Thailand’s Digital Economy: Growth Projections and Economic Outlook
Thailand’s digital economy is expected to show a gradual slowdown in growth over the next few years, with its digital GDP projected to expand by 4.2% in 2026. This is slightly lower than the anticipated 5% growth for 2025, aligning with broader global economic trends that are expected to influence trade dynamics in the coming year.
In recent years, Thailand has seen consistent growth in its digital economy. The digital GDP expanded by 6.2% in 2023 and reached 7.3% in 2024, reflecting the increasing importance of digital sectors within the national economy. According to the National Board of Digital Economy and Society, this trend is expected to continue, albeit at a slightly reduced pace in 2026.
One of the key factors affecting global trade in 2026 is the ongoing tension between the United States and China, which continues to create uncertainty in international markets. Additionally, the impact of U.S. tariffs on various goods is expected to contribute to a slowdown in global trade. Despite these challenges, the board predicts that Thailand’s digital GDP will still outperform the country’s overall GDP growth, growing at 2.1 times the rate of the total economy in 2026.
Wetang Phuangsup, secretary-general of the board, emphasized that the digital economy plays a crucial role in driving Thailand’s economic development. He highlighted that the digital sector remains one of the core engines of growth, even as other parts of the economy face headwinds.
The Finance Ministry has forecasted a 2% GDP growth for Thailand in 2026, while the Fiscal Policy Office also projects a similar rate. Meanwhile, the International Monetary Fund (IMF) anticipates a global economic growth of 3.1% in 2026, down from 3.2% in 2025.
Digital Economy’s Share of GDP
The digital economy currently accounts for 28.2% of Thailand’s GDP, and this share is expected to rise to 29% in 2026 and further to 30% in 2027. This indicates a long-term shift towards greater digital integration across various economic sectors.
Investment in the digital economy is also expected to grow significantly. In 2025, investment is projected to increase by 3%, driven largely by government policies aimed at attracting foreign digital economy investments. These efforts are expected to lead to a 6.2% growth in private sector digital investment in 2026, while public sector digital investment is forecasted to decline by 1.6%.
Sector-Specific Growth Trends
Several digital sectors are expected to experience different growth rates in 2026:
- Private consumptionin the digital industry is predicted to grow by 1.1%, a slower pace compared to 2025.
- Government digital consumptionis expected to contract by 2.2%, though this is less severe than the decline observed in 2025.
- Digital exports and servicesare expected to grow by 4.5%, down from 2025 levels.
- Importsare set to rebound with a 1.6% growth after a projected contraction in 2025.
Other key sectors include:
- Digital hardware: Expected to grow by 4.5% in 2026, down from 7.4% in 2025.
- Digital services: Projected to expand by 3.3%, up from 3.1% in 2025.
- Telecom industry: Expected to grow by 3.9%, an improvement from 3.6% in 2025.
- Smart devices: Forecasted to grow by 5.5%, down from 7.1% in 2025.
- Software industry: Expected to grow by 7.8%, a slight decrease from 9.3% in 2025.
- Digital content: Expected to grow by 6.9%, maintaining the same rate as in 2025.
- Digital services and others: Projected to grow by 6.1%, matching the 6.2% gain seen in 2025.
Wetang Phuangsup reiterated that Thailand’s digital GDP should not fall below 5% growth, underscoring the importance of the digital economy as a driver of long-term economic stability and resilience. As Thailand continues to invest in digital infrastructure and attract foreign investment, the sector is expected to remain a critical component of the national economy.