Growing Old Before Growing Rich

How Thailand became one of the fastest-ageing societies while still a middle-income country, and the pressures on pensions, care and the labour force.

Thailand is ageing rapidly.

The numbers

Thailand’s fertility rate fell to around 1.0 to 1.1, among the lowest outside East Asia.
People aged 65 and over are a rapidly growing share of the population.

Growing old before rich

Unlike Japan or Europe, Thailand is ageing while still middle-income, with fewer resources to support older people.

Pressures

Pensions: many Thais work informally and lack pensions; the government pays a small old-age allowance.
Care: families provide most care, but smaller families strain this.
Labour shortages: Thailand relies on millions of migrant workers from Myanmar, Cambodia and Laos.

Family planning success

Thailand’s family planning programme in the 1970s, led by Mechai Viravaidya (nicknamed “Mr Condom”), cut fertility rapidly.

Lesson

Demographic change can outpace economic development.

The migrant worker

A factory in Samut Sakhon relies on workers from Myanmar because young Thai workers are fewer.

Thinking only rich countries face ageing

Thailand is ageing while still middle-income.

Key takeaways

Thailand's fertility rate is around 1.0 to 1.1.
It's ageing while still middle-income.
Pensions and care are under pressure.
Migrant workers fill labour shortages.