Poverty headcount ratio at societal poverty line (% of population) in Laos
Laos: Poverty headcount ratio at societal poverty line (% of population) was 25.3% in 2024. ▼ Falling
Poverty headcount ratio at societal poverty line in Laos, 1992–2024
Source: World Bank, Poverty and Inequality Platform. Data are based on primary household survey data obtained from government statistical agencies and World Bank country departments. Data for high-income econ. Measured in % of population.
Analysis
The most recent figure for poverty headcount ratio at societal poverty line in Laos is 25.3%, measured in 2024. That is the lowest value across all 7 years on record.
Compared with earlier readings it is down 22.4% over ten years.
Over the whole period, poverty headcount ratio at societal poverty line in Laos peaked at 62.0% in 1997 and was at its lowest, 25.3%, in 2024.
Laos ranks 41st of 123 countries on this measure, in the middle of the range.
Poverty headcount ratio at societal poverty line (% of population) in Laos, year by year
| Year | % of population | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 1992 | 42.1% | — |
| 1997 | 62.0% | +47.3% |
| 2002 | 43.1% | -30.5% |
| 2007 | 38.4% | -10.9% |
| 2012 | 32.6% | -15.1% |
| 2018 | 30.9% | -5.2% |
| 2024 | 25.3% | -18.1% |
Laos compared with similar countries
- Laos's 25.3% is below the median for lower middle income countries, which is 28.3%, 89% of the median. (29 countries reporting)
- Laos's 25.3% is above the median for East Asia & Pacific, which is 19.7%, 1.3× the median. (11 countries reporting)
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1990s | 52.0% | 42.1% | 62.0% | 2 |
| 2000s | 40.8% | 38.4% | 43.1% | 2 |
| 2010s | 31.8% | 30.9% | 32.6% | 2 |
| 2020s | 25.3% | 25.3% | 25.3% | 1 |
Countries ranked near Laos
More poverty & inequality data for Laos
- Number of income/consumption surveys in the past decade available via the World Bank 2 surveys (2025)
- Number of income/consumption surveys in the past decade available via 0 surveys per person (2025)
- Number of income/consumption surveys in the past decade available via 0 surveys per US$ of GDP (2025)
- Fertility rate vs. share living in extreme poverty 2.42 live births per woman (2023)
- Cereal yield vs. share in extreme poverty 4,196 kg per hectare (2024)
- Cereal yield vs extreme poverty, per unit of GDP 0 units per US$ of GDP (2024)
- Cereal yield vs extreme poverty, annual growth rate 2.31 % change on previous year (2024)
- Tax revenues vs income inequality, gaps filled 10.62 (2022)
- Tax revenue as share of GDP vs. income inequality 10.6% (2022)
- Tax revenues vs income inequality, per unit of GDP 0 units per US$ of GDP (2022)
Frequently asked questions
- What is poverty headcount ratio at societal poverty line in Laos?
- Poverty headcount ratio at societal poverty line in Laos was 25.3% in 2024, according to World Bank, Poverty and Inequality Platform. Data are based on primary household survey data obtained from government statistical agencies and World Bank country departments. Data for high-income econ.
- What is the highest poverty headcount ratio at societal poverty line recorded in Laos?
- The highest recorded value was 62.0% in 1997.
- What is the lowest poverty headcount ratio at societal poverty line recorded in Laos?
- The lowest recorded value was 25.3% in 2024.
- How does Laos rank for poverty headcount ratio at societal poverty line?
- Laos ranks 41st out of 123 countries with data for 2024.
- Is poverty headcount ratio at societal poverty line rising or falling in Laos?
- Over the last ten years it is down 22.4%. The long-run trend across the full record is falling.
- Where does this Laos data come from?
- The figures come from World Bank, Poverty and Inequality Platform. Data are based on primary household survey data obtained from government statistical agencies and World Bank country departments. Data for high-income econ, published as part of Poverty headcount ratio at societal poverty line (% of population). Statizoid updates them automatically from the source API.
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About this data
The poverty headcount ratio at societal poverty line is the percentage of a population living in poverty according to the World Bank's Societal Poverty Line. The Societal Poverty Line is expressed in purchasing power adjusted 2021 U.S. dollars and defined as max($3.00, $1.30 + 0.5*Median). This means that when the national median is sufficiently low, the Societal Poverty line is equivalent to the extreme poverty line, $3.00. For countries with a sufficiently high national median, the Societal Poverty Line grows as countries’ median income grows.