only 34% of the country is urbanized. Inequality appears to be worsening, with the Gini coefficient growing to over 0.5 in 2009 while that of neighboring countries is falling. many people in rural areas have been left behind. Still, Thailand has made strides to prioritize social welfare and expects to reach many if its Millennium Development Goals; the poverty rate decline 13% between 2000 and 2009; access to clean water is steadily increasing; and the average life expectancy is on the rise.