On February 14, 2022, at 09.30 hours, Deputy Permanent Secretary of Labour, Mrs. Tongjai Suthat Na Ayutthaya, and the Social Security Office’s Deputy Secretary-General, Ms. Ladda Chaelee, joined the press conference on “Thailand’s Way Out of Low Birth Rates.” Deputy Minister of Public Health, Dr. Satit Pitutecha, also joined the occasion at Ballroom 1, the Pullman Bangkok King Power Hotel.
In 2021, there was a decline in the number of births. This impacts the population structure, narrowing the base and causing instability if measures are not taken to address it. According to data from the Office of the National Economic and Social Development Council, it is estimated that in 2040 the proportion of children will be 12.8 percent, the working-age population will account for 56.0 percent, while the elderly will account for 31.2 percent, causing an increased burden of dependence on the working age. Up to 1.7 working-age people will have to take care of one elderly person, which is a heavy burden for the working-age population. This does not include expenses for taking care of themselves, their families, or their children. This will also result in fewer taxpayers, and the budget for caring for the people will be insufficient. There will also be a shortage of skilled workers. In a society without children, the warmth of a family will be missing, and technology cannot replace this. Overall, the number of births that continue to decline will have severe impacts on the country in the future regarding the structure of the population, family, society, economy, and national security.
This press release was a warning so that people are prepared to deal with the changes that will occur in the future. Whether people choose to be single, have children, or have no children, the impact will inevitably affect everyone if the number of births cannot be increased. It will result in a society without children, and the elderly will have to care for themselves alone. The burden on the working-age will be higher. It proposed that the government turn to invest in the people, especially investing in children, rather than focusing on the consumption of each family. Such measures can help reduce anxiety in parenting, reduce the burden of expenses or living expenses for people, and promote an increase in family income. It suggested providing non-discriminatory assistance to families who wish to have children, to understand gender diversity and human rights, and invest in the education system to reduce inequality and disconnection from the education system under the Declaration of Population Policy by giving value to every child “to be a child of the government” under two key principles: participation and joint ownership.”
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Division of Public Relations
14 February 2022
