Rapid population growth challenges government in meeting basic needs
(KPL) The Lao PDR has identified challenges caused by the urban growth, including how to provide their dwellers with an access to education, health care and employment, said this week the President of the Committee for Planning and Investment, Mr Soulivong Dalavong.
According to the 2005 population census conducted by the National Statistics Centre, Laos has a population of over 5.6 million. In comparison with the previous population census (1995), the population of Laos has increased by 2% a year. Sekong makes the greatest surprise with the highest growth rate of population, a leap of 30% over 1995.
The most populated province of Savannakhet accounts for 14% of Lao population.
A meeting to launch a report on world population state was held under the title “Unleashing the Potential of Urban Growth” on Wednesday in Vientiane. “The rapid increase of young people challenges Laos to provide them basic needs of education, public health care services, and employment,” said Mr Soulivong Dalavong.
Also attending the meeting were the Resident Coordinator of the United Nations to Laos Ms Sonam Yangchen Rana, Representative of the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) Ms Mieko Yabuta and members of the diplomatic corps along with representatives of international organisations.
