Box 7.1 Thailand at a glance
Population 67 million (2009)5, 66% of the population is rural (2009)5, concentrated in
the rice-growing areas of the central and northern regions. 94.6% of the
population is Buddhist6.
Geography Located in South-east Asia. Densely populated central plain, highland areas
in the north-east and mountain range in the north, west and south-east.
Ethnic 75% Thai, 14% Chinese and 11% other.
composition
Government A democratic country, with the King as head of state, a constitutional
monarchy since 1932. Thailand was never colonized. Recent period of
political unrest but successful elections completed in 2011.
Health Health expenditure per capita (constant 2005 Int$) (2009)7: 344.69
system Density of physicians, nurses and midwives per 100003: 17
Extensive and long-term investment in primary health care, particularly in
infrastructure and health workers in rural and remote areas. Achieved
universal health coverage and low out-of-pocket payments. Coverage of
key interventions is high (99% of deliveries with skilled attendance, over
90% of children vaccinated8). Successful prevention and treatment
programmes have turned a generalized HIV epidemic into a concentrated
epidemic among specific groups.
Economic, GDP per capita (constant 2005 Int$) (2009)5 7260
demographic Economic growth: GNI 2000 to 20085 5.2% per annum
and social Population living on less than $ 1.25/day (2009)5 10.8%
development Gini index5 42.5 (2004)
indicators Infant mortality rate9 8.3 (2010)a
Maternal mortality ratio10 47b
HIV prevalence (adults aged 15 –49) (2009)5 1%
Life expectancy (2009)5 69
Total fertility rate (2009)5 1.8
Adult literacy (2005)11 93.5%
Ratio girls to boys in educationc 103%
Access to improved water source (2008)5 98%
Internet usage (2009)5 25.8%