Public Disclosure AuthorizedPublic Disclosure AuthorizedPublic Disclosure AuthorizedPublic Disclosure AuthorizedBridging the Gap: Inequality and Jobs in ThailandiACKNOWLEDGEMENTThe members of the core team that prepared this report are Nadia Belhaj Hassine Belghith (EEAPV, TTL), Tanida Arayavechkit (EEAPV, co-TTL), Francine Claire Fernandez (Consultant, EEAPV) and Buntarika Sangarun (EACTF). Additional help was provided by Angeli Grace Juani (Consultant), Miguel Carlos (Consultant) and Jose Corpus (Consultant). The work of the team was guided by Fabrizio Zarcone (Country Manager, EACTF), Achim Fock (Manager Operations, EACPF), and Rinku Murgai (Practice Manager, EEAPV). The team also gratefully acknowledges constructive feedback from Matt Wai-Poi (lead Economist, EEAPV), Souleymane Coulibaly (Program Leader, EEADR), Ambar Narayan (Lead Economist, EAWPV), Harry Edmund Moroz (Economist, HLCSP), and Judy Yang (Senior Economist, EEAPV). The team offers its thanks to Kanitha Kongrukgreatiyos (External Affairs Officer, ECREA), Kwanpadh Suddhi-Dhamakit (Senior Country Officer, EACTF), Lilanie Olarte Magdamo (Senior Operation Officer, EACPF), Mildred Thomas Gonsalvez (Program Assistant, EEAPV), Rinalee Ibrahim (Program Assistant, SEAE1), and Parichart Atcharerk (ET Temporary, EACTF) for their valuable help with preparation of the report. The team acknowledges the support of Gregory Michael Larson (Consultant) in editing the report. The team is grateful for useful discussions with the Thailand National Statistics Office (TNSO) and the Office of the National Economic and Social Development Council (NESDC) during preparation of this report. The team also benefited from consultations with researchers and academics from Thammasat University and is grateful for the advice of Dr. Somchai Jitsuchon (Thailand Development Research Institute, TDRI).Bridging the Gap: Inequality and Jobs in ThailandiiiiAcknowledgementExecutive Summary1. Introduction: State of Income Inequality in Thailand2. Recent Development: Inequality in the Aftermath of COVID-19Income and consumption inequalityWealth inequality Spatial inequalityInequalities in labor market outcomesHuman capital and food security3. Structural Drivers of Inequality: Evidence from the Past DecadesInequality over the Life Cycle and across GenerationsPersistence of Income DisparitiesGender gapsRole of Fiscal Policy in Addressing Inequality4. Toward a More Inclusive SocietyEnsuring an equitable recovery and building resilienceSetting the stage for a vibrant and inclusive economy Promoting equality of opportunities5. AnnexesAppendix A. Data SourcesAppendix B. Structure of inequalityAppendix C: Inequality and Polarization in Wage and EmploymentAppendix D: Unconditional Quantile Decomposition of the Gender Pay Gap6. Referencesivii01090913172123252533445055555861646465666972TABLE OF CONTENTSBridging the Gap: Inequality and Jobs in ThailandiiiFigure 1. Inequality Trends, East Asia and...
