LAO PDR
Aid fact sheet: Updated October 2017
@DFAT DFAT.GOV.AU
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$42.3 MILLION ESTIMATED AUSTRALIAN ODA 2017-18 US$1,740 (2015) GROSS NATIONAL INCOME PER CAPITA
7,000,000 (2015) POPULATION
Australia and Lao PDR are long-
standing regional partners. Our two countries share a strong and diverse relationship underpinned by
economic ties, community links and development cooperation. Australia has a strong interest in ensuring Laos continues to develop as a stable
neighbour that is increasingly well positioned to contribute to regional security and prosperity.
Strategic direction
Australian ODA supports Laos’ socio-economic priorities and goal to graduate from Least Developed Country status. It also contributes towards achieving the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The strategic objectives of our aid program to Laos include:
• improving access to, and quality of, primary education for Laos’ most disadvantaged population;
• improving Laos’ human resources through scholarships, training and capacity building; and
• building a stronger trade regime and more competitive private sector.
Program highlights
• Rehabilitated 636 classrooms; trained 364 teachers;
and supported 3,177 boys and girls from non-Lao speaking homes to prepare for school.
• Provided 140,000 primary school children with nutritious mid-morning snacks.
• Provided 120,863 people with increased access to financial services.
• In 2015-16, 50 students graduated from study in Australia under the Australia Awards program.
Key framework document
Australia’s Aid Investment Plan for Laos 2015-16 to 2019-20
ODA = Official Development Assistance
2016-17 Estimated Outcome ($m)*
2017-18 Budget Estimate ($m)*
Country Programs 22 20.6
Regional 7.4 6.9
Global 8.5 8.4
Other Government Departments 6.2 6.4 Total Australian ODA to Country 44.1 42.3
% of Total Australian ODA 1.2% 1.1%
8%
23%
9%
51%
7%
1%
1%
Australian ODA to Laos, by Investment Priorities 2017-18
Infrastructure and Trade
Agriculture, Fisheries and Water Effective Governance
Education Health
Building Resilience
General Development Support
*Due to rounding, discrepancies may occur between sums of the component items and totals.
