Economy

Laos Cabinet Approves New Draft Laws Amid 7.6% Inflation, Reviews Economic Priorities

Laos's Cabinet approved 12 draft laws and proposals during its August 24-25 meeting, as the government reported average inflation of 7.6 percent and reviewed economic, social and disaster-related challenges for the second half of 2026. The drafts cover government administration, public procurement, alcohol control, civil law, health insurance, social security,...

Laos Economy Grows 5% in Year’s First Half, Government Holds to 6% Target

Laos’ economy expanded 5 percent in the first half of 2026, helped by a...

Attapeu Looks to Job Support as School Dropouts Rise

Attapeu is expanding its employment services as the province seeks to respond to labor...

Laos Moves to Update Electricity Law for Energy Sector Shift

Laos is moving to update its electricity sector as the government prepares to adopt...

Laos Cuts 7-Day Base Interest Rate to 7% as Economic Risks Persist

The Bank of Laos (BOL) has cut its seven-day base interest rate from 8...

Lao Government Green Lights 1200 MW Wind Power Project, Largest to Date

In a major boost for renewable energy in Southeast Asia, the Lao government signed a Project Development Agreement (PDA) with Savan Vayu Renewable Energy...

Laos Vows to Graduate from Least Developed Country by 2026

The Lao government has pledged to complete its Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) and carry the nation out of the Least Developed Country (LDC) status...

Laos, Japan Join Forces to Boost Coffee Production

The Japanese government joined various partners to launch a project aimed at empowering coffee farmers in two districts of Luang Prabang Province on 15...

Laos’ Teen Pregnancy Rates Highest in Southeast Asia, Study Reveals Key Factors

Recent findings have once again confirmed that Laos has the highest rates of adolescent pregnancy in Southeast Asia. A study conducted by Marie Habito, a...

Laos Gears Up for First Digital Census in 2025

The Lao government and international organizations are preparing for the 5th Population and Housing Census (PHC) in 2025, set to be the first digital...

Laos’ Ongoing Efforts Towards Opium-Free Future Show Promising Results

Local authorities and police in several northern provinces of Laos have intensified efforts to combat illicit drug cultivation by eradicating opium poppy fields discovered...