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Laos · Employment & wages

Unemployment, participation, employment, youth, wages and hours.

19 indicators · 12 with data

Unemployment

Unemployment

% of labour force

9th of 185 · 3rd in East Asia & Pacific
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UnemploymentLaos's unemployment fell from 2.5 % in 1996 to 1.2 % in 2025.2000200520102015202020250%1%2%3%1.2 %

Laos's unemployment fell from 2.5 % in 1996 to 1.2 % in 2025.

Youth unemployment

% of labour force ages 15–24

8th of 183 · 2nd in East Asia & Pacific
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Youth unemploymentLaos's youth unemployment fell from 5.2 % in 1996 to 2.4 % in 2025.2000200520102015202020250%2%4%6%2.4 %

Laos's youth unemployment fell from 5.2 % in 1996 to 2.4 % in 2025.

Participation

Participation

% of population ages 15+

52nd of 182 · 13th in East Asia & Pacific
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ParticipationLaos's participation rose from 62.1 % in 1996 to 66.1 % in 2025.20002005201020152020202558%60%62%64%66%68%66.1 %

Laos's participation rose from 62.1 % in 1996 to 66.1 % in 2025.

Labour force participation rate, female (ages 15+)

% of female population ages 15+

41st of 182 · 10th in East Asia & Pacific
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Labour force participation rate, female (ages 15+)Laos's labour force participation rate, female (ages 15+) rose from 59.3 % in 1996 to 61.6 % in 2025.20002005201020152020202556%58%60%62%61.6 %

Laos's labour force participation rate, female (ages 15+) rose from 59.3 % in 1996 to 61.6 % in 2025.

Employment

Employment to population ratio (ages 15+)

% of population ages 15+

37th of 182 · 11th in East Asia & Pacific
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Employment to population ratio (ages 15+)Laos's employment to population ratio (ages 15+) rose from 60.6 % in 1996 to 65.3 % in 2025.20002005201020152020202556%58%60%62%64%66%65.3 %

Laos's employment to population ratio (ages 15+) rose from 60.6 % in 1996 to 65.3 % in 2025.

Labour force, total

people

96th of 182 · 16th in East Asia & Pacific
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Labour force, totalLaos's labour force, total rose from 1.76M in 1996 to 3.65M in 2025.2000200520102015202020251.5M2M2.5M3M3.5M4M3.65M

Laos's labour force, total rose from 1.76M in 1996 to 3.65M in 2025.

Self-employed (% of total employment)

% of employment

20th of 182 · 2nd in East Asia & Pacific
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Self-employed (% of total employment)Laos's self-employed (% of total employment) fell from 90.1 % in 1996 to 77.1 % in 2025.20002005201020152020202575%80%85%90%95%77.1 %

Laos's self-employed (% of total employment) fell from 90.1 % in 1996 to 77.1 % in 2025.

Vulnerable employment (% of total employment)

% of employment

166th of 182 · 29th in East Asia & Pacific
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Vulnerable employment (% of total employment)Laos's vulnerable employment (% of total employment) fell from 89.7 % in 1996 to 76.4 % in 2025.20002005201020152020202570%75%80%85%90%95%76.4 %

Laos's vulnerable employment (% of total employment) fell from 89.7 % in 1996 to 76.4 % in 2025.

Structure

Employment in agriculture (% of total employment)

% of employment

6th of 182 · 1st in East Asia & Pacific
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Employment in agriculture (% of total employment)Laos's employment in agriculture (% of total employment) fell from 88.9 % in 1996 to 68.6 % in 2025.20002005201020152020202570%80%90%68.6 %

Laos's employment in agriculture (% of total employment) fell from 88.9 % in 1996 to 68.6 % in 2025.

Employment in industry (% of total employment)

% of employment

174th of 182 · 28th in East Asia & Pacific
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Employment in industry (% of total employment)Laos's employment in industry (% of total employment) rose from 2.4 % in 1996 to 7.4 % in 2025.2000200520102015202020250%2%4%6%8%7.4 %

Laos's employment in industry (% of total employment) rose from 2.4 % in 1996 to 7.4 % in 2025.

Employment in services (% of total employment)

% of employment

175th of 182 · 28th in East Asia & Pacific
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Employment in services (% of total employment)Laos's employment in services (% of total employment) rose from 8.7 % in 1996 to 24.0 % in 2025.2000200520102015202020250%5%10%15%20%25%24.0 %

Laos's employment in services (% of total employment) rose from 8.7 % in 1996 to 24.0 % in 2025.

Productivity

GDP per person employed (constant 2021 PPP $)

constant 2021 PPP $

126th of 168 · 19th in East Asia & Pacific
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GDP per person employed (constant 2021 PPP $)Laos's gdp per person employed (constant 2021 ppp $) rose from intl $7,277 in 1996 to intl $19.4k in 2025.200020052010201520202025intl $5kintl $10kintl $15kintl $20kintl $25kintl $19.4k

Laos's gdp per person employed (constant 2021 ppp $) rose from intl $7,277 in 1996 to intl $19.4k in 2025.

›No data available (7)

These indicators exist in the registry but no source reports a value for Laos.

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