An aerial view of Vientiane city centre.   --Photo Pathetlao Daily

City records sustained economic growth but falls short of target

Vientiane has recorded an annual average economic growth rate of 5.34 percent over the past five years, below the target figure of 7-8 percent set in the 9th five-year National Socio-Economic Development Plan for 2021-2025 and the city’s 10th five-year development plan for 2026-2030.
Growth in the agriculture sector dropped from 14.3 percent in 2020 to 13 percent in 2025, falling short of the target for agriculture to contribute 14 percent of GDP by 2025.
In industry, the growth rate dipped slightly from 49.5 percent in 2020 to 49 percent in 2025, but achieving the target for industry to contribute 49 percent of GDP.
Meanwhile, in the services sector, the growth rate increased from 36.2 percent in 2020 to 38 percent in 2025, exceeding the target for services to account for 37 percent of GDP by 2025.
In terms of investment for development, Vientiane sourced 104,783  billion kip, exceeding the target figure of 81,755 set in the five-year development plan by an impressive 28.16 percent.
The value of Official Development Assistance (ODA) provided amounted to 3,619 billion kip, exceeding the planned five-year amount of  3,270 billion kip by a massive 52 percent.
Also contributing to the city’s rapid development, private sector investment soared to 99,517 billion kip, exceeding the five-year target of 65,400 billion kip by 52.17 percent.
Vientiane has enjoyed development in many sectors, including agriculture, industry and trade, energy and mining, education, sports, health, labour, social welfare, information, culture, tourism, rural development and poverty alleviation, natural resources and the environment, urban development, infrastructure, public utilities, state administration, and defence and security.

By Times Reporters
(Latest Update September 17, 2025)