Joint Programme on High-Frequency Data: Addressing Economic and Social Challenges in Lao People's Democratic Republic

What is the Joint Programme on High-Frequency Data?

The Joint Programme "High-Frequency Data" is a collaboration between the United Nations in Lao PDR and the Lao Academy for Social and Economic Sciences/Macroeconomic Research Institute. The project aims to provide targeted, disaggregated, and timely data to inform efficient policy responses and course corrections related to the fast-evolving food, energy, and financial crisis on the nation's fiscal capacity and individual households.

What is the purpose of the project?

The project seeks to understand the impact of the global food, fertilizer, energy, and financial crisis on Lao PDR and identify vulnerable groups impacted by the crisis, with a focus on women and girls.

What are the findings based on the data provided?

Based on the data collected and analyzed, there are several findings that policymakers should consider in their decision-making. Firstly, vulnerable groups need more support, as shown by an increase in demand for Mental Health and Psychosocial Counseling (MHPSS), a reversal trend of girls' school dropout, and poor urban and rural households being disproportionately burdened. Secondly, there is a threat to food security, with an increase in food prices and households resorting to coping strategies. Thirdly, there is a cost-of-living crisis due to the limited fiscal space for government response, with prices affected by exogenous factors, from war to climate change. Lastly, policymakers must recognize that exogenous factors play a key role in determining the price of key commodities.

What should policymakers do based on the findings?

Policymakers should explore these findings and develop appropriate policies to address these issues. They can consider the 9th National Socio-Economic Development Plan (NSEDP) Financing Strategy, the Resilience Framework, and the LDC Graduation Smooth Transition Strategy to address the findings mentioned above.

Which government agencies should be involved in addressing the issues?

Policymakers must engage with various government agencies to address these issues. The Ministry of Health (MoH) should address the increase in demand for MHPSS, and the Ministry of Education and Sports (MoES) should focus on the reversal trend of girls' school dropout. The Ministry of Labor and Social Welfare (MoLSW) should address the issue of poor urban and rural households being disproportionately burdened and the cost-of-living crisis. The Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry (MAF) should address the threat to food security, including the cascading effect of the increasing agricultural input prices. The Ministry of Industry and Commerce (MoIC) should address the cost-of-living crisis and declining consumer confidence. Lastly, the Bank of Laos (BoL) should focus on controlling inflation. Local governments should also be involved in addressing issues such as the increase in demand for MHPSS, the reversal trend of girls' school dropout, and the threat to food security.

What is the importance of the Joint Programme on High-Frequency Data?

The Joint Programme "High-Frequency Data" provides crucial information for policymakers to make informed decisions and develop appropriate policies in response to the fast-evolving food, energy, and financial crisis on the nation's fiscal capacity and individual households.

For any inquiries, please contact Matthew Johnson-Idan (matthew.johnson-idan@un.org).

For those interested in learning more about the Joint Programme on High-Frequency Data, please note that the links to download 3 bulletins and a policy brief are available below.

Joint Programme on High-Frequency Data: Bulletin 1 Vulnerable Groups

Joint Programme on High-Frequency Data: Bulletin 2 - Food Security and Livelihoods

Joint Programme on High-Frequency Data: Bulletin 3 - Macroeconomic Outlook of Lao PDR

Policy Brief