Also of interest is how the elderly population is distributed with respect to rural- urban areas and
regions. Figure 2.10 provides this information for 2005 based on the Survey of Population
Change.8 Despite rapid urbanization, Thailand is still predominantly a rural nation with almost
70% of the total population living outside of municipal areas. Rural areas account for an even
greater share of elderly accounting for almost three-fourths of all Thais aged 60 and over. In
contrast, although Bangkok accounts for 10.5% of the total population, under 8% of elderly
reside there. Thailand's largest region in overall population is the northeast which accounts for
over one third of the elderly population. In contrast, less than one out of eight elderly Thais are
found in the southern region.