Thailand’s population is ageing at a much faster pace than its regional peers. This will aggravate the labour shortage issue the country currently faces and put pressure on public finances, via higher pension outlays and lower tax revenues. Furthermore, a generally poor rate of savings, an inadequate pension system along with Thailand’s culture, requiring families to look after their old has increased dependence of elderly people on working family members. Hence, the growing cost of healthcare becomes an extra burden on households that are already struggling with high debt levels, which has hampered household consumption and is negatively impacting the economy’s growth potential.
Chart 1 Government Finances in Thailand
