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Thailand emerges as world's 19th most populous nation

Posted on: Wednesday, 9 July 2003, 06:00 CDT

Thailand emerges as world's 19th most populous nation BANGKOK, July 9 (Xinhua) -- Thailand has become the 19th most populous nation in the world, with its population increasing at a rate of one person a minute, according to the data from the National Statistical Office.

The data available Wednesday, was released in anticipation of World Population Day on July 11. The data show that Thailand's population currently stands at around 63 million, making it the 19th most populous nation in the world, and home to around one percent of the global population.

According to the statistics, each minute Thailand's population increases by an average of one person, either due to new births or immigration.

The rate of increase is on the decline, in line with overall global trends.

The National Statistical Office forecast that in 23 year's time, Thailand's population will stand at 70 million, clearly demonstrating the fall in the rate of population expansion.

The office attributed the reduction to the success of Thailand' s family planning campaigns, which have reduced average family size to 1.8 children, lower than the replacement rate.

However, average life expectancy has risen, leading to a continual increase in the proportion of the population who are over 60 years in age.

In 1984, the elderly population stood at 5.7 percent of the total, rising to 9.6 percent in 2003. By 2019, this figure is expected to rise to 14.7 percent.

At the same time, the percentage of children is forecast to drop from 26 percent in 1984 to only 20 percent in 2019.

This rise in the elderly population is in line with global trends, and will have an impact on the economy and society, the office said.

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