With nearly 60% of the population below 25 years, Lao People’s Democratic Republic (Lao PDR) has one of the youngest populations in Southeast Asia. This large youth population presents a great potential to reap the demographic dividend in years to come. To ensure adolescent and young people are empowered to lead a responsible and healthy life, we support the government to:

Strengthen national and sub-national capacities to increase access of young people to gender-responsive sexual and reproductive health and rights information and services, skills development, and opportunities that enable them to make informed choices

We work closely with the government, development partners, civil society organizations, the private sector, and young people themselves through the Noi Framework to increase investments in adolescents and young people and empower them to realize their full potential. Our work is guided by the UNFPA Strategic Plan, the ICPD Program of Action, UNFPA Strategy on Adolescents and Youth, ‘Leaving No One Behind’ principle of the sustainable development agenda, and aligned with the national priorities. 

Our approaches and interventions for the advancement of adolescents and young people in Laos include evidence-based advocacy; policy advice to put young people in the center of development policies and programs; systems strengthening for ensuring access of adolescents and young people to information and services,capacities building for adolescents and youth-friendly health services; promoting comprehensive sexuality education in schools and out-of-school settings using innovative approaches; engaging men and boys for gender equality, promoting youth leadership and participation through ‘Me, My Body, My Planet, My future Campaign’ and strengthening evidence and data on adolescents and young people.