Photo: Tango7174 · CC BY-SA 4.0 · via Wikimedia Commons, shown in greyscale
Topic 17 of 18 · Country Index 2026
Laos: Digital & Technology
How ready is a country to use, make and trade technology?
Laos is placed 153rd of 198 countries on digital & technology in the Country Index 2026, from 4 of its 4 key statistics. Readings behind it: GovTech Maturity Index 0.404 (2025); Government AI Readiness Index 29.92 (2025).
Share
Digital & Technology
153rd
of 198 countries placed
Placed from 4 of 4 key statistics
- 0.404GovTech Maturity Index, 2025GTMI score (0–1)
- 29.92Government AI Readiness Index, 2025AI readiness score (0–100)
- -0.903Government Cyber Security Capacity, 2025Original latent estimate (≈ −3.6 to +3.7); higher = more capacity
- 8.211Digitally-Deliverable Services Exports, 2024Digitally-deliverable services exports (% of services exports)
01The evidence
The 4 key statistics that decide it
Only these place Laos on digital & technology — one vote each. Every value is the publisher’s own, read at the edition the Country Index 2026 used; the grey ticks are every other country it was compared with, lowest on the left.
0.404
GTMI score (0–1)
Higher is better
Laos: 0.404. Across the 196 countries in this edition, values run from 0.01 (North Korea) to 0.997 (South Korea); the world median is 0.63.
- World median
- 0.63
- Best in South-eastern Asia
- 0.927 Singapore
- Land neighbours
- China 0.651 · Cambodia 0.627 · Myanmar 0.461 · Thailand 0.832 · Vietnam 0.736
29.92
AI readiness score (0–100)
Higher is better
Ranked 125th of 195 by Oxford Insights
Laos: 29.92. Across the 195 countries in this edition, values run from 12.12 (Guinea-Bissau) to 88.36 (United States); the world median is 40.19.
- World median
- 40.19
- Best in South-eastern Asia
- 76.42 Singapore
- Land neighbours
- China 76.27 · Cambodia 33.91 · Myanmar 20.54 · Thailand 63.22 · Vietnam 59.98
Key 3 of 4
Government Cyber Security Capacity
V-Dem Institute, University of Gothenburg
2025 edition · data for 2025 · CC BY-SA 4.0
-0.903
Original latent estimate (≈ −3.6 to +3.7); higher = more capacity
Higher is better
Laos: -0.903. Across the 176 countries in this edition, values run from -2.66 (Liberia) to 3.715 (Estonia); the world median is 0.196.
- World median
- 0.196
- Best in South-eastern Asia
- 2.689 Singapore
- Land neighbours
- China 3.226 · Cambodia -0.593 · Myanmar -0.619 · Thailand -0.021 · Vietnam 1.346
Key 4 of 4
Digitally-Deliverable Services Exports
UN Trade and Development (UNCTAD)
2024 edition · data for 2024 · CC BY 3.0 IGO
8.211
Digitally-deliverable services exports (% of services exports)
Higher is better
Laos: 8.211. Across the 170 countries in this edition, values run from 0.377 (Gambia) to 87.15 (Ireland); the world median is 25.42.
- World median
- 25.42
- Best in South-eastern Asia
- 57.41 Singapore
- Land neighbours
- China 50.47 · Cambodia 7.327 · Myanmar 13.17 · Thailand 39.68 · Vietnam 18.11
02Over time
Which way Laos is moving
Each key’s published value, edition by edition, beside the world median. The Country Index 2026 is the first edition of the standing, so the standing itself has no history to chart yet.
Government AI Readiness Index
AI readiness score (0–100) · higher is better
LaosWorld median
Laos fell from 32.2 in 2020 to 29.92 in 2025; the world median went from 39.58 to 40.19.
Every year’s figures
Year Laos World median 2025 29.9 40.2 2024 36.1 43.3 2023 33.1 41.4 2022 31.7 40.3 2021 34.9 44.1 2020 32.2 39.6 Government Cyber Security Capacity
Original latent estimate (≈ −3.6 to +3.7); higher = more capacity · higher is better
LaosWorld median
Laos rose from -2.724 in 2000 to -0.903 in 2025; the world median went from -0.514 to 0.196.
Every year’s figures
Year Laos World median 2025 -0.90 0.20 2024 -0.63 0.11 2023 -0.63 0.14 2022 -1.39 0.16 2021 -1.29 0.12 2020 -1.44 0.12 2019 -1.57 0.10 2018 -1.57 -0.05 2017 -1.57 -0.08 2016 -1.57 -0.10 2015 -1.57 -0.17 2014 -2.11 -0.21 2013 -2.36 -0.21 2012 -2.36 -0.25 2011 -2.36 -0.32 2010 -2.36 -0.31 2009 -2.72 -0.50 2008 -2.72 -0.51 2007 -2.72 -0.51 2006 -2.72 -0.55 2005 -2.72 -0.55 2004 -2.72 -0.55 2003 -2.72 -0.55 2002 -2.72 -0.51 2001 -2.72 -0.51 2000 -2.72 -0.51 Digitally-Deliverable Services Exports
Digitally-deliverable services exports (% of services exports) · higher is better
LaosWorld median
Laos rose from 7.653 in 2010 to 8.211 in 2024; the world median went from 19.88 to 25.42.
Every year’s figures
Year Laos World median 2024 8.211 25.42 2023 8.212 26.03 2022 8.350 26.04 2021 41.682 29.80 2020 13.204 29.47 2019 5.235 18.36 2018 3.142 20.09 2017 4.964 18.32 2016 3.840 18.15 2015 5.479 19.57 2014 6.665 21.00 2013 10.919 20.50 2012 6.135 19.56 2011 10.201 19.21 2010 7.653 19.88
03In context
Laos beside its neighbours
A position reads best beside the countries around it. Every position below is a place among all 198 countries on digital & technology, never a place within the region.
Laos and the countries it borders
Standing among all 198; the key columns are the publishers’ own values.
| Country | Standing | GovTech Maturity IndexGTMI score (0–1) | Government AI Readiness IndexAI readiness score (0–100) | Government Cyber Security CapacityOriginal latent estimate (≈ −3.6 to +3.7); higher = more capacity | Digitally-Deliverable Services ExportsDigitally-deliverable services exports (% of services exports) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 China | =23rd | 0.651 | 76.27 | 3.226 | 50.47 |
 Thailand | 55th | 0.832 | 63.22 | -0.021 | 39.68 |
 Vietnam | 62nd | 0.736 | 59.98 | 1.346 | 18.11 |
 Cambodia | 131st | 0.627 | 33.91 | -0.593 | 7.327 |
| Laos | 153rd | 0.404 | 29.92 | -0.903 | 8.211 |
 Myanmar | 154th | 0.461 | 20.54 | -0.619 | 13.17 |
“—”: no published reading in that edition. What a standing is
Across South-eastern Asia
Every country in the sub-region, by its place among all 198.
Placed either side on digital & technology
The countries immediately above and below Laos in the topic’s list.
04Context, no vote
Where Laos is ahead of the world, and behind
17 more statistics filed under digital & technology, published in full and deliberately given no vote in the standing. Select a row for the publisher, the rank and the links.
Ahead of the world median2
Statistics on which Laos does better than the middle country measured.
Government Internet ShutdownsV-Dem Institute, University of Gothenburg · 2025 · world median 1.0231.4731.023▲ Improved since 2015
Laos: 1.473 · world median 1.023 · Original latent estimate (≈ −4 to +2); higher = fewer shutdowns. V-Dem Institute, University of Gothenburg, 2025 edition, data for 2025.
Published values in that edition run from -3.547 to 2.081; higher is better.
Position 60th of 176 · derived.
Government Dissemination of False Information (Domestic)V-Dem Institute, University of Gothenburg · 2025 · world median -0.1140.239-0.114▲ Improved since 2015
Laos: 0.239 · world median -0.114 · Original latent estimate (≈ −3.6 to +3.2); higher = less disinformation. V-Dem Institute, University of Gothenburg, 2025 edition, data for 2025.
Published values in that edition run from -3.392 to 2.93; higher is better.
Position 73rd of 176 · derived.
Behind the world median12
Statistics on which Laos does worse than the middle country measured.
Share of Firms' Payments Made ElectronicallyWorld Bank Group · 2026 · world median 64.2262.5164.22No earlier reading
Laos: 62.51 · world median 64.22 · Payments made electronically in a typical month, excluding payroll and payments to government (%). World Bank Group, 2026 edition, data for 2026.
Published values in that edition run from 2.172 to 99.91; higher is better.
Smartphone OwnershipWorld Bank Group · 2024 · world median 78.7869.2878.78No earlier reading
Laos: 69.28 · world median 78.78 · Adults whose main mobile phone is a smartphone (% of population aged 15+). World Bank Group, 2024 edition, data for 2024.
Published values in that edition run from 8.663 to 97.36; higher is better.
Position 86th of 140 · derived.
Firms Experiencing Internet DisruptionsWorld Bank Group · 2026 · world median 32.3543.6732.35No earlier reading
Laos: 43.67 · world median 32.35 · Firms that experienced internet outages or slow-downs (%). World Bank Group, 2026 edition, data for 2026.
Published values in that edition run from 0.735 to 82.39; lower is better.
Position 54th of 163 · derived, 1st = worst.
Internet Use Among AdultsWorld Bank Group · 2024 · world median 83.0570.1783.05No earlier reading
Laos: 70.17 · world median 83.05 · Adults who used the internet in the past three months (% of population aged 15+). World Bank Group, 2024 edition, data for 2024.
Published values in that edition run from 11.06 to 99.12; higher is better.
Position 97th of 140 · derived.
Frontier Technology Readiness IndexUNCTAD · 2023 · world median 0.4850.3250.485▲ Improved since 2013
Laos: 0.325 · world median 0.485 · Frontier Technology Readiness Index (0–1). UN Trade and Development (UNCTAD), 2023 edition, data for 2023.
Published values in that edition run from 0 to 1; higher is better.
Position 123rd of 170 · derived.
Mobile Phone OwnershipWorld Bank Group · 2024 · world median 91.6884.3791.68No earlier reading
Laos: 84.37 · world median 91.68 · Adults who own a mobile phone (% of population aged 15+). World Bank Group, 2024 edition, data for 2024.
Published values in that edition run from 45.83 to 100; higher is better.
Position 102nd of 140 · derived.
Government Social Media CensorshipV-Dem Institute, University of Gothenburg · 2025 · world median 0.505-0.7770.505▲ Improved since 2015
Laos: -0.777 · world median 0.505 · Original latent estimate (≈ −4.5 to +2.4); higher = less censorship. V-Dem Institute, University of Gothenburg, 2025 edition, data for 2025.
Published values in that edition run from -3.721 to 2.295; higher is better.
Position 131st of 176 · derived.
Firms with Their Own WebsiteWorld Bank Group · 2026 · world median 62.3938.7262.39No earlier reading
Laos: 38.72 · world median 62.39 · Firms with their own website (%). World Bank Group, 2026 edition, data for 2026.
Published values in that edition run from 1.824 to 97.88; higher is better.
Position 147th of 181 · derived.
Made or Received a Digital PaymentWorld Bank Group · 2024 · world median 51.6526.5351.65▲ Improved since 2017
Laos: 26.53 · world median 51.65 · Adults who made or received a digital payment in the past year (% of population aged 15+). World Bank Group, 2024 edition, data for 2024.
Published values in that edition run from 12.26 to 94.91; higher is better.
Position 84th of 98 · derived.
AI User Share of the Working-Age PopulationMicrosoft AI Economy Institute · 2026 · world median 15.458.415.45▲ Improved since 2025
Laos: 8.4 · world median 15.45 · Generative-AI users (% of population aged 15–64). Microsoft AI Economy Institute, 2026 edition, data for 2026.
Published values in that edition run from 6.1 to 73.3; higher is better.
Primary Schools with Internet for TeachingUIS · 2024 · world median 98.665.36198.66No earlier reading
Laos: 5.361 · world median 98.66 · Primary schools with internet access for teaching (%). UNESCO Institute for Statistics (UIS), 2024 edition, data for 2024.
Published values in that edition run from 0 to 100; higher is better.
Digital Services Trade Restrictiveness IndexOECD · 2025 · world median 0.2060.5590.206▼ Worsened since 2015
Laos: 0.559 · world median 0.206 · Digital STRI (0 = open, 1 = closed). OECD, 2025 edition, data for 2025.
Published values in that edition run from 0.021 to 0.649; lower is better.
Position 3rd of 125 · derived, 1st = worst.
No better end3
These describe the shape of a country — more is not better or worse, only different — so they are never ahead or behind.
GitHub DevelopersGitHub · 2026 · world median 84,67040,81884,670No real change since 2020
Laos: 40,818 · world median 84,670 · Developer accounts located in the economy (as of quarter end). GitHub, 2026 edition, data for 2026.
Published values in that edition run from 110 to 32,410,529.
GitHub RepositoriesGitHub · 2026 · world median 141,45448,578141,454No real change since 2020
Laos: 48,578 · world median 141,454 · Public repositories located in the economy (as of quarter end). GitHub, 2026 edition, data for 2026.
Published values in that edition run from 142 to 77,284,974.
GitHub Git PushesGitHub · 2025 · world median 148,71429,708148,714Moved since 2020
Laos: 29,708 · world median 148,714 · Git pushes during the quarter. GitHub, 2025 edition, data for 2025.
Published values in that edition run from 1,967 to 40,768,192.
No current reading for Laos
Anthropic AI Usage Index, ICT Goods Exports (last 2023), ICT Services Exports (last 2023) and Share of Graduates from ICT Programmes (last 2019). Listed rather than hidden, so the page can be checked against it.
“Position · derived” is this site’s ordering of the published values, 1st = best unless the row says otherwise; the publisher ranks no country on it. Rank, position and standing
05Country Index 2026
Digital & Technology among Laos’s 15 topics
Digital & Technology is Laos’s 12th best-placed topic of 15. Strongest first, each marker at its share of that topic’s field.
- Energy30th of 1652/3 keys
- Work & Labour52nd of 1824/4 keys
- Environment & Sustainability57th of 1864/4 keys
- Peace & Security82nd of 1773/4 keys
- Gender & Equality90th of 1834/4 keys
- Food & Agriculture99th of 1843/4 keys
- Risk & Resiliencejoint 104th of 1934/4 keys
- Governance & Institutions134th of 1944/4 keys
- Health & Wellbeing146th of 2004/4 keys
- Poverty & Inequalityjoint 119th of 1593/3 keys
- Development & Human Capitaljoint 147th of 1963/3 keys
- Digital & Technology153rd of 1984/4 keys
- Economy & Innovationjoint 138th of 1764/4 keys
- Education & Knowledge170th of 1984/4 keys
- Democracy & Civil Liberties176th of 1984/4 keys
No standing on Mobility & Trade: too few of those topics’ key statistics are published for this country.
06The top of the list
Who leads on digital & technology
The three countries placed highest of 198, and the leaders Laos can most readily be measured against.
=1
EstoniaNorthern Europe
Joint 1st of 198 · 4 of 4 keys
Photo: Andrus Uuetalu derivative work: Jjtkk · CC BY-SA 3.0 ee, greyscale
=1
South KoreaEastern Asia
Joint 1st of 198 · 4 of 4 keys
Photo: Unknown author · CC BY-SA 2.0, greyscale
3
SingaporeSouth-eastern Asia
3rd of 198 · 4 of 4 keys
Photo: Khairul Nizam . · CC BY 2.0, greyscale
Placed highest nearby
Highest in Asia
South Korea=1st4/4 keysHighest in South-eastern Asia
Singapore3rd4/4 keysThis page
Laos153rd4/4 keys
Positions out of 198 placed on the topic. A country needs readings on enough keys to be placed, and the top of the list is often held on fewer of them.
07Questions
Laos on digital & technology: questions answered
Every answer is built from the numbers on this page, so none can say something the page does not.
How does Laos rank on digital & technology?
Laos is placed 153rd of 198 countries on Digital & Technology in the Country Index 2026, from 4 of its 4 key statistics (GovTech Maturity Index, Government AI Readiness Index, Government Cyber Security Capacity and Digitally-Deliverable Services Exports). The position is this site’s ordering of published statistics, not a rank any publisher printed.
What is the latest GovTech Maturity Index figure for Laos?
0.404 in 2025 (gTMI score (0–1)), according to World Bank Group. The world median in the same edition was 0.63.
What is the latest Government AI Readiness Index figure for Laos?
29.92 in 2025 (aI readiness score (0–100)), according to Oxford Insights. The world median in the same edition was 40.19.
How does Laos compare with China on digital & technology?
China is placed joint 23rd of 198, and Laos 153rd. GovTech Maturity Index: China 0.651, Laos 0.404; Government AI Readiness Index: China 76.27, Laos 29.92; Government Cyber Security Capacity: China 3.226, Laos -0.903; Digitally-Deliverable Services Exports: China 50.47, Laos 8.211.
How have Laos’s digital & technology figures changed?
Government AI Readiness Index fell from 32.2 in 2020 to 29.92 in 2025; Government Cyber Security Capacity rose from -2.724 in 2000 to -0.903 in 2025; Digitally-Deliverable Services Exports rose from 7.653 in 2010 to 8.211 in 2024.
Which digital & technology statistics are missing for Laos?
No current reading is published for Laos on Anthropic AI Usage Index, ICT Goods Exports, ICT Services Exports and Share of Graduates from ICT Programmes. They are listed rather than hidden, so the evidence on the page can be checked against it.
08Method
Method, sources and how to cite
What this topic does not measure
Broadband and mobile subscriptions, connection speeds and the cost of getting online are absent, for the licence reason above; internet use and phone ownership, from the World Bank’s own household survey, and firms’ websites and internet disruptions, from its Enterprise Surveys, are published here as context. The ICT share of goods exports votes under Mobility & Trade. Digital public services and data-protection law are not held yet. Research and development spending is filed under Education & Knowledge, and what an economy knows how to make is under Economy & Innovation.
How the Digital & Technology standing is decided
A standing is this site’s ordering, named with its edition — never a publisher’s rank. 4 key statistics vote, one vote each; every country’s published value becomes a place within that key’s own field, the places are averaged, and the average is never published. A country needs 2 of the 4 keys to be placed.
The digital & technology method, step by stepHow every standing on this site is built
The key statistics and their licences
- GovTech Maturity Index — World Bank Group, CC BY 4.0
- Government AI Readiness Index — Oxford Insights, CC BY-SA 4.0
- Government Cyber Security Capacity — V-Dem Institute, University of Gothenburg, CC BY-SA 4.0
- Digitally-Deliverable Services Exports — UN Trade and Development (UNCTAD), CC BY 3.0 IGO
The other 17 statistics on this page come from 7 publishers, each named beside its numbers, with every edition and licence on the datasets pages.
The standing itself is part of the Country Index 2026, published under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Photographs
Laos’s banner and the countries placed highest, from their profiles: Wikimedia Commons, shown in greyscale, each used under the licence named.
- Laos (banner) — Tango7174, CC BY-SA 4.0
- Estonia — Andrus Uuetalu derivative work: Jjtkk, CC BY-SA 3.0 ee
- South Korea — Unknown author, CC BY-SA 2.0
- Singapore — Khairul Nizam ., CC BY 2.0
Cite this page
Nations Inquiry (2026). Laos: Digital & Technology — standing and statistics, Country Index 2026. https://nationsinquiry.com/countries/laos/digital