The foremost aim of Swedish development cooperation with Laos is to promote a sustainable economic growth with the capacity to reduce poverty and counteract the growing social divisions. It is also designed to develop and reinforce the conditions for democratisation and a greater respect for human rights.
Laos is among the world's least developed countries and ranks 135th out of 177 on the Human Development Report's list for 2004. A move towards a market economy began in the mid-1980s, since when Laos has seen healthy economic growth. However, economic reforms have not been matched by any corresponding political opening, and the single-party system remains.
Economically, Laos has made some progress, but this has not been matched by political change and the single-party system remains in place. There are, however, tendencies towards greater openness.Read more about Sida's work in Laos see the link to the right on this page on Sida's webpages.> www.sida.se