Socio-Economic Development

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 for responsible business operations. The meeting, led by The Lao National Chamber of Commerce and Industry (LNCCI) and the International Labor Organization (ILO), brought together government, workers’ and employers’ representatives, business associations and enterprises to discuss...

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 Tightens Foreign Borrowing Rules as Debt Risks Persist

Laos has tightened controls on foreign borrowing as the government seeks to limit debt...

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...

Laos Moves to Update Electricity Law for Energy Sector Shift

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

Lao Economic Growth Remains Below 2019 Levels, World Bank Report Reveals

Lao economic growth is facing continued challenges, with growth estimated to have remained below 2019 levels in 2023 and expected to stay below that...

Laos Faces Second Month of Trade Deficit Despite Cassava Export Boom

In February, cassava continued to dominate Laos' export market, maintaining its position as the top export product for the month. However, for the second...

United States, WHO Launch USD 10 Million Initiative to Boost Maternal, Child Health in Laos

The United States and WHO recently unveiled a new multi-year partnership aimed at enhancing maternal, and child health, and nutrition in Laos. The initiative, called...

Survey Complete for Vientiane-Luang Prabang Expressway Link

The survey and preliminary design of an expressway, linking Vangvieng district in Vientiane province to Luang Prabang province, have been finalized. This development signals...

Lao GDP Forecasted to Grow in 2024-2025, Says Asian Development Bank

Laos is expected to see moderate economic growth this year and next year, largely driven by external demand fueled by tourism and trade, as...

Sustained Inflation in Laos Forces Shift in Employment Patterns, Hits Low-Income Families Hardest: World Bank Reveals

Laos is grappling with significant shifts in its job market and socio-economic landscape as a result of prolonged inflation, as per the latest findings...