UNFPA Calls for Intergenerational Solidarity
UNFPA Calls for Intergenerational Solidarity as Thailand Faces a Super-Aged Future
Bangkok, 16 July 2026 - As Thailand faces one of the most profound demographic transitions in its modern history, United Nations Population Fund, Thailand (UNFPA Thailand) and Chulalongkorn University convened the World Population Day 2026 celebration in Thailand to call for a new population agenda grounded not only in demographic numbers, but in the hopes, rights, choices and dignity of people across all generations.
Held under the theme “Realizing the hopes and aspirations of young people, today and for the future: Intergenerational Solidarity: Empowering Thailand Towards Demographic Resilience for a Sustainable Future,” the event took place at Chaloem Rajakumari 60 Building, Chulalongkorn University, bringing together representatives from government, academia, youth networks, civil society, the private sector, UN agencies, media and influencers. The event theme and venue are reflected in the concept note and programme.
Thailand’s demographic landscape is changing rapidly. The country is moving towards a super-aged society, while fertility has fallen below replacement level and is now below 1.0. At the same time, young people are navigating economic uncertainty, rising costs of living, career insecurity, housing concerns, unequal care responsibilities and changing expectations around relationships and family life. These factors challenge the economy, labour market, care systems and quality of life across all ages, while highlighting demographic resilience as a rights-based response rooted in choices and human dignity.
Dr. Julitta Onabanjo, Country Director of UNFPA Thailand and Representative of UNFPA Malaysia, emphasized during her opening video message for the World Population Day 2026 celebration and the launch of the Demographic Futures Survey 2026 report, UNFPA’s global offer on Population and Development. She called for a transition from “demographic anxiety” to leveraging “demographic intelligence,” which focuses on using evidence-based data and foresight to build rights-based policies towards demographic resilience. Dr. Julitta noted that “the role of public policy must move beyond focusing solely on falling fertility targets, but instead aim to create enabling conditions for individuals to make free and dignified choices.” She highlighted four key recommendations: investing in young people's agency and well-being, strengthening comprehensive family support systems while reducing the burden on women, fostering intergenerational solidarity, and driving rights- and choices-based policies that prioritize equity and a life-course approach.
Ms. Siriluck Chiengwong, Head of Office, UNFPA Thailand states “Demographic change is not only a matter of statistics; it is a matter of hope, dignity and opportunity. Thailand’s low fertility and aged society should not be discussed only in terms of birth numbers. Behind these trends are the real lives of young people who are making decisions about education, work, relationships, family formation and their future amid economic uncertainty and social change. Many young people still hold aspirations for meaningful work, loving relationships, families and a secure future, but these aspirations are often constrained by economic insecurity, unequal care responsibilities, limited access to services and social barriers.”
“Our collective responsibility is to create an enabling environment where young people can make informed choices about their lives and futures. This means investing in rights-based policies, comprehensive health information and services, gender equality, family-friendly workplaces, inclusive care systems and meaningful youth participation. When young people have rights, choices and support, they can fulfil their potential and become a driving force for Thailand’s demographic resilience and sustainable development,” said Ms. Chiengwong.
A central highlight was the panel discussion on “Demographic Resilience: A Life-Cycle and Intergenerational Approach,” which brought together leading voices from population studies, academia, the private sector and youth. Participating institutions and organizations included the Office of the National Economic and Social Development Council (NESDC), Department of Children and Youth under the Ministry of Social Development and Human Security, Department of Health under the Ministry of Public Health, Institute for Population and Social Research, Mahidol University, Thai Population Association, College of Population Studies, Chulalongkorn University, Charoen Pokphand Foundation for Rural Lives’ Development Foundation, ThisAble.me and the Children and Youth Council of Thailand. Their participation reflected the need for Thailand’s demographic response to be jointly shaped by evidence, public policy, education, health, care systems, inclusion, private-sector engagement and youth leadership. The agenda lists these speakers and institutions across the keynote and panel sessions.
As Thailand’s leading higher education institution and host partner, Chulalongkorn University emphasized that universities have a vital role in preparing society for ageing, technological disruption and changing human-capital needs. The event agenda identifies Professor Dr. Wilert Puriwat, President of Chulalongkorn University, as delivering remarks and a special presentation on education, human-resource development, AI, technology and human dignity.
“Universities must help society understand change before it becomes a crisis. In an ageing society, education must go beyond preparing young people for employment. It must strengthen human potential across the life course, promote intergenerational understanding and equip people to use technology and innovation while preserving human dignity. Chulalongkorn University is pleased to work with UNFPA and partners to advance evidence, dialogue and solutions for Thailand’s sustainable future,” said Professor Dr. Wilert Puriwat, President of Chulalongkorn University.
World Population Day 2026 concluded with a call for Thailand to build demographic resilience through a whole-of-society approach. This means investing in young people, supporting families, strengthening care systems, promoting healthy ageing, advancing gender equality, ensuring disability inclusion and creating meaningful roles for people of every generation.
Through this event, UNFPA Thailand reaffirmed its commitment to working with government agencies, academic institutions, civil society, the private sector, youth and communities to promote rights-based, inclusive and evidence-informed responses to demographic change. The message was clear: Thailand’s demographic future will not be secured by numbers alone, but by whether people of all generations can live with hope, security, dignity and real choices.
About UNFPA
UNFPA is the United Nations sexual and reproductive health agency. Our mission is to deliver a world where every pregnancy is wanted, every childbirth is safe and every young person's potential is fulfilled.
Our moto is "Ensuring rights and choices for all".
ข่าวภาษาไทย / Thai Version
