Vientiane: Gender indicators in population and demography measure population, mortality, and divorce disaggregated by sex and other characteristics. Data on gender ratios, age distribution, gender-based violence, and gaps in education and employment help identify gender inequalities, which are essential for designing targeted interventions and policies to promote gender equality in the Lao People’s Democratic Republic (Lao PDR).
According to Lao News Agency, the Lao Statistics Bureau’s May 2025 publication provides a detailed analysis of gender statistics in the Lao PDR.
Analysis
Demography
The Lao PDR’s population was recorded at 6.67 million, with a nearly equal gender distribution. By 2045, the population is projected to reach 9.4 million. The population pyramid shows a high proportion of young people (41.4%) and a smaller elderly population (4.5%). The sex ratio in 2023 was projected to reach 100.4 males per 100 females. Female-led households are 17.7%, lower in rural areas. The total fertility rate i
s expected to decline from 3.0 in 2015 to 1.8 by 2045. Life expectancy will increase, with females living longer than males.
Education
In the Lao PDR, gender inequalities in education are evident. Data shows that males generally have higher literacy rates than females, although the gap is narrowing among younger generations. Early childhood education attendance is low, with 34% of girls and 30% of boys aged 3 to 4 years attending programmes. Girls slightly outperform boys in early childhood development indices, particularly in literacy-numeracy and social-emotional development.
Teacher demographics reveal a significant gender imbalance, with over 99% of pre-primary teachers being female. In primary and secondary education, there are consistently more female teachers. School enrollment data shows more males in preschool and primary levels, with a significant male majority in upper secondary school. Out-of-school rates are higher for boys across all education levels, especially in upper secondary. Mobile usa
ge is similar for males and females at 84%. More men use computers at 13% of the population compared to women at 9%, while internet usage is 61% for men and 57% for women. Men have higher digital skills proficiency (10.9%) compared to women (8.1%).
Reducing the gender gap in education and skills is crucial for economic growth, poverty reduction, health and well-being, social equality, and sustainable development. Measures to reduce this gap include increasing access to early childhood education, introducing targeted interventions to reduce out-of-school rates, developing gender-sensitive curricula, improving digital skills, and engaging communities in promoting gender equality.
Labour and Employment
The labour market reveals stark gender disparities. Majority of women (58.1%) are outside the labour force compared to 47.4% of men, often due to family care responsibilities. Unemployment rate for women stood at 1.9% and 2.8% for men in 2022. Women led 36% of enterprises in 2020, primarily in microenterprises
and sectors like trade, manufacturing, and hospitality. Informal employment is higher among women than men, with a persistent gap despite slight decreases. Women also face a gender pay difference, earning less across agriculture, industry, and services sectors.
Targeted interventions to promote gender equality in labour include developing initiatives to empower women in business, promoting female entrepreneurship, and bridging the pay gap by encouraging companies to adopt transparent pay scales and mandate regular gender pay audits.
Health
From 2000 to 2020, the Lao PDR significantly reduced maternal mortality, reflecting improvements in maternal health. Infant mortality rates have also declined, with the gap between girls and boys narrowing. In 2023, 53.1% of women used contraception, with 75% opting for modern methods. Maternal and newborn health care is more prevalent in urban areas. Food insecurity increased from 2019 to 2020, affecting more females. Anemia remains a concern, especially among pregnant
women. Tobacco use is higher among men (36.8%) compared to women (3.8%).
Health data calls for enhancing maternal and child health services, promoting modern contraceptive use, improving nutrition programmes, increasing food security initiatives, implementing public health campaigns to reduce tobacco and alcohol use, and improving road safety measures.
Political and Public Life Representation
Gender representation in political and public life remains uneven, with a slight male predominance in the civil service sector. In 2022, the Lao PDR had 78,110 male civil servants and 72,103 female civil servants. Achieving gender parity in governance requires developing concerted efforts to eliminate barriers to female participation, implementing gender quotas, and promoting female candidates through leadership trainings.
Family and Relationships
The prevalence of early marriages, with one-third of all women aged 20-24 reporting that they were married before 18, highlights a critical area needing intervention. Chan
ging societal norms and protecting girls’ rights needs a multi-pronged approach involving enforcing existing laws, engaging the community, conducting educational campaigns, providing a safe school environment, and offering economic opportunities through vocational trainings.
Conclusion
Inclusive development is not just a goal but a continuous process that demands systemic change and societal commitment. Addressing gender disparities in literacy, labour force participation, leadership, pay, and representation, and tackling the issue of early marriages can pave the way for a more equitable and prosperous future. These improvements require collaborative efforts from governments, businesses, and communities to create an environment where everyone has the opportunity to thrive.
