Eradicate Poverty & Hunger
 The Lao PDR has a population of approximately 5 million people 80% of whom live in rural areas. An estimated 39% (1.9 million people) are living below the national poverty line (1997 data), the vast majority belonging to the country's many ethnic minorities. Goal 1 seeks to reduce this number to only 24% by 2015. Over recent years Lao PDR has experienced periods of economic growth and made encouraging developmental gains. But in the Lao PDR, like many other parts of the world, growing inequality is exacerbating poverty. In some cases the situation of the poorest is getting worse rather than better, and disparities are becoming more acute. In its National Growth Poverty Eradication Strategy (NGPES) the government has set itself targets that are more ambitious than the MDGs – to eradicate basic poverty by 2010. Significant efforts will be needed in education, infrastructure (including roads, electricity and piped water), and support to the agriculture sector to reduce poverty and achieve the MDG targets.
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Lao PDR