Struggling elderly in poverty call for boost in assistance due to changing circumstances
Rewritten Article:
(In a casual, easy-going tone)
Hey there! Thailand's got an issue on its hands—an aging population that's putting a strain on the country's financial and welfare systems. That's according to Dr. Auschala Chalayonnavin, a public policy whiz at Thammasat University's faculty of social administration.
With folks 60 and older making up about 20-30% of the population, it's clear that Thailand's facing some challenges. Dr. Auschala points out that the old-age dependency ratio—the number of senior citizens compared to working-age people—has climbed from 10.7% back in 1994 to 31.1% last year. Yikes!
What does this mean? Well, in simple terms, every 100 working-age Thais needs to support 31 of their elderly counterparts, which could lead to some big-time financial pressure at home. The good doctor warned that we gotta deal with the growing number of elderly without pensions or other financial support.
Many elderly rely on family support or government aid, but the number of elders living alone has soared from 3.6% in 1994 to 12.9% last year. This raises some serious concerns about their physical and mental well-being.
It's also worth noting that elderly women outnumber their male counterparts, making up 57.9% of the elderly population. And those aged between 60 and 69 account for nearly 60% of all seniors in Thailand.
So, what can we do about it? The government should adjust its public spending to better support the aging population. This could involve expanding health insurance or financial aid schemes, similar to the system used in Switzerland, where both the government and private companies contribute to retirement savings.
But it's not just about money. Thailand needs to reform its welfare system to handle the challenges an aging population brings. As the country relies more on foreign workers, this could add to costs and potentially pose a threat to national security.
And let's not forget about the younger generation. Balancing work and caring for the elderly might prove nearly impossible, leading to intergenerational tensions. Dr. Auschala suggests that a combination of community support, technological solutions, and financial reforms could help wrangle this issue and ensure that everyone—young and old—in Thailand thrives.
- Amidst soaring elderly populations, Thailand's public policy expert Dr. Auschala Chalayonnavin from Thammasat University raises concerns about heightened economic pressure caused by an increase in the old-age dependency ratio.
- It's crucial to address the growing number of elderly Thais without pensions or financial support, as many rely solely on family or government aid, resulting in a surge in lone elderly individuals from 3.6% in 1994 to 12.9% last year.
- In light of this issue, expanding health insurance and financial aid schemes, like the Swiss system where both the government and private companies contribute to retirement savings, might aid in better supporting Thailand's aging population.
- Mental health and women's health are equally important, as elderly women outnumber men and comprise 57.9% of Thailand's senior demographic.
- To alleviate the strain on families and establish a healthier coexistence between generations, Thailand requires a combination of community support, technological solutions, and reforms in its welfare and financial systems.
