Thailand's population is ageing faster than any other nation in Southeast Asia, except Singapore, an International Labour Organisation study says.

The proportion of people over 60 more than doubled between 1975 and 2007, from about 5% of the population to 11% (7.2 million people). The cause was a decline in both mortality and fertility, said the report, released yesterday to coincide with Thailand's National Day for Older Persons today.

Almost one in five would be over 60 by 2025 and nearly one in three by 2050.

"Going by the experience of other countries in the region with similar demographics, it is likely that the labour market consequences of this shift will affect Thailand's productivity and socio-economic development," the report said.

Older people, particularly in rural areas, are susceptible to poverty. Ninety percent of people over 60 work in the "informal economy" - where no tax is paid - and the trend is particularly strong in rural areas and the North and Northeast.

Most older workers work more than 50 hours a week, the same as younger workers, but their wages are much lower.

"This report confirms the importance of promoting decent work for older people," said the report's co-writer Rika Fujioka, of the ILO's Bangkok-based regional economic and social analysis unit. "Thailand is experiencing unparalleled growth of its older population."

In a bid to improve the livelihood of older people, the Abhisit government recently launched a life-long 500-baht monthly subsidy for more than 5 million people aged over 60.

Social advocates lauded the scheme but expressed concern that a number of the elderly missed out.

People's Network for Welfare State spokeswoman Boonyuen Siritham said more than a million elderly had been excluded from the scheme because they missed the registration deadline.

This was because they were too old and lived too far from the registration units. Many live in isolated areas and did not hear about the policy, she said.

"The policy does not cover all older people in the country, and could not bring them out of poverty because the 500-baht monthly allowance is too small," Ms Boonyuen said.

She said the amount should at least be on a par with the poverty line of 1,443 baht per month.

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