Report flags poverty and ageing society as threatsListen to this articleThailand is facing a “perfect storm” as a low birth rate, persistent poverty and a rapidly ageing society place mounting pressure on the tax base, welfare system and social structure, says the Equitable Education Fund (EEF). The report says Thailand is at its most critical turning point in the past 40 years. The birth rate has fallen sharply, from about one million births a year four decades ago to just 410,000 today. The report presents five key observations intended to guide policymakers, with a strong emphasis on narrowing educational inequality. The report also finds that children from the poorest 15% of households are at least 2.5 times less likely to pursue university education.

Source: Bangkok Post February 01, 2026 14:51 UTC