The Lao government will launch its first digital Population and Housing Census in March 2025, aiming to enhance national development planning and monitor international programs like the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and the International Conference on Population and Development (ICPD).

Supported by the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA), the Lao Statistics Bureau (LSB) organized partnership meetings with civil society, international NGOs, and the private sector. The meetings aimed to ensure an inclusive census by discussing contributions, publicity strategies, and coordination.

The census will collect data on population size, distribution, age, sex, living conditions, and socioeconomic characteristics, essential for planning, social programs, and market analysis. This digital census will utilize Computer-Assisted Personal Interviews (CAPI) and Geographic Information System (GIS) technologies, covering approximately 1.4 million households across 18 provinces in three to four weeks, involving around 13,100 enumerators.

Reaffirming its commitment to the ICPD Programme of Action and the National Population and Development Policy (NPDP 2019-2030), the Lao government emphasized the importance of the 2025 census for the 10th National Socio-Economic Development Plan (2026-2030).

This initiative will advance the government's digitization efforts, establish a digital data governance system, and promote innovation. Census data is crucial for public sector planning, business strategies, market research, and civil society projects related to health, sanitation, and economic development.

Follow-up meetings will ensure ongoing support and involvement from all sectors for this national milestone.