Socio-Economic Development

Laos Economy Grows 4.8 percent in Nine Months, but Inflation, Tourism Lag

Laos’ economy grew 4.8 percent in the first nine months of 2026, Prime Minister Saleumxay Kommasith told lawmakers on 5 October, crediting manufacturing, private investment, electricity, trade and tourism-related services. Saleumxay delivered the figure on the opening day of the second ordinary session of the 10th National Assembly, which runs...

Lao Migrant Workers Send Home USD 500 Million in First Seven Months of 2026

Lao migrant workers sent an estimated USD 500.7 million back to Laos during the...

Thailand Approves Loan for New Mekong Bridge in Luang Prabang

Thailand’s Cabinet approved financial assistance for the Lao government to construct the Xiengman-Luang Prabang...

Business, Labor Experts Talk Responsible Business Standards as Laos Prepares for LDC Graduation

Business and labor experts met in Vientiane on 3 September to discuss standard guidelines...

Laos Inflation Reaches 7.7% in August, Remains Above Target

Laos’ inflation rate reached 7.7 percent in August, a slight increase from 7.6 percent...

Laos Records Over USD 240 Million Trade Surplus in First Nine Months of 2025

Laos recorded a trade surplus of more than USD 240 million during the first nine months of 2025, the Ministry of Industry and Commerce...

Laos Economy Inches Forward as Inflation Eases in September, Exports Keep Rolling

The cost of living in Laos is still rising, but not as fast as before. New data from the Lao Statistics Bureau shows that...

Laos Calls for Increased ASEAN Investment in Nature-Based Solutions

Laos is urging ASEAN member states to ramp up investment in Nature-based Solutions (NbS) and Ecosystem-based Adaptation (EbA), calling them powerful tools for protecting...

New Incentives for Nature-Based Tourism Investment in Lao Forests

World Bank Laos - A decision announced today by the Lao Ministry of Agriculture and Environment will promote nature-based tourism in forested areas of...

One in Three Girls in Laos Married Before 18, UNICEF Reports

One in three girls in Laos is married before 18, making it one of the highest child marriage rates in the region, UNICEF reports. Despite...

Lao Overseas Workers Send Home USD 29 Million in First Half of 2025

Lao nationals working overseas remitted more than USD 29 million in the first half of 2025, according to the Ministry of Labour and Social...