Thailand now has higher proportions of people in the older age ranges relative to other countries in the region; with the exception of Singapore (where more than 12 percent of the population is aged 55 and over), Thailand is the "oldest" country in Eastern South Asia. Projections to the year 2020 imply that 21 percent of the population will be aged 55 and over, making the Thai elderly one of the fastest growing older populations in Asia.