Back to School, Rising Costs: National Savings Fund Reports 27% of Parents Need Loans as Education Spending Hits Record 66 Billion Baht
Thai parents are spending a record 66 billion baht on back-to-school costs this year, with over 27% forced to borrow money to afford education expenses. The National Savings Fund urges youth to start saving from their allowance, offering go
The National Savings Fund (NSF) has released findings from the Center for Economic and Business Forecasting at Thammasat University on back-to-school spending for 2025, revealing total education expenditures exceeded 66 billion baht—a 6% increase and the highest figure in 17 years of surveying. More than 27% of parents reported insufficient funds, forcing them to borrow money or pledge assets to pay school fees, highlighting the severe financial burden impacting Thai family welfare.
The survey serves as a critical reminder that economic volatility directly affects children's education. In response, the NSF is inviting students and youth aged 15 and above to use the back-to-school period to start managing their personal finances by setting aside portions of their daily allowance as savings, developing financial discipline and building their own emergency fund. This approach helps reduce the risk of facing future financial crises similar to current circumstances.
Why youth should start saving with NSF:
• Easy savings without cutting pocket money: Begin with just 50 baht per transaction with no mandatory monthly requirement—perfect for students starting from daily leftover allowance.
• Government matching contributions: For every baht saved by youth aged 15-30, the government immediately contributes 50% (capped at 1,800 baht annually), providing valuable returns with complete safety.
• Building pride and reducing family burden: Personal savings from student years establish strong financial foundations and help lighten the family load as youth mature into adulthood.
Despite parents willingly reducing other expenses for their children's education, students can help their families by learning to save starting today—simply putting aside 5-10 baht daily from their snack money. With monthly savings of 150-300 baht through NSF and 50% government matching, students saving 300 baht monthly will receive 150 baht from the government. Over a full year of consistent monthly savings, they'll accumulate 3,600 baht with an additional 1,800 baht government contribution—totaling 5,400 baht.
The NSF aims to strengthen the next generation's financial resilience, breaking the debt cycle, with NSF as their partner in financial planning through retirement. The fund invites Thai citizens aged 15 and above not covered by other state welfare schemes to register and begin saving easily through the "NSF" mobile application or call the savings hotline at 02-049-9000 for more details.
Tagline: "You save, the government saves for you, and you get a pension." For more information, join the savings family via Line @nsf.th or follow updates through Facebook (National Savings Fund-NSF), the NSF app, website www.nsf.or.th, or call the hotline 02-049-9000 (Monday-Friday, 8:30 AM-5:30 PM).
