Demographic Effects of Poverty: Findings from the Participatory Poverty Assessment of Thailand

Sirirat Taneerananon, Prince of Songkla University

The paper presents some of the findings from the Participatory Poverty Assessment of Thailand, funded by the Asian Development Bank from August 2001 to August 2002. The study was conducted on a nationwide basis covering six regions of Thailand. The objectives were to carry out a comprehensive assessment of poverty, including its causes and impacts; to assess the responses of the government and other agencies in addressing the needs of the poor and to recommend policies for the government to best address the needs of the poor. The methodology used was qualitative approach with emphasis on focus group discussions, in-depth interviews and observation-participation. The quantitative data were also used to complement the qualitative methods. The major findings regarding the demographic effects of poverty were that the poor relied on migration as one of the means to survive and earn their livelihoods. Migration from the rural to the urban areas of younger members of the households especially the young girls to enter the service sectors, in some cases, eventually led to prostitution. Remittances are the important source for the family left behind. As a result of migration, family break ups, divorce and desertion follow, particularly men are often founded to desert their wives and found new ones. The female single parents family became an increasing phenomenon. Low income and poverty resulted in poor health and prolonged illness among the poor families. The health expenses made them become poorer and difficult to get out of the vicious circle of poverty. One policy recommended which is relevant to the demographic effects of poverty is to strengthen the community by creating local employment so as to prevent migration. Another recommendation is to examine the social values regarding gender roles to help lessen the plight of women in poverty.