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The Lao People?s Democratic Republic (PDR) is a small landlocked nation in South East Asia with a population of 5.7 million. Since gaining independance in 1975, the Government of Lao PDR has worked to heal the country from the wounds of war and improve living conditions for all Lao people. For the past 20 years, Lao PDR has been steadily moving away from a centrally-planned system towards a market-oriented economy which has led to significant progress in key social and economic indicators. Still, many challenges remain in the effort to eradicate poverty from Lao PDR.

Considered to be one of the poorest countries in the world, 80% of the population still depend on agriculture for their livelihoods. and at least 30% of the population are estimated to live in poverty.

Today, the Government of Lao PDR is partnering with the international community and aid agencies, including World Vision, to achieve the Millennium Development Goals (MDG) by 2015 and shedding ?Least Developed Country? status by 2020.

Key Statistics

80%+ : population living in rural areas

60%+ : population under age 25

US$491* : annual per capita income

61* : life expectancy

83%+ : net enrollment in primary school

79%+ : literacy for ages 15-24 years old

Sources:+Millennium Development Goals Progress Report Lao PDR (2004)
* World Vision Lao PDR Macro-Assessment (2007)

 

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