The Institute for Population and Social Research of the Mahidol
University has indicated that Thailand has the most number of senior
citizens in ASEAN, creating concerns for the economy in the future.
The institute has compared the number of population in the ASEAN
community over the past year and found that Thailand tops the list for
having the highest number of senior citizens.
There are
8.1 million people aged 60 and over in Thailand , accounting for 12
percent of all citizens. 800,000 of them are 80 years and over.
The
institute also indicated that people are at the same time having fewer
children, saying the percentage of the elderly to the whole population
will continue to rise. It said this will create a problem of elderly
dependency.
As a result, Thailand now has the highest
elderly dependency rate in ASEAN at 12.8 percent. Most countries in
ASEAN are also having increasing elderly dependency rate, except
Vietnam and Laos .
Wellness City executive Boonchai
Issarapisit, said the Thai society provides a great place for them to
live. He stated the happiness index of the elderly in Thailand is the
highest in ASEAN, explaining that physical fitness, public facilities,
society and environment are the factors for their happiness./.