Family Planning

The Third National Economic and Social Development Plan (1972-1976). Chapter 7, p.102-103

Date:     1972-1976

Source:     Office of the Prime Minister, National Economic and Social Development Board, Bangkok, Thailand

Subject:     family planning, population policy, population growth rate

The present population growth rate in Thailand is very high and, in consequence, the proportion of children in the overall population structure is substantial. This situation naturally imposes a heavy burden on individual families and on the Government in attempting to provide adequate public services. The Government has, therefore, proclaimed a National Population Policy to support voluntary family planning. Such action will be useful not only from the standpoint of reducing the dependency burden of individual families but will also enhance the prospect of accelerating economic and social development of the country. As the population growth rate declines, the Government can afford to reduce certain expenditures and will be able to use the funds so saved more productively by, for example, improving the educational system for an eventual rise in the quality of future human resources.

The objective of the Government’s population policy is to reduce through voluntary family planning the present annual growth rate of about 3.0 per cent to 2.5 per cent by the end of the Third Plan. It is anticipated that a total of some 2.5 million family planning acceptors can be serviced during the Plan period, by mobilizing private and public financial, manpower and physical resources. To accomplish this task, it is essential that an integrated approach be taken by all existing family planning, maternal and child welfare centres and other health services.