Lao PDR Youth Literacy Rate
Literacy rate among youth ages 15-24 SE.ADT.1524.LT.ZS
Lao PDR's youth literacy rate was 93.38% in 2025, ranked 50th globally. This represents a 3.3% increase from 2024. Data from World Bank, covering 1995–2025.
Overview
Lao PDR's youth literacy rate stood at 93.38% in 2025, a rise of +2.99pp from 2023. Based on recent trends, this figure is projected to reach 93.38% by 2025. Lao PDR ranked 50th globally.
Lao PDR’s youth literacy rate has risen sharply from 71.13 % in 1995, the all‑time trough, to 93.38 % in 2025, placing the country at 50th globally. The upward trajectory peaked at 93.82 % in 2022 before a slight dip, suggesting that recent gains have largely been consolidated rather than expanded. This progress outpaces Indonesia’s 93.07 % and approaches Papua New Guinea’s 94.16 %, reflecting the effectiveness of Lao’s education reforms and expanded primary schooling over the past three decades. The nine‑year coverage of World Bank data captures a period of sustained investment in teacher training, curriculum updates, and community‑based literacy programs, which together have lifted a generation of Lao youth into near‑universal literacy. Continued emphasis on secondary‑level completion and digital learning resources will be crucial to sustain the upward trend and push the rate beyond the 2022 peak.
Data & projection
| Year | Youth Literacy Rate | YoY change | Rank |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026* trend | 93.81% | - | - |
| 2025* trend | 93.38% | - | - |
| 2025 | 93.38% | +2.99pp | #50 |
| 2023 | 90.39% | −3.43pp | #30 |
| 2022 | 93.82% | +5.90pp | #38 |
| 2017 | 87.92% | −4.54pp | #39 |
| 2015 | 92.46% | +8.53pp | #32 |
| 2005 | 83.93% | +5.47pp | #22 |
| 2001 | 78.46% | −2.14pp | #26 |
| 2000 | 80.60% | +9.47pp | #39 |
| 1995 | 71.13% | – | #5 |
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 youth literacy rate improve within 24 months. View full analysis →
Frequently Asked Questions
Lao PDR's youth literacy rate was 93.38% in 2025. Ranked 50th globally. This represents a 3.3% increase from the previous year.
Lao PDR's youth literacy rate peaked at 93.82% in 2022.
The lowest youth literacy rate in Lao PDR was 71.13% in 1995.
Lao PDR ranks 50th globally in youth literacy rate as of 2025.
The World Bank indicator code is SE.ADT.1524.LT.ZS. Data sourced from World Bank.
Lao PDR's youth literacy rate is projected to reach 93.38% by 2025 based on trend extrapolation.
The youth literacy rate of Lao PDR in 2025 was 93.38%. This ranks 50th in the world.
Cite this page
@misc{historysaid_lao-pdr_youth-literacy-rate,
title = {Lao PDR Youth Literacy Rate},
url = {https://historysaid.com/lao-pdr/youth-literacy-rate/},
publisher = {HistorySaid},
year = {2026}
}