Thai women reluctant to have children, official study reveals startling drop
A sweeping, nationwide study released by Thailand’s Ministry of Public Health has laid bare an unsettling trend gripping the nation: only 63% of women aged between 19 and 49 say they actually want to have children. This significant shift in attitudes towards motherhood is accompanied by troubling gaps in knowledge about pregnancy, prompting urgent calls for government intervention and support, as experts warn of a potential population crisis.
The research, based on thorough interviews with 404 women averaging 34.2 years of age, points to a deep social transformation. Notably, while 67% of these women are currently married or in relationships and a striking 88% desire a long-term partner, fewer than two-thirds feel ready, willing, or able to embark on the journey of motherhood. For many, the idea of starting a family is simply no longer a priority.
‘These numbers show a real shift in the mindset and priorities of Thai women,’ declares Dr. Amporn Benjaponpitak, director-general at the Department of Health. ‘If we want to secure the future of Thai families, we must put women’s needs front and centre.’
Pregnancy knowledge gaps leave women vulnerable, experts warn
Yet as stark as these numbers are, an even graver problem lurks beneath the surface. The study reveals that only 53% of women possess what officials consider an adequate level of health knowledge concerning pregnancy, nutrition, and lifestyle. This lack of information puts many Thai women at risk of serious complications and poorer outcomes—both for themselves and their future children.
Dr. Akkarawat Piaopongpakawat, director at the Health Literacy Division, is candid about the challenge. ‘Women understand the basics of health and eating well, but when it comes to pregnancy-specific issues, there are dangerous gaps,’ he says. Matters like maternal age, healthy body weight, safe blood sugar levels, and risks linked to pregnancy-related infections are frequently misunderstood or overlooked altogether.
While most respondents recognize the dangers associated with mental health issues, drug use, and chronic illness during pregnancy, their knowledge of more nuanced medical risks is often incomplete. This leaves Thai families exposed to preventable problems—and intensifies the need for comprehensive education and support.
Thai women speak out: Demanding concrete government help
One message emerges loud and clear from the survey: Thai women are no longer silent about what they need. They are openly calling for practical, meaningful measures from the government in order to feel safe and secure enough to start families. Top on their wishlist are universal child allowances for all families, extended maternity leave with full pay for up to 180 days, subsidised fertility treatments like IVF or ICSI, and free medical care after failed fertility procedures.
Dr. Bunyarit Sukrat, who heads Thailand’s Reproductive Health Bureau, says the urgency cannot be ignored: ‘We need to overhaul our support systems for expectant mothers.’ In response, ministers are already working on fresh public awareness campaigns and expanding counselling services, aiming to reach women wherever they are.
Thai government steps in: New campaigns and targeted health support
Stung by these worrying findings, the Public Health Ministry has rolled out a series of sweeping measures intended to reverse the decline in birth rates and tackle the pervasive lack of knowledge. The government plans to launch public information drives on digital platforms and through health-focused networks, improve access to reproductive guidance, and introduce new benefits designed to encourage pregnancy. Campaigns will focus on risk pregnancies and essential infection prevention—ensuring key facts reach those who need them most.
Demographic experts are sounding the alarm. With Thailand facing a sharp decline in births, society as a whole could be transformed in ways few had expected. Without decisive action, officials warn the nation’s population may begin to shrink far sooner than predicted, with far-reaching consequences for the economy and communities across Thailand.
Nation faces tough questions as priorities change
Ultimately, the study delivers a powerful message: Thai women now value different things compared to previous generations. Personal freedom, steady careers, and financial stability often take precedence over traditional family life.
This shifting reality poses a daunting challenge for the government. Not only must officials strengthen the support structures that make parenthood possible, they must also raise awareness about the ins and outs of pregnancy health. For one thing has never been clearer: without robust information and fair support, fewer women are likely to say ‘yes’ to having children.
What do you think? Should the government step in?
It’s official: fewer Thai women than ever before see motherhood as their life’s primary goal. More are calling for stronger help—or choosing to forgo children altogether. Do you believe the government should do more to support families, or is it fair for women to take charge of their futures and walk a different path?