Quick facts
Thailand population overview
Thailand is the 11th most populous of 52 countries and territories in Asia. The United Nations put the population at 71,593,724 on 1 January 2026; with an annual growth rate of -0.1% the live estimate on this page falls by roughly 176 people per day.
Over a full year that means about 565,590 births (7.9 per 1,000 people) and 665,822 deaths (9.3 per 1,000), plus net immigration of roughly 28,637 people. The infant mortality rate is 7.6 per 1,000 live births.
World Bank data show the population grew from 26,851,747 in 1960 to 71,619,863 in 2025 — a change of +166.7%, or +1.5% per year on average. It peaked at 71,735,329 in 2022 and has declined 0.3% since.
Demographically, the median age is 41 years; life expectancy at birth is 77.1 years; women have on average 1.2 children (2024, below the 2.1 replacement level); 14.4% of residents are under 15 and 16% are 65 or older (2025); 62.8% of people live in urban areas (2025).
The capital is Bangkok. Thailand covers 513,115 km², giving a population density of about 139 people per km². GDP was $577.01B in 2025 — about $8,057 per person (World Bank classification: upper middle income).
Thailand population statistics (2026)
| Population (live, October 2026) | 71,542,339 |
|---|---|
| UN estimate, 1 Jan 2026 | 71,593,724 |
| World rank | #20 of 238 |
| Rank in Asia | #11 of 52 |
| Share of world population | 0.9% |
| Annual growth rate | -0.1% |
| Births per year est. | 565,590 |
| Deaths per year est. | 665,822 |
| Net migration per year est. | +28,637 |
| Birth rate | 7.9 per 1,000 |
| Death rate | 9.3 per 1,000 |
| Infant mortality | 7.6 per 1,000 births |
| Sex ratio | 94.5 males per 100 females |
| Median age | 41 years |
| Life expectancy | 77.1 years |
| Fertility rate 2024 | 1.2 births per woman |
| Urban population 2025 | 62.8% |
| Surface area 2023 | 513,115 km² |
| Population density | 139 per km² |
| Capital | Bangkok |
| GDP (current US$) 2025 | $577.01B |
| GDP per capita 2025 | $8,057 |
| Income group World Bank | Upper middle income |
Thailand population by year
| Year | Population | Change | Annual growth |
|---|---|---|---|
| October 2026 (live, UN-based) | 71,542,339 | – | – |
| 2025 | 71,619,863 | -48,148 | -0.1% |
| 2024 | 71,668,011 | -34,424 | 0% |
| 2023 | 71,702,435 | -32,894 | 0% |
| 2022 | 71,735,329 | +7,997 | +0% |
| 2021 | 71,727,332 | +85,848 | +0.1% |
| 2020 | 71,641,484 | +1,100,689 | +0.3% |
| 2015 | 70,540,795 | +1,961,348 | +0.6% |
| 2010 | 68,579,447 | +2,562,027 | +0.8% |
| 2005 | 66,017,420 | +3,009,605 | +0.9% |
| 2000 | 63,007,815 | +3,909,583 | +1.3% |
| 1995 | 59,098,232 | +4,359,903 | +1.5% |
| 1990 | 54,738,329 | +4,467,576 | +1.7% |
| 1985 | 50,270,753 | +4,620,731 | +1.9% |
| 1980 | 45,650,022 | +4,710,017 | +2.2% |
| 1975 | 40,940,005 | +4,985,597 | +2.6% |
| 1970 | 35,954,408 | +4,805,071 | +2.9% |
| 1965 | 31,149,337 | +4,297,590 | +3% |
| 1960 | 26,851,747 | – | – |
Change and annual growth are measured against the previous row; growth is annualized where rows are five years apart. The live row extrapolates the UN estimate and is not directly comparable with the World Bank series.
About Thailand
Population over time
- From 26,851,747 in 1960 to 71,542,339 today — up 166.4%.
- Population peaked at 71,735,329 in 2022 and is down 0.3% since.
- Average change over the last 10 years of data: +0.2% per year.
Life expectancy & fertility
- Life expectancy at birth: 76.6 years (2024), up 26 years since 1960.
- Fertility: 1.2 births per woman (2024) — below the ~2.1 replacement level.
Birth & death rates
- Latest: 8.1 births vs 9 deaths per 1,000 people (2024).
- Deaths outnumber births — natural decrease of 0.9 per 1,000 a year.
Age structure
- 14.4% of the population is under 15 and 16% is 65 or older (2025).
- The 65+ share has grown from 2.8% in 1960 — the population is aging.
CO₂ emissions
- Latest total: 283.8 Mt CO₂ (2024).
- Emissions are at or near their historical peak.
- Per person: 3.96 t in 2024, vs 0.56 t in 1970.
Energy use & renewables
- Energy use: 1,851.3 kg of oil equivalent per person (2023), up 139% since 1990.
- Renewables supplied 19% of final energy in 2021 (-14.5 points since 1990).
Forest area (% of land)
- Forest covers 38.7% of land area (2023).
- Net afforestation: cover grew from 37.9% to 38.7% since 1990 — roughly 4,058 km² of forest gained.
Urban population (% of total)
- 62.8% of people live in urban areas (2025), vs 11.8% in 1960 (+51 points).
- Became majority-urban around 2018.
Water resources & stress
- Water stress: medium–high — freshwater withdrawals are 25.5% of renewable internal resources (2022, SDG 6.4.2-style bands).
- Renewable freshwater per person: 3,130 m³ in 2022, down 61.5% since 1961.
Economy
- GDP: $577.01B in 2025.
- Nominal GDP is up 43.8% since 2015.
- That works out to $8,057 per person.
Unemployment & inflation
- Unemployment: 0.8% of the labor force (2025, ILO estimate).
- Consumer-price inflation: -0.1% in 2025.
Internet & mobile
- 90.9% of people used the internet in 2024.
- Mobile subscriptions: 160.6 per 100 people (2024) — more subscriptions than people.
Thailand in the news
Frequently asked questions
What is the population of Thailand in 2026?
As of October 2026, Thailand has an estimated population of 71,542,339. The United Nations estimated 71,593,724 residents on 1 January 2026; the live figure on this page extrapolates that estimate using the -0.1% annual growth rate.
Is the population of Thailand growing or shrinking?
It is shrinking at -0.1% per year — roughly 176 fewer people every day. Each year there are about 565,590 births and 665,822 deaths, with net migration of +28,637.
What is the population density of Thailand?
About 139 people per square kilometre: 71,542,339 people living on 513,115 km² of surface area (World Bank, 2023).
What is the median age in Thailand?
The median age is 41 years, and life expectancy at birth is 77.1 years. 14.4% of the population is under 15 and 16% is 65 or older (2025).
How does Thailand rank by population?
Thailand is the 20th most populous of 238 countries and territories worldwide and the 11th in Asia, with 0.9% of the global population.
How has the population of Thailand changed over time?
In 1960 the population was 26,851,747; by 2025 it had grown to 71,619,863 (+166.7%). The year-by-year table above lists the full World Bank series.
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South AfricaSources & method: the live population is a linear extrapolation of the UN World Population Prospects estimate for 1 January 2026 using the annual growth rate (-0.1%); births, deaths and migration counters apply the UN crude rates to the live figure. Historical series, area, GDP and other indicators are from World Bank Open Data; the encyclopedic summary is from Wikipedia. Figures are statistical estimates, not census counts. Page generated 2026-10-19. More about our data.