A Situation Analysis of Adolescents in Thailand 2015-2016
Explore the challenges faced by adolescents in Thailand and UNICEF's recommendations to address these issues
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Highlights
Thailand has demonstrated remarkable economic and social dynamism, moving from low-income to upper-middle income status as a country within the lifetime of a single generation. The fallout from two financial crises in 1997–1998 and 2008–2009 followed by the disastrous floods in 2011 caused setbacks to growth, and Thailand has been unable to recuperate its previous economic momentum. The impact of political tensions and uncertainty in 2010 and again in 2013–2015 further contributed to Thailand’s lagging growth rates. Thailand’s ageing population will also affect the country’s ability to mobilize its economy and care for older persons.1 Demographic change and modern lifestyles have led to a surge in non-communicable diseases and are responsible for 70% of all deaths among adults. The Thai labour force has shrunk by nearly 30%, causing the shortfall to be supplemented by migrant workers from neighbouring countries.
Of the 65.1 million people living in Thailand, approximately 8.7 million people are adolescents aged 10–19 years.2 A sizable proportion of the adolescent population in Thailand is made up of documented and undocumented migrant workers.
