Vientiane:The Lao People's Democratic Republic (PDR) has officially launched its Demographic Dividend Roadmap for the years 2025-2030, aiming to leverage population dynamics for economic development. The event was led by Mr. Sitthiroth Rasphone, Deputy Minister of Finance and Vice President of the National Population and Development Steering Committee. It was attended by various deputy ministers, directors-general, and representatives from multiple sectors.

According to Lao News Agency, the meeting announced ministerial decision No. 3143/MoF, which established the National Population and Development Steering Committee. The committee's formation aims to ensure that its members are well-informed of their roles and responsibilities, facilitating effective implementation of population and development strategies in Lao PDR.

During the event, the significance of population and development in shaping national socioeconomic progress was highlighted, with impacts across sectors such as education, health, transportation, housing, social security, and employment. The Ministry of Finance has initiated several policies, including a population and development policy and an action plan for youth empowerment, to ensure effective implementation.

The official ceremony also included the handover of the Lao PDR Demographic Dividend Roadmap, co-chaired by Dr. Sitthiroth Rasphone and Dr. Bakhtiyor Kadyrov, United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) Representative. Attendees included government officials, embassy representatives, development partners, civil society organizations, and the private sector. Briefings on the roadmap and its monitoring tools were provided to track implementation progress.

The roadmap details Lao PDR's demographic transition, noting a decline in fertility rates and an increase in life expectancy. This shift presents an opportunity to accelerate economic growth as the working-age population rises. However, realizing this potential requires access to quality services, education, and employment opportunities. The demographic window for action is projected to close between 2055 and 2060.

Mr. Sitthiroth Rasphone described the roadmap as a guide for implementing population and development priorities, building on existing policies and strategies. The Costed Action Plan and Real-Time Dashboard are designed to ensure resources align with these priorities and monitor progress effectively.

Dr. Bakhtiyor Kadyrov highlighted UNFPA's commitment to assisting the Lao government in turning the roadmap into actionable investments. Emphasis was placed on supporting youth to stay healthy, complete education, and secure employment. The roadmap's implementation will require coordination across ministries and collaboration with development partners and the private sector.

The event concluded with the official handover of the Demographic Dividend Roadmap by Dr. Bakhtiyor Kadyrov to Mr. Sitthiroth Rasphone, marking a significant step in Lao PDR's commitment to leveraging demographic changes for national development.