Lao PDR National and Subnational Planning, Financing and Budgeting for Green Growth

Lao PDR has experienced rapid economic growth, with an average 7.9% GDP growth during its 7th 5-Year National Social Economic Development Plan (NSEDP, 2011-2015). The poverty rate was reduced to 19.7% in 2015 and the Human Development index has increased. Labor structure has improved with increased percentage of labor employed in industry and service sectors. The current 8th NSEDP reiterated Government of Laos’ (GoL) ambition is to become a LMIC by 2020. Doing so will require not only better GDP growth, but a greater emphasis on the quality of growth. Laos seeks to maximize the impact of that growth on job creation and poverty reduction, which have been systemic challenges for the developing country.