12 answers, 5 from Laos's own official bodies, with a link to each figure.
75.64% of people in the Lao PDR aged 15 and over could read and write in 2023, according to an estimate by the UNESCO Institute for Statistics. Among young people aged 15 to 24, the literacy rate was 90.39%.
The adult figure is a UNESCO estimate rather than a direct survey result, and the youth rate was 93.82% in 2022, so the figures move with the data source used. Literacy is higher among young people, who have grown up with wider access to school, than among older adults.
10.36% of children of primary school age in the Lao PDR were out of school in 2025, according to the UNESCO Institute for Statistics, and 36.27% of children of lower secondary age.
Both rates have risen since 2022, when they were 9.40% and 34.52%. The gross enrolment ratio in secondary school was 63.30% in 2025. Out-of-school rates count children of the official age for each level who are not enrolled in any school.
87.66% of young people in the Lao PDR had completed primary school in 2023, 56.20% lower secondary and 37.41% upper secondary, according to the UNESCO Institute for Statistics' completion rates for primary, lower secondary and upper secondary education.
Completion rates measure the share of people a few years older than the final-grade age who have finished each level, using household survey data. All three have risen since 2012, when they were 67.14%, 38.14% and 24.57%.
The Lao PDR's gross enrolment ratio in tertiary education was 14.88% in 2023, according to the UNESCO Institute for Statistics, up from 12.44% in 2021.
The gross ratio compares the number of students in universities, colleges and other higher education institutions with the population of the five-year age group after secondary school, so it can include older students. The Ministry of Education and Sports, which oversees higher education, could not be reached online on 15 October 2026.
The Lao government spent 1.23% of GDP on education in 2023, according to the UNESCO Institute for Statistics, down from 1.46% in 2022 and 1.92% in 2020.
The figure covers spending by all levels of government on schools, universities and education administration. It has fallen each year since 2020. The gross enrolment ratio in primary school was 93.14% in 2025.
The figures below use one definition for every country, so they can differ from national figures.
According to the UNESCO Institute for Statistics, net primary school enrolment in Laos was 91.5% in 2018. Since 2005 it has ranged from 81.1% (2005) to 96.5% (2014). Across East Asia & Pacific the middle value was 93.1%, and Laos placed 7th highest of 9. World rank, highest first: 41st of 69.
The latest figure from the UNESCO Institute for Statistics, for 2025, is 50.5%. Its high point since 2005 was 2018, at 66.2%; its low point was 2006, at 42.2%.
According to the UNESCO Institute for Statistics, gross tertiary enrolment in Laos was 14.9% in 2023. The peak was 18.9% in 2013 and the low 7.6% in 2005. It is 20th highest of 21 in East Asia & Pacific, where the median is 44.2%. World rank, highest first: 107th of 120.
In 2023, the adult literacy rate in Laos was 75.6%, according to the UNESCO Institute for Statistics. It was 84.7% in 2015. Across East Asia & Pacific the middle value was 96.6%, and Laos placed 5th highest of 5. World rank, highest first: 29th of 33.
1.2% of GDP: that is government spending on education in Laos for 2023, according to the UNESCO Institute for Statistics. That is the lowest since at least 2005. East Asia & Pacific median: 3.8% of GDP; Laos is 19th highest of 20. World rank, highest first: 107th of 112.
In 2018, the number of primary pupils per teacher in Laos was 22, according to the UNESCO Institute for Statistics. That is the lowest since at least 2005. East Asia & Pacific median: 20; Laos is 6th highest of 13. World rank, highest first: 39th of 85.
In 2025, the primary completion rate in Laos was 85.2%, according to the UNESCO Institute for Statistics. Since 2005 it has ranged from 69.2% (2005) to 101.1% (2017).
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