Lao PDR

The 4th National Human Development Report on employment and livelihoods was launched by Ms Sonam Yangchen Rana, UNDP Resident Representative and H.E Dr Bounthavy Sisouphanthong, Vice Minister. Photo: UNDP Lao PDR/Phoutsavong Phatsouda

The Government of Lao PDR (Department of Statistics) and UNDP released today the National Human Development report on the theme of Employment and Livelihoods. The report provides a set of recommendations on how to improve the human development in Lao PDR through employment. This is the fourth in a series of national reports.  

At the launch, Ms Sonam Yangchen Rana, Resident Representative of UNDP, and Vice-Minister Dr Bounthavy Sisouphanthong both emphasized the importance of this report. “The theme of this report could not be more relevant or timely to the development of Lao PDR today. The Government is formulating the next National Socio-Economic Development Plan for 2011 to 2015 and central to the achievement of the economic and social targets set out in the Plan for the next 5 years will be the issue of labour”, said Ms Yangchen Rana in her opening remarks.  

Human Development in Lao PDR improving: Lao PDR has recently improved its ranking in the Human Development Index (HDI), standing at 133th out of 182 countries according to the 2009 Global Human Development Report. The 4th NHDR report suggests that HDI is the highest in Vientiane Capital and lowest in the provinces of Sekong, Oudomxay, Attapeu, and Phongsaly. Generally, the more market-exposed and occupationally diverse provinces have higher HDI values.  

The main recommendations of the fourth report include e.g. investing in people from the very beginning through an improved formal education system, and the promotion of good health. Also, the report recommends improving people’s livelihoods through more and better jobs in the non farm sector and raising employability through initiatives targeting vocational training centers and non formal education. On the agricultural sector, the report recommends improving rural incomes, addressing issues such as agricultural land availability and agricultural productivity. A key recommendation is also to promote decent work and ensure that social safety nets are available to migrant workers.

“The National Human Development Reports are UNDP's primary tool for highlighting good policy. They are designed to measure human progress by analyzing both economic growth and social development, while at the same time strengthening the statistical and analytical capacity of the Lao institutions”, said Ms Sonam Yangchen Rana, UNDP Resident Representative at the launch.

Ms Sonam Yangchen Rana, UNDP Resident Representative and H.E Dr Bounthavy Sisouphanthong, Vice Minister show the report. Photo: UNDP Lao PDR/Phoutsavong Phatsouda

The 4th NHDR is the product of a successful partnership between the Department of Statistics at the Ministry of Planning and Investment and UNDP. It has been a joint effort involving the active participation of UNDP, Ministry of Planning and Investment and the Department of Statistics, Ministry of Education, Ministry of Social Labour and Welfare, the National Economic Research Institute, the National University of Lao PDR to name just a few of the many partners that have been engaged.     

Opening remarks by Ms Sonam Yangchen Rana (pdf)

Watch a photo essay on the 4th NHDR

Read more on Human Development Reports of Lao PDR

Full report (PDF)

Lao_National Human Development Report 2009 (5MB)

Notes for editors:

For more information please contact

Inka Leisma at the UNDP Public Information Unit
Tel: (021) 267 777 ext: 751, Email: inka.leisma@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 166 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.