Thailand population 2022
In 2022, Thailand experienced a decrease in its annual population growth rate, which dropped by 0.1 percentage points, representing a decline of approximately 55.56 percent compared to the previous year. Consequently, Thailand recorded its lowest population growth rate in 2022, standing at 0.13 percent.
Thailand population density
Thailand has a population density of approximately 141 people per square kilometer, which is equivalent to 364 people per square mile. This metric indicates the concentration of people living in Thailand and provides insights into the distribution of its population across the country.
Thailand population growth rate
The population growth rate in Thailand has been relatively modest in recent years. As of the most recent data available, the population growth rate in Thailand is estimated to be around 0.15% per year. This indicates a gradual increase in the population, with a slight growth rate. Please note that population growth rates can vary from year to year and are subject to change based on various factors, including birth rates, death rates, and migration patterns.
Thailand population pyramid
Thailand population 2023
As of January 2023, Thailand had a total population of 71.75 million. Data reveals that there was a slight population increase of 114 thousand individuals, representing a growth rate of 0.2 percent, from the year 2022 to 2023. Among this population, approximately 51.5 percent are female, while the remaining 48.5 percent are male.
Thailand population by religion
The estimated population of the country, as of midyear 2022, is approximately 69.6 million. According to a report from the Department of Religious Affairs in December 2021, Thailand exhibits a diverse religious landscape. The majority of the population, about 92.5 percent, adheres to Buddhism, while 5.4 percent follow Islam, and 1.2 percent identify as Christians. There are also various other religious groups, including animists, Confucians, Hindus, Jews, Sikhs, and Taoists.
Buddhism is the predominant religion in Thailand, and it holds a significant place in the lives of most Thais. Many Buddhists incorporate elements of Hinduism and animism into their religious practices. The Buddhist clergy, known as the sangha, is divided into two main schools, Mahanikaya and Dhammayuttika, with Mahanikaya being the older and more widely practiced tradition.
In the southernmost provinces of Narathiwat, Yala, and Pattani, which are located near the border with Malaysia, Islam is the dominant religion. The Muslim population in these areas is primarily comprised of ethnic Malays. However, Muslims across the country have diverse backgrounds, including descendants of immigrants from South Asia, China, Cambodia, and Indonesia, as well as ethnic Thais. According to statistics from the Religious Affairs Department (RAD) of the Ministry of Culture, approximately 99 percent of Thai Muslims adhere to the Sunni branch of Islam.
Ethnic Chinese and Vietnamese in Thailand tend to practice either Mahayana or Theravada Buddhism. Additionally, some members of these communities, as well as the Mien hill tribe, follow various forms of Taoism. The Christian community in Thailand is mainly composed of ethnic Chinese individuals and is also represented among ethnic tribal groups in the northern regions of the country. Roman Catholicism is the most prevalent Christian denomination in Thailand, making up more than half of the Christian population.
Buddhism is the predominant religion in Thailand, and it holds a significant place in the lives of most Thais. Many Buddhists incorporate elements of Hinduism and animism into their religious practices. The Buddhist clergy, known as the sangha, is divided into two main schools, Mahanikaya and Dhammayuttika, with Mahanikaya being the older and more widely practiced tradition.
In the southernmost provinces of Narathiwat, Yala, and Pattani, which are located near the border with Malaysia, Islam is the dominant religion. The Muslim population in these areas is primarily comprised of ethnic Malays. However, Muslims across the country have diverse backgrounds, including descendants of immigrants from South Asia, China, Cambodia, and Indonesia, as well as ethnic Thais. According to statistics from the Religious Affairs Department (RAD) of the Ministry of Culture, approximately 99 percent of Thai Muslims adhere to the Sunni branch of Islam.
Ethnic Chinese and Vietnamese in Thailand tend to practice either Mahayana or Theravada Buddhism. Additionally, some members of these communities, as well as the Mien hill tribe, follow various forms of Taoism. The Christian community in Thailand is mainly composed of ethnic Chinese individuals and is also represented among ethnic tribal groups in the northern regions of the country. Roman Catholicism is the most prevalent Christian denomination in Thailand, making up more than half of the Christian population.
Thailand muslim population
Muslims make up Thailand's largest religious minority and are predominantly concentrated in the southernmost provinces of Narathiwat, Pattani, Yala, and Satun. The introduction of Islam to the Malay Peninsula, which includes present-day southern Thailand, is attributed to Arab traders and adventurers during the 13th century. Most Thai Muslims are of Malay descent, reflecting the shared cultural heritage between Thailand's southernmost provinces and Malaysia.
The majority of Thai Muslims adhere to the Sunni branch of Islam, accounting for approximately 99 percent, while a smaller minority, roughly 1 percent, follows the Shia tradition. Thai Muslims receive both inspirational and financial support from His Majesty the King. The King has sponsored the translation of the Quran into the Thai language, a significant gesture of support for the Muslim community. Each year, the King or his representative presides over celebrations commemorating the Prophet Muhammad's birthday. Additionally, His Majesty appoints a respected Muslim religious leader to the position of Chularajamontri, who serves as the State Counselor for all Islamic affairs. The Thai government provides funding for the construction and renovation of mosques across the country.
In provinces where the Muslim population is substantial, the Thai government allows government-employed Muslims to take leave for important Muslim festivals and permits them to work half-days on Fridays, which is considered the Muslim holy day. Family and inheritance cases in these provinces are adjudicated according to Islamic law, with a Muslim religious judge, known as a "kadi," participating in the legal proceedings. Furthermore, employees are granted approximately four months of leave with full salary to undertake the Hajj, the pilgrimage to Mecca.
Thailand is home to around 2,000 mosques, with approximately 100 located in the capital city, Bangkok. Additionally, there are around 200 Muslim schools in the country that provide both secular and religious education. Thai Muslims enjoy substantial state support, allowing them to freely practice and teach their religion in accordance with their own beliefs and tenets. This support underscores the religious diversity and inclusiveness in Thailand.
The majority of Thai Muslims adhere to the Sunni branch of Islam, accounting for approximately 99 percent, while a smaller minority, roughly 1 percent, follows the Shia tradition. Thai Muslims receive both inspirational and financial support from His Majesty the King. The King has sponsored the translation of the Quran into the Thai language, a significant gesture of support for the Muslim community. Each year, the King or his representative presides over celebrations commemorating the Prophet Muhammad's birthday. Additionally, His Majesty appoints a respected Muslim religious leader to the position of Chularajamontri, who serves as the State Counselor for all Islamic affairs. The Thai government provides funding for the construction and renovation of mosques across the country.
In provinces where the Muslim population is substantial, the Thai government allows government-employed Muslims to take leave for important Muslim festivals and permits them to work half-days on Fridays, which is considered the Muslim holy day. Family and inheritance cases in these provinces are adjudicated according to Islamic law, with a Muslim religious judge, known as a "kadi," participating in the legal proceedings. Furthermore, employees are granted approximately four months of leave with full salary to undertake the Hajj, the pilgrimage to Mecca.
Thailand is home to around 2,000 mosques, with approximately 100 located in the capital city, Bangkok. Additionally, there are around 200 Muslim schools in the country that provide both secular and religious education. Thai Muslims enjoy substantial state support, allowing them to freely practice and teach their religion in accordance with their own beliefs and tenets. This support underscores the religious diversity and inclusiveness in Thailand.
Chinese population in Thailand
The Chinese presence in what is now Thailand dates back to at least the thirteenth century. By the sixteenth century, a small Chinese community had settled in the capital of the Kingdom of Siam, Ayudhya, and a more established community was present in Pattani, in the extreme south of the country.
During the seventeenth century, the Chinese population in Thailand represented around 1 percent of the total population and consisted mainly of ethnic Cantonese and Fujianese. However, by the nineteenth century, Teochew migrants had become the largest group among the Chinese minority, and the Teochew dialect became a common language among the various ethnic Chinese groups.
Throughout the nineteenth century, Thailand's Chinese population played a significant role in various economic activities, including commerce, industry, mining, construction, and plantations. They also had a substantial influence on the country's important rice export trade. Chinese migration to Thailand increased significantly during this period, with Chinese residents constituting more than half of Bangkok's population by the beginning of the twentieth century.
The rapid growth of the Chinese community and their economic dominance began to provoke resentment among the Thai population, which became evident in the early twentieth century. Anti-Chinese sentiments were reflected in government policies, including statements by King Rama VI questioning the loyalty of the Chinese residents. These policies culminated in the implementation of laws like the 1910 poll tax, which significantly affected Chinese workers and led to a general strike.
While the 1913 Nationality Law granted citizenship to the Chinese, Thai authorities concurrently enforced assimilation laws. This assimilation effort intensified after the overthrow of Thailand's absolute monarchy in 1932, leading to the rise of Thai nationalist policies. During the 1930s and 1940s, various laws and measures excluded Chinese individuals from around 27 professions and nationalized certain sectors of the economy. Chinese language instruction was either prohibited or restricted to private schools for a limited number of hours. Many Chinese residents chose to leave the country, migrating to other parts of Asia, while some tried to assimilate by adopting Thai names to become less conspicuous. The establishment of state-owned industries, placed under Thai control, compelled the Chinese community to diversify its economic activities and forge alliances with influential Thai figures.
The shift towards an export-oriented economy in the 1960s and 1970s favored Chinese businesses. Today, individuals of Chinese or partial Chinese descent occupy various strata of Thai society, including prominent positions in some of Thailand's largest companies outside of the agricultural sector. Over half of the Chinese population resides in the Bangkok metropolitan area, and the majority of them are urbanized. Involvement in commerce, whether as owners of major businesses or small shopkeepers, remains a predominant occupation. While the Chinese community traditionally avoided politics, it began to engage more actively in the 1980s. Some of the country's most prominent politicians are of Thai-Chinese heritage. Additionally, local Chinese newspapers now operate openly, and private Chinese schools are functioning with increased interest in Chinese traditions and culture since the 1980s. This illustrates the resilience and adaptability of Thailand's Chinese community in the face of historical challenges and changing dynamics.
During the seventeenth century, the Chinese population in Thailand represented around 1 percent of the total population and consisted mainly of ethnic Cantonese and Fujianese. However, by the nineteenth century, Teochew migrants had become the largest group among the Chinese minority, and the Teochew dialect became a common language among the various ethnic Chinese groups.
Throughout the nineteenth century, Thailand's Chinese population played a significant role in various economic activities, including commerce, industry, mining, construction, and plantations. They also had a substantial influence on the country's important rice export trade. Chinese migration to Thailand increased significantly during this period, with Chinese residents constituting more than half of Bangkok's population by the beginning of the twentieth century.
The rapid growth of the Chinese community and their economic dominance began to provoke resentment among the Thai population, which became evident in the early twentieth century. Anti-Chinese sentiments were reflected in government policies, including statements by King Rama VI questioning the loyalty of the Chinese residents. These policies culminated in the implementation of laws like the 1910 poll tax, which significantly affected Chinese workers and led to a general strike.
While the 1913 Nationality Law granted citizenship to the Chinese, Thai authorities concurrently enforced assimilation laws. This assimilation effort intensified after the overthrow of Thailand's absolute monarchy in 1932, leading to the rise of Thai nationalist policies. During the 1930s and 1940s, various laws and measures excluded Chinese individuals from around 27 professions and nationalized certain sectors of the economy. Chinese language instruction was either prohibited or restricted to private schools for a limited number of hours. Many Chinese residents chose to leave the country, migrating to other parts of Asia, while some tried to assimilate by adopting Thai names to become less conspicuous. The establishment of state-owned industries, placed under Thai control, compelled the Chinese community to diversify its economic activities and forge alliances with influential Thai figures.
The shift towards an export-oriented economy in the 1960s and 1970s favored Chinese businesses. Today, individuals of Chinese or partial Chinese descent occupy various strata of Thai society, including prominent positions in some of Thailand's largest companies outside of the agricultural sector. Over half of the Chinese population resides in the Bangkok metropolitan area, and the majority of them are urbanized. Involvement in commerce, whether as owners of major businesses or small shopkeepers, remains a predominant occupation. While the Chinese community traditionally avoided politics, it began to engage more actively in the 1980s. Some of the country's most prominent politicians are of Thai-Chinese heritage. Additionally, local Chinese newspapers now operate openly, and private Chinese schools are functioning with increased interest in Chinese traditions and culture since the 1980s. This illustrates the resilience and adaptability of Thailand's Chinese community in the face of historical challenges and changing dynamics.
Thailand english speaking population
Official statistics indicate that approximately 27% of the Thai population can speak English. Nevertheless, the actual percentage may be lower. Thailand's English proficiency level is reported to be low, with the country ranking 89th out of 100 countries on the 2020 EF Language Proficiency Index.
While many Thai individuals may not achieve fluency in English, a significant portion can engage in basic conversations. This is primarily due to English being a mandatory subject in Thai schools, contributing to the acquisition of foundational language skills.
While many Thai individuals may not achieve fluency in English, a significant portion can engage in basic conversations. This is primarily due to English being a mandatory subject in Thai schools, contributing to the acquisition of foundational language skills.
Thailand ladyboys population
Thailand has an estimated population of 314,808 transgender individuals, although precise population figures are unknown, and comprehensive, population-representative data is limited. Discrimination persists, hindering the access of transgender individuals to education and employment opportunities.
Thailand also continues to face one of the highest HIV prevalence rates in Asia and the Pacific, accounting for 9% of the region's total population of people living with HIV (PLHIV). HIV remains a concentrated epidemic in Thailand, with unacceptably high HIV prevalence rates in key populations, particularly among those under 25 years of age. Efforts to address and reduce HIV prevalence and provide support for affected populations remain essential in the country.
Thailand also continues to face one of the highest HIV prevalence rates in Asia and the Pacific, accounting for 9% of the region's total population of people living with HIV (PLHIV). HIV remains a concentrated epidemic in Thailand, with unacceptably high HIV prevalence rates in key populations, particularly among those under 25 years of age. Efforts to address and reduce HIV prevalence and provide support for affected populations remain essential in the country.
