The study shows that Laos is at the cusp of a potential for realising a demographic dividend: accelerated economic growth within one generation when a country has more people of working age than dependents, if those in the working age are educated, skilled, empowered and employed. Thus, the urgency to invest in youth and adolescents who will join the working age group now to 2030. Using this analysis, informed decisions can be made on use of limited resources to accelerate socio-economic development.