Thailand Country Aging Report A Contract Across Generations: Thailand's Path to an Age-Ready Society

Thailand is undergoing one of the most rapid demographic transitions in the world and is on track to become a “super-aged” society—with more than 20 percent of its population over 65—by 2033. The shift is occurring in under two decades and at a far lower income level than peer countries experienced. This transformation poses significant macroeconomic and fiscal risks, driven by a shrinking and aging labor force, widening skills gaps, and a heavy burden of non-communicable diseases, costing nearly 10 percent of GDP annually. Without policy action today, economic growth could potentially decline by a third, increasing government debt and affecting Thais of all ages. Thailand has aging policies and plans in place, along with foundational strengths to build on, including its globally recognized universal health system and community-based care programs. What the country faces is a critical implementation gap, driven by fragmented institutional responsibilities, siloed agency mandates, and insufficient authority vested in the Department of Older People. Labor market and social security policies need to be redesigned to support longer, more flexible working lives rather than forcing people out of formal jobs from mid-career. To ensure that the population ages well, the focus of health programs and funding needs to shift from outputs to outcomes. Long-term care needs to be integrated across health and social security, central and local governments. Such reforms offer cost-effective solutions that will promote economic growth and development. Acting today can shift the national narrative from viewing older people as dependents to recognizing them as productive contributors to a burgeoning silver economy, benefiting Thais of all generations.