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Thais Living Longer says UNDP Report - But progress may be short-lived
Bangkok 7 September: Thailand jumps three places from 76 to 73 in the rankings of this year’s Human Development Index featured in the annual Human Development Report released today by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP). The Human Development Index measures health status, educational achievements and average incomes in 177 countries.
Thailand’s jump in the world ranking since last year is partly the result of an increase in per capita income (adjusted for purchasing power) from USD 7,010 to USD 7,595.
Another reason for the jump in the ranking is a small increase in life expectancy from 69 to 70 years, which is attributed to a revised assessment of the impact of HIV/AIDS on mortality among children and young adults.
Thailand experienced a major peak in HIV in infections in the 1990-1991. In view of the delayed onset of AIDS-related illness and death of eight to ten years after infection, a corresponding peak in AIDS-related mortality took place around 2000-2001, and the number of people dying every year of AIDS has fallen slightly since then.
“This rise in life expectancy could be reversed,” says Hakan Bjorkman, UNDP Deputy Resident Representative in Thailand. “Since last year, there are clear indications that HIV/AIDS is on the move again in Thailand. Without a massive reinvigoration of Thailand’s prevention campaign, the epidemic may come back with a vengeance.”
The spread of HIV is now accelerating among specific vulnerable groups such as young gay men, informal sex workers, injecting drug users, and migrant workers, especially those working in the fishing industry in the South, according to recent UN findings. Young people in general are also believed to be increasingly at risk of HIV, especially as national prevention efforts have faded out of view and condom use is very low.
Despite the small fall in AIDS-related deaths, HIV/AIDS is still the leading cause of death among young people in Thailand. Last year over 50,000 people died of HIV/AIDS last year, more than twice the number of people killed in traffic accidents.
Across Asia, Thailand’s 73rd place in this years Human Development Index compares with Japan taking the lead in 11th place; Singapore 25th, South Korea 28th, Malaysia 61st ; Philippines 84th; China 85th; Viet Nam 108th; Indonesia 110th; Myanmar 129th; Cambodia 130th; and Lao People’s Democratic Republic 133rd.
On a global scale Norway, Iceland, and Australia are the top three while Burkina Faso, Sierra Leone and Niger were in last places.
For more information please contact UNDP Thailand Communications:
Punnipa Ruangtorsak, (+66) 02-288-2130,
punnipa.ruangtorsak@undp.org
Dennis Duncan, (+66) 02-288-2646, dennis.duncan@undp.org