GeoRealityMatch

The UK Foreign Office advises against all but essential travel to parts of the country. FCDO travel advice, read 29 October 2026.

Sunset view of Bangkok's skyline showcasing modern skyscrapers and historic buildings.Charming riverside cityscape of Bangkok, showcasing urban buildings and waterfront ambiance under a clear sky.

Thailand

Asia · South-Eastern Asia

Medium safetyAffordable cost of livingHigh development

Few locals speak English well.

Digital NomadOffers a digital nomad visa and home internet at 274 Mbps.BackpackerAffordable cost of living.
vs Philippinesvs United Statesvs Japan
Safety

100th most peaceful of 161

Global Peace Index
2.089lower is more peacefulMedium safety
#100 of 161
IEP GPI · 2026
Safety index
63.4Numbeo's safety index, higher is saferHighNumbeo · 2026
Money

Incomes above the median country

GNI per person
$7,690national income per person, US dollarsModerate
World Bank · 2025
Rent index
13.9New York = 100ModerateNumbeo · 2026
Property price to income
24.0years of median income to buy a median flatVery expensiveNumbeo · 2026

Income and inflation over time

Income per person rose 142% in current dollars from 2006 to 2025, and rose 49% after inflation.

GDP per person, current US$At purchasing power parityInflation

$0$15K$30K$26,250 PPP$8,057Inflation, % a year8%0200620102015202020252006, $3,331 a person, $10,912 at PPP, inflation 4.6%2007, $3,919 a person, $11,723 at PPP, inflation 2.2%2008, $4,309 a person, $12,062 at PPP, inflation 5.5%2009, $4,135 a person, $11,964 at PPP, inflation -0.8%2010, $4,974 a person, $12,932 at PPP, inflation 3.2%2011, $5,374 a person, $13,227 at PPP, inflation 3.8%2012, $5,726 a person, $14,617 at PPP, inflation 3%2013, $6,018 a person, $15,216 at PPP, inflation 2.2%2014, $5,801 a person, $15,365 at PPP, inflation 1.9%2015, $5,689 a person, $15,791 at PPP, inflation -0.9%2016, $5,834 a person, $16,671 at PPP, inflation 0.2%2017, $6,413 a person, $17,573 at PPP, inflation 0.7%2018, $7,100 a person, $18,876 at PPP, inflation 1.1%2019, $7,606 a person, $19,963 at PPP, inflation 0.7%2020, $6,983 a person, $19,157 at PPP, inflation -0.8%2021, $7,055 a person, $20,237 at PPP, inflation 1.2%2022, $6,910 a person, $22,246 at PPP, inflation 6.1%2023, $7,211 a person, $23,598 at PPP, inflation 1.2%2024, $7,387 a person, $24,909 at PPP, inflation 0.4%2025, $8,057 a person, $26,250 at PPP, inflation -0.1%$0$15K$30KInflation, % a year8%0200620102015202020252006, $3,331 a person, $10,912 at PPP, inflation 4.6%2007, $3,919 a person, $11,723 at PPP, inflation 2.2%2008, $4,309 a person, $12,062 at PPP, inflation 5.5%2009, $4,135 a person, $11,964 at PPP, inflation -0.8%2010, $4,974 a person, $12,932 at PPP, inflation 3.2%2011, $5,374 a person, $13,227 at PPP, inflation 3.8%2012, $5,726 a person, $14,617 at PPP, inflation 3%2013, $6,018 a person, $15,216 at PPP, inflation 2.2%2014, $5,801 a person, $15,365 at PPP, inflation 1.9%2015, $5,689 a person, $15,791 at PPP, inflation -0.9%2016, $5,834 a person, $16,671 at PPP, inflation 0.2%2017, $6,413 a person, $17,573 at PPP, inflation 0.7%2018, $7,100 a person, $18,876 at PPP, inflation 1.1%2019, $7,606 a person, $19,963 at PPP, inflation 0.7%2020, $6,983 a person, $19,157 at PPP, inflation -0.8%2021, $7,055 a person, $20,237 at PPP, inflation 1.2%2022, $6,910 a person, $22,246 at PPP, inflation 6.1%2023, $7,211 a person, $23,598 at PPP, inflation 1.2%2024, $7,387 a person, $24,909 at PPP, inflation 0.4%2025, $8,057 a person, $26,250 at PPP, inflation -0.1%

World Bank: GDP per person in current US dollars and at PPP, real GDP per person, consumer price inflation. Observed years only.

Health

Above-average life expectancy

Life expectancy
76.6years, at birthHigh
#72 of 195
World Bank · 2024
Health coverage
82WHO universal health coverage index, 0 to 100HighWHO · 2023
Air pollution
25.0PM2.5, micrograms per cubic metre, national averageHighWHO · 2023
Work and internet

Very fast home internet

Unemployment rate
0.8%share of the labour force without a jobWorld Bank · 2025
Home internet
274 Mbpsmedian download speedVery fastOokla Speedtest · 2025
English proficiency
402EF English Proficiency Index scoreVery lowEF EPI · 2025

Internet speeds

Home internet274 MbpsVery fast
Mobile136 MbpsFast

Ookla Speedtest Global Index, median download speed, ranked among the countries Ookla lists.

Visas and moving

Digital nomad visaMedium

Minimum income
$6,667 a month
Duration
60 months
Renewable
Yes
Application fee
฿50,000about $1,500
  • Tax treatmentExempt
  • Processing timeAbout 20 days
  • Health insuranceRequired
  • DependantsAllowed
  • Apply onlineYes
  • Path to residencyNo
  • NationalitiesOpen to all
Official page
Charming riverside cityscape of Bangkok, showcasing urban buildings and waterfront ambiance under a clear sky.
How it changed

Thailand's Human Development Index

0.798High human development

76th of 193 in UNDP's 2023 ranking, 18th of 43 in Asia.

UNDP builds the index from three dimensions: a long and healthy life, being knowledgeable, and a decent standard of living. They are measured by life expectancy at birth, mean and expected years of schooling, and gross national income per capita. UNDP Human Development Report 2025.

Nearest countries by HDI

  1. #75Iran0.799
  2. #76Saint Vincent and the Grenadines0.798
  3. #76Thailand0.798
  4. #78China0.797
  5. #79Peru0.794
Full HDI ranking, all 193 countries

HDI since 1990

Year by year

Human development rose from 0.584 in 1990 to 0.798 in 2023.

0.550.700.850.79819902000201020231990: 0.5841991: 0.5931992: 0.6031993: 0.6121994: 0.6201995: 0.6281996: 0.6341997: 0.6391998: 0.6421999: 0.6502000: 0.6572001: 0.6672002: 0.6782003: 0.6902004: 0.6992005: 0.7072006: 0.7102007: 0.7212008: 0.7232009: 0.7252010: 0.7422011: 0.7472012: 0.7502013: 0.7522014: 0.7842015: 0.7882016: 0.7922017: 0.7942018: 0.7962019: 0.8002020: 0.7982021: 0.8002022: 0.7922023: 0.7980.550.700.8519902000201020231990: 0.5841991: 0.5931992: 0.6031993: 0.6121994: 0.6201995: 0.6281996: 0.6341997: 0.6391998: 0.6421999: 0.6502000: 0.6572001: 0.6672002: 0.6782003: 0.6902004: 0.6992005: 0.7072006: 0.7102007: 0.7212008: 0.7232009: 0.7252010: 0.7422011: 0.7472012: 0.7502013: 0.7522014: 0.7842015: 0.7882016: 0.7922017: 0.7942018: 0.7962019: 0.8002020: 0.7982021: 0.8002022: 0.7922023: 0.798

UNDP Human Development Report, 2025 edition. 34 annual values, none interpolated.

Twenty years here

Year by yearThe world report
Life expectancy at birth
76.6 years2024at birthUp 3.7 years from 72.9 years in 2005
Internet users
91%2024of people onlineUp 74 points from 17% in 2006
Urban population
63%2025of people in towns and citiesUp 23 points from 39% in 2006
Births per woman
1.202024births per womanDown 0.44 from 1.64 in 2005
Renewable share of energy
19%2021of energy usedDown 1 point from 20% in 2004
Access to electricity
100%2024of people with electricityUp 7 points from 93% in 2005
Infant mortality
82024deaths before age one, per 1,000 birthsDown 7 from 15 in 2005
CO2 emissions per person
4 t2024of CO2 per person a yearUp 0.5 t from 3.5 t in 2005
Forest area
39%2023of land under forestUp 1 point from 38% in 2004

World Bank, from the first to the last observed year of each indicator; each has its own window.

Our take

Top nomad destination: warm climate, cheap living, and an LTR visa available. The case against is little English among locals and polluted air.

About Thailand

Thailand is a Southeast Asian country of golden temples, tropical beaches, mountain jungles, and a street food culture so varied and refined that it constitutes a serious reason to visit in itself. The warmth and grace of Thai social life, expressed in the concept of sanuk, a delight in lightness and enjoyment, gives the country an atmosphere that most visitors find deeply appealing. Those who venture north to Chiang Mai or east to Isaan will find a Thailand far richer and less crowded than the familiar beach circuit.

Practical facts

  • CapitalBangkok
  • LanguagesThai
  • CurrencyThai baht (THB)
  • Area510,890 km²
  • Plug typeType A/B/C/O
  • Drives on theleft
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Borders

MyanmarCambodiaLaosMalaysia

Side by side

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Quick answers

What is Thailand's Human Development Index?

Thailand's Human Development Index is 0.798 for 2023 (UNDP Human Development Report 2025), ranked #76 of 193 by UNDP.

Is Thailand safe?

Thailand scores 2.09 on the Global Peace Index (lower is more peaceful), ranked #100 of 161 countries by the Institute for Economics & Peace. That measures national-level peace, not street crime; both are covered below.

How expensive is Thailand?

Numbeo's cost-of-living index puts Thailand at 38.0 (New York = 100); that is #57 cheapest of 143 countries with data.

What is life expectancy in Thailand?

Life expectancy at birth in Thailand is 76.6 yrs (World Bank), ranked #72 of 195 countries.

What is the quality of life in Thailand?

Numbeo's quality-of-life index scores Thailand at 106.9, ranked #72 of 87 countries with data. It composites purchasing power, safety, healthcare, cost of living, commute and pollution from resident surveys, so it reflects what residents report rather than what an economy produces.