The decrease in maternal and child mortality rates and Lao PDR is something to celebrate, and the lives of women, adolescents and children have been greatly improved by investment and education. As Laos faces rapid demographic transition, enormous opportunity arises to harness the demographic dividend, while benefiting from a sizable youth and working age population. But there is still some way to go if Laos is to achieve its health-related sustainable development goals or SDGs by 2030.