Southeast Asia Information Port News (www.dnyxxg.com) – The Lao government has finalized a detailed development strategy in its new five-year plan, focusing on three main directions: economic reform, social improvement, and environmental protection, to promote high-quality national development. This strategic blueprint is reflected in the "Tenth Five-Year National Socio-Economic Development Plan (2026-2030)," submitted by Prime Minister Somxay Siphandone at the 12th National Congress of the Lao People's Revolutionary Party held from January 6th to 8th.
As the highest decision-making body of the Lao People's Revolutionary Party, the National Congress bears the core responsibility of formulating the direction of the country's political, economic, and social development for the next five years. This tenth five-year plan outlines six core objectives and 26 key work plans, with the core orientation being to accelerate economic growth, improve people's well-being, and enhance the resilience of national development.
The plan sets clear, quantifiable development goals: Over the next five years, it aims to achieve an average annual economic growth rate of no less than 6%, raise per capita GDP to US$3,104, and keep the inflation rate below 5%; the public debt-to-GDP ratio will be reduced to below 70%, while ensuring that the national forest coverage rate remains stable at 70% by 2030, promoting coordinated development and environmental protection.
To achieve these goals, the plan outlines multiple core measures: At the economic construction level, it will build a self-reliant and resilient economy by tapping into domestic development potential, stabilizing the macroeconomy, and improving investment efficiency; it will strengthen the collaborative efforts of SMEs, state-owned enterprises, and local collective production groups to comprehensively enhance productivity and competitiveness in regional and international markets.
The digital economy is positioned as a key driver of modern sustainable development, focusing on leveraging digital transformation to support innovation breakthroughs, improve production efficiency, and cultivate new business momentum. Human capital development is also included as a core priority, with plans to precisely match employment market demands through education system optimization, skills training upgrades, and public health service reforms.
Balanced urban-rural development remains a core strategic priority, with poverty reduction, food security, and nutrition improvement listed as key national tasks. In the area of social development, the coverage of the social security system will be further expanded, gender equality will be advanced, the clearing of unexploded ordnance left over from war will continue, and the living conditions of affected communities will be effectively improved.
Environmental protection and climate action are on the agenda simultaneously. Through optimized and pragmatic management of forest, land, water, and mineral resources, green growth will be promoted, and disaster preparedness and response capabilities will be enhanced. Regional and international connectivity will be further strengthened, with key investments in transportation infrastructure such as highways, railways, and airports, as well as digital infrastructure. International cooperation in trade and investment will be deepened; cities and special economic zones will be cultivated into core hubs for production, investment, and tourism, radiating and driving overall economic development.
The plan also emphasizes that, under the guidance of the Lao People's Revolutionary Party's "Three-Building" policy (building provinces into strategic units, counties into comprehensively strong units, and villages into development units), the national management and administrative system will be optimized, and an efficient and responsive rule-of-law governance structure will be built.
It is understood that the new five-year plan is based on the solid foundation laid by the ninth five-year plan (2021-2025). Despite facing multiple global and regional challenges during this period, Laos' economic and social development has progressed steadily. During the implementation of the ninth five-year plan, the average annual economic growth rate reached 4.24%, exceeding the established target of 4%; the public debt-to-GDP ratio fell from 112% in 2022 to approximately 88% in 2025, while a trade surplus of US$8.4 billion was achieved, laying a solid foundation for the implementation of the new plan.
Prime Minister Somxay Siphandone stated that the successful implementation of the tenth five-year plan will benefit communities across the country and provide strong support for Laos' long-term stable development.
