Thailand will be 'super-aged' by 2029

A visitor tries out rehabilitation equipment for people who have suffered a stroke at the ‘Incubation for Ageing Society Demo Day  2022’ event at the Sayam Mitrtown shopping centre. (Photo: Varuth Hirunyatheb)
A visitor tries out rehabilitation equipment for people who have suffered a stroke at the ‘Incubation for Ageing Society Demo Day 2022’ event at the Sayam Mitrtown shopping centre. (Photo: Varuth Hirunyatheb)

Due to a decrease in the population in the past three years, Thailand is expected to become a super-aged society by 2029, according to research conducted by Kasikorn Research Centre (KResearch).

The research also shows the number of newborns and adolescents between 2020 and 2022 has fallen.

The newborn rate of the country is now at 0.76% a year, while adolescents now comprise only 1.33% of the population.

These numbers are in contrast to the population growth pattern seen during the Baby Boomer generation -- those who were born between 1963-1983 -- in Thailand, one million of whom will turn 60 years old this year.

Researchers said there are many factors contributing to this trend, such as the pandemic and financial insecurity. Some people are also choosing to not have children.

KResearch said it may be challenging for the country, as this could affect not only businesses but also public policies.

KResearch said businesses are facing a challenging situation due to fewer potential customers; because of this, businesses need to target those who have higher purchasing power.

It also suggested changing products or services for the elderly, most of whom have financial problems.

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Vocabulary

  • adolescent: a boy or girl who is changing into a young man or woman -
  • aged: very old - สูงอายุ
  • challenging: difficult, in a way that tests your ability or determination - ที่ท้าทายความสามารถ
  • comprise: to consist or be made up of two or more things - ประกอบด้วย
  • contrast: a noticeable difference - ความแตกต่าง
  • elderly: (of people) old - สูงวัย, อาวุโส, อายุมาก
  • financial: involving money - เกี่ยวกับเงิน, ทางการเงิน
  • generation: a group of people in society who are born and live around the same time - รุ่น (คนรุ่นต่างๆ)
  • insecurity: having little confidence; uncertain; unstable - ความไม่มั่นใจ ความไม่มั่นคง, ความไม่มั่นใจ
  • newborn: recently born - แรกเกิด
  • pandemic: a disease that affects almost everyone in a very large area - โรคที่มีการแพร่กระจายหรือระบาดไปทั่ว
  • policy (noun): a set of plans or action agreed on by a government, political party, business, or other group - นโยบาย
  • population: a particular group of people or animals living in a particular area - กลุ่มที่อาศัยอยู่ในที่เดียวกัน
  • potential: possible - ความเป็นไปได้
  • purchasing power: buying power; the ability to buy things, i.e., having enough money to buy things - กำลังซื้อ
  • society (noun): people in general, living together in communities - สังคม
  • trend: a gradual change or development that produces a particular result   - ทิศทาง แนวโน้ม
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