SDGs Progress in laos

The Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) adopted by the UNGA on September 25, 2015 are comprised of 17 Goals, 169 Targets, and 232 Indicators. However, due to the remaining threats of Unexploded Ordnances (UXO) of the Vietnam War the Prime Minister of the Lao PDR H.E. Mr. Thongloun Sisoulith and UN Secretary-General Mr. Ban Kimoon formally adopted SDG 18 (“Lives Safe from UXO”) for Laos on 7 September 2016 in Vientiane. Therefore, Laos has been implementing 18 SDGs, 172 Targets and 238 Indicators.

Indicator Selection

For this analysis, we select the key indicators which are potential for the success of the SDGs in Laos, especially the SDGs prioritized by the Lao government as announced in the Stakeholder Engagement Seminar Outcomes of the 2nd Voluntary National Review and Pre-Consultation for the 13th High-Level Round Table Meeting on the 20th of October, 2021.

Benchmark Selection

It is also important to understand whether the achievements by Laos for the SDGs have been the level achieved by the other countries. Therefore, this analysis includes the data of Cambodia on the similar indicators for comparison. Cambodia is selected due to the fact that the country is a neighbor to Laos and has comparible economic size, population and other similar characteristics. For some indicators, we also use some corresponding data of East Asia-Pacific region, the World and some other countries for clearer visualization of the indicators.

SDG 1 : No Poverty

End poverty in all its forms everywhere

Target 1.1 By 2030, eradicate extreme poverty for all people everywhere, currently measured as people living on less than $1.9 a day

▶ The proportion of the population living below the international poverty line has been on a decline with the economic growth.

Population below poverty line: 8.4%p↓ [('10) 17.75% ⇒ ('19) 9.35%]
GDP per capita: 63%↑ [('10) ＄4,850 ⇒ ('19) ＄7,887]

Target 1.4 By 2030, ensure that all men and women, in particular the poor and the vulnerable, have equal rights to economic resources, as well as access to basic services, ownership and control over land and other forms of property, inheritance, natural resources, appropriate new technology and financial services, including microfinance

▶ There has been overall progress in access to basic services. However, there are still gaps between urban and rural areas.

※ People using at least basic drinking water services: This indicator encompasses both people using basic water services as well as those using safely managed water services. Basic drinking water services is defined as drinking water from an improved source, provided collection time is not more than 30 minutes for a round trip. Improved water sources include piped water, boreholes or tubewells, protected dug wells, protected springs, and packaged or delivered water.

※ People using at least basic sanitation services: This indicator encompasses both people using basic sanitation services as well as those using safely managed sanitation services. Improved sanitation facilities include flush/pour flush to piped sewer systems, septic tanks or pit latrines; ventilated improved pit latrines, compositing toilets or pit latrines with slabs.

▶ Unlike other basic services, there are still limited access to clean fuels and technology for cooking. Many households in Laos use firewood or charcoal (a wood product) for cooking.

SDG 2 : Zero Hunger

End hunger, achieve food security and improved nutrition and promote sustainable agriculture

2.1 By 2030, end hunger and ensure access by all people, in particular the poor and people in vulnerable situations, including infants, to safe, nutritious and sufficient food all year round

▶ The government of Lao PDR (GoL) is accelerating the implementation of the National Nutrition Strategy to 2025 and Plan of Action. The Plan emphasized a multi-sectoral response to undernutrition, with nutrition-specific and nutrition-sensitive interventions that converge on high-risk districts.

In order to respond to high level of malnutrition, the GoL promulgated the first National Nutrition Policy (NNP) in December 2008. Based on this policy, the 2010-2015 National Nutrition Strategy and Plan of Action (NNSPA) was formulated and promulgated by the GoL.
The National Nutrition Committee (NNC) was created on 31 July 2013 with the mandate to provide the necessary overall leadership and guidance for the coordination of the NNSPA for the relevant sectors at all levels in order that the targets may be achieved.

※ Prevalence of undernourishments: the percentage of the population whose habitual food consumption is insufficient to provide the dietary energy levels that are required to maintain a normal active and healthy life

2.3 By 2030, double the agricultural productivity and incomes of small-scale food producers, in particular women, indigenous peoples, family farmers, pastoralists and fishers, including through secure and equal access to land, other productive resources and inputs, knowledge, financial services, markets and opportunities for value addition and non-farm employment

▶There has been overall progress in agriculture sector productivity, but there are room for further improvement.

SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being

Ensure healthy lives and promote well-being for all at all ages

3.1 By 2030, reduce the global maternal mortality ratio to less than 70 per 100,000 live births

▶ Laos has made significant progress in reducing maternal mortality ratio.

Major hospitals can provide caesarean services, and basic emergency obstetric and newborn care services are available in every district.
Nonetheless, maternal mortality ratio is still higher than the target, so the government of of Lao PDR is making efforts to improve service accessibility, availability and ensuring acceptable quality.

3.3 By 2030, end the epidemics of AIDS, tuberculosis, malaria and neglected tropical diseases and combat hepatitis, water-borne diseases and other communicable diseases

SDG 4: Quality Education

Ensure inclusive and equitable quality education and promote lifelong education for all

4.2 By 2030, ensure that all girls and boys have access to quality early childhood development, care and pre‑primary education so that they are ready for primary education

4.3 By 2030, ensure equal access for all women and men to affordable and quality technical, vocational and tertiary education, including university

▶ Lao PDR has achieved universal coverage in primary enrolment [('20) 98.8%)].

However, improvement is still needed in the secondary [('20) 62.8%)], especially in the pre-primary and tertiary stage.

4.5 By 2030, eliminate gender disparities in education and ensure equal access to all levels of education and vocational training for the vulnerable, including persons with disabilities, indigenous peoples and children in vulnerable situations

▶ Laos has achieved gender parity in education.

SDG 5: Gender Equality

Achieve gender equality and empower all women and girls

5.1 End all forms of discrimination against all women and girls everywhere

▶ The Constitution of the Lao PDR guarantees equality between men and women in politics, economy, culture, and society, as well as in the family. And three laws ('Law on the Development and Protection of Women', 'Law on the Preventing and Combating Violence Against Women and Children', and 'Law on Women Union') have been enacted to promote gender equality and non-discrimination against women and girls.

And in Laos, there has been a very strong Women's Union (The Lao Women's Union: women's rights organization established in 1955).
However, women are still constrained in livelihood options and economic opportunities. Women constitute the majority of workers in the informal sectors and among unpaid family workers.

▶The Government of Lao PDR is prioritizing improving the implementation and monitoring of national gender equality laws, policies, and instruments and developing measures to combat violence against women.

※ Women Business and the Law Index: The index measures how laws and regulations affect women's economic opportunity. Overall scores are calculated by taking the average score of each of the eight areas (Going Places, Starting a Job, Getting Paid, Getting Married, Having Children, Running a Business, Managing Assets and Getting a Pension), with 100 representing the highest possible score.

※ Global Gender Gap Index: The index benchmarks the evolution of gender-based gaps among four key dimensions (Economic Participation and Opportunity, Educational Attainment, Health and Survival, and Political Empowerment) and tracks progress towards closing these gaps over time. (o.oo: imparity, 1.00:parity)

5.5 Ensure women's full and effective participation and equal opportunities for leadership at all levels of decision-making in political, economic and public life

SDG 6: Clean Water and Sanitation

Ensure availabilty and sustainable management of water and sanitation

6.1 By 2030, achieve universal and equitable access to safe and affordable drinking water for all

▶Laos has made some progress in this target, but its availability of safely managed water services is still at lower level in its region and across the world.

※ safely managed drinking water services: Drinking water from an improved source that is accessible on premises, available when needed and free from faecal and priority chemical contamination. Improved water sources include piped water, boreholes or tubewells, protected dug wells, protected springs, and packaged or delivered water.

6.2 By 2030, achieve access to adequate and equitable sanitation and hygiene for all and end open defecation, paying special attention to the needs of women and girls and those in vulnerable situations

※ safely managed sanitation services: Improved sanitation facilities that are not shared with other households and where excreta are safely disposed of in situ or transported and treated offsite. Improved sanitation facilities include flush/pour flush to piped sewer systems, septic tanks or pit latrines: ventilated improved pit latrines, compositing toilets or pit latrines with slabs.

SDG 7: Affordable and Clean Energy

Ensure access to affordable, reliable, sustainable and modern energy for all

7.1 By 2030, ensure universal access to affordable, reliable and modern energy services

▶ Laos has made significant progress in terms of electricity access.

Laos has improved access to electricity through National and Rural Electrification Program which began in the 1990s.
Hydro is the major energy source for electricity production.
In addition, electricity access and GDP percapita has a positive relationship.

▶ Reliance on clean fuels and technology in Laos is still low.

Most of households prefer to use firewood or charcoal for cooking.

7.b By 2030, expand infrastructure and upgrade technology for supplying modern and sustainable energy services for all in developing countries, in particular least developed countries, small island developing States and landlocked developing countries, in accordance with their respective programmes of support

▶ Laos has made significant progress in terms of renewable energy, compared to Cambodia and other neighboring countries.

Hydro is the major contributor for renewable energy in Lao.
The electricity from hydro power is one of the top exports of Lao
Lao plans to become "The Battery of Southeast Asia" by 2030

SDG 8: Decent Jobs and Economic Growth

Promote sustained, inclusive and sustainable economic growth, full and productive employment and decent work for all

8.1 Sustain per capita economic growth in accordance with national circumstances and, in particular, at least 7 per cent gross domestic product growth per annum in the least developed countries

▶ The annual growth rate of real GDP per capita in Laos was always more than 6% between 2010-2014. It was high, compared to the other neighboring countries, like Cambodia, Thailand, and Vietnam.

This was driven by hydropower and mining sector.

▶ However, it was declined slightly in 2015 due to several reasons.

The imports of machinery, vehicles, parts, steel and others for dam construction have increased since 2014.
Natural disaster in 2017-2018 which destroyed Xe Pian-Xe Namnoy hydropower sadle dam.

8.2 Achieve higher levels of economic productivity through diversification, technological upgrading and innovation, including through a focus on high-value added and labour-intensive sectors

▶The annual growth rate of real GDP per employed person has also decreased between 2010-2019.

8.5 By 2030, achieve full and productive employment and decent work for all women and men, including for young people and persons with disabilities, and equal pay for work of equal value

▶ Unemployment rate in Laos has been stagnant in around 0.6%.

Mostly Laos people work in agriculture sector.
The proportion of unemployment rate between male and female is almost the same.

SDG 9: Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure

Build resilient in infrastructure, promote inclusive and sustainable industrialization and foster innovation

9.2 Promote inclusive and sustainable industrialization and, by 2030, significantly raise industry’s share of employment and gross domestic product, in line with national circumstances, and double its share in least developed countries

▶ Manufacturing Value Added (MVA) number in Laos is less competitive, compared to Cambodia.

Laos economic growth mainly comes from resource and raw materials.
However the government try to diversify by creating circular manufacturing. Currently, the government has promoted manufacturing industry which focus in remanufacturing classical and typical Laos motorcycle. Besides remanufacturing, the governement also converse old motorcycle into electric motorcycle.

9.b Support domestic technology development, research and innovation in developing countries, including by ensuring a conducive policy environment for, inter alia, industrial diversification and value addition to commodities

▶ Laos number in medium and high-tech industry value added is higher than Cambodia.

The government supports local innovation, research, and the use of technology in many sectors. However, this will require much effort, for instance capacity building and human capital development to change policy into action.

SDG 10: Reduced Inequalities

Reduce inequality within and among countries

10.4 Adopt policies, especially fiscal, wage and social protection policies, and progressively achieve greater equality

▶Labour share of GDP of Laos is still higher than Cambodia.

The government still face some challenges in social protection. Access to social protection is fragmented. Support is required to widen the coverage.

(e.g. official development assistance, foreign direct investment and other flows)

10.b Encourage official development assistance and financial flows, including foreign direct investment, to States where the need is greatest, in particular least developed countries, African countries, small island developing States and landlocked developing countries, in accordance with their national plans and programmes

▶ Overall the total resource flows for development has increased from 2010 to 2018.

Mostly investments are for the hydropower and the mining sector.

SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities

Make cities and human settlements inclusive, safe, resilient, and sustainable

11.1 By 2030, ensure access for all to adequate, safe and affordable housing and basic services and upgrade slums

▶ Proportion of urban population living in slums decreased between 2014-2018.

More than two-thirds of population growth are in Vientiane, the capital city of Laos.
Urban rehabilitation project has been implemented since 1990s in Vientiane and extended to other cities in Laos. The objectives are to improve the infrastructure, environment conditions, capacity building, and community livelihood.

11.6 By 2030, reduce the adverse per capita environmental impact of cities, including by paying special attention to air quality and municipal and other waste management

▶ PM2.5 pollution in Laos decreased between 2010-2017.

Although the number decreased, but Laos's PM2.5 pollution exceeded WHO guideline of 10 micrograms per cubic meter.
The Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment (MoNRE) of Laos has developed “Clean and Beautiful Guidelines” as part of promoting environmental quality.
In addition, the government has worked on data systems in collecting data for indicators on housing, waste management, pollution, and urban transport.

SDG 12: Responsible Consumption and Production

Ensure sustainable consumption and production patterns

12.2 By 2030, achieve the sustainable management and efficient use of natural resources

▶ Laos domestic material consumption on biomass and metal ores is high.

▶ Resource extraction can produce social and environmental cost.

The government has implemented the legislative framework related to resource extraction.
On the other hand, there are still insufficient monitoring capacity and lack of communication between the central government and local government.

SDG 13: Climate Action

Take urgent action to combat climate change and its impacts

13.1 Strengthen resilience and adaptive capacity to climate-related hazards and natural disasters in all countries

13.1.1 Number of deaths, missing persons and directly affected persons attributed to disasters.

Diagram G13.1: Laos has experienced increasing disasters caused by extreme weather such as severe floods, storms and drought, which impacted more than hundreds of thousands of people, showing a rapid rise from about 65000 in 2015 to well over 750000 people in 2019, which were 6 times higher than that of Cambodia.
Diagram G13.2: Disasters in Laos also resulted in many deaths and missing persons, which increased constantly during 2015 to 2019. Surprisingly, in 2018, 64 deaths and 26 missings were reported, representing an very shocking increase of 800 percent from the previous year. On other hand, Cambodia saw a dramatic decrease during the same period.
Despite strong mechanisms of preparedness and mitigations has been put in place, more efforts and effective implementation are still needed for Laos to reduce the number of the affected, dearth and missing.

13.2 Integrate climate change measures into national policies, strategies and planning

13.2.2 Total greenhouse gas emissions per year.

Diagram G13.3: shows that GHG per capita in Laos increased rapidly between 2014 and 2019, from 1 to almost 5 ton or 4-time increase. More shockingly, this capita made a big jump of almost 200% percent from 2.76 ton in 2018 to 4.73 ton in 2019. Fortunately, this capita was still around the mean level of Asia's and below the World's (4.76 ton in 2019). This diagram also points a surprise that Lao population which was only half of Cambodia's in 2019 produced 3 ton more than the Cambodian. This GHG amount might take into account the factor that Laos built more dams which made loss to natural forests.

Diagram G13.4: indicates the mean and range of GHG values among Laos, Cambodia, Asia and World from 2010 to 2019. GHG of a Lao person was higher than the mean in 2019.
Measures must be implement to ensure environmentally economic growth to achieve SDG13.

SDG 14: Life Below Water

Conserve and sustainably use the oceans, seas, and marine resources for sustainable development

14.4 By 2020, effectively regulate harvesting and end overfishing, illegal, unreported and unregulated fishing and destructive fishing practices and implement science-based management plans, in order to restore fish stocks in the shortest time feasible, at least to levels that can produce maximum sustainable yield as determined by their biological characteristics

14.4.1 Proportion of fish stocks within biologically sustainable levels.

Laos fishery from aquaculture and natural fishes increased slightly annually from 82000 in 2010 to approximately 123000 ton in 2019.
Captured fishes also increased slightly which could means that Laos posted little threat to natural fishes.

SDG 15: Life on Land

Protect, restore and promote sustainable use of terrestrial ecosystems, sustainably manage forests, combat desertification, and reserve land degradation and halt biodiversity loss

15.1 By 2020, ensure the conservation, restoration and sustainable use of terrestrial and inland freshwater ecosystems and their services, in particular forests, wetlands, mountains and drylands, in line with obligations under international agreements

15.1.1 Forest area as a proportion of total land area Laos has maintained well its of its forest area which a very slight drop from 73% in 2010 to just 72% of the total territory.

15.a Mobilize and significantly increase financial resources from all sources to conserve and sustainably use biodiversity and ecosystems

15.a.1 (a) Official development assistance on conservation and sustainable use of biodiversity Diagram 15.2: shows that ODA to Laos for biodiversity conservation constantly decreased from 36 million in 2010 to US$ 21 million in 2019 despite the country had huge forest of potential biodiversity.

SDG 16: Peace and Justice-Strong Institutions

Promote peaceful and inclusive societies for sustainable development, provide access to justice for all and build effective, accountable and inclusive instructions at all levels

16.2 End abuse, exploitation, trafficking and all forms of violence against and torture of children

16.2.2 Number of victims of human trafficking per 100,000 population, by sex, age and form of exploitation.

16.5.2 Proportion of businesses that had at least one contact with a public official and that paid a bribe to a public official, or were asked for a bribe by those public officials during the previous 12 months

SDG 17: Partnerships for the Goals

Strengthen the means of implementation and revitalize the global partnership for sustainable development

17.1 Strengthen domestic resource mobilization, including through international support to developing countries, to improve domestic capacity for tax and other revenue collection

17.1.2 Proportion of domestic budget funded by domestic taxes

17.2.1 Net official development assistance, total and to least developed countries, as a proportion of the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) Development Assistance Committee donors’ gross national income (GNI)

17.3 Mobilize additional financial resources for developing countries from multiple sources

17.3.1 Foreign direct investment, official development assistance and South-South cooperation as a proportion of gross national income

17.3.2 Volume of remittances (in United States dollars) as a proportion of total GDP

17.4 Assist developing countries in attaining long-term debt sustainability through coordinated policies aimed at fostering debt financing, debt relief and debt restructuring, as appropriate, and address the external debt of highly indebted poor countries to reduce debt distress

17.4.1 Debt service as a proportion of exports of goods and services

SDG 18: Reducing the unexploded ordnance (UXO) obstacle to development

According to the National Regulatory Authority on UXO (NRA),

Laos is the most heavily bombed country per capita in history
Over 2 million tons of ordnance were dropped on the country between 1964 and 1973 with more than 580,000 bomb dropping missions or 3 missions every hour
More than 270 million bombies were dropped and more than 30% failed to detonate and remained after the war end 1975
15 of 18 provinces suffer UXO contamination

18.1.1 Number of reported UXO casualties.

Diagram G18.1: shows that the number of UXO casualties dropped constantly from 119 people in 2010 to 25 in 2019. Likewise, the UXO accidents experience similar decreasing pattern, from 75 accidents to 25 during the same period.

18.2.2 Number of villages defined as ‘poor’ with Confirmed Hazardous Areas remaining to be cleared.

Diagram G18.2: indicates a significant annual progress made by Laos in searching for UXO hazardous areas which increased sharply from approximately 9500 Ha in 2013 to almost 25000 in 2019. Inaddition, the annual UXO clearance in Laos also progressed significantly, from 3000 Ha in 2010 to 4500 in 2019.

Looking Forward

In conclusion, our review found that:

Laos generally has made significant progress in SDG implementation. However, Covid-19 pandemic may affect some SDGs. Therefore, Laos must identify and give priority to the implementation of the SDGs, such as SDGs related to the economic sector, which can create subsequent impacts on the other SDGs.
Laos should also carry out regular and close monitoring and evaluating the performance of its SDG implementing agencies to ensure their consistancy. It is also important to enhance data collection and management to support the monitoring and evaluation effectively.