More than 45 per cent of the 4.6 million people in Laos are afflicted by poverty.
This landlocked country occupies an area of 240,000 square kilometres with about 80 per cent of its people living in rural areas.
More than half of the rural population are estimated to live in poverty. This compares with slightly less than one-quarter in urban areas.
Agriculture comprises 58 per cent of the gross national product and covers about 83 per cent of the income-earning population.
Laos is now in transition from a centrally planned system to a market economy.
The economic reforms introduced in 1986 focus on deregulating prices, introducing a single exchange rate, privatising state enterprises, liberalising trade and introducing an investment code. Oxfam Hong Kong and Community Aid Abroad (Australia) have established specific projects to make life more bearable for women in Laos, installing pumps for clean water to help prevent the spread of malaria, hepatitis and other diseases. As women are responsible for getting water, this also helps relieve some of their burden.
