Bangkok: Surveys indicate that people's debt is increasing, with a target of not incurring new debt by 2026.
According to Thai News Agency, the Office of Trade Policy and Strategy, Ministry of Commerce, revealed the results of a survey showing that public debt burden remains at a level requiring monitoring, under pressure from expenses and income. The survey found that government employees, farmers, and self-employed individuals have the highest levels of debt, while those aged 20-29 years old applied for loans most frequently through online platforms.
Mr. Nantapong Chiraleartpong, Director of the Office of Trade Policy and Strategy and spokesperson for the Ministry of Commerce, revealed the results of a public opinion survey conducted in February 2026, involving 6,469 respondents nationwide, regarding public debt burden and future trends. The survey found that the proportion of public debt in 2025 is projected to increase slightly due to rising daily living expenses. Looking ahead to 2026, people are expected to be more financially cautious due to income uncertainty and essential expenses. Overall, 62.44% of respondents have debt. When considering by occupational group, government employees, farmers, and self-employed individuals have the highest debt levels, with debt proportions increasing alongside income. Those earning over 50,000 baht have the highest debt ratio. 78.86% of respondents have formal debt, 13.72% have a combination of formal and informal debt, and 7.43% have informal debt. Retired and unemployed individuals, as well as self-employed and s ervice workers, have significantly higher informal debt burdens than other occupational groups. Agricultural workers, however, have both formal and informal debt.
The overall survey also found that those under 29, especially those aged 20-29, have a significantly higher rate of repaying and applying for loans through online platforms, and this trend is expected to increase in the future. Meanwhile, the 40+ age group borrows the most from financial institutions. When considering by occupation, students have the highest amount of debt repaid through online platforms at 31.55%, followed by student loan debt.
Regarding adaptation strategies, reducing unnecessary expenses and increasing income, as well as budget planning, are more popular among those under 20 than other groups. Overall, the debt situation in 2026 shows a tendency for 61.84% to avoid incurring additional debt. Business owners are more likely to take on debt to maintain their businesses rather than for expansion. Meanwhile, those with stable incomes, such as government and private sector employees, are more likely to take on debt to purchase assets than other occupational groups. This survey found that public debt remains a significant factor affecting people's well-being and the country's economic growth, reflecting high debt levels and financial vulnerability across various groups. Therefore, close monitoring and assessment of the situation are necessary to address potential impacts on consumption and production, as well as public concerns about spending, which may affect the economic climate and purchasing power in the future. The Ministry of Comm erce will closely monitor the situation and implement relevant measures to control prices of goods and services, alleviate the cost of living, promote domestic consumption, and support entrepreneurs in expanding their markets and generating continuous income.