Lao People’s Democratic Republic: Country Technical Note on Indigenous Peoples’ Issues

Lao People’s Democratic Republic (Lao PDR) is one of the countries with the largest number of different ethnic groups in the world. The history of these ethnic groups extends beyond human memory. They have experienced many upheavals, but they continue to develop, although some of them evolve less quickly than others.

Ethnic groups are dispersed throughout Laos and they usually maintain friendly relations – there is a long tradition of mutual aid within the national community. They have a common economic and social basis and realize that no ethnic group can live in isolation. However, the level of economic, political, cultural and social knowledge differs from one group to another.