The Change of Population Structure in the Future

Abstract

Currently, various countries have changes in population structure through becoming an aging society, whereas populations are considered as an important factor influencing economic and social development in the future. Such a change causes a higher number of expenses for looking after older people. Since Thailand is reaching its ear with a low mortality rate and a low fertility rate, the reduced fertility rate also causes a reduction in newborn babies, while the proportion of older people is higher, leading to changes in age structure representing these changes clearly. Such changes in population structure may cause Thailand to encounter some obstacles to social and economic development in the future. According to the reduction in the proportion of working age populations, Thailand’s productivity is also reduced, leading to a reduction in GDP and the living standards of its populations. This may lead to problems with national income inequality and social insecurity. To solve such problems, the government sector should establish some appropriate policies to recover from the reduction of working age populations as well as generate income security for older people to enable them to have a sufficient income for living with economic participation without economic dependence. Consequently, Thailand will be able to build economic growth consecutively.