Lao PDR Secondary Enrollment
School enrollment, secondary (% gross) SE.SEC.ENRR
Lao PDR's secondary enrollment was 50.54% in 2025, ranked 149th globally. This represents a 2.5% decrease from 2024. Data from World Bank, covering 1971–2025.
Overview
Lao PDR's secondary enrollment stood at 50.54% in 2025, a decline of +1.31pp from 2024. Based on recent trends, this figure is projected to reach 47.62% by 2026. Lao PDR ranked 149th globally.
Lao PDR’s secondary school enrollment has risen dramatically from a mere 3.72 % in 1971, the all‑time trough, to 50.54 % in 2025, placing the country at 149th in the world. The ascent accelerated after the early 2000s, culminating in an all‑time peak of 66.15 % in 2018, before slipping slightly in the subsequent years. This trajectory mirrors the experience of peer nations such as Honduras, whose 2025 enrollment stands at 50.61 %, and Nigeria at 49.62 %, indicating that Lao PDR is now competing within a similar band of secondary participation across lower‑middle‑income economies. The 47‑year coverage of the series shows a persistent upward trend despite occasional setbacks, suggesting that policy reforms and expanded school construction have been effective. Continued investment in teacher training, rural school access, and scholarship programmes will be crucial to sustain the upward momentum and potentially surpass the 2018 peak in the coming decade.
Data & projection
| Year | Secondary Enrollment | YoY change | Rank |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2028* trend | 42.89% | - | - |
| 2027* trend | 45.25% | - | - |
| 2026* trend | 47.62% | - | - |
| 2025 | 50.54% | −1.31pp | #149 |
| 2024 | 51.85% | −2.58pp | #63 |
| 2023 | 54.43% | −2.45pp | #127 |
| 2022 | 56.88% | −2.97pp | #126 |
| 2021 | 59.85% | −2.60pp | #130 |
| 2020 | 62.45% | −2.54pp | #128 |
| 2019 | 64.99% | −1.17pp | #121 |
| 2018 | 66.15% | +0.11pp | #117 |
| 2017 | 66.04% | +1.28pp | #114 |
| 2016 | 64.76% | +2.47pp | #120 |
| 2015 | 62.30% | +4.27pp | #124 |
| 2014 | 58.02% | +5.35pp | #124 |
| 2013 | 52.68% | +3.64pp | #121 |
| 2012 | 49.04% | +2.73pp | #130 |
| 2011 | 46.30% | −1.06pp | #132 |
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 secondary enrollment improve within 24 months. View full analysis →
Frequently Asked Questions
Lao PDR's secondary enrollment was 50.54% in 2025. Ranked 149th globally. This represents a 2.5% decrease from the previous year.
Lao PDR's secondary enrollment peaked at 66.15% in 2018.
The lowest secondary enrollment in Lao PDR was 3.72% in 1971.
Lao PDR ranks 149th globally in secondary enrollment as of 2025.
The World Bank indicator code is SE.SEC.ENRR. Data sourced from World Bank.
Lao PDR's secondary enrollment is projected to reach 47.62% by 2026 based on trend extrapolation.
The secondary enrollment of Lao PDR in 2025 was 50.54%. This ranks 149th in the world.
Cite this page
@misc{historysaid_lao-pdr_secondary-enrollment,
title = {Lao PDR Secondary Enrollment},
url = {https://historysaid.com/lao-pdr/secondary-enrollment/},
publisher = {HistorySaid},
year = {2026}
}