Lao PDR Regulatory Quality
Regulatory Quality RQ.EST
Lao PDR's regulatory quality was -1.08 in 2025, ranked 172nd globally. This represents a 16.4% decrease from 2024. Data from World Bank WGI, covering 1996–2025.
Overview
Lao PDR's regulatory quality stood at -1.08 in 2025, a decline of +0.15 from 2023. Based on recent trends, this figure is projected to reach -1.08 by 2025. Lao PDR ranked 172nd globally.
Lao PDR’s regulatory quality score, measured by the World Bank’s Worldwide Governance Indicators, stood at –1.08 in 2025, placing the country 172nd out of 193 economies. Over the 26‑year series the index moved from –1.04 in 1996 to a historic high of –0.75 in 2017, before slipping to an all‑time low of –1.35 in 2003. The modest improvement after 2003 reflects incremental reforms in business licensing and public‑sector transparency, yet the 2025 figure remains well below peers such as Nigeria (–1.05) and Nicaragua (–1.03). The gap suggests that while the post‑2017 uplift halted, further gains will depend on deepening institutional capacity, reducing informal payments, and aligning regulations with private‑sector needs. Continued progress could lift the score toward the regional median, whereas stagnation or policy reversals would likely keep Lao PDR entrenched in the lower tier of regulatory performance.
Data & projection
| Year | Regulatory Quality | YoY change | Rank |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026* trend | -1.13 | - | - |
| 2025* trend | -1.08 | - | - |
| 2025 | -1.08 | −0.15 | #172 |
| 2023 | -0.93 | +0.06 | #167 |
| 2022 | -0.99 | −0.08 | #170 |
| 2021 | -0.91 | −0.07 | #168 |
| 2020 | -0.84 | −0.08 | #164 |
| 2019 | -0.76 | +0.07 | #158 |
| 2018 | -0.82 | −0.08 | #166 |
| 2017 | -0.75 | +0.01 | #154 |
| 2016 | -0.76 | +0.09 | #155 |
| 2015 | -0.85 | +0.03 | #158 |
| 2014 | -0.88 | −0.02 | #161 |
| 2013 | -0.86 | −0.03 | #157 |
| 2012 | -0.83 | +0.15 | #156 |
| 2011 | -0.98 | +0.04 | #165 |
| 2010 | -1.02 | +0.06 | #165 |
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 regulatory quality improve within 24 months. View full analysis →
Frequently Asked Questions
Lao PDR's regulatory quality was -1.08 in 2025. Ranked 172nd globally. This represents a 16.4% decrease from the previous year.
Lao PDR's regulatory quality peaked at -0.75 in 2017.
The lowest regulatory quality in Lao PDR was -1.35 in 2003.
Lao PDR ranks 172nd globally in regulatory quality as of 2025.
The World Bank indicator code is RQ.EST. Data sourced from World Bank WGI.
Lao PDR's regulatory quality is projected to reach -1.08 by 2025 based on trend extrapolation.
The regulatory quality of Lao PDR in 2025 was -1.08. This ranks 172nd in the world.
Cite this page
@misc{historysaid_lao-pdr_regulatory-quality,
title = {Lao PDR Regulatory Quality},
url = {https://historysaid.com/lao-pdr/regulatory-quality/},
publisher = {HistorySaid},
year = {2026}
}