Laos
Lao consumer price inflation was 7.7% year on year in October 2026, above the central bank's 2026 target (below 7%), after the seven-day base rate was cut to 7%; the private-sector minimum wage rises to LAK 3.4 million a month from January 2027.
- Last updated
- 12 Nov 2026
- Latest data as of
- 31 Oct 2026
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Gross or net not stated. The IMF 2025 Article IV uses a narrower gross-reserves definition (USD 2.3bn at end-Q3 2025), so figures are not comparable.
On the central bank’s own basis: 5.3 months (footnote 6).
Share of broad money, not of total deposits; not directly comparable with Cambodia’s 90.7%.
| 2026-04 | 10.2 |
|---|---|
| 2026-05 | 9 |
| 2026-06 | 7.4 |
| 2026-07 | 7.6 |
| 2026-08 | 7.7 |
| 2026-09 | 7.8 |
| 2026-10 | 7.7 |
Year-on-year change in the national consumer price index, Lao Statistics Bureau, monthly · Source: Lao Statistics Bureau monthly CPI, as reported by KPL, the Laotian Times and Xinhua (2026-04, 2026-05, 2026-06, 2026-07, 2026-08, 2026-09, 2026-10)
Key indicators and definitions
Compilers differ; compare like with like.| Indicator | Value | Definition and scope | Basis date | Source | Definition and source |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Banking-system NPL ratio (BOL) | 0.95% | Non-performing loans / total loans, Lao banking system, as reported by the BOL GovernorLao banking system | 30 Sep 2026 | Vientiane Times: BOL takes tougher measures to curb inflation, strengthen kip (2026-10-08) | Definition and sourceNon-performing loans / total loans, Lao banking system, as reported by the BOL Governor Scope: Lao banking system Source: Vientiane Times: BOL takes tougher measures to curb inflation, strengthen kip (2026-10-08) |
| Foreign exchange reserves | USD 4.3bnGross or net not stated. The IMF 2025 Article IV uses a narrower gross-reserves definition (USD 2.3bn at end-Q3 2025), so figures are not comparable. | Foreign exchange reserves, Bank of the Lao PDR dataBank of the Lao PDR | 30 Apr 2026 | World Bank, Lao PDR Economic Monitor (June 2026) | Definition and sourceForeign exchange reserves, Bank of the Lao PDR data Scope: Bank of the Lao PDR |
| Reserves in months of imports | 3.8 monthsOn the central bank’s own basis: 5.3 months (footnote 6). | Reserves in months of importsBank of the Lao PDR data | 30 Apr 2026 | World Bank, Lao PDR Economic Monitor (June 2026) | Definition and sourceReserves in months of imports Scope: Bank of the Lao PDR data |
| Foreign-currency deposits as a share of broad money | 66%Share of broad money, not of total deposits; not directly comparable with Cambodia’s 90.7%. | Foreign-currency deposits / broad money (M2)Bank of the Lao PDR data | 31 Mar 2026 | World Bank, Lao PDR Economic Monitor (June 2026) | Definition and sourceForeign-currency deposits / broad money (M2) Scope: Bank of the Lao PDR data |
| CPI inflation, y/y | 7.7%down from 7.8% in September | Year-on-year change in the consumer price index, Lao Statistics BureauNationwide | 31 Oct 2026 | Xinhua: Laos' inflation rate stands at 7.7 pct in October (2026-10-28) | Definition and sourceYear-on-year change in the consumer price index, Lao Statistics Bureau Scope: Nationwide Source: Xinhua: Laos' inflation rate stands at 7.7 pct in October (2026-10-28) |
| Bank of the Lao PDR seven-day base rate | 7%cut from 8% on 20 August 2026 | Seven-day base (policy) interest rate of the Bank of the Lao PDR (BOL)Monetary policy | 20 Aug 2026 | Laotian Times: Laos Cuts 7-Day Base Interest Rate to 7% (2026-08-21) | Definition and sourceSeven-day base (policy) interest rate of the Bank of the Lao PDR (BOL) Scope: Monetary policy Source: Laotian Times: Laos Cuts 7-Day Base Interest Rate to 7% (2026-08-21) |
| CPI inflation, y/y | 7.8%Released by the Lao Statistics Bureau on 29 September 2026. Xinhua’s report gives 7.8% in its headline and 7.9% in its body text; the Laotian Times gives 7.8%. | Year-on-year change in the consumer price indexNationwide | 30 Sep 2026 | Laotian Times: Laos inflation rises to 7.8 percent in September as education, utility costs climb (2026-09-29) | Definition and sourceYear-on-year change in the consumer price index Scope: Nationwide |
15 articles on Laos
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