TAIPEI, Oct. 10 (Xinhua) -- Taiwan's population has registered negative growth for a 21st consecutive month, according to figures released by the island's interior affairs office, highlighting the serious demographic challenges it faces.

The latest statistics reveal that Taiwan's population totaled 23.317 million at the end of September. In that month alone, its total population dropped by 87,107 year on year, and by 11,312 from the previous month.

By the end of September, the number of residents aged 65 or above neared 4.62 million, accounting for 19.8 percent of the island's population -- just shy of the 20 percent threshold that defines a "super-aged" society.

Only 81,381 babies were born in Taiwan the first three quarters of this year, which was down 16,352 from the same period last year.

Local media have warned that if the current demographic trend continues, Taiwan's twin challenges of declining birth rates and population aging will intensify further.  ■