Thais spend nearly 7 years living with illness, disability

The Thai Health Report 2026 reveals that people in Thailand will spend an average of 6.9 years with illness or disability as they age, emphasizing the escalating strain on the country's healthcare and long-term care infrastructure. This statistic underscores the urgent need for reforms to manage the increasing burden of chronic diseases and disabilities, which will likely result in greater demand for medical services and support systems. As the population ages, these findings highlight the importance of investing in preventive healthcare and improving the efficiency of existing healthcare resources.