The labor market in Laos is going through some challenges. Living costs keep rising due to inflation, but wages haven’t really increased, making it harder for many people to get by. As a result, more workers are turning to informal jobs or self-employment, especially in agriculture and small local businesses.

Many Laotians are also choosing to work abroad, mainly in Thailand, where job opportunities and pay are better. At the same time, there’s a growing gap between the skills that workers have and what employers need — especially in technical and vocational areas.