Staff movement and duty of careGuarded
Foreign governments advise normal to increased caution.
Country risk assessment ยท Asia
Laos political and security risk assessment
Laos carries a low level of political and security risk for business. It scores 23 out of 100 on the Zed Three World Threat Map (band 1 of 5), unchanged on last week and falling over the last 12 weeks. Last updated Nov 2, 2026.
23of 100
Low
Band 1 of 5
▬ Unchanged on last week
Asia
Laos
What is the political and security risk in Laos right now?
Laos carries a low level of political and security risk for business. It scores 23 out of 100 on the Zed Three World Threat Map (band 1 of 5), unchanged on last week and falling over the last 12 weeks.
Week on week the picture is steady. The main standing risks are foreign government warnings.
On the economic side, real GDP grew 4.5% in 2025 with inflation at 7.7%.
What are the main risks of operating in Laos?
Armed conflict and political violenceGuarded
Armed violence is occasional and mostly localized.
Protest and civil unrestGuarded
Protests occur but rarely disrupt operations.
What has changed recently in Laos?
Laos moved unchanged this week and fell 6 points over the last 12 weeks, from 29 to 23.
What happens next? Outlook for the next 1 to 3 months
We assess there is a realistic possibility that Laos stays in the Low band through the end of December. It sits 2 points from the Guarded band.
40 to 55%
0%50%100%
Likelihood ranges are editorial judgments, not advice.
What does it mean for shipping, supply chains and operations?
Ores and metals make up 20% of goods exports (2023 data), so mining regions and export corridors are the exposure to watch.
Operating conditions are normal. Standard security precautions apply.
Key facts
GDPUS$18.3 billionLatest data, 2025
Real GDP growth4.5%Latest data, 2025
Inflation7.7%Latest data, 2025
Ores and metals20% of goods exportsLatest data, 2023
Food exports23% of goods exportsLatest data, 2023
Population7.9 millionLatest data, 2025
How has the Laos threat score moved?
Frequently asked questions
What is the political and security risk in Laos for business?
Laos carries a low level of political and security risk for business. It scores 23 out of 100 on the Zed Three World Threat Map (band 1 of 5), unchanged on last week and falling over the last 12 weeks.
What are the main geopolitical risks of operating in Laos?
The main risk drivers are staff movement and duty of care (guarded); armed conflict and political violence (guarded); protest and civil unrest (guarded). Foreign governments advise normal to increased caution.
What is the outlook for Laos?
We assess there is a realistic possibility (40 to 55%) that Laos stays in the Low band through the end of December. It sits 2 points from the Guarded band.
How often is the Laos risk assessment updated?
The Laos threat score is updated weekly on the Zed Three World Threat Map, and this assessment is reviewed monthly. It was last updated Nov 2, 2026.
Related country assessments
Published by Zed Three, a private, independent risk intelligence company. Assessment last updated Nov 2, 2026. Threat score updated weekly, last on Nov 2, 2026. General analysis for informational purposes, not security, legal or investment advice.
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