Thai political parties suggest pro-family policies to address birth rate crisis

Thailand's political leaders are introducing introducing pro-family measures in an attempt to address a dismal fertility rate, which was 1.46 children per woman in 2023 — well below the 2.1 replacement level critical for national survival.

Key Takeaways:

• Five of Thailand's political parties have released initiatives aimed at helping to address the country's dismal birth rates, just weeks before elections.

• Most of the initiatives call for monthly allowances to be given to mothers and children to help offset the cost of living, but amounts vary.

• The country currently has a 1.46 fertility rate, well below the necessary 2.1 replacement rate, and is expected to decrease even further by 2040.

The Details:

With only weeks before 2026 political elections in Thailand, five of the country's political parties have published their own initiatives aimed at reversing low birth rates, suggesting cash incentives, health care, and savings plans to encourage women to welcome motherhood: 

• The Thai Sang Thai Party has proposed offering 2,000 baht monthly (about $64 USD) to pregnant women until a child reaches age six.

• The Palang Pracharath Party is advancing its “State Mother” initiative featuring ongoing support from pregnancy through early childhood. Under this policy, expectant mothers would obtain a monthly allowance of 1,500 baht (about $48 USD) beginning from the fourth month of pregnancy until delivery. After birth, children from infancy to six years old can receive a monthly subsidy of 1,000 baht ($32 USD).

• Thailand’s Democrat Party suggested a universal monthly allowance of 5,000 baht ($160 USD) to mothers and their newborns for the first 12 months after the child’s birth. Each child can also obtain a monthly savings deposit of 500 baht ($16 USD) until he or she turns 18 — for a total of 3456 baht, or about $111 USD. To encourage financial discipline and long-term stability, a bonus of 10,000 baht ($320 USD) would be given every five years if these savings remain intact. 

• The Prachachon Party has suggested a policy providing a monthly child subsidy of 1,200 ($38 USD) baht provided consistently over a four-year period to support families in raising young children (totaling 57,600 baht, or about $1845 USD).

• The Bhumjaithai Party is offering the “One Village, One Volunteer Nurse” initiative, which hires nursing graduates to provide close care for pregnant women, the elderly, and local residents. This idea aims to broaden healthcare access and enhance community well-being, especially in remote and rural areas.

Each party’s approach differs in scope, implementation, and policy priorities, aligning with its broader social and economic vision.

The Big Picture:

The Thai Examiner states that "The country’s strong familial bonds combined with its failure to evolve into a high-income country" calls for a "distinctive policy response."

Thailand is plagued by a grave birthrate crisis that is poised to further worsen with a drop to 1.3 by 2040 amid an aging population. More than 13 million Thai citizens are older than 60 and the younger workforce is declining, hampering economic growth and straining social security.

According to the Examiner, “The coming decades will define Thailand’s demographic and economic profile. However, the outlook is not encouraging. Population decline, an ageing workforce, and shrinking consumer markets are projected to affect fiscal stability and social services."