Vientiane, October 20, 2026 – The Government of Lao PDR officially unveiled the findings of the 2025 Population and Housing Census (PHC) at the National Convention Centre in Vientiane. The event was chaired by H.E. Mr. Santiphab Phomvihane, Deputy Prime Minister, Minister of Finance, and Chairperson of the National Steering Committee for the 2025 PHC, with over 300 representatives from government ministries, local authorities, UN agencies, development partners, diplomatic missions, the private sector, and civil society in attendance.
Speaking at the ceremony, H.E. Mr. Santiphab expressed sincere gratitude to all national and local entities, key development partners—including DFAT Australia, China, Switzerland, Luxembourg, the United States, and Germany—and particularly UNFPA as the lead coordinating agency, for their vital support in successfully conducting the nation’s first-ever digital census. He urged all stakeholders to extensively utilize the census findings as a solid evidence base to guide the monitoring and implementation of the 10th National Socio-Economic Development Plan, sectoral strategies, budget allocation, and investments in infrastructure, health, education, and poverty reduction.
Mrs. Phetsamone Sone, Deputy Minister of Finance and Head of the Lao Statistics Bureau, presented an overview of the key findings on behalf of the National Steering Committee, highlighting key demographic shifts in Lao PDR:
- Population Overview: According to the presentation, the enumerated census population stands at 6.74 million people. The Post-Enumeration Survey (PES) indicates a net under coverage rate of 7.0 percent, so that the true population of Laos is estimated at 7.24 million people.
- Demographic Dividend: The working-age population (15–64 years) has expanded to 65.0%, leading to a notable reduction in the dependency ratio. This structural shift presents a significant demographic window of opportunity to boost economic growth.
- Education Progress: The overall literacy rate for individuals aged 6 and above has reached 83.6%.
UNFPA Representative Dr. Bakhtiyor Kadyrov commended the Lao Government on this major milestone and emphasized the importance of data utilization, stating: “Counting people is only the first step—the real benefit of the census lies in using those data to design relevant policies so every community can thrive and no one is left behind. UNFPA will continue to stand shoulder to shoulder with our partners to ensure the data are widely used to drive Lao PDR’s sustainable development.”
