Thailand’s poverty rate rose to 3.4 million people, or 4.9% of the population, despite slight overall economic growth, according to the National Economic and Social Development Council (NESDC). The increase marks a reversal from the previous year, when the poverty rate stood at 3.4%. The NESDC warned that poverty is showing signs of becoming a chronic issue, particularly in certain provinces and sectors.

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The findings were outlined in a progress report on the 13th National Economic and Social Development Plan (2023–2027). During the first two years of the plan, efforts to drive economic initiatives have not effectively reduced regional disparities. The distribution of economic opportunities across sectors has failed to significantly address poverty, especially in persistently affected areas.

During the COVID-19 pandemic from 2019 to 2023, poverty declined steadily, largely due to government relief and economic stimulus measures. However, the council noted that 4.3 million people remain classified as “near-poor”, meaning their expenses exceed the poverty line by no more than 20%, placing them at high risk of falling back into poverty.

Poverty remains deeply entrenched in provinces such as Pattani and Mae Hong Son, which have ranked among the five provinces with the highest poverty rates for more than 15 years. The majority of those living in poverty are in the agricultural sector, where the poverty rate stands at 9.6%. Most poor individuals have education levels no higher than primary school.

Households with children aged six to 14 years face a poverty rate of 8.7%, making them particularly vulnerable. High living expenses and reduced work opportunities for caregivers contribute to greater financial instability in these households.

The NESDC acknowledged that poverty reduction efforts have largely focused on short-term financial assistance. Measures include enhancing benefits under the state welfare card programme, increasing child allowances within the social security system, and advocating broader access to child-rearing subsidies. The council has also sought to improve data integration to better identify and target vulnerable groups.

In terms of social protection, benefits and coverage have been expanded for target groups, with efforts to create a more systematic welfare system through integrated data on vulnerable populations.

Despite these initiatives, the NESDC identified key challenges in tackling intergenerational poverty. These include insufficient incentives for local agencies to address poverty effectively, as performance evaluation indicators do not support strong local action. A lack of continuous longitudinal data collection also limits the precision and effectiveness of poverty alleviation policies.

The Nation reported that the council emphasised the need to strengthen structural measures and improve data-driven mechanisms to better address entrenched and intergenerational poverty under the current national development plan.

Key Takeaways

• Thailand’s poverty rate rose to 4.9%, affecting 3.4 million people despite economic growth.

• Agricultural workers and households with children aged six to 14 face the highest poverty risks.

• Structural challenges and limited local incentives hinder efforts to reduce intergenerational poverty.

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Adapted by ASEAN Now Nation 22 Feb 2026

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10% in canada below poverty line.

Thailand lying with stats the same like 1% unemployment

9 minutes ago, Celsius said:

10% in canada below poverty line.

Thailand lying with stats the same like 1% unemployment

Ya seems quite low. I think these sort of stats in thailand are skewed due to the large number of people who live day to day on cash.

I could be wrong.

Thank you very much governments of past decades..You filled your pockets and got super rich, while a big group of Thais are in poverty... You don't do anything to help these people, except with voting. You can easily buy their vote as 500 THB is a lot if you don't have anything., Now with the BJT coming in power, the forecast is the same for them. Mr Anutin is busy to enrich himself,same as the Thaksin clan has done.. But pretend Thailand is a Buddhistic country... and therefor no alcohol on the Buddhistic holidays on one end, on the other end we don't care about the poor.. rich is what counts... And I strongly believe it is just a tip of the iceberg.. 3,4 million are poor, but how many are almost poor??

In my experience, national Thai data on issues such as inflation, poverty, unemployment, "tourist" numbers and expenditure need to be taken with several handfuls of salt.

For example, the unemployment data only refer to the formal economy, while a very significant proportion of Thais work or seek work in the informal sector. The issue of underemployment, is very very rarely discussed, although the few studies which have been done suggests that the underemployment rate is very high (well over 50%).

The recent inflation data has been discussed in various fora, so no need to add to the debate here.

The poverty rate is clearly under estimated, with some NGO and university studies over the past decade or so suggesting that a national rate of 20-25% is probably closer to the reality.

In any case, the above article is just an indication of the failure of the Prayut governments' economic policies - happiness was not returned to the Thai people, although the rich, powerful and influential are content with their increased wealth.

The NESDC’s report showing Thailand’s poverty rate rising to 4.9% must surely show that the touted economic growth isn’t reaching everyone.

What makes this even harder to prove is how differently countries define “poverty”.

Apparently, Thailand and much of Southeast Asia use absolute poverty lines. China does the same, which is how it can claim to have “eradicated” poverty.

By contrast, the UK and US report much higher percentage rates (in double figures) because they use relative poverty, which measures whether people can maintain a basic standard of living compared to the median income.

So Thailand’s 4.9% and, for that matter China’s near‑zero, aren’t directly comparable to Western figures. They’re measuring different realities.

Without a unified global standard, it’s almost impossible to say which countries are truly improving life for their lowest earners. But, a rising poverty rate seems to confirm Thailand’s title of "The sick man of Asia".

Surely that number is way off from just looking around everywhere.

A rising poverty rate in a (supposedly) developing country? Not good.

Got to keep the bars well stocked.

I am living in poverty....I can't afford GoGo girls anymore...

On 2/22/2026 at 4:29 AM, Georgealbert said:

Thailand’s poverty rate rose despite slight overall economic growth

Does that mean the "overall" economic growth isn't really "overall", and the poor at not part of the economy, after all?

or - is the economy and the poverty rate growing at the same time?

or - is the slight economic growth causing/depending on a rising poverty rate?

so many questions... for Anutin

On 2/22/2026 at 4:29 AM, Georgealbert said:

During the COVID-19 pandemic from 2019 to 2023, poverty declined steadily,

I simply do not believe that poverty declined during that debacle !

According to UK Government, over 20% of people in England are living in poverty. (Despite the number of state benefits, NHS, social housing, etc). In some areas, one third of children are said to be living in poverty.

Perhaps the UK Government should send some delegates to Thailand to compare the criteria used to define poverty.

I only know one organization that distributes donated food to the poor, Scholars of Sustenance (SOS). Perhaps food donations could ride more people through an economic crisis if there are more such organizations in poor areas, but I don't know any.

The current PM was the deputy PM during the 10-year long "Prayuth Decimation" of the economy. Thailand has still not recovered from that devastation and they are not in good hands right now. Objectively speaking I think there's no doubt that Thailand is moving backwards, the growth is anemic, and this guy is not going to be able to help one iota.

Woe is Thailand. This nation desperately needs the youth to move it forward into the future, they are Thailand's only promise right now.

Very hard to believe these figures, I guess it's what constitutes poverty....starvation?

Utterly meaningless without the definition and income cutoff levels for poverty and near poverty.

Add to this abysmal figure Brits holding plunging pounds 🤔

7 hours ago, spidermike007 said:

The current PM was the deputy PM during the 10-year long "Prayuth Decimation" of the economy. Thailand has still not recovered from that devastation and they are not in good hands right now. Objectively speaking I think there's no doubt that Thailand is moving backwards, the growth is anemic, and this guy is not going to be able to help one iota.

Woe is Thailand. This nation desperately needs the youth to move it forward into the future, they are Thailand's only promise right now.

I hate to have to agree with this comment - as it as accurate as it is sad

So many lovely Thai nationals barely exist and the already very wealthy "super elite" ensure they become even wealthier

Are they sure? Did they use the right formula to calculate?

My country did the same, they changed the formula and tada less poor people !

However my country has +/- 2000000 people living in poverty or hard life, so that is 11 %.

And from that group then , there are 200000 kids growing up in poverty.

That number is going to increase, thanks to beloved new government.

A very big brewer is going to lay off 5-6000 people in 2 years !

And also a big bank is sending the same amount of people home in short time and they already did that in past, some lower 1000. Another bank hundreds.

And all will grow in numbers with other companies, thanks to AI.

But happily is said, by Elon Musk, in 10-20 years, NO ONE have to work anymore !

All done by robots en managing AI ! Ok , so we are in a transition now?

Thailand 3400000 ? 5 % ! You must be kidding me.

You even see other numbers on internet and as I said, what formula the used.

Wife, once had to shift applications on 4 available jobs , 2000 applications ! Thai university jobs.

So that is only educated jobs.