Continuing Thailand Economy Reforms, Addressing Ageing Population Are Critical Priorities

World Bank Organisation 

BANGKOK, 2016—Thailand economy is expected to grow by 2.5 percent in 2016, after growing 2.8 percent last year. While the global economy has been weakening and exports have been slowing, strong fundamentals and ample fiscal and monetary buffers will help Thailand weather shocks, according to the 2016 Thailand Economic Monitor released today by the World Bank.

Fiscal stimulus and tourism will remain key drivers of economic growth in Thailand, but the economy still faces headwinds on the path to a broad-based and sustained recovery. The slowdown has exposed structural challenges in implementing public investment, maintaining or raising export competitiveness, and addressing skills mismatches, the report said. The ageing of the working-age population will begin to affect the Thai economy within the next five years.