Last year, the population increased by 544,570, bringing the country's total fertility rate (TFR) down to 1.3 -- way below the global average of 2.5. The shrinking working-age population will also mean less tax revenue for the government, which may lead to a shortfall of funds for caring for the elderly. Combined with the low success rate of about 30%, many simply cannot afford to go through with the treatment, he said. If the current trend continues, the country's population may plunge from the current 66 million to 40 million soon, he warned. Ladda Sae Lee, deputy secretary-general of the Social Security Office, said the office has increased a childbirth subsidy to 15,000 baht per birth.

Source: Bangkok Post February 15, 2022 08:38 UTC