Thailand Implements Senior Care Models Amid Demographic Crisis

The Government of Thailand is struggling to manage a rapid demographic shift toward a super-aged society without the pension systems found in developed economies. With a fertility rate of 0.9—well below the replacement level—and life expectancy rising to 77 years, the country faces a critical shortage of caregivers and financial resources.

To combat the crisis, the state is exploring a system that pays citizens to foster seniors. This initiative follows a severe lack of infrastructure, as the country operates only 25 government-run old-age homes for its population of 71 million. The World Bank Group forecasts a sixfold increase in Thais over 80 needing assistance by the early 2040s.

These challenges extend across the region, affecting other developing nations. The Government of Vietnam recently scrapped its two-child policy to prevent labor shortages in its manufacturing sector, while China and India are also experiencing declining fertility rates. In Thailand, the impact is visible in rural areas like Nong Bua Hing, where 80% of adults are over 60, and in Bangkok, where traditional family support networks are fraying.