Lao PDR Agriculture Employment
Employment in agriculture SL.AGR.EMPL.ZS
Lao PDR's agriculture employment was 68.60% in 2025, ranked 176th globally. This represents a 0.5% decrease from 2024. Data from World Bank, covering 1991–2025.
Overview
Lao PDR's agriculture employment stood at 68.60% in 2025, a decline of +0.32% from 2024. Based on recent trends, this figure is projected to reach 68.31% by 2026. Lao PDR ranked 176th globally.
Lao PDR’s share of the labour force employed in agriculture fell from an all‑time peak of 90.11 percent in 1991 to a trough of 68.60 percent in 2025, placing the country at rank 176 out of 215 economies in the World Bank series. The 21.51‑percentage‑point decline over 35 years reflects structural shifts as modest industrial and services growth absorbs workers previously tied to subsistence farming, while persistent rural poverty and limited mechanisation keep a sizable proportion of the population dependent on agriculture. Lao PDR’s 2025 figure is slightly above the Central African Republic’s 66.06 percent and marginally below Madagascar’s 69.21 percent, suggesting a regional pattern of gradual disengagement from primary‑sector employment. The downward trajectory is consistent with broader Southeast Asian trends, yet the pace may accelerate if investment in agritech, rural infrastructure and vocational training expands, potentially hastening the transition toward higher‑value activities and further reducing agricultural employment.
Data & projection
| Year | Agriculture Employment | YoY change | Rank |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2028* trend | 67.68% | - | - |
| 2027* trend | 67.99% | - | - |
| 2026* trend | 68.31% | - | - |
| 2025 | 68.60% | −0.32% | #176 |
| 2024 | 68.91% | −0.48% | #176 |
| 2023 | 69.39% | −0.18% | #178 |
| 2022 | 69.57% | −0.29% | #180 |
| 2021 | 69.86% | −0.10% | #181 |
| 2020 | 69.96% | +0.60% | #181 |
| 2019 | 69.36% | −0.51% | #181 |
| 2018 | 69.86% | −0.67% | #181 |
| 2017 | 70.53% | −1.32% | #180 |
| 2016 | 71.85% | −1.11% | #182 |
| 2015 | 72.96% | −1.23% | #183 |
| 2014 | 74.19% | −1.24% | #184 |
| 2013 | 75.43% | −1.29% | #185 |
| 2012 | 76.72% | −1.16% | #185 |
| 2011 | 77.89% | −1.05% | #185 |
Detected Pattern
Analysis
Lao PDR matched the Export Boom Cycle pattern in 2023. Historically, 71% of countries showing this pattern (546 out of 768) saw agriculture employment improve within 24 months. View full analysis →
Frequently Asked Questions
Lao PDR's agriculture employment was 68.60% in 2025. Ranked 176th globally. This represents a 0.5% decrease from the previous year.
Lao PDR's agriculture employment peaked at 90.11% in 1991.
The lowest agriculture employment in Lao PDR was 68.60% in 2025.
Lao PDR ranks 176th globally in agriculture employment as of 2025.
The World Bank indicator code is SL.AGR.EMPL.ZS. Data sourced from World Bank.
Lao PDR's agriculture employment is projected to reach 68.31% by 2026 based on trend extrapolation.
The agriculture employment of Lao PDR in 2025 was 68.60%. This ranks 176th in the world.
Cite this page
@misc{historysaid_lao-pdr_agriculture-employment,
title = {Lao PDR Agriculture Employment},
url = {https://historysaid.com/lao-pdr/agriculture-employment/},
publisher = {HistorySaid},
year = {2026}
}