan discussed their hopes for the future. At the same time, many said that they had no hope for the future due to financial issues.

Due to student loans, most new graduates are in debt before they even get their first job.

Once they enter the employment market, low wages make it extremely difficult to make headway on their debts. Some say that the government's 2009 internship program, which provided monthly wages of 22,000 NT for interns, caused starting salaries to plummet.

Based on analyst calculations, young people today would be 50 years old by the time they save up enough money to purchase a home, provided that they don't have any children or suffer any major illnesses.

Today's youths have to deal with high debt, high unemployment rates, low wages, and non-traditional employment packages.

They are pessimistic about their futures, and hope that the government can see and address the youth poverty issue.