Local people are seen at a pagoda in Bangkok, Thailand on April 21, 2023. Photo by Unsplash/Joe
Thai officials held talks last week to exchange opinions, seek solutions and address the challenges of the country’s transition to an aging society and the younger generation’s reluctance to have children.
Varawut Silpa-archa, Minister of Social Development and Human Security, chaired the workshop on March 7 at the Queen Sirikit National Convention Centre.
The minister highlighted the problems of demographic structure, including the decline in the birth rate and the increase in the average lifespan. It is predicted that by 2037, the proportion of children will decrease to 14.3%, while the elderly population will increase to 29.85%. Additionally, the age group of the working population will decrease in number.
If the situation persists, Thailand’s population could fall by half to just 31 to 32 million people over the next 60 years.
The meeting used the World Café model to gather ideas from five groups: children and youth, people of working age, older people, people with disabilities and disadvantaged people, as well as the ecosystem for family security. Its aim was to facilitate the exchange of ideas and collaboratively design policies, measures and actions to practically ensure the well-being of Thai families and humanity.
The results of this meeting will be presented at a United Nations population conference at the end of April.
The aim is to inform the global community about the widespread problem of declining birth rates, demonstrating Thailand’s proactive measures and willingness to collaborate with international agencies to jointly address these challenges.
