Lao People’s Democratic Republic (PDR) is located in Southeast Asia, a region that has grown rapidly during the last three decades. Lao PDR is ranked as one of the poorest countries or least developed countries in the region and in the world. According to the UNDP Global Human Development Index (HDI), Lao PDR was ranked at 133 out of 179 countries. Lao PDR has a total land area of approximately 236,800 km squared, 80% of which is mountainous. The population in 2009 was about 6.3 million and the total gross domestic product (GDP) was US$5 billion with a GDP per capita of US$940. The population growth is around 2% annually and the population density is about 27/km2. 26% of people lived below the poverty line in 2010. Similar to its neighbor countries, the Lao PDR government has given a high priority to economic growth that enhances the welfare of its people. By late 1980s, the country has opened investments, converted to a market-oriented economy and launched a decentralization policy. This policy has stabilized macro-economic conditions and ensured a steady, sustained growth and macro-equilibrium. The average GDP growth per capita was about 7.9% in 2006.
Selected Indicators for Impacts and Vulnerabilities