Population Policy

The Third National Economic and Social Development Plan 
(1972-1976). Chapter 7, p.101-102.

Date:     1972-1976

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

Subject:     population policy, manpower, education, social policy, employment, migration

The following are the major manpower problems, which will be urgently considered and deal with by appropriate action.

High population growth rate. Large families require a substantial and rapidly increasing proportion of the nation’s resources for education, health and other forms of public services. Previous research has also shown that for every 100 Thais of working age the number of dependants 15 years or under is as much as 89. This represents a heavy burden and limits the improvement of living standards for many large families.

Children leaving school prematurely. There are three basic causes. The first and most important is that there are not yet enough schools. Secondly, because the incomes of most Thai families are still relatively low, keeping children at school imposes a considerable financial strain. Children, therefore, leave school to help in basic household chores. Thirdly, many Thais living in rural areas have as yet an inadequate appreciation of the ultimate value of education beyond the level of basic literacy. The number of rural children progressing beyond the fourth grade is consequently very small.

Unemployment. Unemployment is largely an urban problem. It arises from 1) migration from rural areas, 2) producing graduates whose training does not meet present day needs and 3) inadequate information on trends in occupational requirements. These, and a number of similar reasons, contribute to a waste of educational resources, a loss of income, and other potential economic, social or political problems.

Underemployment. Underemployment is a pernicious problem everywhere, but in rural areas represents the greatest overall loss of potential income. The most obvious causes are the highly seasonal nature of activities in traditional agriculture, and in some cases land holdings too small to fully occupy the working members of a family. Underemployment also occurs, of course, when persons are employed in jobs requiring less skill than the occupations for which they were trained.

Rural to urban area migration. Generally arises when rural dwellers have too much idle time, particularly during the dry season. In such circumstances the level of income is frequently too low to prevent heavy indebtedness, and many feel that they may do better in the city. But if not enough urban jobs are available, the influx of rural people accentuates urban unemployment, housing shortage, social unrest and crime.