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Demographics of Thailand

The population of Thailand is about 67.2 million. Out of this, 36% reside in Central Thailand, 32% in the North Eastern Thai or Isan or Lao region, 8% in Northern Thailand and another 8% in Southern Thailand. The population is mostly rural, concentrated in the rice-growing areas of the central, northeastern, and northern regions. However, as Thailand continues to industrialize, its urban population - 31.1% of the total population, principally in the Bangkok area - is growing.

The distribution of population by age group is as follows:

The average life expectancy of the Thais is 73 years. Males, on an average, live up to 71 years of age. Females, on an average, live up to 76 years of age. Thailand's highly successful government-sponsored family planning program has resulted in a dramatic decline in population growth from 3% in sixties1960 to around 0.5% today. Life expectancy also has risen, giving a positive reflection of Thailand’s efforts in executing public health policies. However, the AIDS epidemic has had a major impact on the Thai population. Over 700,000 Thais are HIV or AIDS positive - approximately 2% of adult men and 1.5% of adult women. Every year, 30,000-50,000 Thais die from HIV or AIDS-related causes. Ninety percent of them aged 20–24, the youngest range of the workforce. The situation is being brought under control through numerous aggressive awareness campaigns.

Thailand’s politics, economy and culture are largely driven and influenced by the people living in Central Thailand.

Religion

While most of the Thai population comprise the ethnic Thais, a sizable number of the population also include Chinese, Malays, Vietnamese, Mon, Khmer and various hill tribes. The most practiced religion in Thailand is Buddhism. Approximately 95% of the population are Buddhists. Theravada Buddhism is the official religion of Thailand. Muslims are the second largest religious group making about 4.5% of the population. The balance of the population is represented by Christians, Jewish, Sikhs and Hindus. The Thai government permits religious diversity.

Languages Spoken

The Thai language is Thailand's national language, written in its own alphabet, but many ethnic and regional dialects exist as well as areas where people speak predominantly Isan or Mon-Khmer languages. Although English is widely taught in schools, proficiency is low.

Literacy Rate

Thailand has a high literacy rate with over 92% of the population can read and write.