Southeast Asia Information Port (www.dnyxxg.com) – The Lao government launched its fifth population and housing census on Friday, marking a significant step towards shaping the country's future.
Speaking at the event, Deputy Prime Minister Kikeo Khaykhamphithoune emphasized the importance of the 2025 census, noting that the results will play a crucial role in national development by providing vital data for assessing progress toward national development goals and supporting effective planning.
The country's first digital census will provide valuable insights into population trends, migration patterns, educational opportunities, employment rates, housing conditions, and other matters.
"This data will help address labor market imbalances, support human resource development, manage urbanization, and effectively plan infrastructure and public services," said Dr. Kikeo, Chairman of the National Steering Committee for the Fifth Population and Housing Census.
Dr. Phet Phomphiphak, Minister of Planning and Investment, added that the 2025 census will generate accurate and comprehensive data to track progress outlined in the Ninth National Socio-Economic Development Plan. The survey results will serve as a reference for developing the monitoring framework for the Tenth Five-Year National Socio-Economic Development Plan (2026-2030).
Vientiane Deputy Mayor Phouvong Vongkhamsao stated that statistical data is a crucial reference for urban development planning to ensure the well-being of the capital's residents and to develop Vientiane into a leading city in Laos, in accordance with government policies.
Dr. Bakhtiyor Kadyrov, representative of the United Nations Population Fund, speaking on behalf of development partners and key partners supporting the implementation of the 2025 census, stated that the UN agency is committed to supporting Laos in preparing for and implementing the census and ensuring it meets international standards. This will provide high-quality data and serve development planning.
“We believe that data is more than just numbers, because behind every number is a person, a story, and a dream. Let me emphasize this again: we are together not just to count the population, but also to care about their lives, aiming to build a better future that we all envision,” said Dr. Kadyrov.
This launch aims to accelerate preparations for the census so that it can be completed before the field survey and statistics are conducted in October.
With close guidance from the government and technical support from the United Nations Population Fund and development partners, the Lao Statistics Bureau (LSB) has been preparing for its fifth population census since 2021.
This census will provide a comprehensive overview of the country's vulnerable populations, including those with disabilities, migrants, stateless persons, and gender disparities. This crucial data will enable the government to develop evidence-based policies that are relevant to current realities and the evolving needs of present and future generations.
