Economy, jobs and prices in Chiang Rai, Thailand: official figures
The gross provincial product (GPP) of Chiang Rai was 121.4 billion baht in 2024 (provisional, current prices), 0.65% of Thailand's 18.68 trillion baht; 27th highest of 77 provinces by size of economy.
What is the GDP per capita of Chiang Rai?
Economic output per person in Chiang Rai was 107,724 baht in 2024 (GPP divided by population, current prices), 27th lowest of 77 provinces; the figure for Thailand as a whole was 266,103 baht.
Source: Office of the National Economic and Social Development Council · saved copyHow fast is the economy of Chiang Rai growing?
After allowing for price changes, the economy of Chiang Rai shrank by 2.4% in 2024 (chain volume measures), ranking 8th slowest of 77 provinces for growth (Thailand: 2.9%).
Source: Office of the National Economic and Social Development Council · saved copyHow much has income per person grown in Chiang Rai?
Output per person in Chiang Rai rose 16% between 2019 and 2024, from 93,019 to 107,724 baht (current prices, so partly inflation); across Thailand it rose 9%.
Source: Office of the National Economic and Social Development Council · saved copyWhat are the main industries in Chiang Rai?
In Chiang Rai, agriculture, forestry and fishing made up 24.8% of GPP in 2024, industry (mining, manufacturing, power and water) 10.0% and services (including construction) 65.3%. For Thailand as a whole the shares were 8.9%, 29.4% and 61.7%.
Source: Office of the National Economic and Social Development Council · saved copyWhat does Chiang Rai make its money from?
The three biggest sectors of the Chiang Rai economy in 2024 were agriculture, forestry and fishing (24.8% of GPP), wholesale and retail trade (13.6%) and education (10.6%).
Source: Office of the National Economic and Social Development Council · saved copyHow important is manufacturing in Chiang Rai?
Manufacturing accounted for 7.2% of GPP in Chiang Rai in 2024, 9th lowest of 77 provinces (Thailand: 24.2%), and hotels and restaurants for 5.8% (Thailand: 6.2%), 11th highest of 77.
Source: Office of the National Economic and Social Development Council · saved copyWhat is the unemployment rate in Chiang Rai?
The unemployment rate in Chiang Rai averaged 0.44% across the four quarters of 2025 (B.E. 2568) in the Labour Force Survey, about 2,630 unemployed people on average; it ranks 11th lowest of 66 among the provinces with a full year of data (Thailand: 0.82%).
Source: National Statistical Office of Thailand · saved copyHow many people are employed in Chiang Rai?
An average of 595,500 people were in work in Chiang Rai during 2025 (B.E. 2568), 62.2% of everyone aged 15 and over (Thailand: 66.6%).
Source: National Statistical Office of Thailand · saved copyWhat is the labour force participation rate in Chiang Rai?
62.5% of people aged 15 and over in Chiang Rai were working or looking for work in 2025 (B.E. 2568), it ranks 19th lowest of 76 provinces (Thailand: 67.2%).
Source: National Statistical Office of Thailand · saved copyHow Chiang Rai compares with other provinces
Gross provincial product per person (2024)
Chiang Rai ranks 51 of 77, highest first. Baht per person per year, current prices, provisional 2024.
| Rank | Region | Gross provincial product per person |
|---|---|---|
| 48 | Ranong | 114,911 baht |
| 49 | Phayao | 114,153 baht |
| 50 | Phichit | 110,192 baht |
| 51 | Chiang Rai | 107,724 baht |
| 52 | Phetchabun | 107,129 baht |
| 53 | Udon Thani | 106,882 baht |
| 54 | Lampang | 106,733 baht |
Real growth of the provincial economy (2024)
Chiang Rai ranks 70 of 77, highest first. Change in gross provincial product, chain volume measures, 2024 on 2023.
| Rank | Region | Real growth of the provincial economy |
|---|---|---|
| 67 | Yasothon | -1.7% |
| 68 | Phrae | -2.2% |
| 69 | Prachin Buri | -2.3% |
| 70 | Chiang Rai | -2.4% |
| 71 | Chumphon | -2.4% |
| 72 | Lampang | -2.5% |
| 73 | Phayao | -2.8% |
Unemployment rate (2025 (B.E. 2568))
Chiang Rai ranks 56 of 66, highest first. Average of the four quarterly Labour Force Surveys; provinces with a missing quarter are left out.
| Rank | Region | Unemployment rate |
|---|---|---|
| 53 | Chon Buri | 0.49% |
| 54 | Surin | 0.48% |
| 55 | Mae Hong Son | 0.45% |
| 56 | Chiang Rai | 0.44% |
| 57 | Chanthaburi | 0.44% |
| 58 | Nakhon Pathom | 0.41% |
| 59 | Phetchaburi | 0.38% |
More on Chiang Rai: overview · health · education and schools · poverty and living standards · Thailand
Sources
- Office of the National Economic and Social Development Council: Gross Regional and Provincial Product, 2024 edition (current prices and chain volume measures, 1995-2024p), with provincial population, read 24 October 2026 · saved copy (SHA-256 929ba8ab2624…)
- National Statistical Office of Thailand: Labour Force Survey: unemployed, current labour force, employed and working-age population by province, quarters 1-4 of B.E. 2568 (2025), read 24 October 2026 · saved copy (SHA-256 7f4f7e5349ce…)
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