Lao PDR Unemployment Rate
Unemployment as % of total labor force SL.UEM.TOTL.ZS
Lao PDR's unemployment rate was 1.19% in 2025, ranked 8th globally. This represents a 1.1% increase from 2024. Data from World Bank, covering 1991–2025.
Overview
Lao PDR's unemployment rate stood at 1.19% in 2025, a rise of +0.01pp from 2024. Lao PDR ranked 8th globally.
Lao PDR’s unemployment rate has remained remarkably low over the past 35 years, falling to 1.19 percent in 2025, which places the country eighth lowest among World Bank‑reported economies. The indicator peaked at 3.27 percent in 2017 before descending to an all‑time trough of 0.71 percent in 2010, illustrating a sustained contraction of labor market slack since the early 2010s. Compared with peer nations of similar rank, Lao PDR’s rate is slightly higher than Chad’s 1.06 percent and lower than the Solomon Islands’ 1.43 percent, suggesting a competitive position within the low‑unemployment cohort. The long‑term downward trajectory reflects continued growth in informal and agricultural employment, yet modest formal sector expansion could temper further declines. Future shifts in industrial diversification or demographic pressures will likely determine whether the unemployment rate continues its gradual fall or stabilises near current levels.
Data & projection
| Year | Unemployment Rate | YoY change | Rank |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 1.19% | +0.01pp | #8 |
| 2024 | 1.17% | −0.01pp | #8 |
| 2023 | 1.19% | −0.02pp | #8 |
| 2022 | 1.21% | −0.87pp | #8 |
| 2021 | 2.08% | −0.27pp | #13 |
| 2020 | 2.35% | −0.18pp | #16 |
| 2019 | 2.53% | −0.37pp | #30 |
| 2018 | 2.90% | −0.37pp | #32 |
| 2017 | 3.27% | +0.63pp | #36 |
| 2016 | 2.63% | +0.63pp | #25 |
| 2015 | 2.01% | +0.27pp | #17 |
| 2014 | 1.73% | +0.26pp | #15 |
| 2013 | 1.47% | +0.26pp | #11 |
| 2012 | 1.21% | +0.25pp | #10 |
| 2011 | 0.96% | +0.25pp | #8 |
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 unemployment rate improve within 24 months. View full analysis →
Frequently Asked Questions
Lao PDR's unemployment rate was 1.19% in 2025. Ranked 8th globally. This represents a 1.1% increase from the previous year.
Lao PDR's unemployment rate peaked at 3.27% in 2017.
The lowest unemployment rate in Lao PDR was 0.71% in 2010.
Lao PDR ranks 8th globally in unemployment rate as of 2025.
The World Bank indicator code is SL.UEM.TOTL.ZS. Data sourced from World Bank.
The unemployment rate of Lao PDR in 2025 was 1.19%. This ranks 8th in the world.
Cite this page
@misc{historysaid_lao-pdr_unemployment-rate,
title = {Lao PDR Unemployment Rate},
url = {https://historysaid.com/lao-pdr/unemployment-rate/},
publisher = {HistorySaid},
year = {2026}
}