World

Inflation in Laos hits 22-year high

Inflation rate in Laos surged from 30.01% in August, 2022, to 34% in September, according to the Lao Statistics Bureau.
Inflation in Laos hits 22-year high ảnh 1At a market in Houaphane province, Laos (Photo: AFP/VNA)
Vientiane (VNA) – Inflation rate in Laos surged  from 30.01% in August, 2022, to 34% in September, according to the Lao Statistics Bureau. 

The 22-year high was attributable to the surge in the prices of food, medicines, fuel and other consumer goods.

Inflation in Laos has surged significantly since 2021, and the country now has the highest inflation rate in Southeast Asia.

According to the bureau, low productivity and Laos’s over-reliance on imports were also reasons behind the continuing surge in the consumer price index. 

The weak kip, the Lao currency, and growing demand for foreign currencies needed to import goods and repay debts is another driver of inflation. The kip continues to depreciate despite the government's attempts to regulate currency exchange rates.

In addition, floods have destroyed crops and other property, sparking demand for more food at local markets. In September, the cost of food and beverages increased by 4.9% month-on-month and 35.5% year-on-year. The price rise in this category was driven by the higher price of rice, which surged by 45.3% year-on-year./.
VNA
# Inflation rate #Laos #over-reliance #consumer price index #Vietnamplus #Vietnamplus #Vietnam news #Vietnam News Agency Laos
Follow VietnamPlus

Related News

Laos plans to export electricity to Vietnam

Laos plans to export electricity to Vietnam

The Lao Government and relevant energy companies plan to spend over 2 billion USD for the construction of a wind power project in Sepon district, Savannakhet province to serve domestic demand and export to Vietnam.
Laos launches WB-funded transport development project

Laos launches WB-funded transport development project

The Lao Ministry of Public Works and Transport on September 21 launched the World Bank-funded Southeast Asia Regional Economic Corridor and Connectivity Project, which is expected to improve climate resilient, transport connectivity, and regional trade along an east-west corridor through Lao northern provinces.
Lao association calls for efforts to boost garment sector

Lao association calls for efforts to boost garment sector

The Association of the Lao Garment Industry (ALGI) has encouraged every village to have at least one shop stocked with clothes produced locally, aiming to reduce the import of the products and controlling the inflation rate of the country.

See more

Malaysia establishes ‘war room’ to ensure water security

Malaysia establishes ‘war room’ to ensure water security

The establishment of the war room reflects the Malaysian government’s commitment to shift from a reactive approach to a more proactive, data-driven one in managing national water challenges, particularly amid increasingly unpredictable weather conditions caused by global climate change

Indonesia diversifies supply sources to ensure energy security

Indonesia diversifies supply sources to ensure energy security

Indonesia is facing significant supply pressure as crude oil consumption reaches approximately 1.6 million barrels per day, much lower than the domestic production at only around 600,000 barrels per day, forcing the country to rely heavily on imports.

Indonesian-branded cosmetic and personal care products are available at supermarkets and shopping malls (Photo: VNA)

Indonesia aims to master cosmetics industry value chain

Key drivers include its large population, expanding middle class, and rapidly rising demand for beauty products, especially among young consumers. The market has reached billions of US dollars and is projected to maintain strong growth in the medium term.

The Anthropic logo is seen in this illustration taken on Mar 1, 2026. (File photo: Reuters)

Singapore warns of cyber risks from Frontier AI models

According to CSA, advanced AI models – among the most cutting-edge systems today – can significantly shorten the time needed to identify system vulnerabilities and develop exploitation tools, reducing the process from months to just hours.

Helicopter carrying eight reported missing in Indonesia

Helicopter carrying eight reported missing in Indonesia

Indonesian authorities are urgently conducting a search and rescue operation after receiving reports that a helicopter carrying eight people suddenly lost contact on the morning of April 16 in West Kalimantan on the island of Borneo.

Malaysia’s job losses surge 47% in the first quarter of 2026 (Photo: AFP)

Malaysia's layoffs rise 47% in first quarter

The report, based on figures from Malaysia’s Social Security Organisation, showed layoffs peaked in January with around 10,700 cases before easing to 7,500 in February and 5,900 in March. Despite the slowdown toward the end of the quarter, the total remained significantly higher than the roughly 16,500 layoffs recorded in the same period of 2025.