Next Generation Thailand is part of the British Council’s global youth Next Generation research series. 

Next Generation Thailand explores the aspirations, priorities and experiences of young people aged 18–30 and examines the opportunities and constraints shaping their lives and their ability to contribute to Thailand’s future.

Thailand is experiencing rapid demographic and social change, while many young people face economic insecurity, unequal access to opportunities and social and institutional barriers. At the same time, young people demonstrate strong ambition, resilience and a desire to play a more active role in shaping their communities and society. Understanding their perspectives is therefore important for developing policies, programmes and partnerships that respond to the realities of young people today.

The research examines young people’s values and aspirations, their sources of influence and global outlook, and their experiences of climate change, civic and political engagement, education, employment and entrepreneurship. It draws on a nationwide survey of 2,000 young people, alongside qualitative research including key informant interviews, focus group discussions, a Youth Task Force and stakeholder validation workshops involving representatives from academia, civil society, media, government, international organisations and youth-led initiatives.

Key findings 

  • Young people are ambitious but face significant barriers. Financial security and wellbeing are key markers of success, while societal pressures and limited access to education, skills and employment constrain young people’s opportunities.
  • Young people want a stronger voice in decisions that affect them. Half of respondents feel that youth voices on national issues are rarely heard, with social norms and exclusion from decision-making limiting participation.
  • Climate action is a priority. Climate change is seen as the most pressing global challenge, while 83% of young people are willing to or already engaged in climate action.
  • Education needs to better prepare young people for the future. Young people highlight career guidance, curriculum, affordability, teaching quality and teacher shortages among the areas most in need of improvement.
  • Young people are economically ambitious but need greater support. While 68% are interested in starting a business within five years, aspiring entrepreneurs face barriers including limited information, access to finance and gaps in entrepreneurial, digital and technical skills.

Citation 

Authors: Hultin, F. K., Khan, A., Khambunma, P., & Langprasert, S. (2026). Next Generation Thailand. British Council. https://doi.org/10.57884/872T-RV30 

© British Council 2026, licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution Non-Commercial 4.0 International Licence

 

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