Socio-Economic Development

Lao Scholar Draws on History to Explore What Makes a Country ‘Great’

In many Lao communities, temples are among the cleanest places around. People sweep the grounds, tend to the gardens, and take care of the buildings. There is a shared understanding that these places are sacred, belong to everyone, and that caring for them is a collective responsibility. But why doesn't...

Laos Links South Korea Work Visas to Overstay Rates as Program Expands

Laos will suspend access to South Korea’s seasonal work program for 3 years if...

More Lao Citizens Live Abroad as Foreign Population Nearly Doubles

The number of foreign nationals living in Laos has nearly doubled over the past...

Laos’ Population Growth Slows as Birth Rates Fall, 2025 Census Finds

Laos’ population is growing more slowly, with birth rates falling and the population getting...

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...

Technical Consultation Held for Lao 5th Population and Housing Census 2025

On Sunday, the Lao Statistics Bureau (LSB), Ministry of Planning and Investment, and United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA), in collaboration with the United States...

Vientiane Residents Block Road with Drainage Pipes to Speed up Repair

Residents of Chanthabouly District in Vientiane Capital, have resorted to using concrete drainage cement pipes to block a road in hopes of expediting the...

Japan Supports School Improvements in Savannakhet and Oudomxay

The Government of Japan is providing grant assistance worth approximately USD 200,000 for two education projects in Savannakhet Province and Oudomxay Province for the...

Ministry of Health Vows to Improve Hospital Care and Service in Laos

The Ministry of Health has pledged to tackle the issue of inadequate hospital care and service in response to public demands for improvement at...

Could Technology Solve the Problem of Illegal Parking in Vientiane? 

Pedestrians in Vientiane Capital are routinely forced to walk into oncoming traffic as they navigate around vehicles parked on the footpath. Despite hundreds of...

Staff Shortage, High Production Costs Remain Key Obstacles To Lao Businesses

The Macroeconomics Research Institute (MRI) recently conducted a survey to identify the main obstacles businesses are facing in Laos. According to the survey results, the...