Parties tackle population crisis

Politicians unveil senior-focused platforms ahead of general election, writes Jutamas Tadthiemrom

- 

Thailand’s rapidly ageing society has become one of the competing issues in the run-up to the 2026 general election, pushing senior citizens’ welfare, healthcare reform and labour participation to the centre of campaign agendas.

With the number of older people projected to rise sharply while the working-age population shrinks, parties are offering competing visions for how the country should secure dignity in old age and sustain its fiscal future.

DEMOGRAPHIC REALITY

The National Economic and Social Development Council projects the elderly population will rise from 14 million to 20 million within the next 15 years, while the working-age population will decline by 5 million between 2025 and 2040.

This shift implies a smaller tax base supporting higher healthcare and welfare costs. The old-age support ratio is expected to deteriorate from 3.6 workers per elderly person in 2020 to about 1.8 by 2040, intensifying pressure on public finances and healthcare systems.

Dr Supavud Saicheua, chairman of the council, said that extending productive ageing is unavoidable. “We will have to make older people work longer, especialy those aged 60-64,” he said, noting that while about 60% of this group remains in the labour market, most are concentrated in low-income agriculture. The policy challenge is to shift them into higher-income service and industrial sectors.

PARTY PLEDGES

Against this backdrop, major parties have unveiled distinct senior-focused platforms. Bhumjaithai has proposed four measures under its “Senior Plus” framework. These include tax incentives allowing employers to deduct twice the cost of hiring elderly workers, up to 30,000 baht, and income tax reductions of up to 50% for seniors earning no more than 1.5 million baht a year.