Rural population growth in Thailand
Thailand: Rural population growth was -2.5% in 2025. ◆ Volatile
Rural population growth in Thailand, 1961–2025
Source: World Urbanization Prospects, United Nations (UN). Measured in annual %.
Analysis
The most recent figure for rural population growth in Thailand is -2.5%, measured in 2025.
The figure is down 2.7% on the previous year and down 245.3% over ten years.
Over the whole period, rural population growth in Thailand peaked at 2.8% in 1964 and was at its lowest, -10.8%, in 2018.
That places Thailand 198th out of 209 countries with data for 2025, putting it in the bottom quarter.
The series is highly variable year to year, so single readings are best treated with caution.
Rural population growth in Thailand, year by year
| Year | annual % | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 1961 | 2.8% | — |
| 1962 | 2.8% | +1.4% |
| 1963 | 2.8% | +0.9% |
| 1964 | 2.8% | +0.3% |
| 1965 | 2.8% | -0.1% |
| 1966 | 2.8% | -1.2% |
| 1967 | 2.8% | -1.9% |
| 1968 | 2.7% | -2.3% |
| 1969 | 2.6% | -3.1% |
| 1970 | 2.5% | -3.2% |
| 1971 | 2.4% | -5.7% |
| 1972 | 2.3% | -5.2% |
| 1973 | 2.2% | -4.0% |
| 1974 | 2.0% | -6.2% |
| 1975 | 1.9% | -6.4% |
| 1976 | 1.8% | -6.9% |
| 1977 | 1.7% | -2.9% |
| 1978 | 1.7% | -0.5% |
| 1979 | 1.7% | -0.7% |
| 1980 | 1.8% | +3.1% |
| 1981 | 1.8% | +0.9% |
| 1982 | 1.8% | -0.6% |
| 1983 | 1.8% | +0.8% |
| 1984 | 1.8% | -1.2% |
| 1985 | 1.7% | -2.9% |
| 1986 | 1.6% | -4.0% |
| 1987 | 1.6% | -4.8% |
| 1988 | 1.5% | -4.6% |
| 1989 | 1.4% | -7.6% |
| 1990 | 1.3% | -7.5% |
| 1991 | 0.9% | -25.1% |
| 1992 | 0.5% | -46.6% |
| 1993 | 0.1% | -74.2% |
| 1994 | -0.2% | -260.4% |
| 1995 | -0.5% | +122.7% |
| 1996 | -0.7% | +41.0% |
| 1997 | -0.8% | +18.7% |
| 1998 | -0.8% | +3.6% |
| 1999 | -0.8% | -3.7% |
| 2000 | -0.8% | -3.1% |
| 2001 | -0.9% | +15.0% |
| 2002 | -1.0% | +19.1% |
| 2003 | -1.1% | +10.3% |
| 2004 | -1.2% | +7.6% |
| 2005 | -1.3% | +4.9% |
| 2006 | -1.3% | +1.8% |
| 2007 | -1.3% | -0.7% |
| 2008 | -1.3% | -3.3% |
| 2009 | -1.2% | -6.6% |
| 2010 | -1.1% | -6.4% |
| 2011 | -0.8% | -25.5% |
| 2012 | -0.4% | -49.4% |
| 2013 | -0.3% | -38.6% |
| 2014 | -0.4% | +42.1% |
| 2015 | -0.7% | +102.4% |
| 2016 | -1.3% | +78.7% |
| 2017 | -2.2% | +67.7% |
| 2018 | -10.8% | +391.9% |
| 2019 | -2.8% | -74.2% |
| 2020 | -2.8% | +1.9% |
| 2021 | -2.9% | +1.9% |
| 2022 | -3.0% | +3.6% |
| 2023 | -3.1% | +1.5% |
| 2024 | -2.5% | -19.0% |
| 2025 | -2.5% | +2.7% |
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1960s | 2.8% | 2.6% | 2.8% | 9 |
| 1970s | 2.0% | 1.7% | 2.5% | 10 |
| 1980s | 1.7% | 1.4% | 1.8% | 10 |
| 1990s | -0.1% | -0.8% | 1.3% | 10 |
| 2000s | -1.1% | -1.3% | -0.8% | 10 |
| 2010s | -2.1% | -10.8% | -0.3% | 10 |
| 2020s | -2.8% | -3.1% | -2.5% | 6 |
Countries ranked near Thailand
- 195 Greenland -2.2% compare
- 196 Kosovo -2.3% compare
- 196 Kosovo (UNSCR 1244) -2.3% compare
- 199 Northern Mariana Islands -3.0% compare
- 200 Turks and Caicos Islands -3.3% compare
- 201 Cape Verde -3.3% compare
More agriculture & rural data for Thailand
- Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, value added (current US$), annual 7.21 % change on previous year (2025)
- Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, value added (current US$), per 0.0875 current US$ per US$ of GDP (2025)
- Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, value added (current US$), per 704.7 current US$ per person (2025)
- Rural population, annual growth rate -2.51 % change on previous year (2025)
- Rural population, per unit of GDP 0 units per US$ of GDP (2025)
- Rural population, per capita 0.372 units per person (2025)
- Agriculture share gdp 8.75 (2025)
- Value added in the agricultural sector as of gdp vs gdp per capita 8.75 (2025)
- Agricultural raw materials exports 4.0% (2024)
- Agricultural raw materials imports 1.3% (2024)
Frequently asked questions
- What is rural population growth in Thailand?
- Rural population growth in Thailand was -2.5% in 2025, according to World Urbanization Prospects, United Nations (UN).
- What is the highest rural population growth recorded in Thailand?
- The highest recorded value was 2.8% in 1964.
- What is the lowest rural population growth recorded in Thailand?
- The lowest recorded value was -10.8% in 2018.
- How does Thailand rank for rural population growth?
- Thailand ranks 198th out of 209 countries with data for 2025.
- Is rural population growth rising or falling in Thailand?
- Over the last ten years it is down 245.3%. The long-run trend across the full record is volatile.
- Where does this Thailand data come from?
- The figures come from World Urbanization Prospects, United Nations (UN), published as part of Rural population growth (annual %). Statizoid updates them automatically from the source API.
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About this data
Annual rural population growth rate for year t is the exponential rate of growth of midyear rural population from year t-1 to t, expressed as a percentage. Rural population refers to people living in rural areas as defined by national statistical offices. It is calculated as the difference between total population and urban population.