Laos is moving ahead with preparations for its expected graduation from Least Developed Country status, with authorities targeting a transition period spanning 2026 to 2029.
Ambassador and Permanent Representative Thongphan Savanphet confirmed at a United Nations meeting in Doha on 2–4 December that the government is finalizing a Readiness Assessment report to support the process.
Thongphan said the government completed its Smooth Transition Strategy in 2023 and has already met all three UN criteria required for LDC graduation.
Laos first crossed the thresholds for Gross National Income (GNI) per capita, the Human Assets Index, and the Economic and Environmental Vulnerability Index in 2018, 2021, and 2024, respectively.
He added that GNI per capita is expected to reach roughly USD 1,985 by the end of this year, placing the country well above the UN benchmark.
Continued improvements in health and education have helped lift the Human Assets Index, while updated assessments of climate and economic risks show meaningful progress on the vulnerability index
Still, Thongphan warned that the period after graduation could be challenging.
Once international support is reduced, Laos could face economic ups and downs, climate risks, and global changes in trade and technology, which could affect the progress made in recent years.
Implementing the Smooth Transition Strategy
To manage these risks, Laos has placed its Smooth Transition Strategy at the center of the national agenda. The strategy includes 22 priority actions across macroeconomic stability, trade and investment, human capital and climate resilience.
Thongphan said aligning these steps with the National Socio-Economic Development Plans is also necessary to keep the process on track.
He added that continued support from international partners will still be important, especially as Laos expands digital development, green growth and regional integration. These areas, he said, could help strengthen the economy during and after the transition period.
Laos originally planned to graduate from Least Developed Country (LDC) status by 2020. However, this target was later moved to 2024. Most recently, the graduation year has been postponed to between 2026 and 2029 to allow more time for preparation and a smooth transition.


