Al Mayadeen English

  • Ar
  • Es
  • x
Al Mayadeen English

Slogan

  • News
    • Politics
    • Economy
    • Sports
    • Arts&Culture
    • Health
    • Miscellaneous
    • Technology
    • Environment
  • Articles
    • Opinion
    • Analysis
    • Blog
    • Features
  • Videos
    • NewsFeed
    • Video Features
    • Explainers
    • TV
    • Digital Series
  • Infographs
  • In Pictures
  • • LIVE
News
  • Politics
  • Economy
  • Sports
  • Arts&Culture
  • Health
  • Miscellaneous
  • Technology
  • Environment
Articles
  • Opinion
  • Analysis
  • Blog
  • Features
Videos
  • NewsFeed
  • Video Features
  • Explainers
  • TV
  • Digital Series
Infographs
In Pictures
  • Africa
  • Asia
  • Asia-Pacific
  • Europe
  • Latin America
  • MENA
  • Palestine
  • US & Canada
BREAKING
Palestinian Ministry of Health: Two were martyred in Israeli shelling that targeted a besieged house in the town of Qabatiya in Jenin
At least 68 dead in migrant shipwreck off Yemen: IOM
Trump: We want to feed the people in Gaza, we do not want them to starve.
US President Donald Trump: We will impose sanctions on Russia if it does not end the war on Ukraine.
Israeli media: Polls show that 52% oppose Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu while only 29% support him.
Israeli media: 32% of Americans still support "Israel's" war on Hamas, while 60% oppose it.
Israeli media: Core US support for "Israel" hits its lowest, while support for Palestine reaches its highest levels.
Al Mayadeen's correspondent reports martyrs, injuries in Israeli bombardment of home in Heker al-Jame area in Deir al-Balah, central Gaza.
Al-Quds Governorate: Today, the spatial division of Al-Aqsa Mosque began in a public and dangerous manner, and we warn of a religious war in the region
The Ministry of Health in Gaza: This brings the total number of victims of famine and malnutrition to 175, including 93 children

Thailand rushes to avert plummeting birth rates

  • By Al Mayadeen net
  • Source: Agencies
  • 7 Mar 2022 11:23
3 Min Read

Last year, Thailand only had 544,000 births, the lowest in at least six decades.

  • x
  • Thailand rushes to avert plummeting birth rates
    Experts suggest the mindset towards having children is a key factor (Reuters)

In order to reverse a declining birth rate, Thailand is embarking on a campaign to urge its citizens to have more babies, giving parents daycare and fertility centers while also leveraging social media influencers to highlight the benefits of family life.

Thailand's birth rate has plummeted by nearly a third since 2013 when it began to decline. Last year, there were 544,000 births, the lowest in at least six decades, and 563,000 deaths, which were boosted by the Covid-19 pandemic.

Thailand is not the only country in the area with low fertility rates, but it is less affluent than some other industrialized nations that have resorted to foreign workers to maintain their economies.

According to experts, social conditions have replaced the desire toward having children with concerns about mounting debt and senior care.

Teera Sindecharak, an expert on demography at Thammasat University says the numbers indicate "a population crisis...where the mindset towards having children has changed."

Suwannachai Wattanayingcharoenchai, a senior health official, told Reuters that plans that introduce policies where newborns have full support from the state are an attempt to reverse the trend and get families to have children quicker.

Officials added that the plans include creating fertility clinics in 76 provinces, which are now restricted to Bangkok and other large cities, as well as leveraging social media influencers to spread the word.

Such rules may come too late for people like Chinthathip Nantavong, 44, who opted not to have children with her 14-year spouse.

She expressed that other countries have more favorable welfare policies. adding that "Raising one child costs a lot. A semester for kindergarten is already 50,000 to 60,000 baht ($1,520 to $1,850) and then it reaches millions later."

Related News

China unveils national childcare subsidy to address demographic crisis

China eases marriage rules to boost birthrate, cut costs

One academic known as Teera said Thailand is on its way to becoming a "super-aged society," with those over 60 accounting for more than a fifth of the population. Around 18% of Thailand's population is above the age of 60.

The working-age population to senior population ratio was 3.4 last year, but experts predict it will be 1.7 by 2040.

Cats over kids

Danucha Pichayanan, the head of the state-planning agency, told a business forum that productivity slumps are possible in the manufacturing sector, emphasizing that welfare for the elderly is not considered sufficient. 

Teera said "It's become more difficult in deciding to have children," due to the economy.

Political divisiveness, mounting debt, and school prices were all key variables influencing views about having children, according to experts, and short-term solutions may not suffice.

According to data from the Bank of Thailand, household debt has risen to about 90 percent of GDP, up from 59 percent in 2010.

Two military coups and large anti-government protests have thrown the country into even more political instability.

For some like Chinthathip, the economic reasons are the main ones.  

"The middle class, office workers, or people that are trying make ends meet think the same way," said Chinthathip.

"Right now we have a cat and it's not as costly as a child."

  • birth rates
  • Bangkok
  • thailand

Most Read

A rescued crew member from the ETERNITY C vessel in a video released by the Yemeni Armed Forces on July 28, 2025 (Yemeni Military Media)

Yemen Navy reveals fate of targeted Eternity C ship crew

  • Politics
  • 28 Jul 2025
An Israeli tank explodes following an ambush by al-Qassam Brigades in Gaza, Occupied Palestine, undated (Al-Qassam Military Media)

Al-Qassam strikes Israeli vehicles in Gaza, inflicts casualties

  • Politics
  • 30 Jul 2025
UAE lodges complaint against Israeli ambassador over 'misbehavior'

UAE lodges complaint against Israeli ambassador over 'misbehavior'

  • Politics
  • 1 Aug 2025
Protesters chant anti-Israeli slogans as they carry a banner that reads:" Freedom for Palestine, Alliance stop the war," during a demonstration in support of Palestinians in Gaza, outside the Israeli embassy, in Athens, Monday, June 9, 2025 (AP)

Athens mayor slams Israeli ambassador over Gaza war, graffiti claim

  • Politics
  • 3 Aug 2025

Coverage

All
The Ummah's Martyrs

Read Next

All
A member of the al-Qassam Brigades, the armed wing of Hamas, takes part in a parade as he celebrates a ceasefire agreement between Hamas and the Israeli regime in Deir al-Balah, Gaza Strip, Sunday, January 19, 2025 (AP)
Politics

Al-Qassam: We’ll allow aid to Israeli captives if Gaza siege ends

Freed Lebanese freedom fighter Georges Abdallah during an interview on Al Mayadeen, which aired on Sunday, August 3, 2025 (Al Mayadeen screengrab)
Politics

Exclusive: Resistance key to building state, Georges Abdallah says

United Nations Secretary General Antonio Guterres gives a statement about the situation in Gaza at UN headquarters, Friday, June 27, 2025 (AP)
Politics

UN warns Gaza faces water crisis, looming famine under Israeli siege

Israeli soldiers drive their armored personnel carrier along the Gaza Strip, in southern occupied Palestine, Wednesday, July 30, 2025 (AP)
Politics

Ex-Israeli general says Gaza starvation campaign isolated 'Israel'

Al Mayadeen English

Al Mayadeen is an Arab Independent Media Satellite Channel.

All Rights Reserved

  • x
  • Privacy Policy
  • About Us
  • Contact Us
  • Authors
Android
iOS