A spatial relationship between density of agricultural land and unmet need for work among elderly in Thailand

Abstract

Background: Thailand’s aging society is growing as compared to the youngers because of the decreasing birth rate. The transition to an aging society affects the country’s economic system, employment systems, institutional systems, and families. Less productivity of older workers leads to issues like farm succession problems and elderly unemployment. Objectives: The purpose of this study was to assess the proportion of unmet needs for work among the elderly and the spatial association of the density of agricultural land in Thailand. Methods: Data set of 2017 Elderly Population Survey of the National Statistical Office and agricultural area information of the National Statistical Office Thailand were used. A Moran's I and Local Indicators of Spatial Association were used to identify the spatial autocorrelation between unmet needs of work among elderly and density of agriculture land in Thailand. Quantum GIS program and Geo Da program were applied to analyse spatial data. Results: The highest prevalence of unmet needs for work among the elderly in Thailand was in Bueng Kan Province (78.32%) and the lowest was in Lamphun Province (37.20%). Univariate Moran's I analysis showed that there was a concentration of surrounding neighbourhoods with the work needs of the elderly (Hot spot or High-High) in the Samut Prakan Province, and Bueng Kan Province (red area). A high concentration of agricultural land densities with the high unmet work needs of the elderly was found in the Udon Thani and Bueng Kan Province. Conclusion: The findings of this study show the positive and statistically significant relationship in Thai population between agricultural land density and unmet work needs among the elderly. Concern agencies can use the results of this study to establish values and social roles for the elderly in Thailand. Furthermore, this study enables policymakers in the agriculture industry to create and implement an acceptable working environment based on the willingness of elderly.