This study on financial security among the pre-aging population in the
demographic surveillance area of Kanchanaburi province,Thailand, was designed
as quantitative research. The objectives were 1) to study financial security among
the population aged 40- 59 years or pre-aging group, 2) to explain characteristics
and reasons for financial security among the population aged 40-59 years and 3) to
find factors relating to having financial security among the pre-aging population.
A total of 9,129 persons who were aged 40-59 years living in the demographic
surveillance area of Kanchanaburi province or in the Kanchanaburi project 4th
round 2003, conducted by the Institute for Population and Social Research,
Mahidol University were the participants. Among these participants, 4,130 persons
were males and 4,999 persons were females. Frequency, percentage and mean
were applied to describe the participants while Chi-square and Binary logistic
regression were used to test factors affecting financial security.
Results showed that the average age of the participants was 48 years. Most of
them were married, held primary school degrees, worked in agricultural sectors and
lived in rural areas. In regard to financial security, it was slightly higher among males
compared to females. When considering their residential area, it revealed that the
participants in rural areas had more real estate security (land and house) than those in
urban areas. In addition, it showed that the participants in rural areas often save money
at community banking institutions while in urban areas the participants tended to save
money at general banking institutions. It was found that factors supporting the
participants to have financial security were age, education, marital status, experiences of
being a care giver for aging people, health condition, income, occupation, and
residential area.
It is recommended from the research results that knowledge about impacts
of an aging society on Thais’ life should be widely promoted. Besides, savings for
the future should be encouraged among Thais so that they will accumulate their
wealth and be able to live securely when getting older.
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