Nation in transition

Thailand's rapidly ageing population poses challenges for healthcare, the economy and social welfare

- Story: THANA BOONLERT

In the next decade, Thailand will become a super-aged society," said Prof Emeritus Pramote Prasartkul, senior adviser to Mahidol University's Institute for Population and Social Research.

The demography expert sounded an alarm in a forum while giving an overview of the country's transition to an elderly society.

In 2005, Thailand entered an aged society, with people aged 60 and over being 10% of the population. In 2024, Thailand became a completely aged society, with people aged 60 and over accounting for 20% of the population.

In 2034, Thailand will shift to a super-aged society, with people aged 65 and over making up 20% of the population or people aged 60 and over being around 28%.

His prediction is based on civil registrations in 2024. Currently, there are 65.6 million people of all ages — 33.5 million women and 32.1 million men — in Thailand. Conducted annually by the Bureau of Registration Administration, civil registration shows details of persons listed in a house registration, including Thais and foreigners. This figure does not include at least 5 million migrant workers, both legal and illegal.

Prof Emeritus Pramote explained that the country is experiencing a demographic shift. In 1970, there were 34.4 million people. While children accounted for up to 45% (around 16 million), elders made up only 5% (around 1.7 million). In 2024, the population reached 65.6 million people. While the percentage of children dropped to 15% (around 10 million), the proportion of seniors rose to 20% (13 million).