Voluntary Lineage Termination: Population Decline and the Rise of Non-Reproductive Structures in Thailand

This article examines the phenomenon of “Voluntary Lineage Termination” in Thailand, reflected in the country’s demographic decline and the emergence of non-reproductive social structures. Thailand’s total fertility rate (TFR) has fallen to 1.08 births per woman well below the replacement level of 2.1 while significant groups voluntarily abstain from reproduction. These include the monastic community, LGBTQ+ populations and urban women who choose to remain single and childfree. Statistical analysis indicates that such groups may account for 15–20% of Thailand’s total population. The findings suggest that this trend is not solely demographic but also cultural and spiritual, representing a broader transformation in values, individual freedom and the redefinition of family and life purpose in contemporary Thai society.