Intergenerational Occupational Mobility in Rural Thailand 1997-2017

Abstract

This research provides a contemporary study of intergenerational occupational mobility in Thailand. Using data from the Townsend Thai Project Household Survey from 1997 to 2017, mobility rates across three generations are analyzed for the first time. Employing EGP class schema, I divide the sample into seven social classes, and cross tabulate the results in standard mobility table and outflow mobility table, to calculate the total upward/downward mobility rates. To solve the constraint of changing occupational structure overtime, I calculate the odd ratios to measure relative chances of individuals in attaining a certain class. The results show that 29.5% of individuals in Thailand experience upward absolute mobility in comparison with their parents. However, individuals from higher socioeconomic background have significantly higher chances to remain in their current social strata. Following the top class, the petty bourgeoise (class IV) has the second highest mobility rate upwards. Surprisingly, in contrast with other developing countries women in Thailand exhibit higher mobility rate than men, and women also move upwards to a higher degree than men.