Editing Laos (section)

== Economy ==
{{Main|Economy of Laos}}
[[File:GDP per capita development in Laos.svg|thumb|GDP per capita development in Laos]]
The Lao economy depends on investment and trade with its neighbours, Thailand, Vietnam, and, especially in the north, China. [[Pakse|Pakxe]] has experienced growth based on cross-border trade with Thailand and Vietnam. In 2009, the [[Presidency of Barack Obama|Obama administration]] in the US declared Laos was no longer a Marxist–Leninist state and lifted bans on Laotian companies receiving financing from the [[Export–Import Bank of the United States|US Export-Import Bank]].<ref>{{Cite news |last=Fuller |first=Thomas |date=2009-09-17 |title=Communism and Capitalism Are Mixing in Laos |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2009/09/18/world/asia/18laos.html?pagewanted=all&_r=0 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210308122542/https://www.nytimes.com/2009/09/18/world/asia/18laos.html?pagewanted=all&_r=0 |archive-date=8 March 2021 |access-date=2025-05-16 |work=The New York Times |language=en-US |issn=0362-4331}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|title=USA: Obama promotes Laos e Cambogia|url=https://www.lagazzettadelmezzogiorno.it/news/mondo/106182/usa-obama-promuove-laos-e-cambogia.html|access-date=1 June 2019|work=La Gazzetta del Mezzogiorno|archive-date=8 March 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210308215939/https://www.lagazzettadelmezzogiorno.it/news/mondo/106182/usa-obama-promuove-laos-e-cambogia.html|url-status=live}}</ref> In 2016, China was the biggest foreign investor in the Laotian economy, having invested US$5.395&nbsp;billion since 1989, according to the Laos Ministry of Planning and Investment's 1989–2014 report. Thailand (invested US$4.489&nbsp;billion) and Vietnam (invested US$3.108&nbsp;billion) are the second and third largest investors respectively.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://asiatimes.com/article/china-top-foreign-investor-behind-laos-fast-growth/|title=Out of obscurity|last=Lowe|first=Sandra|date=10 December 2016|work=Asia Times|access-date=14 December 2016|archive-date=13 October 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211013074849/https://asiatimes.com/2016/12/china-top-foreign-investor-behind-laos-fast-growth/|url-status=live}}</ref> [[Subsistence agriculture]] accounts for half of the GDP and provides 80% of employment. 4% of the country is arable land and 0.3% used as permanent crop land,<ref>{{Cite web |title=The World Factbook — Central Intelligence Agency |url=https://www.cia.gov/library/publications/the-world-factbook/fields/2097.html |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20181219174755/https://www.cia.gov/library/publications/the-world-factbook/fields/2097.html |archive-date=2018-12-19 |access-date=2025-05-16 |website=www.cia.gov |language=en}}</ref> the lowest percentage in the [[Greater Mekong Subregion]].<ref>{{Cite web |date=2011-11-17 |title={{!}} Asian Development Bank |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111117130328/http://beta.adb.org/countries/gms/main |access-date=2025-05-16 |website=web.archive.org}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Bonucci |first=Leonardo |date=2020-08-19 |title=rr88 |url=https://pradahandbags.us.org |access-date=2025-05-16 |website=pradahandbags.us.org |language=en}}</ref> The irrigated areas account for 28% of the total area under cultivation which, in turn, represents 12% of all of the agricultural land in 2012.<ref>Kyophilavong, Phouphet, et al. "Effects of AFTA on poverty: Evidence from Laos." ''Journal of Economic Integration'' (2016): 353–376.</ref> Rice dominates agriculture, with about 80% of the arable land area used for growing rice.<ref>[https://web.archive.org/web/20070628094304/http://www.irri.org/donors/SDC/pdfs/RiceFabricOf%20LifeInLaos.pdf Rice: The Fabric of Life in Laos]. Lao_IRRI Project</ref> Approximately 77% of Lao farm households are self-sufficient in rice.<ref>Barclay, Adam and Shrestha, Samjhana (April–June 2006) [https://web.archive.org/web/20061012050925/http://www.irri.org/publications/today/pdfs/5-2/22-27.pdf "Genuinely Lao"], ''Rice Today''.</ref> Laos may have the greatest number of rice varieties in the Greater Mekong Subregion. The Lao government has been working with the [[International Rice Research Institute]] of the [[Philippines]] to collect seed samples of each of the thousands of rice varieties found in Laos.<ref>{{cite web|title=A Race Against Time|url=http://www.irri.org/publications/annual/pdfs/ar2000/Race.pdf|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070614081343/http://www.irri.org/publications/annual/pdfs/ar2000/Race.pdf|archive-date=14 June 2007|access-date=27 June 2010}}</ref> Laos imports petroleum and gas. [[Metallurgy]] is an industry, and the government hopes to attract foreign investment to develop the deposits of [[coal]], [[gold]], [[bauxite]], [[tin]], [[copper]], and other metals. The [[mining industry of Laos]] has received attention with foreign direct investments. More than 540 mineral deposits of gold, copper, [[zinc]], [[lead]] and other minerals have been identified, explored and mined.<ref name="Kyophilvong">{{Cite web|last=Kyophilvong|first=Phouphet|title=Mining Sector in Laos|url=http://www.ide.go.jp/English/Publish/Download/Brc/pdf/02_ch3.pdf|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130106165900/http://www.ide.go.jp/English/Publish/Download/Brc/pdf/02_ch3.pdf|archive-date=6 January 2013|access-date=29 November 2015|publisher=Institute of Developing Economies|page=69}}</ref> The country's water resources and mountainous terrain enable it to produce and export quantities of hydroelectric energy.<ref>Vakulchuk, R., Chan, H.Y., Kresnawan, M.R., Merdekawati, M., Overland, I., Sagbakken, H.F., Suryadi, B., Utama, N.A. and Yurnaidi, Z., 2020. Lao PDR: How to Attract More Investment in Small-Scale Renewable Energy? ASEAN Centre for Energy (ACE) Policy Brief Series, No 7. https://www.researchgate.net/publication/341793965</ref> Of the potential capacity of approximately 18,000 megawatts, around 8,000 megawatts have been committed for export to Thailand and Vietnam.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.adb.org/Documents/TARs/LAO/40514-LAO-TAR.pdf |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110515093014/http://www.adb.org/Documents/TARs/LAO/40514-LAO-TAR.pdf |archive-date=15 May 2011 |title=Preparing the Cumulative Impact Assessment for the Nam Ngum 3 Hydropower Project: Financed by the Japan Special Fund |access-date=27 June 2010}}</ref> As of 2021, Laos continues to rely on fossil fuels, coal in particular, in domestic electricity production.<ref>{{cite journal |last1=Overland |first1=Indra |last2=Sagbakken |first2=Haakon Fossum |last3=Chan |first3=Hoy-Yen |last4=Merdekawati |first4=Monika |last5=Suryadi |first5=Beni |last6=Utama |first6=Nuki Agya |last7=Vakulchuk |first7=Roman |title=The ASEAN climate and energy paradox |journal=Energy and Climate Change |date=December 2021 |volume=2 |page=100019 |doi=10.1016/j.egycc.2020.100019 |hdl=11250/2734506 |hdl-access=free }}</ref>

In 2018, the country [[List of countries by Human Development Index|ranked 139th]] on the [[Human Development Index]] (HDI), indicating medium development.<ref name="UNDP">{{cite web|url=http://hdr.undp.org/sites/all/themes/hdr_theme/country-notes/LAO.pdf|title=Briefing note for countries on the 2015 Human Development Report – Laos|publisher=[[Human Development Report|HDRO (Human Development Report Office)]] [[United Nations Development Programme]]|access-date=26 December 2015|archive-date=1 January 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160101054812/http://hdr.undp.org/sites/all/themes/hdr_theme/country-notes/LAO.pdf|url-status=live}}</ref> According to the [[Global Hunger Index]] (2018), Laos ranks as the 36th hungriest nation in the world out of the list of the 52 nations with the worst hunger situation(s).<ref>[http://ghi.ifpri.org/ 2015 Global Hunger Index] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180831100148/http://ghi.ifpri.org/ |date=31 August 2018 }}, [[International Food Policy Research Institute]] (IFPRI)</ref> In 2019, the UN Special Rapporteur on extreme poverty and human rights conducted an official visit to Laos and found that the country's top-down approach to economic growth and poverty alleviation "is all too often counterproductive, leading to impoverishment and jeopardising the rights of the poor and marginalised."<ref name="OHCHR March 2019">{{cite web|last1=Alston|first1=Philip|author-link1=Philip Alston|title=UN expert: Lao PDR's economic strategy entrenches poverty|url=https://www.ohchr.org/EN/NewsEvents/Pages/DisplayNews.aspx?NewsID=24416&LangID=E|publisher=[[Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights]]|access-date=11 June 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190611154553/https://www.ohchr.org/EN/NewsEvents/Pages/DisplayNews.aspx?NewsID=24416&LangID=E|archive-date=11 June 2019|location=[[Vientiane]]|date=28 March 2019|url-status=live}}</ref>

A product, [[Beerlao]], was exported in 2017 to more than 20 countries worldwide. It is produced by the [[Lao Brewery Company]].<ref>{{cite web|date=14 August 2017|title=The Heart of ASEAN sets pulses racing|url=https://panoramagroup.com/reports/2017_Laos_report.pdf|access-date=2 August 2020|archive-date=23 September 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200923155211/https://panoramagroup.com/reports/2017_Laos_report.pdf|url-status=live}}</ref>

=== Tourism ===
{{Main|Tourism in Laos}}
[[File:ViewFromWatPhu.JPG|thumb|Near the sanctuary on the upper level of [[Vat Phou]], looking back towards the [[Mekong River]] ]]

The tourism sector has grown from 80,000 international visitors in 1990, to 1.876&nbsp;million in 2010,<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.wttc.org/research/economic-data-search-tool/ |title=International visitor data |publisher=World Travel & Tourism Council |access-date=20 January 2011 |archive-date=2 July 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140702142820/http://wttc.org/research/economic-data-search-tool/ |url-status=live }}</ref> when tourism had been expected to rise to US$1.5857&nbsp;billion by 2020. In 2010, 1 in every 11 jobs was in the tourism sector. Export earnings from international visitors and tourism goods are expected to generate 16% of total exports or US$270.3&nbsp;million in 2010, growing in nominal terms to US$484.2&nbsp;million (12.5% of the total) in 2020.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.wttc.org/eng/Tourism_Research/Economic_Research/Country_Reports/Laos/|title=Laos – Key Facts|publisher=World Travel & Tourism Council|access-date=20 January 2011|archive-date=11 May 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110511074239/http://www.wttc.org/eng/Tourism_Research/Economic_Research/Country_Reports/Laos/|url-status=dead}}</ref> The European Council on Trade and Tourism awarded the country the "World Best Tourist Destination" designation for 2013 for architecture and history.<ref>{{Cite web |title=EUROPEAN COUNCIL ON TOURISM AND TRADE DELEGATION  VISIT TO LAOS-WORLD BEST TOURIST DESTINATION |url=http://ectt.webs.com/apps/blog/show/26368358-european-council-on-tourism-and-trade-delegation-visit-to-laos-world-best-tourist-destination |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20230928103822/https://ectt.webs.com/apps/blog/show/26368358-european-council-on-tourism-and-trade-delegation-visit-to-laos-world-best-tourist-destination |archive-date=2023-09-28 |access-date=2025-05-16 |website=EUROPEAN COUNCIL ON TOURISM AND TRADE}}</ref> In 2024, tourist numbers topped 5 million, contributing over US$1 billion to the economy.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Sitthixay |first=Phonethida |date=2024-11-19 |title=Laos Welcomes Over Five Million Tourists in 2024, Generating Over USD 1 Billion |url=https://laotiantimes.com/2024/11/19/laos-welcomes-over-five-million-tourists-in-2024-generating-over-usd-1-billion/ |access-date=2025-01-30 |website=Laotian Times |language=en-US}}</ref>

The [[National Tourism Administration (Laos)|Lao National Tourism Administration]], related government agencies and the private sector are working together to realise the vision put forth in the country's National Ecotourism Strategy and Action Plan. This includes decreasing the environmental and cultural impact of tourism; increasing awareness in the importance of ethnic groups and biological diversity; providing a source of income to conserve, sustain and manage the Lao protected area network and cultural heritage sites; and emphasizing the need for tourism zoning and management plans for sites that will be developed as [[ecotourism]] destinations.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.ecotourismlaos.com/laoecotourism.htm|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101122030330/http://ecotourismlaos.com/laoecotourism.htm|archive-date=22 November 2010|title=The Lao People's Democratic Republic's Vision for Ecotourism |access-date=20 January 2014}}</ref>

=== Transportation ===
{{Main|Transport in Laos|Telecommunications in Laos}}
[[File:nam ou 1.jpg|thumb|Rivers are a means of transport in Laos.]]

The mountainous [[geography of Laos]] had impeded Laos's ground transportation development throughout the 20th century. Its first railway line, a 3-km long [[metre-gauge]] railway that connects [[Thanaleng railway station|southern Vientiane]] to Thailand, opened in 2009. In December 2021, the 414-km long [[Boten–Vientiane railway]] that runs from the capital [[Vientiane railway station|Vientiane]] to [[Boten railway station|Boten]] at the northern border with China and was built as part of China's [[Belt and Road Initiative]] was opened.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://thediplomat.com/2020/11/chinas-bri-and-its-high-speed-railways-to-nowhere/#:~:text=Announced%20in%202015%2C%20a%20414,operational%20some%20time%20in%202022.|title=China's BRI and its High-Speed Railways to Nowhere|access-date=21 January 2021|archive-date=20 May 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210520133519/https://thediplomat.com/2020/11/chinas-bri-and-its-high-speed-railways-to-nowhere/#:~:text=Announced%20in%202015%2C%20a%20414,operational%20some%20time%20in%202022.|url-status=live}}</ref>

There is external and internal telecommunication. 93% of households have a telephone, either fixed line or mobile.<ref name="LSIS-II" />{{RP|8}} Electricity is available to 93% of the population.<ref name="LSIS-II" />{{RP|8}}

=== Water supply ===
{{Main|Water supply and sanitation in Laos}}
According to the [[World Bank]] data conducted in 2014, Laos has met the [[Millennium Development Goals|Millennium Development Goal]] (MDG) targets on water and sanitation regarding the UNICEF/WHO Joint Monitoring Programme. As of 2018, there are approximately 1.9&nbsp;million of Lao's population who could not access an improved water supply and 2.4&nbsp;million people without access to improved sanitation.<ref name=":8">{{Cite web|url=http://documents.worldbank.org/curated/en/295731467999376153/pdf/100892-WSP-P131116-AUTHOR-Susanna-Smets-Box393244B-PUBLIC-WSP-SERIES-WSP-LaoPDR-WSS-Turning-Finance-into-Service-for-the-Future.pdf|title=Water Supply and Sanitation in Lao PDR|website=worldbank.org|access-date=10 December 2018|archive-date=20 August 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190820000057/http://documents.worldbank.org/curated/en/295731467999376153/pdf/100892-WSP-P131116-AUTHOR-Susanna-Smets-Box393244B-PUBLIC-WSP-SERIES-WSP-LaoPDR-WSS-Turning-Finance-into-Service-for-the-Future.pdf|url-status=live}}</ref>

Laos has made progress increasing access to [[sanitation]].<ref name="ODI1">{{Cite web |title=Lao PDR's progress in rural sanitation {{!}} Development Progress |url=http://www.developmentprogress.org/progress-stories/lao-pdrs-progress-rural-sanitation |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20130915164756/http://www.developmentprogress.org/progress-stories/lao-pdrs-progress-rural-sanitation |archive-date=2013-09-15 |access-date=2025-05-16 |website=www.developmentprogress.org |language=en}}</ref> In 1990 8% of the rural population had access to improved sanitation.<ref name="ODI1"/> Access rose from 10% in 1995 to 38% in 2008. Between 1995 and 2008, approximately 1,232,900 more people had access to improved sanitation in rural areas.<ref name="ODI1"/> The authorities in Laos have developed an innovative regulatory framework for public–private partnership contracts signed with enterprises, in parallel with more conventional regulation of state-owned water enterprises.<ref>{{cite web|author=Laponche, Bernard|display-authors=etal|year=2008|title=Focales n° 8. Energy Efficiency Retrofitting of Buildings – Challenges and Methods|url=http://www.afd.fr/lang/en/home/publications/travaux-de-recherche/publications-scientifiques/focales|access-date=17 February 2011|publisher=afd.fr|format=PDF|archive-date=9 August 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170809195444/http://www.afd.fr/lang/en/home/publications/travaux-de-recherche/publications-scientifiques/focales|url-status=live}}</ref>