The National Economic and Social Development Council (NESDC) reveals that while unemployment will decrease by 68, layoffs will surge by 18%. It warns of the need for rapid adaptation to compete with AI.
The National Economic and Social Development Council (NESDC) revealed that in the fourth quarter of 2025, employment in Thailand decreased by 0.9%, with 39.8 million employed individuals and 280,000 unemployed. The number of unemployed individuals who had previously worked increased by 18.1%. The NESDC recommends accelerating skills development to cope with AI, as a survey found that over 24% of workers are concerned about AI replacing their jobs.
23 Feb 2569 Mr. Danucha Pichayanant, Secretary-General of the National Economic and Social Development Council (NESDC). The report on the Thai labor situation in the fourth quarter and for the entire year 2025 reveals that employment continued to decline in the fourth quarter of 2025, with the number of employed persons totaling 39.8 million, a decrease of 0.9% from the fourth quarter of 2024. This was due to a 3.4% contraction in the agricultural sector, while the non-agricultural sector expanded by 0.2%. The overall unemployment rate decreased to 0.70%, or 280,000 unemployed persons. Notably, the unemployed group that previously had jobs but whose employers ceased/suspended/closed businesses was the only group that increased by 18.1% compared to the same period last year.
For unemployment under the social security system. Found that In the fourth quarter of 2025, 220,000 people applied for unemployment benefits, representing an unemployment rate of 1.78%, a decrease from the same quarter of 2024 which was 1.81%. The group that was laid off accounts for 18.9% of all unemployed people in the social security system.
The number of people deemed unemployed increased slightly by 0.5%, driven by an increase in the agricultural sector's unemployed. The formal unemployment rate stood at 1.78%, down from 1.81% in 2567.
Overall, in 2568, the employment rate is projected at 99.1%, an increase from 2567. The number of employed persons is projected at 39.6 million, a decrease of 0.5% from the previous year. The unemployment rate in 2568 is projected at 0.81%.
Mr. Danucha revealed that Regarding the situation of Thai labor, there are several issues that need to be emphasized, including:
- Support the linkage of foreign direct investment with Thai businesses and the development of workforce skills to create quality jobs. This may involve considering expanding local employment measures and promoting the use of domestically produced parts to other industries, including SMEs, coupled with incentives for skills and technology transfer.
- Addressing concerns about job security among workers from the role of artificial intelligence (AI), the Ipsos survey, What Worries Thailand? H2 2025, found that over 41.0% of Thais felt their job security had decreased, and 26.0% worried about losing their jobs within the next six months.
Meanwhile, some workers face pressure from the increasing role of AI. A PwC report, "Thailand Workforce Hopes and Concerns 2025," found that while 72% of Thai workers have adopted AI in their work—higher than the global average of 54%—and the majority have a more positive attitude than a nearly three-fold increase in concerns, 24% of workers felt very or extremely concerned, and 11% felt they had little or no control over the impact of technology on their work.
"A private sector survey reveals that Thai workers are increasingly feeling job-insecure due to the growing role of AI in various business sectors. As many as 24% are very concerned that AI will replace their jobs. Therefore, Thailand should establish clear and fair guidelines for the adoption of AI, coupled with investment in developing digital and AI skills for workers at all levels. This will enhance their ability to work with technology, reduce concerns about job replacement, and strengthen long-term employment security."
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