Trend Analysis of Migration Data in Thailand 2019-2023

TREND ANALYSIS OF MIGRATION DATA IN THAILAND 2019-2023 17 RECENT INFLOWS OF INTERNATIONAL MIGRANTS FIGURE 23: EXPECTED LENGTH OF STAY IN THAILAND AMONG RECENT INTERNATIONAL MIGRANTS PER YEAR The largest proportion of recent international migrants expected to stay in their current residence within Thailand either for two years or forever between 2019 and 2023, with an average of 47.0 per cent expecting to stay for two years and 38.3 per cent expecting to stay forever. Figure 23 shows that between 2019 and 2023, 2020 saw the largest share of recent international migrants expecting to stay in Thailand forever. Meanwhile, in 2021, the proportion who expected to stay in Thailand forever decreased, with a larger share expecting to stay for only two years. In addition, 13.9 per cent expected to stay between six and 12 months in 2021. The central region of Thailand hosted the largest proportion of recent international migrants (an average of 57.3% between 2019 and 2023). However, in 2021, Bangkok hosted the highest proportion of international migrants coinciding with a sharp decline in those residing in Thailand's central region. Yet, by 2023, 78.9 per cent of recent international migrants resided in central Thailand. Additionally, after 2019, a smaller proportion of recent international migrants resided in the northern region, while the southern region of Thailand saw its highest share of international migrants in 2022. FIGURE 21: REGIONS OF CURRENT RESIDENCE AMONG RECENT INTERNATIONAL MIGRANTS PER YEAR FIGURE 24: NUMBER OF TIMES RECENT INTERNATIONAL MIGRANTS CHANGED THEIR USUAL RESIDENCE WITHIN THE PAST YEAR Most recent international migrants changed their usual residence only once in the past year, however, this share decreased from 2019 to 2021 before steadily increasing from 2021 to 2023. Simultaneously, the share of recent international migrants who had not changed their usual residence at all during the 12 months before the survey date increased from 2020 to 2021 and then decreased from 2021 to 2023. FIGURE 22: RECENT INTERNATIONAL MIGRANTS WHO HAVE SENT REMITTANCES PER YEAR The proportion of remittances sent by recent international migrants fluctuated between 2019 and 2023. In 2020, there was a significant decline in the proportion of recent international migrants sending remittances back home. Remittances include both money and items. The sharp decline in 2020 may be attributed to the reduced capacity to remit due to job losses. Following 2020, the proportion of migrants sending remittances surged, more than tripling in 2021. However, after 2021, this proportion steadily decreased again, falling to 45.3 per cent in 2023. 0 10 20 30 40 50 60 70 80 90 2019 2020 2021 2022 2023 Percent Bangkok Central Northern Northeastern Southern 0 10 20 30 40 50 60 70 80 90 100 2019 2020 2021 2022 2023 Percent % of international migrants who have sent remittances per year 4.1% 5.6% 3.5% 9.4% 13.9% 24.8% 7.5% 4.6% 26.6% 40.2% 57.2% 53.9% 57.1% 35.4% 50.4% 28.9% 38.6% 38.4% 2019 2020 2021 2022 2023 Under 3 months 3-5.9 months 6-11.9 months 12-23.9 months from 24 months Forever 0 10 20 30 40 50 60 70 80 90 100 2019 2020 2021 2022 2023 Percent 0 times 1 time 2 or more times