Thai population stats 2025 show rise in single mothers, divorce rate at 1 in 3

Thailand’s 2025 population data reveals an increase in single mothers under the newborn support scheme, with divorce rates climbing to one in three marriages.

The Department of Women’s Affairs and Family Development has reported that, according to the Central Registration Office’s announcement on Thailand’s population as of 31 December 2024, the country had a total population of 65 million.

Women accounted for about 33 million, or 51.26%, while men made up around 32 million, or 48.74%. Data also shows an increase in the number of single mothers registered under the Newborn Child Support Grant scheme in 2025 compared with 2024.

In 2025, there were 128,322 single mothers enrolled in the programme, up from 120,978 in 2024, an increase of 7,344.

According to the Department of Mental Health, Ministry of Public Health, a single mother is defined as a woman raising her child alone, often following separation or divorce. The number of single parents, both mothers and fathers, is rising steadily in both Thailand and globally.

While Thailand may lack a comprehensive database beyond population registry records, past figures from about a decade ago showed that one in every five married couples ended in divorce.Today, in many areas, the divorce rate is around one in three, reflecting growing challenges in married life.

This trend has contributed to a rise in single-parent households, alongside a significant number of children born to unmarried parents, particularly young couples unprepared for family life.

(2025/08/10-00:00)