Thailand Birth Rate Nosedives: 81% Drop Surpasses Japan

[snoop1130]

File photo for reference only

 

Thailand has been propelled to the forefront of global concerns as it emerges among the top three countries facing the steepest decline in birth rates, now surpassed only by South Korea and China. Over a span of 74 years, Thailand has recorded an alarming 81% decrease, outstripping even Japan in this demographic shift, according to the latest Global Statistics report, based on United Nations Population Division data.

 

The report's revelations spotlight significant demographic shifts within the country, raising red flags about future population stability and economic consequences. Thailand's newfound ranking, third among 80 countries with the greatest drop, highlights an urgent need to address underlying causes driving this phenomenon.

 

 

Economic conditions, environmental pollution, and broader living conditions have created an environment where Thais are increasingly opting out of parenthood. Analysts are pointing to a blend of factors at play, with patriarchal societal pressures and economic uncertainties being cited as common threads among nations experiencing similar trends. Additionally, concerns over younger generations exposed to pollution and poor diets are believed to further impact Thailand's birth rate.

 

The figures from Thailand reflect a larger global pattern, signalling socio-economic and environmental influences as contributing factors to dwindling birth rates worldwide. As dialogues unfold on platforms like X, once known as Twitter, the conversation broadens, recognising this as a multifaceted global issue with potentially profound implications on future economic and population landscapes.

 

-- 2024-12-09

 

 

[BarBoy]

any thai women looking to get knocked up, especially those of Chinese descent, can give me a call anytime day or night.

[Foxx]

Some real statistics and a link to the original report would be nice.

 

"an alarming 81% decrease" might mean that Thai women were having 100 children per year each, but are now only having 19.

[bkk6060]

Maybe they are getting smart and do not want to bring up kids in a semi third world environment with low wages and limited opportunites for decent jobs.   That and social media seems more important then having sex.

[DonniePeverley]

I blame the addiction to cheap mass tourism 

[mfd101]

A good thing too. Thai culture & politics is unable to look after the current 70 or 80 million citizens. Perhaps they'll do better with 30 or 40 million, though the transition of the workforce will test government administrative & economic skills to the limit throughout the rest of this century.  As with many other countries.

 

My MIL here - aged around 80 or 81 - has had some 11 children in 3 marriages. Enuff orready!

[JoseThailand]

3 hours ago, Foxx said:

"an alarming 81% decrease" might mean that Thai women were having 100 children per year each, but are now only having 19.

 

That's how it is. It was 6 births per women on average in the 1950s, now it's only 1.3.

 

Google "fertility rate in thailand"

 

https://www.macrotrends.net/global-metrics/countries/THA/thailand/fertility-rate

 

 

[Ben Zioner]

3 hours ago, Foxx said:

Some real statistics and a link to the original report would be nice.

 

"an alarming 81% decrease" might mean that Thai women were having 100 children per year each, but are now only having 19.

Well, we have to do something about Africa.

[soi3eddie]

 

So many young ladies here in Thailand are getting sterilised (cut/tied) after the birth of their second child - a niece at age 21 did this (first I heard of this being a thing 12 years ago). Since then, a number of ladies I met had done same after 1-2 kids at various ages. Less than the 2.2 children population replacement rate. A few GF I had over the years were of families of 9+ siblings. Not surprised at this news. Costs are a factor here now. Same as in western countries except where welfare is generous as in UK and other countries that support reckless reproduction in certain communities.

 

[DavisH]

13 minutes ago, mfd101 said:

A good thing too. Thai culture & politics is unable to look after the current 70 or 80 million citizens. Perhaps they'll do better with 30 or 40 million, though the transition of the workforce will test government administrative & economic skills to the limit throughout the rest of this century.  As with many other countries.

 

My MIL here - aged around 80 or 81 - has had some 11 children in 3 marriages. Enuff orready!

Not when 40 million are over 60! The current fertility rate is far below the optimal fertility rate of 2.1. This will cause major problems in the coming decades. 

[mfd101]

8 minutes ago, DavisH said:

Not when 40 million are over 60! The current fertility rate is far below the optimal fertility rate of 2.1. This will cause major problems in the coming decades. 

2.1 is the minimal reproduction rate ie it maintains a population at its current level.

 

But, at some 8 billion people, the world shows economic & environmental signs that this is way beyond what it can sustain. And - for a range of cultural and environmental reasons - the world's population is slowly turning towards a steady downturn throughout the second half of this century. This will create all sorts of management & economic problems but they are not insoluble (AI anyone?) and, if managed sensibly, the world should be a better place ecologically at the end of the century and beyond.

 

 

[Enzian]

When a young Bangkokian sees the real availability of a middle class lifestyle and then thinks "I could opt for that, or have kids and remain in relative poverty for the rest of my life", it's pretty much a no brainer.

[Maybole]

More job opportunities for (illegal?) immigrants in the coming years.

[BangkokReady]

4 hours ago, BarBoy said:

any thai women looking to get knocked up, especially those of Chinese descent, can give me a call anytime day or night.

 

They're not, hence the birth rate decline.

[scoutman360]

This seems to be the trend for modern affluent countries. Thailand has become part of that trend because of their economical growth in recent years. Unfortunately, those countries in the world with exponential birth rate growth (fill in the blank) are still out of control. 

 

I hope this means Thailand will re-evaluate the importance of foreigner's in their economy, such as it was back in the 1990's, when foreigner's experience and talent were worth a lot of money. 

[JoseThailand]

9 minutes ago, scoutman360 said:

This seems to be the trend for modern affluent countries. Thailand has become part of that trend because of their economical growth in recent years.

 

Thailand is the only poor country with such an alarmingly low birth rate. 

[Hawaiian]

Urbanization has much to do with  it.  It is quite costly to raise children in the city.  Whereas, those in the rural areas need a bunch of offspring to run the farm even with mechanization.

Only accurate demographic statistics will show whether I am right or not.

[thaibeachlovers]

7 hours ago, DonniePeverley said:

I blame the addiction to cheap mass tourism 

Disagree. As a proportion of the population those involved with tourists would be minimal, IMO.

 

It's good news. The sooner the rest of the planet joins Thailand and Japan in reducing birth rates the better. IMO it's the only hope for the survival of the species.

[thaibeachlovers]

4 hours ago, JoseThailand said:

 

Thailand is the only poor country with such an alarmingly low birth rate. 

Thailand is not a poor country. It is a rich country with lots of poor people.

[daveAustin]

7 hours ago, Ben Zioner said:

Well, we have to do something about Africa.

Muslim majority countries tend to really churn them out. 

[Hawaiian]

1 hour ago, thaibeachlovers said:

Thailand is not a poor country. It is a rich country with lots of poor people.

Agree.  Lot of gold in all those religious shrines and temples.  Loads of food wherever you go. 

[Hawaiian]

1 hour ago, daveAustin said:

Muslim majority countries tend to really churn them out. 

The women start at an early age judging by all the child brides.

[BritManToo]

9 hours ago, soi3eddie said:

 

So many young ladies here in Thailand are getting sterilised (cut/tied) after the birth of their second child - a niece at age 21 did this (first I heard of this being a thing 12 years ago). Since then, a number of ladies I met had done same after 1-2 kids at various ages. Less than the 2.2 children population replacement rate. A few GF I had over the years were of families of 9+ siblings. Not surprised at this news. Costs are a factor here now. Same as in western countries except where welfare is generous as in UK and other countries that support reckless reproduction in certain communities.

 

The Thai government hospitals offer (press fairly hard) to have it done after the 2nd birth.

So not surprising the birth rate has fallen as it appears to be government policy.

[thesetat2013]

8 hours ago, BangkokReady said:

 

They're not, hence the birth rate decline.

I guess this is why i get so many offers for sex? i have had my vasectomy so no worries to make babies anymore. Lots of women seem attracted to this.. 

I donated 7 kids to this planet prior to my vasectomy. I think I gave enough. Now just sex for fun. Hmm..

[henryford1958]

Like most of the world getting a new car and iPhone is more important than having a family.

[Presnock]

56 minutes ago, Hawaiian said:

The women start at an early age judging by all the child brides.

plus males can have as many wives as they can survive.

[Denim]

I blame condoms.

 

Prevent STDs and babies.

[KhunLA]

"Thais are increasingly opting out of parenthood. Analysts are pointing to a blend of factors at play, with patriarchal societal pressures and economic uncertainties being cited as common threads among nations experiencing similar trends. Additionally, concerns over younger generations exposed to pollution and poor diets are believed to further impact Thailand's birth rate."

 

Who writes this drivel.    People just realize kids take up too much of their time and money, for them to enjoy life.  

 

Now, you can have sex, no worry of kids, so you now have time to enjoy the money your career provides.  Pretty simple.

 

Days past, before birth controls, if you want to have sex, you ended up with the burden of kids.  A lot of sex, meant a lot of kids, and no time to enjoy life and strained your finances.

 

Now you can get your freak on as much as you want, with no repercussions, or cramping your lifestyle in the future.   People realize, relationships simply don't last when stressed, mentally and financially.   Let alone a partner 'till death do you part'.

 

Women don't want to get stuck with the kid afterwards, and men don't want to pay for the kid, being raised be someone else, or not seeing them, just paying for them.

 

Why I never had kids before retiring, as too selfish to share my time and money on a burden, that would restrict my happy lifestyle.

 

Given the choice, young folks don't want or need the burden of kids.  Not like they need extra hands at the office.   They see how kids restricted their parents enjoyment of life, and smartly avoid going down the same path.

 

Not like they are all farmers and need extra hands to plant the rice 

 

If not for birth control, I'd have 50 kids, or more actually, since relationships didn't last.   In a lasting relationship, the potential to pop one out every year could easily have been a reality.   Marry at 25, menopauses' at 45 ... that's 20 kids ... 

[JimHuaHin]

10 hours ago, DavisH said:

Not when 40 million are over 60! The current fertility rate is far below the optimal fertility rate of 2.1. This will cause major problems in the coming decades. 

Major problems?

 

What will be the "problem" when the planet's human population reaches 10-12 billion people?

 

Population decline is a minor problem which can be addressed via the use of innovative technology - as contemporary history has shown - population increase places non-sustainable demands on the planet.

 

The only group that wants more people are big businesses seeking more customers.

[black tabby12345]

When Thailand feels they  need more working hands, they will probably relax  settlement conditions of the people from the neighboring countries(where the population is ever growing).

 

When those migrant workers' children are admitted to Thai schools and brought up as the new Thai citizens, they will be able to replenish their aging population.

 

If Thai govt doesn't really do anything, the current trend will start to take its toll in the next 20-30 years.

 

I won't be alive then. So it doesn't really worry me.