VIENTIANE: Consumer prices in Laos climbed 7.7 percent during October, marking a marginal cooling from September’s 7.8 percent. Electricity, fuel, beef, poultry, fish and seasonal merchandise all pushed costs higher.
The Lao Statistics Bureau released its latest figures Monday, showing the energy and utilities sector led all increases at 29.6 percent. That category covers housing, water, electricity and gas.
Education expenses followed at 16 percent. Meanwhile, transport and communications rose 13 percent, while healthcare and pharmaceuticals posted a 10.3 percent jump.
October’s reading continues a trend of stubbornly elevated inflation across the Southeast Asian nation. Price growth has hovered near eight percent for months, squeezing household budgets and complicating recovery efforts.
As a result, the Lao central bank has set its sights on taming average inflation below seven percent during 2026. That goal hinges on stabilizing the broader economy, rebuilding public trust in the kip and fostering durable expansion.
