Lao PDR

The 4th Lao National Human Development Report focussed on employment and livelihoods Photo: UNDP Lao PDR/Phoutsavong Phatsouda

Human Development

Human development is about people, about expanding their choices to live full, creative lives with freedom and dignity. Economic growth, increased trade and investment, technological advancement – all are very important. But they are means, not ends.

Fundamental to expanding human choices is building human capabilities: the range of things that people can be. The most basic capabilities for human development are living a long and healthy life, being educated, having a decent standard of living and enjoying political and civil freedoms to participate in the life of one's community

Human Development Report

UNDP's global Human Development Reports (HDRs), published annually since 1990, initiated and have continued to help drive the evolution of the concept of human development. By putting people at the centre of development, by emphasizing that development is of the people, for the people and should be carried out by the people, the HDRs have offered ground-breaking analysis on a wide range of critical issues.

Over the years, the reports have covered such themes as people's participation, human security, technology, globalization, human rights and democratic governance. Their research and recommendations have received worldwide acclaim for supporting people in developing and transitional countries.

The first Human Development Report was published in 1990 and took the simple concept that national development should not be measured by national income alone, as had long been the practice, but also by life expectancy and literacy. The following 20 years of Human Development Reports have had a profound effect on the way policy-makers, public officials and the news media, as well as economists and other social scientists view societal advancement.

In addition to the global reports more than 600 National Human Development Reports have been produced. This includes 4 National Human Development Reports produced in Lao PDR:

Employment and Livelihoods in Lao PDR, 2009; International Trade and Human Development, 2006; Advancing Rural Development, 2002; National Human Development Report, 1998

Read in Lao

HUMAN DEVELOPMENT MEDIA AWARDS 2011

Human Development Report website

Read more about Human Development Reports of Lao PDR

Lao National Human Development Report 2009

Photo essay on the 4th National Human Development Report, Employment and Livelihoods in Lao PDR

CONTACTS

For more information please contact

Toby Fricker at the UNDP Public Information Unit Tel: (021) 267 723 Email: toby.fricker@undp.org
or Latsany Phakdisoth at the UNDP Poverty Reduction Unit Tel: (021) 267 737 Email: latsany.phakdisoth@undp.org

UNDP is the UN’s global development network, advocating for change and connecting countries to knowledge, experience and resources to help people build a better life. We are on the ground in 177 countries, working with them on their own solutions to global and national development challenges. As they develop local capacity, they draw on the people of UNDP and our wide range of partners.