Thailand Faces Alarming Graduate Unemployment, 65% Struggle to Find Jobs

[snoop1130]

 

Thailand's unemployment rate is painting a worrying picture for university graduates, with 65% unable to secure jobs. Long-term unemployment climbed by 16.2%, while a significant 71.3% of the unemployed have never held a job before, according to Danucha Pichayanan, Secretary-General of the National Economic and Social Development Council (NESDC). The data, covering the third quarter of 2024, shows an employment landscape that, while stable, is fraught with challenges.

 

Despite having approximately 40 million people employed, this marks a slight drop of 0.1% from the previous year. The overall unemployment rate rose slightly to 1.02% from 0.99% in the previous quarter. Currently, the number of unemployed individuals averages 414,000, which is lower than the previous quarter's 429,000 but higher than the 401,000 from the same quarter last year.

 

When looking at educational levels, those with university degrees are hit the hardest, followed by high school and middle school graduates. Long-term unemployment, defined as being out of work for over a year, now affects 81,000 people, with 65% citing their main challenge as finding work. Alarmingly, nearly three-quarters of this group are young adults aged 20 to 29.

 

In the formal sector, the unemployment rate dropped to 1.82% from 1.93% last year. There are 74,000 individuals receiving unemployment benefits, with over 95% from the manufacturing sector.

 

 

Danucha emphasized that while the job market is stable, the struggles of graduates point to a need for targeted actions. Resolving unemployment issues requires a combined effort, involving educational reform, skill development, and industry partnerships.

 

The high unemployment among university graduates is particularly concerning, highlighting a mismatch between educational outcomes and job market demands. The rise in long-term unemployment underscores ongoing obstacles for young job seekers, who find it difficult to secure appropriate roles in a shifting economy.

 

This report comes amid broader economic challenges and prompts questions about the current job creation strategies' effectiveness and whether reforms in education or vocational training are needed to better align with industry demands.

 

File photo for reference only

 

-- 2024-11-26

 

 

[bkk6060]

A friends daughter just graduated and got a job for a whooping 10k a month.  Would probably be better working at 7-11.

 

[saakura]

12 minutes ago, bkk6060 said:

A friends daughter just graduated and got a job for a whooping 10k a month.  Would probably be better working at 7-11.

 

Graduated from which University, what faculty and grades will make a huge difference. We just recruited a gold medallist graduate engineer (specializing in engines) from a prominent Bangkok based university at a starting salary of 38,000 Baht plus small perks.

[proton]

Bloke next door is a graduate, got a masters in something or other- flash delivery rider!

[Rampant Rabbit]

Over the years (20+) ive tried to find people to do almost  anything here   Id  say 90% are useless, probably the same with the uni graduates. Do everything myself mfor the last 15 odd  years, saves time , money and headaches.

[NativeBob]

College grads are dumb as a brick. Just high schoolers? I guess same. 

Everybody wants starting salary from 35K up & benefits. 

Their ambitions are tremendous. 

I know that first hand. 

[Chris Daley]

Most graduates are rich.  They have had dad pay for everything since birth and they will never work a day in their lives.

 

The gap between the rich and the poor is disgusting.  I saw one of them standing next to his super car then he started kicking a dog for no reason.  Scum of earth.

[Gknrd]

Welcome to little China!

[Gknrd]

2 hours ago, saakura said:

Graduated from which University, what faculty and grades will make a huge difference. We just recruited a gold medallist graduate engineer (specializing in engines) from a prominent Bangkok based university at a starting salary of 38,000 Baht plus small perks.

Selling noodles would make about as much.