VIENTIANE (Xinhua): Inflation in Laos increased to 6.2 per cent in February, up from 5.1 per cent in January, according to the latest report from the Lao Statistics Bureau.
A surge in domestic demand and rising energy costs, including fuel prices, were among the key factors driving inflation in February 2026, according to a report released by the bureau on Friday.
The highest price rise was recorded in the goods and services category, which stood at 37 per cent.
Other categories driving inflation included the housing, water, electricity, and gas category at 24.3 per cent, the medical care and medicines category at 13 per cent, and the education category at 11.7 per cent.
The Lao government is accelerating high-quality, sustainable economic growth, aiming to build an independent, self-reliant economy.
In a move to maintain monetary stability, the Lao central bank recently approved a reduction of its 7-day basic interest rate from 8.5 per cent to 8 per cent, a measure expected to help keep inflation around 5 per cent. - XInhua
