Laos (2005...2017)

Formerly colonised by France as part of French Indochina, Laos (Lao People’s Democratic Republic) was recognised as autonomous in 1946 and became a constitutional monarchy in 1947. In 1975, the Lao monarchy was abolished and the Lao People’s Democratic Republic was officially proclaimed, leading to an exodus of the country’s elite, mainly to Thailand. For more than 20 years, Laos has experienced rapid development, driven by econom

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Formerly colonised by France as part of French Indochina, Laos (Lao People’s Democratic Republic) was recognised as autonomous in 1946 and became a constitutional monarchy in 1947. In 1975, the Lao monarchy was abolished and the Lao People’s Democratic Republic was officially proclaimed, leading to an exodus of the country’s elite, mainly to Thailand. For more than 20 years, Laos has experienced rapid development, driven by economic growth supported by liberalisation aimed at moving the country from a planned economy to a market economy.

Despite a high growth rate, Laos is one of the poorest countries in Southeast Asia (23.2% of the Laotian population is estimated to live below the poverty line). A five-year national socio-economic development plan (2011-2015) has been drawn up to move Laos out of the Least Developed Country category by 2020, enabling it to industrialise and modernise. According to the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD), three-quarters of the population depend on agriculture and natural resources. However, Laos is frequently hit by major natural disasters, leading to serious problems of food insecurity.

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