26
Jan

Demographic shifts are reshaping the social and economic landscape of countries at all income levels. Thailand is undergoing a rapid transformation from an aged society with more than 20% of its population aged 60 or above to being super-aged with more than 28% of the population aged 60 years or older  within the next decade. The total fertility rates in Thailand declined to below replacement in the early 1990s, and is projected to remain (TFR 1.08 in 2024) in the foreseeable future. Both ageing and low fertility have significant implications for how care, work, and family formation adapt and evolve. These transformations are placing increasing pressures on health systems, long-term care structures, social protection mechanisms, economic growth and community-based support networks across the life cycle. At the same time, they present opportunities to advance rights-based family planning policies, healthy longevity, strengthen the care economy, promote gender equality, advance family-friendly workplaces, and develop innovative multisectoral models that create an enabling environment to enhance resilience and equity for all.

Thailand’s experience exemplifies the challenges and opportunities inherent in navigating these convergent demographic transitions. Ensuring demographic resilience requires coordinated, forward-looking strategies that span preventive health, reproductive choices, workforce development, healthy ageing, and the creation of supportive environments for individuals, families, and communities. As the demographic transition accelerates, the roles of government agencies, private-sector partners, academic institutions, and development organizations become increasingly central to addressing gaps in access, affordability, and coverage of essential services.

This side meeting aims to bring together key national stakeholders to examine integrated, multisector innovations that are aimed at strengthening Thailand’s preparedness for population ageing and low fertility. The discussion will highlight emerging models in preventive and life-cycle health promotion, care workforce development, responsible technology adoption, community-based support systems, and private-sector leadership in healthy longevity. By sharing lessons learned and identifying scalable approaches, the session seeks to generate actionable insights for countries similarly navigating demographic pressures and transitions.