Summary

Until recently, Thailand’s pension system included several contributory schemes for government officials, private sector employees and informal economy workers. However, coverage of the latter group was very limited. Overall, only 20 per cent of older persons had access to some level of protection.

In the face of an ageing population and a large informal sector, the country sought new ways to protect older persons without coverage. In 2009, a non-contributory old-age allowance was introduced and Thailand reached universal coverage soon afterwards.