Lao PDR, despite health sector improvements in recent years, continues to face significant family planning as well as sexual and reproductive health (SRH) challenges. This is evidenced by the country having the highest adolescent birth rate, at 89/1,000 live births1 , in the Association of Southeast Asian Nations region (ASEAN). This rate is even higher in rural areas of the country, adolescents and in lower income and education groups. Early marriage by girls aged 15–19 is common (26.5 per cent)2 and the norm in many areas, especially rural ones. With a Modern Contraceptive Prevalence Rate (mCPR) for married women remaining low, annual average increases of just 1 per cent during 2011–2021 amount to 53 per cent, in contrast to the unmet need for contraceptive methods at 14.3 per cent LSIS III. As a result, Lao PDR faces a significant challenge to achieve an mCPR of 65 per cent by 2025, as per the National Strategy and Action Plan for Integrated Service on Reproductive, Maternal, Newborn, Child andAdolescent Health 2021–2025.
Research team: Dr Ounkham Souksavanh, Ms Phakinda Khanthavilay, Ministry of Health: central and provincial level, UNFPA Lao PDR. 2023. All rights reserved
