VIENTIANE (Laotian Times): Recent data show that Laos’ economy is beginning to recover. International institutions report GDP growth of 4.2 per cent, driven largely by mining and electricity exports. Headline inflation has eased to just over 5 per cent.
But the streets of Vientiane tell a different story.
Across the capital, small businesses display “Urgent: Staff Wanted” signs. Café owners, repair shops, and marketing studios say they are struggling to find workers, even as official figures point to renewed stability.
Much of the current growth comes from large-scale industries. Mining and energy exports continue to expand, boosting national revenue. However, small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), which employ much of the urban workforce, say they have yet to feel the same momentum.
Although inflation has slowed, prices remain high.
The Consumer Price Index, which tracks the actual cost of goods, reached 256.8 points in January 2026, up sharply from 244.2 a year earlier. For many workers, daily expenses, from food to utilities, remain significantly higher than before the economic crisis.
In practical terms, while the pace of price increases has eased, the overall cost of living has not fallen.
The government raised the minimum wage to LAK 2.5 million (approximately USD 116) in October 2024, but many workers and business owners say higher expenses quickly absorb the increase.
Latdamone Photsavang, who runs Auto 7 Center in Vientiane, said many workers from the provinces struggle with rent, utilities, and transport.
“For workers coming from other provinces, the costs are overwhelming,” she said.
To retain staff, she built dormitories, covers utility costs, and provides food support. Without those benefits, she said, “they simply cannot survive on a local salary.”
The pressure has pushed many young Lao workers to seek jobs overseas, particularly in Thailand, South Korea, and Japan, where monthly earnings can be many times higher.
“They see foreign currency as much stronger than the kip,” Latdamone said.
At the same time, some businesses now struggle to find skilled workers locally and must hire foreign specialists at higher cost. Employers say staff often stay briefly before leaving for opportunities abroad.
Employers also point to a mismatch between salary expectations and available skills.
“It is very difficult to find permanent staff,” said one entrepreneur in the auto service sector who requested anonymity. “They stay for a short time, then leave for better pay overseas.”
Some business owners say workers expect higher wages, but their skills do not always meet market needs, particularly in technical and digital sectors.
“We have to update our skills to meet demand if we decide to live and work in Laos,” said Duangmala Phonesavath, a program coordinator in the hotel and hospitality sector in Vientiane.
Job fairs and recruitment events continue to connect employers and job seekers, but many business owners believe deeper structural issues remain.
Laos now faces what some describe as a “split economy”: strong performance in export-driven industries alongside labor shortages and pressure on small businesses.
Unless the country invests more heavily in workforce skills and creates conditions where local jobs can compete with overseas opportunities, employers warn that the labor shortage could become a long-term challenge.
On paper, the economy may be stabilizing. On the ground, many businesses and workers are still searching for balance. -- Laotian Times
