For the past 20 years, Laos has been steadily moving away from a centrally-planned economy towards a market-oriented economy, which has led to significant progress in key social and economic indicators. Still, many challenges remain for children in Laos. Eighty per cent of the population still depend on agriculture for their livelihoods and at least 30 per cent live in poverty.
World Vision’s work in Laos is focused on the most vulnerable, with programs in nutrition and health for mothers and children, water and sanitation, education and child protection. We also invest in economic empowerment to help families increase their income and in infrastructure improvements for schools and health facilities. Today, World Vision Laos benefits more than 200,000 Lao children.