Income distribution and socio-economic disparity in aging society in Thailand

Abstract

The paper is focused on the income distribution and socio-economic disparity in aging society in Thailand. Using the household panel data from the Health, Aging, and Retirement in Thailand (HART) Wave 2 (2017) survey, Gini coefficient index and socio- economic disparity are estimated. The results indicate that income distribution situation, Gini coefficient index, is unequally distributed among the young old (aged 60-69) and the mid-old (aged 70-79) and among those by gender, by region and by living area (urban or rural). Besides, disparities in educational attainment by age group, region, and living area exist. The socio-economic disparities imply the limit opportunities for economic security and choice of work for earning income. Policy implication suggests more concrete efforts should be emphasized on regional economic development, especially in the northeast and the south. Policies related to job creation for the young old and the mid old persons such as retirement age extension, reemployment system, skill retraining, and fexible employment system, including long-term care (LTC) system for the oldest old should be focused. Finally, policies to promote 'healthy aging' to increase heathy life expectancy of population for longer working life is also crucial.