Indicator 2.1 Mean Years of Schooling of Population 15 Years and over  
     
•
 Mean years of schooling is an overall indicator of the population’s potential for human and social development. It also reflects the society’s capacity to provide an adequate and equal opportunity for education.  
   
  Mean years of schooling  
     
•
 Mean years of schooling of population 15 years and over increased from 8.2 in 2005 to 8.3 in 2006. Men were slightly better off than women. But the largest gap was between the urban and rural areas. Bangkok had the highest mean years of schooling, and women had more years in school than men. The Northeast lagged behind other regions.  
•
    
•
 Mean years of schooling of population 15 years and over by sex, administrative area, and region  
     
   
•
    
•
Mean years of schooling of population 15 years and over
2005
2006
male female total male female total
Whole Kingdom 8.3 8.1 8.2 8.4 8.2 8.3
municipal area 10.1 9.9 10.0 10.1 10.0 10.0
non-municipal area 7.5 7.2 7.3 7.6 7.3 7.5
Bangkok Metropolis 11.0 10.7 10.8 10.9 11.1 11.0
municipal area 11.0 10.7 10.8 10.9 11.1 11.0
Central Region 8.6 8.4 8.5 8.7 8.4 8.6
municipal area 9.8 9.5 9.6 9.7 9.4 9.5
non-municipal area 8.0 7.8 7.9 8.2 8.0 8.1
Northern Region 7.7 7.5 7.6 7.8 7.5 7.7
municipal area 9.5 9.1 9.3 9.5 9.2 9.3
non-municipal area 7.2 7.1 7.2 7.4 7.1 7.2
Northeastern Region 7.4 7.0 7.2 7.6 7.2 7.4
municipal area 9.4 9.0 9.2 9.6 9.1 9.4
non-municipal area 7.1 6.7 6.9 7.2 6.8 7.0
Southern Region 8.4 8.5 8.4 8.5 8.4 8.4
municipal area 9.9 10.0 9.9 9.9 9.8 9.9
non-municipal area 8.0 8.0 8.0 8.0 7.9 8.0
 
     
  Indicator 2.2 Gross Enrolment Rate  
     
•
 Gross enrolment rate shows the government’s capacity to provide access to education to children and the youth in every area of the country.  
     
•
 Gross enrolment rate by education level  
     
   
     
  Indicator 2.3 Female and Male Gross Enrolment Rates  
     
•
 Gross enrolment rates by sex is a measure of equal access and opportunity for education of girls and boys as well as the government’s capacity to provide education to children and youths in every part of the country.  
     
  Enrolment rates of girls and boys  
     
• Girls and boys in Thailand have equal access and opportunity for education. The nine-year mandatory education has mobilized all children and youth into the school system to complete lower secondary education. As a consequence, the enrolment rates for both sexes at the primary and lower secondary levels were very high. The rates dropped off at the upper secondary and tertiary levels, where women scored higher enrolment rates.  
     
•
 Gross enrolment rate by sex, and education level  
   
Education level Education
age
group
2006 academic year
population (number)
students (number)
gross enrolement rate (%)
male
female
total
male
female
total
male
female
total
total
3-21
8,840,867
8,424,009
17,264,876
7,273,294
7,347,365
14,620,659
82.3
87.2
54.7
pre-primary level
3-5
1,215,348
1,146,766
2,362,114
910,500
861,690
1,772,190
74.9
75.1
75.00
primary level
6-11
2,826,694
2,678,900
5,505,594
2,941,634
2,754,827
5,696,461
104.1
12.8
103.5
lower secondary level
12-14
1,475,887
1,401,935
2,877,822
1,408,653
1,372,362
2,781,015
95.4
97.9
96.6
upper secondary level
15-17
1,454,705
1,386,807
2,841,512
873,936
995,098
1,869,034
60.1
71.8
65.8
tertiary level
18-21
1,868,233
1,809,601
3,677,834
1,138,571
1,363,388
2,501,959
60.9
75.3
68.0
 
Indicator 2.4 Retention Rate  
   
• Retention rate indicates the ability of students to stay in the school system. Some students may have to drop out of school, which represents lost opportunity for both the students and the society. Drop-out students face difficulties in obtaining and qualifying for good positions in the job market.  
     

Student retention

 
   
•
 During 1994-2005, retention rate at the primary level was 79.1%, a noticeable decline from 85.9% during 1991-2002. No significant change was observed at the lower and upper secondary levels.  
     
  66
Education level
1991 - 2002
1992 - 2003
academic
year
students
(number)
retention
rate (%)
academic
year
students
(number)
retention
rate (%)
Grade 1
1991
1,235,292
100.0
1992
1,991,682
100.0
Grade 6
1996
1,0611,670
85.9
1997
962,475
80.8
Grade 9
1999
774,625
62.7
2000
764,866
64.2
Grade 12
2002
522,415
42..3
2003
510,807
42.9
 
Education level
1993 - 2004
1994 - 2005
academic
year
students
(number)
retention
rate (%)
academic
year
students
(number)
retention
rate (%)
Grade 1
1993
1,211,568
100.0
1994
1,150,902
100.0
Grade 6
1998
927,591
76.6
1999
910,026
79.1
Grade 9
2001
741,816
61.2
2002
770,883
64.4
Grade 12
2003
491,427
40.6
2004
482,730
41..9
 
 

Indicator 2.5 Ratio of Female to Male Students in Selected Subjects of Tertiary Education

 
     
•

Ratio of female to male students in tertiary education indicates the equality of access and opportunity in higher education. The predominance of male or female students in selected subjects may reflect unequal opportunity, preferences, or the influence of social perception on gender roles.

 
     
 

Tertiary education

 
   
• In tertiary education, women outnumbered men in Humanities, Religion and Theology, Medicine and related subjects, Social Science, Education, and Teaching. Men outnumbered women in Engineering, Law, Agriculture, Forestry and Fishery, Fine and Applied Arts. In recent years, more women chose to study Law while more men were enrolled in Humanities, Religion and Theology, Medicine and related subjects.  
     
•
 Ratio of female to male students in selected subjects in tertiary education  
     
 
Tertiary education classified by ISCED
1997
1998
1999
male(number)
female(number)
total(number)
female/male ratio
male(number)
female(number)
total(number)
female/male ratio
male(number)
female(number)
total(number)
female/male ratio
Total 368,788 380,734 749,522 1.03 391,671 416,429 808,100 1.06 395,471 432,564 828,035 1.09
1. Teacher training and education science 24,082 32,900 56,982 1.37 25,771 37,481 63,252 1.45 27,608 41,792 69,400 1.51
2. Humanities, religion and theology 4,672 17,368 22,040 3.72 5,771 20,143 25,914 3.49 6,304 21,887 28,191 3.47
3. Fine and Applied Arts 1,838 1,481 3,319 0.81 2,785 2,115 4,900 0.76 3,109 2,292 5,401 0.74
4. Law 85,289 21,520 106,809 0.25 87,484 26,320 113,804 0.30 85,569 29,965 115,534 0.35
5. Social sciences and business 161,229 224,324 385,553 1.39 168,000 240,117 408,117 1.43 167,101 241,193 408,294 1.44
Social and behavioural science 83,878 56,540 140,418 0.67 92,155 66,644 158,799 0.72 93,956 72,487 166,443 0.77
Business and administration 60,722 132,351 193,073 2.18 58,230 135,611 193,841 2.33 55,822 130,678 186,500 2.34
Journalism and information 16,277 31,336 47,613 1.93 17,226 33,851 51,077 1.97 16,859 33,982 50,841 2.02
Home economics 352 4,097 4,449 11.64 389 4,011 4,400 10.31 464 4,046 4,510 8.72
6. Natural sciences 21,878 22,229 44,107 1.02 28,354 26,715 55,069 0.94 27,695 29,094 56,789 1.05
Natural sciences 10,142 12,055 22,197 1.19 14,763 15,724 30,487 1.07 14,524 17,775 32,299 1.22
Mathematics, statistics and Computer science 11,736 10,174 21,910 0.87 13,591 10,991 24,582 0.81 13,171 11,319 24,490 0.86
7. Medicine and related subjects 14,484 40,849 55,333 2.82 16,232 41,761 57,993 2.57 16,945 43,164 60,109 2.55
8. Engineering 38,376 7,147 45,523 0.19 40,606 8,096 48,702 0.20 44,194 8,525 52,719 0.19
Engineering 36,606 6,262 42,868 0.17 38,368 7,042 45,410 0.18 41,686 7,401 49,087 0.18
Architecture and town planning 1,770 885 2,655 0.50 2,238 1,054 3,292 0.47 2,508 1,124 3,632 0.45
9. Agriculture, forestry and fishery 15,311 11,249 26,560 0.73 16,191 13,037 29,228 0.81 16,367 13,782 30,149 0.84
10. Not known or unspecified 1,629 1,667 3,296 1.02 477 644 1,121 1.35 579 870 1,449 1.50
 
   
•
 Ratio of female to male students in selected subjects of tertiary education  
   
 
Tertiary education classified by ISCED
2000
2001
2002
male(number)
female(number)
total(number)
female/male ratio
male(number)
female(number)
total(number)
female/male ratio
male(number)
female(number)
total(number)
female/male ratio
Total 416,025 467,048 883,073 1.12 441,586 509,929 951,515 1.15 474,516 546,417 1,020,933 1.15
1. Teacher training and education science 33,227 50,064 83,291 1.51 33,406 56,585 89,991 1.69 33,415 52,341 85,756 1.57
2. Humanities, religion and theology 7,120 24,282 31,402 3.41 7,974 27,161 35,135 3.41 9,269 30,814 40,083 3.32
3. Fine and Applied Arts 3,366 2,537 5,903 0.75 3,487 2,664 6,151 0.76 3,674 3,016 6,690 0.82
4. Law 87,260 34,585 121,845 0.40 92,203 41,157 133,360 0.45 100,535 48,211 148,746 0.48
5. Social sciences and business 173,833 257,108 430,941 1.48 190,071 280,840 470,911 1.48 202,735 299,590 502,325 1.48
Social and behavioural science 100,244 82,900 183,144 0.83 112,420 93,635 206,055 0.83 121,267 117,208 238,475 0.97
Business and administration 56,145 135,584 191,729 2.41 60,210 146,851 207,061 2.44 63,972 156,599 220,571 2.45
Journalism and information 16,958 34,497 51,455 2.03 16,852 35,633 52,485 2.11 17,000 35,474 52,474 2.09
Home economics 486 4,127 4,613 8.49 589 4,721 5,310 8.02 550 4,149 4,699 7.54
6. Natural sciences 29,401 30,751 60,152 1.05 31,304 32,740 64,044 1.05 32,828 35,071 67,899 1.07
Natural sciences 15,838 19,830 35,668 1.25 16,586 20,471 37,057 1.23 16,128 21,685 37,813 1.34
Mathematics, statistics and Computer science 13,563 10,921 24,484 0.81 14,718 12,269 26,987 0.83 16,700 13,386 30,086 0.80
7. Medicine and related subjects 17,070 41,904 58,974 2.45 16,717 40,693 57,410 2.43 16,596 40,474 57,070 2.44
8. Engineering 46,905 9,124 56,029 0.19 47,500 9,634 57,134 0.20 50,958 10,906 61,864 0.21
Engineering 44,036 7,856 51,892 0.18 44,394 8,273 52,667 0.19 47,787 9,459 57,246 0.20
Architecture and town planning 2,869 1,268 4,137 0.44 3,106 1,361 4,467 0.44 3,171 1,447 4,618 0.46
9. Agriculture, forestry and fishery 17,206 15,653 32,859 0.91 18,280 17,433 35,713 0.95 17,917 18,697 36,614 1.04
10. Not known or unspecified 637 1,040 1,677 1.63 644 1,022 1,666 1.59 6,589 7,297 13,886 1.11
 
     
 

Indicator 2.6 Ratio of Women to Men in ICT Occupations

 
     
•

Ratio of women to men in ICT occupations indicates the degree of access and participation of men and women in ICT sector, which is the fast-growing and significant driving force of the economy.

 
     
 

ICT occupations

 
     
•

In 2006, ratio of women to men in ICT occupations was very low at 0.12. In the high-skilled group, largely those in computer and computer-related works, the ratio was 0.51. In the low-skilled group, largely electrical and electronic equipment mechanics and fitters, the ratio was 0.02.

 
     
• ICT occupations by sex, and category of work  
     
 
Category of ICT work 2003 2004
total(number) male(number) female(number) female/male ratio total(number) male(number) female(number) female/male ratio
Total 320,048 291,172 28,875 0.10 339,615 300,906 38,709 0.13
1. High skilled ICT - related occupations 77,529 54,153 23,376 0.43 92,102 58,022 34,079 0.59
COMPUTING PROFESSIONALS 20,241 14,057 6,183 0.44 28,996 17,973 11,023 0.61
- Computer systems designers and analysts 4,724 3,089 1,635 0.53 6,419 3,808 2,611 0.69
- Computer programmers 11,093 8,157 2,936 0.36 17,062 10,501 6,561 0.62
- Computing professionals not elsewhere classified 4,424 2,812 1,612 0.57 5,515 3,663 1,851 0.51
COMPUTER ASSOCIATE PROFESSIONALS 21,795 12,220 9,575 0.78 24,949 12,523 12,426 0.99
- Computer assistants 9,182 4,754 4,428 0.93 9,347 4,433 4,914 1.11
- Computer equipment operators 12,613 7,467 5,146 0.69 15,355 7,868 7,487 0.95
- Industrial robot controllers - - - - 247 223 25 0.11
OPTICAL AND ELECTRONIC EQUIPMENT OPERATORS 35,493 27,875 7,618 0.27 38,157 27,526 10,630 0.39
- Photographers and image and sound recording equipment operators 17,566 12,207 5,359 0.44 19,755 13,701 6,054 0.44
- Broadcasting and telecommunications equipment operators 15,759 13,887 1,872 0.13 13,859 11,574 2,285 0.20
- Medical equipment operators 2,168 1,781 387 0.22 4,542 2,251 2,291 1.02
- Optical and electronic equipment operators not elsewhere classification - - - - - - - -
2. Low skilled ICT occupations 242,519 237,019 5,499 0.02 247,513 242,884 4,629 0.02
ELECTRICAL AND ELECTRONIC EQUIPMENT MECHANICS AND FITTERS 242,519 237,019 5,499 0.02 247,513 242,884 4,629 0.02
- Electrical mechanics and fitters 148,205 145,050 3,155 0.02 160,504 158,148 2,356 0.01
- Electronics fitters 2,938 2,747 191 0.07 3,701 3,538 163 0.05
- Electronics mechanics and servicers 46,978 44,970 2,008 0.04 42,283 40,968 1,315 0.03
- Telegraph and telephone installers and servicers 20,043 19,976 68 0.00 18,810 18,161 649 0.04
- Electrical line installers, repairers and cable jointers 24,355 24,277 78 0.00 22,215 22,069 147 0.66
 
     
 
Category of ICT work 2005 2006
total(number) male(number) female(number) female/male ratio total(number) male(number) female(number) female/male ratio
Total 348,081 307,611 40,471 0.13 359,328 320,635 38,692 0.12
1. High skilled ICT - related occupations 103,222 67,009 36,214 0.54 99,204 65,916 33,288 0.51
COMPUTING PROFESSIONALS 34,405 19,699 14,706 0.75 30,055 20,890 9,165 0.44
- Computer systems designers and analysts 7,579 3,717 3,862 1.04 6,965 5,253 1,712 0.33
- Computer programmers 22,647 13,338 9,309 0.70 18,509 12,555 5,954 0.47
- Computing professionals not elsewhere classified 4,179 2,644 1,534 0.58 4,581 3,082 1,499 0.49
COMPUTER ASSOCIATE PROFESSIONALS 30,364 17,148 13,215 0.77 33,002 17,058 15,944 0.93
- Computer assistants 9,741 6,934 2,807 0.40 12,050 7,372 4,679 0.63
- Computer equipment operators 20,573 10,215 10,359 1.01 20,864 9,599 11,265 1.17
- Industrial robot controllers 49 - 49 - 87 87 - -
OPTICAL AND ELECTRONIC EQUIPMENT OPERATORS 38,454 30,162 8,293 0.27 36,147 27,968 8,180 0.29
- Photographers and image and sound recording equipment operators 17,035 13,395 3,640 0.27 19,005 14,332 4,674 0.33
- Broadcasting and telecommunications equipment operators 13,855 12,027 1,828 0.15 12,771 10,949 1,823 0.17
- Medical equipment operators 7,440 4,615 2,825 0.61 4,371 2,687 1,683 0.63
- Optical and electronic equipment operators not elsewhere classification 125 125 - - - - - -
2. Low skilled ICT occupations 244,859 240,602 4,257 0.02 260,124 254,719 5,404 0.02
ELECTRICAL AND ELECTRONIC EQUIPMENT MECHANICS AND FITTERS 244,859 240,602 4,257 0.02 260,124 254,719 5,404 0.02
- Electrical mechanics and fitters 169,003 166,587 2,416 0.01 172,738 169,378 3,360 0.02
- Electronics fitters 2,655 2,363 292 0.12 2,019 1,873 146 0.08
- Electronics mechanics and servicers 43,366 42,368 997 0.02 48,269 46,741 1,528 0.03
- Telegraph and telephone installers and servicers 10,152 10,097 54 0.01 13,857 13,542 315 0.02
- Electrical line installers, repairers and cable jointers 19,685 19,187 498 0.03 23,241 23,186 56 0.00
 
     
 

Indicator 2.7 Computer Literacy Rate among Population 6 Years and over

 
     
• Computer literacy rate shows the level of access to and use of computer by population in various areas of the country. Computer has become a very crucial learning, occupational, and communication tools. Computer illiteracy may be due to the lack of infrastructure (electricity), socio-economic constraints, or the lack of awareness and learning opportunity.  
     
 

Computer literacy rate

 
     
• Computer literacy rate among population 6 years and over was only 25.9% in 2006. Men and women had equal access to and use of computer in every region, except for the South where women fared better than men. But the urban-rural gap was noticeably large.  
     
• Computer literacy rate among population 6 years and over by sex, administrative area, and region  
     
 
Computer literacy rate 2005 (3rd quarter)
population 6 years and over (number) population 6 years and over havingused computer (number) computer literacy rate(%)
total male female total male female total male female
Whole Kingdom 59,081,233 28,911,988 30,169,245 14,450,070 7,080,247 7,369,823 24.5 24.5 24.4
municipal area 17,931,978 8,547,775 9,384,203 6,359,285 3,089,715 3,269,570 35.5 36.1 34.8
non-municipal area 41,149,255 20,364,213 20,785,042 8,090,785 3,990,532 4,100,254 19.7 19.6 19.7
Bangkok Metropolis 6,297,353 2,947,405 3,349,948 2,446,292 1,166,992 1,279,299 38.8 39.6 38.2
municipal area 6,297,353 2,947,405 3,349,948 2,446,292 1,166,992 1,279,299 38.8 39.6 38.2
Central Region 14,390,826 7,010,951 7,379,874 3,604,337 1,762,749 1,841,588 25.0 25.1 25.0
municipal area 4,709,773 2,253,338 2,456,435 1,495,961 746,314 749,647 31.8 33.1 30.5
non-municipal area 9,681,052 4,757,613 4,923,439 2,108,375 1,016,435 1,091,940 21.8 21.4 22.2
Northern Region 10,800,537 5,299,567 5,500,970 2,605,373 1,288,853 1,316,520 24.1 24.3 23.9
municipal area 2,093,328 994,572 1,098,755 758,167 370,665 387,501 36.2 37.3 35.3
non-municipal area 8,707,209 4,304,994 4,402,214 1,847,207 918,188 929,019 21.2 21.3 21.1
Northeastern Region 19,742,246 9,785,827 9,956,420 3,907,806 1,966,678 1,941,128 19.8 20.1 19.5
municipal area 2,976,896 1,451,893 1,525,002 1,001,819 490,513 511,306 33.7 33.8 33.5
non-municipal area 16,765,351 8,333,933 8,431,417 2,905,987 1,476,165 1,429,822 17.3 17.7 17.0
Southern Region 7,850,271 3,868,238 3,982,033 1,886,263 894,975 991,288 24.0 23.1 24.9
municipal area 1,854,628 900,567 954,062 657,046 315,231 341,815 35.4 35.0 35.8
non-municipal area 5,995,643 2,967,672 3,027,972 1,229,216 579,744 649,472 20.5 19.5 21.4
 
 
Computer literacy rate 2006 (3rd quarter)
population 6 years and over (number) population 6 years and over havingused computer (number) computer literacy rate(%)
total male female total male female total male female
Whole Kingdom 59,508,623 29,107,166 30,401,457 15,392,496 7,529,274 7,863,222 25.9 25.9 25.9
municipal area 18,154,653 8,846,597 9,508,056 6,588,789 3,199,547 3,389,242 36.3 36.2 35.6
non-municipal area 41,353,970 20,460,570 20,893,400 8,803,789 4,329,727 4,473,980 21.3 21.2 21.4
Bangkok Metropolis 6,345,725 2,965,940 3,379,785 2,516,848 1,194,350 1,322,498 39.7 40.3 39.1
municipal area 6,345,725 2,965,940 3,379,785 2,516,848 1,194,350 1,322,498 39.7 40.3 39.1
Central Region 14,587,175 7,105,655 7,481,520 3,827,002 1879687 1,947,315 26.2 26.5 26.0
municipal area 4,774,438 2,281,854 2,492,584 1,535,949 760,032 775,917 32.2 33.3 31.1
non-municipal area 9,812,737 4,823,801 4,988,936 2,291,054 1,119,655 1,171,399 23.3 23.2 23.5
Northern Region 10,789,691 5,290,717 5,498,974 2,804,839 1,405,548 1,399,291 26.0 26.6 25.4
municipal area 2,094,726 993,844 1,100,881 969,038 375,187 391,851 46.3 37.8 35.6
non-municipal area 8,694,965 4,296,872 4,398,092 2,037,801 1,030,361 1,007,440 23.4 24.0 22.9
Northeastern Region 19,847,840 9,835,736 10,012,104 4,264,587 2,116,363 2,148,223 21.5 21.5 21.5
municipal area 3,069,135 1,496,275 1,570,860 1,094,468 544,749 549,719 35.7 36.4 35.0
non-municipal area 16,778,705 8,337,460 8,441,244 3,170,119 1,571,614 1,598,505 18.9 18.9 18.9
Southern Region 7,938,192 3,909,119 4,029,073 1,979,220 933,326 1,045,894 24.9 23.9 26.0
municipal area 1,870,629 906,684 963,945 674,486 325,229 349,258 36.1 35.9 36.2
non-municipal area 6,067,563 3,002,436 3,065,128 1,304,734 608,098 696,636 21.5 20.3 22.7
 
     
 

Indicator 2.8 Internet Literacy Rate among Population 6 Years and over

 
     
• Internet literacy rate shows the level of access to and use of internet by population in various areas of the country. Internet has become a very important learning, occupational, and communication tools. Lack of internet access may be due to the lack of infrastructure (telephone lines), socioeconomic constraints, or the lack of awareness and opportunity.  
     
 

Internet literacy rate

 
     
•

Population 6 years and over having used internet increased from 12% to 14.2% during 2005-2006. Women had higher literacy rate than men in every region except for Bangkok where men’s rate was slightly higher. Urban population had higher literacy rate than rural population.

 
     
• Internet literacy rate among population 6 years and over by sex, administrative area and region  
     
 
Internet literacy rate 2005 (3rd quarter)
population 6 years and over (number) population 6 years and over having usedinternet (number) internet literacy rate (%)
total male female total male female total male female
Whole Kingdom 59,081,233 28,911,988 30,169,245 7,084,201 3,406,118 3,678,083 12.0 11.8 12.2
municipal area 17,931,978 8,547,775 9,384,203 3,807,055 1,862,856 1,944,199 21.2 21.8 20.7
non-municipal area 41,149,255 20,364,213 20,785,042 3,277,146 1,543,262 1,733,884 8.0 7.6 8.3
Bangkok Metropolis 6,297,353 2,947,405 3,349,948 1,630,752 793,428 837,324 25.9 26.9 25.0
municipal area 6,297,353 2,947,405 3,349,948 1,630,752 793,428 837,324 25.9 26.9 25.0
Central Region 14,390,826 7,010,951 7,379,874 1,706,396 814,471 891,925 11.9 11.6 12.1
municipal area 4,709,773 2,253,338 2,456,435 811,923 412,676 399,248 17.2 18.3 16.3
non-municipal area 9,681,052 4,757,613 4,923,439 894,473 401,796 492,678 9.2 8.4 10.0
Northern Region 10,800,537 5,299,567 5,500,970 1,285,577 650,180 635,397 11.9 12.3 11.6
municipal area 2,093,328 994,572 1,098,755 447,746 222,240 225,506 21.4 22.3 20.5
non-municipal area 8,707,209 4,304,994 4,402,214 837,830 427,940 409,891 9.6 9.9 9.3
Northeastern Region 19,742,246 9,785,827 9,956,420 1,660,707 790,906 869,801 8.4 8.1 8.7
municipal area 2,976,896 1,451,893 1,525,002 569,181 275,776 293,405 19.1 19.0 19.2
non-municipal area 16,765,351 8,333,933 8,431,417 1,091,526 515,129 576,397 6.5 6.2 6.8
Southern Region 7,850,271 3,868,238 3,982,033 800,769 357,133 443,636 10.2 9.2 11.1
municipal area 1,854,628 900,567 954,062 347,453 158,736 188,717 18.7 17.6 19.8
non-municipal area 5,995,643 2,967,672 3,027,972 453,316 198,397 254,919 7.6 6.7 8.4
 
     
 
Internet literacy rate 2006 (3rd quarter)
population 6 years and over (number) population 6 years and over having usedinternet (number) internet literacy rate (%)
total male female total male female total male female
Whole Kingdom 59,508,623 29,107,166 30,401,457 8,465,823 4,034,162 4,431,661 14.2 13.9 14.6
municipal area 18,154,653 8,846,597 9,508,056 4,242,901 2,046,916 2,195,985 23.4 23.1 23.1
non-municipal area 41,353,970 20,460,570 20,893,400 4,222,921 1,987,245 2,235,676 10.2 9.7 10.7
Bangkok Metropolis 6,345,725 2,965,940 3,379,785 1,774,375 841,332 933,042 28.0 28.4 27.6
municipal area 6,345,725 2,965,940 3,379,785 1,774,375 841,332 933,042 28.0 28.4 27.6
Central Region 14,587,175 7,105,655 7,481,520 2,028,575 975,613 1,052,962 13.9 13.7 14.1
municipal area 4,774,438 2,281,854 2,492,584 908,175 446,544 461,631 19.0 19.6 18.5
non-municipal area 9,812,737 4,823,801 4,988,936 1,120,400 529,069 591,330 11.4 11.0 11.9
Northern Region 10,789,691 5,290,717 5,498,974 1,581,412 773,989 807,423 14.7 14.6 14.7
municipal area 2,094,726 993,844 1,100,881 499,214 242,204 257,010 23.8 24.4 23.3
non-municipal area 8,694,965 4,296,872 4,398,092 1,082,198 531,785 550,413 12.4 12.4 12.5
Northeastern Region 19,847,840 9,835,736 10,012,104 2,103,780 1,004,014 1,099,766 10.6 10.2 11.0
municipal area 3,069,135 1,496,275 1,570,860 662,845 327,272 335,573 21.6 21.9 21.4
non-municipal area 16,778,705 8,337,460 8,441,244 1,440,936 676,743 764,193 8.6 8.1 9.1
Southern Region 7,938,192 3,909,119 4,029,073 977,680 439,213 538,467 12.3 11.2 13.4
municipal area 1,870,629 906,684 963,945 398,292 189,565 208,727 21.3 20.9 21.7
non-municipal area 6,067,563 3,002,436 3,065,128 579,388 249,648 329,740 9.5 8.3 10.8
 
     
 

Indicator 2.9 ICT Literacy Rate among Population 15-25 Years Old

 
     
• Computer Literacy Rate among Population 15-25 Years Old Computer literacy is specially important for the youth as they prepare themselves for higher education or the job market.  
     
 

Youth computer literacy

 
     
• Population 15-24 years old having computer skills was 48.9% and 50.4% in 2005 and 2006, respectively. Women posed higher computer literacy rate than men throughout the country. The rate was highest among the Bangkok youth. In the South, more women than men used computer. In every region, computer was more extensively used among urban youth, compared with their rural peers.  
     
• Computer literacy rate among population 15-24 years old by sex, administrative area, and region  
     
 
Computer literacy rate 2005 (3rd quarter)
Population 15-24 years old (number) Population 15-24 years oldhaving used computer (number) computer literacy rate (%)
male female total male female total male female total
Whole Kingdom 5,380,611 5,197,142 10,577,753 2,470,733 2,699,023 5,169,756 45.9 51.9 48.9
municipal area 1,543,693 1,584,842 3,128,534 884,983 1,003,031 1,888,014 57.3 63.3 60.3
non-municipal area 3,836,919 3,612,301 7,449,219 1,585,750 1,695,992 3,281,742 41.3 47.0 44.1
Bangkok Metropolis 484,462 523,943 1,008,405 298,727 348,566 647,293 61.7 66.5 64.2
municipal area 484,462 523,943 1,008,405 298,727 348,566 647,293 61.7 66.5 64.2
Central Region 1,301,257 1,254,258 2,555,514 543,362 624,356 1,167,718 41.8 49.8 45.7
municipal area 421,268 423,853 845,121 213,647 234,836 448,483 50.7 55.4 53.1
non-municipal area 879,989 830,405 1,710,394 329,715 389,520 719,235 37.5 46.9 42.1
Northern Region 920,402 896,185 1,816,587 468,735 480,747 949,481 50.9 53.6 52.3
municipal area 171,204 177,640 348,844 114,651 120,782 235,434 67.0 68.0 67.5
non-municipal area 749,198 718,545 1,467,743 354,084 359,964 714,048 47.3 50.1 48.6
Northeastern Region 1,868,786 1,744,504 3,613,290 830,576 849,420 1,679,996 44.4 48.7 46.5
municipal area 279,251 271,477 550,728 160,957 178,742 339,699 57.6 65.8 61.7
non-municipal area 1,589,535 1,473,027 3,062,562 669,619 670,678 1,340,297 42.1 45.5 43.8
Southern Region 805,705 778,253 1,583,958 329,333 395,935 725,268 40.9 50.9 45.8
municipal area 187,508 187,929 375,437 97,000 120,105 217,105 51.7 63.9 57.8
non-municipal area 618,197 590,324 1,208,521 232,333 275,830 508,163 37.6 46.7 42.0
 
 
Computer literacy rate 2006 (3rd quarter)
Population 15-24 years old (number) Population 15-24 years oldhaving used computer (number) computer literacy rate (%)
male female total male female total male female total
Whole Kingdom 5,373,087 5,182,336 10,555,423 2,549,705 2,772,638 5,322,342 47.5 53.5 50.4
municipal area 1,534,922 1,570,278 3,105,199 901,574 949,414 1,850,989 58.7 60.5 59.6
non-municipal area 3,838,166 3,612,059 7,450,224 1,648,130 1,823,223 3,471,354 42.9 50.5 46.6
Bangkok Metropolis 466,890 500,544 967,434 294,631 294,121 588,752 63.1 58.8 60.9
municipal area 466,890 500,544 967,434 294,631 294,121 588,752 63.1 58.8 60.9
Central Region 1,302,145 1,251,714 2,553,858 561,888 615,031 1,176,918 43.2 49.1 46.1
municipal area 421,676 423,795 845,471 220,239 231,486 451,725 52.2 54.6 53.4
non-municipal area 880,469 827,919 1,708,388 341,649 383,544 725,193 38.8 46.3 42.4
Northern Region 919,682 894,969 1,814,651 503,271 524,867 1,028,138 54.7 58.6 56.7
municipal area 171,139 177,711 348,850 113,038 123,982 237,019 66.1 69.8 67.9
non-municipal area 748,543 717,258 1,465,801 390,233 400,885 791,119 52.1 55.9 54.0
Northeastern Region 1,873,627 1,752,837 3,626,464 861,754 917,014 1,778,768 46.0 52.3 49.0
municipal area 287,256 279,647 566,903 179,205 184,247 363,452 62.4 65.9 64.1
non-municipal area 1,586,371 1,473,190 3,059,561 682,549 732,768 1,415,316 43.0 49.7 46.3
Southern Region 810,744 782,273 1,593,017 328,161 421,604 749,765 40.5 53.9 47.1
municipal area 187,961 188,581 376,542 94,461 115,579 210,040 50.3 61.3 55.8
non-municipal area 622,783 593,692 1,216,475 233,700 306,026 539,725 37.5 51.5 44.4
 
     
 

Internet Literacy Rate among Population 15-24 Years Old

 
     
•

Internet literacy is specially important for the youth as they prepare themselves for higher education or the job market.

 
     
 

Youth internet literacy

 
     
• Internet literacy among population 15-24 years old increased from 31.3% to 36.5% during 20052006. Women had higher internet literacy rate than men in every region, except for Bangkok. The urban-rural gap cut across the regions.  
     
• Internet literacy rate among population 15-24 years old by sex, administrative area, and region 2) Internet literacy rate among population 15-24 years old by sex, administrative area, and region  
     
 
1) Internet literacy rate 2005 (3rd quarter)
Population 15-24 years old (number) Population 15-24 years oldhaving used internet (number) internet literacy rate(%)
male female total male female total male female total
Whole Kingdom 5,380,611 5,197,142 10,577,753 1,527,591 1,786,009 3,313,600 28.4 34.4 31.3
municipal area 1,543,693 1,584,842 3,128,534 658,540 758,177 1,416,717 42.7 47.8 45.3
non-municipal area 3,836,919 3,612,301 7,449,219 869,051 1,027,832 1,896,883 22.6 28.5 25.5
Bangkok Metropolis 484,462 523,943 1,008,405 241,134 278,737 519,871 49.8 53.2 51.6
municipal area 484,462 523,943 1,008,405 241,134 278,737 519,871 49.8 53.2 51.6
Central Region 1,301,257 1,254,258 2,555,514 317,380 409,081 726,461 24.4 32.6 28.4
municipal area 421,268 423,853 845,121 145,271 160,661 305,932 34.5 37.9 36.2
non-municipal area 879,989 830,405 1,710,394 172,110 248,419 420,529 19.6 29.9 24.6
Northern Region 920,402 896,185 1,816,587 350,115 339,883 689,998 38.0 37.9 38.0
municipal area 171,204 177,640 348,844 94,638 95,637 190,275 55.3 53.8 54.5
non-municipal area 749,198 718,545 1,467,743 255,477 244,246 499,723 34.1 34.0 34.0
Northeastern Region 1,868,786 1,744,504 3,613,290 452,994 523,075 976,069 24.2 30.0 27.0
municipal area 279,251 271,477 550,728 119,751 136,480 256,230 42.9 50.3 46.5
non-municipal area 1,589,535 1,473,027 3,062,562 333,244 386,595 719,839 21.0 26.2 23.5
Southern Region 805,705 778,253 1,583,958 165,967 235,234 401,200 20.6 30.2 25.3
municipal area 187,508 187,929 375,437 57,746 86,662 144,408 30.8 46.1 38.5
non-municipal area 618,197 590,324 1,208,521 108,221 148,572 256,793 17.5 25.2 21.2
 
 
1) Internet literacy rate 2006 (3rd quarter)
Population 15-24 years old (number) Population 15-24 years oldhaving used internet (number) internet literacyrate (%)
male female total male female total male female total
Whole Kingdom 5,373,087 5,182,336 10,555,423 1,803,104 2,050,471 3,853,575 33.6 39.6 36.5
municipal area 1,534,922 1,570,278 3,105,199 722,687 759,297 1,481,984 47.1 48.4 47.7
non-municipal area 3,838,166 3,612,059 7,450,224 1,080,417 1,291,173 2,371,590 28.1 35.7 31.8
Bangkok Metropolis 466,890 500,544 967,434 241,335 245,780 487,114 51.7 49.1 50.4
municipal area 466,890 500,544 967,434 241,335 245,780 487,114 51.7 49.1 50.4
Central Region 1,302,145 1,251,714 2,553,858 384,215 430,053 814,268 29.5 34.4 31.9
municipal area 421,676 423,795 845,471 166,547 173,574 340,121 39.5 41.0 40.2
non-municipal area 880,469 827,919 1,708,388 217,668 256,478 474,146 24.7 31.0 27.8
Northern Region 919,682 894,969 1,814,651 408,996 433,953 842,949 44.5 48.5 46.5
municipal area 171,139 177,711 348,850 98,653 107,320 205,973 57.6 60.4 59.0
non-municipal area 748,543 717,258 1,465,801 310,343 326,633 636,977 41.5 45.5 43.5
Northeastern Region 1,873,627 1,752,837 3,626,464 559,609 647,448 1,207,057 29.9 36.9 33.3
municipal area 287,256 279,647 566,903 139,593 144,097 283,690 48.6 51.5 50.0
non-municipal area 1,586,371 1,473,190 3,059,561 420,016 503,351 923,368 26.5 34.2 30.2
Southern Region 810,744 782,273 1,593,017 208,949 293,237 502,186 25.8 37.5 31.5
municipal area 187,961 188,581 376,542 76,560 88,527 165,087 40.7 46.9 43.8
non-municipal area 622,783 593,692 1,216,475 132,389 204,710 337,100 21.3 34.5 27.7
 
     
 

Indicator 2.10 Literacy Rate among Population 15-24 Years Old

 
     
• Literacy rate among population 15-24 years old indicates the potential for learning and self-development of the youth as they are becoming an important part of the national workforce.  
     
 

Youth literacy rate

 
 

 

  
• Literacy rate of population 15-24 years old was very high at 98.1% In general, women’s rate was slightly behind men’s, but the gap was minuscule. There was no significant difference between urban and rural population. The North was, however, lagging behind other regions, and the gender gap was largest there. On the contrary, Southern women had higher literacy rate than men.  
     
• Literacy rate among population 15-24 years old by sex, administrative area, and region  
     
 
Literacy rate 2000 2005
total male female total male female
population15-24 yearsold (inthousands) literate population15-24 yearsold (inthousands) literate population15-24 yearsold (inthousands) literate population15-24 yearsold (inthousands) literate population15-24 yearsold (inthousands) literate population15-24 yearsold (inthousands) literate
number (inthousands) Literacyrate(%) number (inthousands) Literacyrate(%) number (inthousands) Literacyrate(%) number (inthousands) Literacyrate(%) number (inthousands) Literacyrate(%) number (inthousands) Literacyrate(%)
Whole Kingdom 10,549.2 10,334.9 98.0 5,336.3 5,234.5 98.1 5,212.9 5,100.4 97.8 10,568.9 10,362.9 98.1 5,379.4 5,283.5 98.2 5,189.5 5,079.4 97.9
municipal area 3,539.0 3,496.3 98.8 1,718.9 1,698.6 98.8 1,820.1 1,797.7 98.8 3,129.3 3,084.3 98.6 1,544.5 1,524.5 98.7 1,584.8 1,559.7 98.4
non-municipal area 7,010.2 6,838.5 97.6 3,617.4 3,535.9 97.7 3,392.8 3,302.6 97.3 7,439.6 7,278.6 97.8 3,834.9 3,759.0 98.0 3,604.6 3,519.6 97.6
Bangkok Metropolis 1,297.3 1,287.9 99.3 615.2 610.9 99.3 682.1 677.0 99.2 1,012.0 1,000.1 98.8 486.0 482.1 99.2 526.0 517.8 98.4
municipal area 1,297.3 1,287.9 99.3 615.2 610.9 99.3 682.1 677.0 99.2 1,012.0 1,000.1 98.8 486.0 482.1 99.2 526.0 517.8 98.4
Central Region 2,519.6 2,480.9 98.5 1,268.9 1,250.3 98.5 1,250.7 1,230.6 98.4 2,555.8 2,527.6 98.9 1,301.3 1,290.7 99.2 1,254.6 1,236.7 98.6
municipal area 917.7 904.5 98.6 444.9 438.6 98.6 472.8 465.9 98.5 844.9 834.0 98.7 421.1 416.6 98.9 423.8 417.5 98.5
non-municipal area 1,601.9 1,576.4 98.4 824.0 811.7 98.5 777.9 764.7 98.3 1,710.9 1,693.6 99.0 880.1 874.2 99.3 830.8 819.3 98.6
Northern Region 1,771.1 1,675.3 94.6 905.3 862.3 95.2 865.9 813.1 93.9 1,805.7 1,734.4 96.1 918.5 889.1 96.8 887.2 845.4 95.3
municipal area 379.3 370.6 97.7 189.9 185.9 97.9 189.4 184.7 97.5 346.7 339.0 97.8 170.9 167.6 98.1 175.9 171.4 97.4
non-municipal area 1,391.8 1,304.7 93.7 715.3 676.3 94.5 676.5 628.4 92.9 1,459.0 1,395.3 95.6 747.7 721.5 96.5 711.3 674.0 94.8
Northeastern Region 3,494.4 3,460.0 99.0 1,805.3 1,787.9 99.0 1,689.1 1,672.1 99.0 3,612.3 3,551.7 98.3 1,868.4 1,834.3 98.2 1,743.9 1,717.4 98.5
municipal area 609.5 604.8 99.2 305.9 303.5 99.2 303.6 301.3 99.2 550.5 544.1 98.8 279.1 274.9 98.5 271.3 269.2 99.2
non-municipal area 2,884.9 2,855.3 99.0 1,499.5 1,484.4 99.0 1,385.4 1,370.9 98.9 3,061.7 3,007.6 98.2 1,589.3 1,559.4 98.1 1,472.6 1,448.2 98.3
Southern Region 1,466.8 1,430.6 97.5 741.6 723.1 97.5 725.2 707.5 97.6 1,583.2 1,549.2 97.9 805.3 787.1 97.7 777.9 762.1 98.0
municipal area 335.2 328.6 98.0 163.0 159.7 97.9 172.1 168.9 98.1 375.3 367.2 97.8 187.4 183.3 97.8 187.9 183.9 97.9
non-municipal area 1,131.6 1,102.1 97.4 578.6 563.4 97.4 553.1 538.6 97.4 1,207.9 1,182.0 97.9 617.9 603.9 97.7 590.2 578.1 97.9
 
     
 

Indicator 2.11 Literacy Rate among Population 40 Years and over

 
     
• Thais, especially the youth, have attained high literacy rate, as a result of the expansion of mandatory education and non-formal education to reach out to those who did not attend school during their childhood. Still, some population groups especially those over 40 years old may not be able to overcome the barriers, and have to face formidable challenges in self-improvement, working, taking care of one’s family, and entering into contractual agreements.  
     
 

Literacy rate among population 40 years and over

 
     
•

Population 40 years and over had 88.7% literacy rate. The rate was relatively low in the North and the South. The gender gap was more prominent than the urban-rural gap, and the largest gap was in the North and the South.

 
     
• Literacy rate among population 40 years old and over by sex, administrative area, and region  
     
 
Literacy rate
2000
2005
total
male
female
total
male
female
population40 years andover (inthousands)
literate
population40 years andover (inthousands)
literate
population40 years andover (inthousands)
literate
population40 years andover (inthousands)
literate
population40 years andover (inthousands)
literate
population40 years andover (inthousands)
literate
number (inthousands)
Literacyrate(%)
number (inthousands)
Literacyrate(%)
number (inthousands)
Literacyrate(%)
number (inthousands)
Literacyrate(%)
number (inthousands)
Literacyrate(%)
number (inthousands)
Literacyrate(%)
Whole Kingdom 19,330.3 16,732.5 86.6 9,179.8 8,371.8 91.2 10,150.4 8,360.7 82.4 22,943.6 20,360.7 88.7 10,822.7 10,036.2 92.7 12,120.9 10,324.5 85.2
municipal area 6,051.8 5,475.5 90.5 2,810.3 2,646.0 94.2 3,241.6 2,829.5 87.3 6,837.5 6,368.4 93.1 3,145.0 3,016.3 95.9 3,692.5 3,352.0 90.8
non-municipal area 13,278.4 11,257.0 84.8 6,369.6 5,725.8 89.9 6,908.9 5,531.2 80.1 16,106.0 13,992.3 86.9 7,677.6 7,019.9 91.4 8,428.4 6,972.4 82.7
Bangkok Metropolis 1,940.2 1,774.8 91.5 889.8 844.2 94.9 1,050.4 930.6 88.6 2,400.0 2,280.2 95.0 1,086.0 1,055.1 97.2 1,314.0 1,225.1 93.2
municipal area 1,940.2 1,774.8 91.5 889.8 844.2 94.9 1,050.4 930.6 88.6 2,400.0 2,280.2 95.0 1,086.0 1,055.1 97.2 1,314.0 1,225.1 93.2
Central Region 4,546.0 4,034.3 88.7 2,131.0 2,000.7 93.9 2,415.0 2,033.6 84.2 5,434.6 4,945.2 91.0 2,523.5 2,401.3 95.2 2,911.1 2,544.0 87.4
municipal area 1,521.9 1,388.5 91.2 703.9 669.4 95.1 818.1 719.0 87.9 1,719.6 1,606.7 93.4 787.1 758.5 96.4 932.5 848.1 90.9
non-municipal area 3,024.1 2,645.8 87.5 1,427.1 1,331.2 93.3 1,597.0 1,314.6 82.3 3,714.9 3,338.7 89.9 1,736.4 1,642.8 94.6 1,978.7 1,695.9 85.7
Northern Region 4,085.9 3,218.2 78.8 1,972.5 1,671.3 84.7 2,113.4 1,546.9 73.2 4,735.6 3,918.2 82.7 2,278.7 2,006.1 88.0 2,456.9 1,912.1 77.8
municipal area 906.2 781.6 86.2 421.9 384.1 91.0 484.3 397.5 82.1 927.3 829.1 89.4 431.8 401.6 93.0 495.4 427.5 86.3
non-municipal area 3,179.7 2,436.6 76.6 1,550.6 1,287.2 83.0 1,629.1 1,149.4 70.6 3,808.3 3,089.1 81.1 1,846.9 1,604.5 86.9 1,961.4 1,484.5 75.7
Northeastern Region 6,408.4 5,793.5 90.4 3,058.8 2,877.1 94.1 3,349.6 2,916.5 87.1 7,584.8 6,825.5 90.0 3,611.2 3,380.3 93.6 3,973.7 3,445.3 86.7
municipal area 1,117.5 1,038.4 92.9 526.5 504.2 95.8 591.0 534.2 90.4 1,135.0 1,060.7 93.5 532.6 511.6 96.1 602.4 549.1 91.2
non-municipal area 5,290.8 4,755.1 89.9 2,532.3 2,372.9 93.7 2,758.5 2,382.3 86.4 6,449.8 5,764.8 89.4 3,078.6 2,868.7 93.2 3,371.2 2,896.1 85.9
Southern Region 2,349.8 1,911.6 81.4 1,127.7 978.5 86.8 1,222.1 933.1 76.4 2,788.6 2,391.6 85.8 1,323.3 1,193.5 90.2 1,465.3 1,198.0 81.8
municipal area 566.0 492.2 87.0 268.1 244.0 91.0 297.8 248.2 83.3 655.7 591.8 90.3 307.3 289.5 94.2 348.2 302.3 86.8
non-municipal area 1,783.8 1,419.4 79.6 859.6 734.5 85.4 924.2 684.9 74.1 2,132.9 1,799.7 84.4 1,015.9 903.9 89.0 1,117.1 895.7 80.2
 
     
 

Indicator 2.12 Literacy Rate among Population 15 years and over

 
     
•

This is commonly referred to as literacy of the workforce – one of the basic indicators of the quality of the workforce.

 
     
 

Literacy rate of population 15 years and over

 
     
•

Bangkok recorded the highest literacy rate among population 15 years and over, while the North came last. Men fared better than women in all regions. The largest gender gap was observed in the North.

 
     
• Literacy rate among population 15 years and over by sex, administrative area, and region  
     
 
Literacy rate amongpopulation 15 years andover 2000 2005
total male female total male female
population15 yearsand over (inthousands)
literate
population15 yearsand over (inthousands)
literate
population15 yearsand over (inthousands)
literate
population15 yearsand over (inthousands)
literate
population15 yearsand over (inthousands)
literate
population15 yearsand over (inthousands)
literate
number (inthousands)
Literacyrate(%)
number (inthousands)
Literacyrate(%)
number (inthousands)
Literacyrate(%)
number (inthousands)
Literacyrate(%)
Literacyrate(%)
number (inthousands)
Literacyrate(%)
number (inthousands)
Whole Kingdom 46,072.5 42,679.7 92.6 22,382.2 21,238.7 94.9 23,690.4 21,440.9 90.5 49,890.7 46,651.1 93.5 24,229.2 23,163.2 95.6 25,661.5 23,487.9 91.5
municipal area 15,099.5 14,371.0 95.2 7,142.7 6,914.6 96.8 7,956.9 7,456.4 93.7 15,494.8 14,895.5 96.1 7,320.9 7,137.9 97.5 8,174.0 7,757.5 94.9
non-municipal area 30,973.0 28,308.7 91.4 15,239.5 14,324.1 94.0 15,733.5 13,984.6 88.9 34,395.9 31,755.6 92.3 16,908.3 16,025.2 94.8 17,488 15,730 90.0
Bangkok Metropolis 5,242.1 5,040.6 96.2 2,442.6 2,382.9 97.6 2,799.5 2,657.7 94.9 5,630.0 5,473.2 97.2 2,606.0 2,561.0 98.3 3,024.0 2,912 96.3
municipal area 5,242.1 5,040.6 96.2 2,442.6 2,382.9 97.6 2,799.5 2,657.7 94.9 5,630.0 5,473.2 97.2 2,606.0 2,561.0 98.3 3,024.0 2,912 96.3
Central Region 11,057.4 10,399.4 94.0 5,334.1 5,145.7 96.5 5,723.4 5,253.7 91.8 12,425.9 11,817.8 95.1 6,003.6 5,837.6 97.2 6,422.4 5,980.1 93.1
municipal area 3,922.7 3,745.4 95.5 1,861.7 1,809.2 97.2 2,060.9 1,936.3 94.0 4,103.7 3,957.3 96.4 1,948.0 1,907.6 97.9 2,155.6 2,049.8 95.1
non-municipal area 7,134.8 6,654.0 93.3 3,472.4 3,336.6 96.1 3,662.4 3,317.4 90.6 8,322.2 7,860.7 94.5 4,055.5 3,930.1 96.9 4,266.9 3,930.5 92.1
Northern Region 8,754.9 7,541.8 86.1 4,287.2 3,839.7 89.6 4,467.7 3,702.1 82.9 9,082.1 8,024.7 88.4 4,450.5 4,078.4 91.6 4,631.6 3,946.5 85.2
municipal area 1,880.8 1,725.3 91.7 894.3 843.2 94.3 986.5 882.2 89.4 1,765.8 1,644.4 93.1 837.4 797.1 95.2 928.3 847.4 91.3
non-municipal area 6,874.2 5,816.5 84.6 3,392.9 2,996.6 88.3 3,481.2 2,819.9 81.0 7,316.4 6,380.2 87.2 3,613.2 3,281.3 90.8 3,703.1 3,099.0 83.7
Northeastern Region 15,183.7 14,424.7 95.0 7,461.6 7,218.5 96.7 7,722.0 7,206.2 93.3 16,267.0 15,341.9 94.3 8,002.6 7,693.3 96.1 8,264.6 7,648.7 92.5
municipal area 2,652.9 2,554.4 96.3 1,278.1 1,247.3 97.6 1,374.9 1,307.0 95.1 2,457.1 2,364.5 96.2 1,189.2 1,159.6 97.5 1,267.7 1,204.9 95.0
non-municipal area 12,530.8 11,870.3 94.7 6,183.6 5,971.2 96.6 6,347.2 5,899.2 92.9 13,810.0 12,977.5 94.0 6,813.2 6,533.8 95.9 6,997.0 6,443.7 92.1
Southern Region 5,834.4 5,273.1 90.4 2,856.7 2,651.8 92.8 2,977.8 2,621.3 88.0 6,485.7 5,993.5 92.4 3,166.6 2,992.8 94.5 3,319.1 3,000.7 90.4
municipal area 1,401.1 1,305.2 93.2 666.0 632.0 94.9 735.1 673.2 91.6 1,538.5 1,456.2 94.7 740.0 712.7 96.3 798.3 743.6 93.1
non-municipal area 4,433.3 3,967.9 89.5 2,190.6 2,019.8 92.2 2,242.7 1,948.1 86.9 4,947.2 4,537.2 91.7 2,426.6 2,280.1 94.0 2,520.9 2,256.9 89.5
 
     
  Indicator 2.13 Ratio of Women to Men in Occupational Training  
     
 

Occupational training

 
     
•

Ratio of women to men in the Ministry of Labour’s job training and skills development training increased from 0.72 in 2002 to 0.94 in 2006. The increase was most outstanding in the North and the Northeast. The number of women participating in training organized by the Ministry of Social Development and Human Security’s Protection and Occupation Centers increased during 20022004, but declined in 2005.

 
     
• Participants in occupational training by sex, and region  
     
 
Participants inoccupatonal training 2002 female/maleratio 2003 female/maleratio 2004 female/maleratio 2005 female/maleratio 2006 female/maleratio
total male female total male female total male female total male female total male female
Participants inoccupatonal trainingorganized by Ministry ofLabour 161,348 93,970 67,378 0.72 188,404 111,362 77,042 0.69 195,501 113,301 82,200 0.73 113,098 61,213 51,885 0.85 103,846 53,635 50,211 0.94
Bangkok Metropolis 1,575 1,199 376 0.31 3,241 2,606 635 0.24 2,119 1,524 595 0.39 1,716 1,395 321 0.23 1,373 906 467 0.52
Central Region 46,643 27,571 19,072 0.69 52,164 31,980 20,184 0.63 57,418 35,612 21,806 0.61 30,921 20,605 10,316 0.50 30,006 18,320 11,686 0.64
Northern Region 41,493 24,658 16,835 0.68 48,963 29,089 19,874 0.68 48,080 28,576 19,504 0.68 29,684 14,918 14,766 0.99 22,929 10,523 12,406 1.18
Northeastern Region 46,956 28,287 18,669 0.66 56,246 33,048 23,198 0.70 57,731 31,957 25,774 0.81 27,708 14,706 13,002 0.88 28,382 14,132 14,250 1.01
Southern Region 24,681 12,255 12,426 1.01 27,790 14,639 13,151 0.90 30,153 15,632 14,521 0.93 23,069 9,589 13,480 1.41 21,156 9,754 11,402 1.17
Participants inoccupational training inMinistry of SocialDevelopment and HumanSecurity's Protection andOccupation Centers n.a. n.a. 7,567 n.a. n.a. n.a. 5,936 n.a. n.a. n.a. 8,275 n.a. n.a. n.a. 8,730 n.a. n.a. n.a. n.a. n.a.
Total n.a. n.a. 74,945 n.a. n.a. n.a. 82,978 n.a. n.a. n.a. 90,475 n.a. n.a. n.a. 60,615 n.a. n.a. n.a. n.a. n.a.
 
     
 

Indicator 2.14 Proportion of Population 6 Years and over with Reading Habit

 
     
•

Reading is very important for life-long learning, and is the fundamental basis for self-development for all population groups. Population with reading habit is a prerequisite for a knowledge-based society.

 
     
 

Reading habit among population 6 years and over

  
     
•

Among the 59.2 million population aged 6 years and over, 40.9 millions or 69.1% were readers. 71.6% of men read, compared with 66.7% among women. In the 6-29 years old age group, women read more or as much as men. But after the age of 30, men surpassed women in both urban and rural areas.

 
     
• Population 6 years and over with reading habit by sex, age group, and administrative area, 2005 Population 6 years and over with reading habit by sex, age group, and administrative area, 2005  
     
 
Age group/administrative area Population 6 years and over (number) Population 6 years and over with reading habit (number) population with reading habit (%)
male female total male female total male female total
total 29,419.2 29,760.2 59,179.4 21,056.0 19,860.3 40,916.3 71.6 66.7 69.1
6 - 9 2,122.7 2,070.9 4,193.6 1,636.5 1,638.0 3,274.6 77.1 79.1 78.1
10 - 14 2,729.0 2,667.8 5,396.8 2,573.2 2,562.6 5,135.9 94.3 96.1 95.2
15 - 19 2,802.0 2,731.8 5,533.8 2,406.7 2,490.0 4,896.7 85.9 91.1 88.5
20 - 24 2,927.0 2,842.3 5,769.3 2,255.5 2,243.9 4,499.5 77.1 78.9 78.0
25 - 29 2,957.4 2,855.8 5,813.2 2,138.8 2,161.5 4,300.2 72.3 75.7 74.0
30 - 34 2,846.7 2,742.0 5,588.8 2,060.6 1,925.2 3,985.8 72.4 70.2 71.3
35 - 39 2,607.2 2,578.5 5,185.7 1,806.4 1,713.9 3,520.3 69.3 66.5 67.9
40 - 44 2,348.2 2,402.2 4,750.3 1,591.0 1,457.1 3,048.1 67.8 60.7 64.2
45 - 49 2,108.0 2,160.4 4,268.3 1,378.5 1,173.5 2,552.0 65.4 54.3 59.8
50 - 54 1,726.7 1,813.0 3,539.7 1,039.4 860.7 1,900.1 60.2 47.5 53.7
55 - 59 1,290.4 1,382.6 2,673.1 788.5 597.7 1,386.2 61.1 43.2 51.9
60 - 64 1,032.1 1,157.9 2,189.9 539.1 463.4 1,002.5 52.2 40.0 45.8
65 - 69 827.4 962.6 1,789.9 415.4 306.3 721.7 50.2 31.8 40.3
70 - 74 568.9 686.5 1,255.4 257.0 141.0 398.0 45.2 20.5 31.7
75 and over 525.5 706.0 1,231.5 169.1 125.6 294.7 32.2 17.8 23.9
municipal area 9,456.7 10,089.9 19,546.6 7,690.2 7,799.5 15,489.7 81.3 77.3 79.2
6 - 9 603.4 604.4 1,207.9 489.0 500.0 989.0 81.0 82.7 81.9
10 - 14 783.1 799.0 1,582.1 756.2 764.8 1,520.9 96.6 95.7 96.1
15 - 19 869.3 904.4 1,773.6 771.5 836.4 1,607.9 88.8 92.5 90.7
20 - 24 961.7 1,004.4 1,966.1 805.9 885.3 1,691.1 83.8 88.1 86.0
25 - 29 998.6 1,043.9 2,042.5 810.7 886.4 1,697.1 81.2 84.9 83.1
30 - 34 975.9 1,027.9 2,003.8 802.6 833.7 1,636.3 82.2 81.1 81.7
35 - 39 904.4 946.9 1,851.2 737.2 764.3 1,501.4 81.5 80.7 81.1
40 - 44 798.2 847.3 1,645.5 667.7 656.2 1,324.0 83.7 77.4 80.5
45 - 49 699.9 743.8 1,443.7 556.8 526.7 1,083.5 79.6 70.8 75.0
50 - 54 556.0 606.2 1,162.2 403.3 391.8 795.0 72.5 64.6 68.4
55 - 59 406.4 447.9 854.3 311.8 269.6 581.5 76.7 60.2 68.1
60 - 64 316.6 366.8 683.4 230.0 201.0 431.0 72.7 54.8 63.1
65 - 69 256.3 306.5 562.8 182.3 166.8 349.1 71.1 54.4 62.0
70 - 74 166.6 209.9 376.5 98.3 52.4 150.7 59.0 25.0 40.0
75 and over 160.5 230.3 390.8 66.9 64.1 131.0 41.7 27.8 33.5
 
 
Age group/administrative area Population 6 years and over (number) Population 6 years and over with reading habit (number) population with reading habit (%)
male female total male female total male female total
total 29,419.2 29,760.2 59,179.4 21,056.0 19,860.3 40,916.3 71.6 66.7 69.1
non-municipal area 19,962.4 19,670.4 39,632.8 13,365.8 12,060.8 25,426.6 67.0 61.3 64.2
6 - 9 1,519.2 1,466.5 2,985.7 1,147.5 1,138.0 2,285.5 75.5 77.6 76.5
10 - 14 1,945.9 1,868.8 3,814.7 1,817.1 1,797.9 3,614.9 93.4 96.2 94.8
15 - 19 1,932.8 1,827.5 3,760.2 1,635.2 1,653.6 3,288.8 84.6 90.5 87.5
20 - 24 1,965.2 1,837.9 3,803.1 1,449.7 1,358.7 2,808.3 73.8 73.9 73.8
25 - 29 1,958.9 1,811.8 3,770.7 1,328.1 1,275.0 2,603.1 67.8 70.4 69.0
30 - 34 1,870.9 1,714.1 3,585.0 1,258.1 1,091.5 2,349.5 67.2 63.7 65.5
35 - 39 1,702.8 1,631.6 3,334.5 1,069.2 949.7 2,018.9 62.8 58.2 60.5
40 - 44 1,550.0 1,554.8 3,104.8 923.3 800.9 1,724.2 59.6 51.5 55.5
45 - 49 1,408.1 1,416.6 2,824.6 821.8 646.8 1,468.5 58.4 45.7 52.0
50 - 54 1,170.7 1,206.8 2,377.6 636.2 468.9 1,105.0 54.3 38.9 46.5
55 - 59 884.0 934.7 1,818.7 476.7 328.0 804.7 53.9 35.1 44.2
60 - 64 715.5 791.0 1,506.6 309.1 262.4 571.4 43.2 33.2 37.9
65 - 69 571.0 656.0 1,227.1 233.2 139.5 372.6 40.8 21.3 30.4
70 - 74 402.3 476.6 878.9 158.7 88.6 247.3 39.4 18.6 28.1
75 and over 365.0 475.7 840.7 102.2 61.5 163.7 28.0 12.9 19.5