Christians in Laos face many hardships as they live in poor and isolated rural communities. Many Christian families struggle with poverty, lack of education, unemployment, and limited access to healthcare and basic needs. Because they are religious minorities, some believers also face pressure, discrimination, and rejection from local authorities or communities because of their faith [...]
Access to education in Laos is facing a serious crisis, especially in rural and low-income areas where many children still struggle to go to school. Poverty, long travel distances, and a lack of schools mean that students often drop out early or never continue beyond primary levels. Girls are especially affected, as families may prioritize [...]
Child marriage in Laos remains a serious issue, especially in remote villages where poverty, distance, and lack of education shape daily life. Many girls marry at 14 or 15 and quickly become mothers, often without proper healthcare or knowledge. Some give birth in unsafe conditions, which puts both mother and baby at risk. Leaving school [...]
The recent report on Laos shows a crisis for human rights defenders. Many activists, trade union leaders, and members of civil society are not protected by law, and the government does not officially recognize their role. Because of this, they are often treated as threats rather than as people who help society. Reports say that [...]
The recent war in the Middle East is causing new economic problems for Laos, a nation already struggling after the COVID-19 crisis. Rising global fuel prices and supply shortages are making life harder for people, as the country depends heavily on imported fuel. The Ministry of Public Works and Transport has asked citizens to reduce [...]
Laos has tried to grow its economy by working closely with China and using its natural resources like rivers, forests, and minerals. This helped the country build roads, dams, and railways, and reduce poverty. But it also created problems. Laos borrowed a lot of money, especially from China, and now has high debt. When COVID-19 [...]
The Lao government is taking urgent action to deal with a fuel crisis caused by rising global energy prices and supply problems. To help people and businesses, it has reduced fuel taxes, cutting gasoline tax from 25 percent to 15 percent and removing diesel tax completely. The government is also using subsidy funds to keep [...]
A major corruption case has been uncovered in Attapeu Province, where authorities discovered that more than 158 billion kip of government money had been stolen. Investigators also reported an additional loss of about 369,000 US dollars. The case began when the main suspect fled to a neighboring country after the first investigation started. He later [...]
Human rights groups are calling on the government of Laos to investigate the suspicious death of government critic Sisay Luangmonda. The 32-year-old activist, who often criticized corruption and poor governance online, was reported missing by his family on February 14, 2026. Witnesses said soldiers arrested him near the capital, Vientiane, and took him to Phonthan [...]
In Laos, Christians face serious persecution under the country’s Communist government and strong local traditions. The government officially recognizes only three churches: the Lao Evangelical Church, the Catholic Church, and the Seventh-day Adventist Church. Other Christian groups must meet secretly. Many churches do not have permanent buildings, and baptisms are often not allowed in public, [...]