Speaking at the opening ceremony of the three-day training in Vang Vieng District, Vientiane Province, Head of the LSB Ms. Phetsamone Sone said the training aims to equip 277 field staff who will be deployed nationwide to collect PES data from 184 Enumeration Areas (EAs) and nearly 55,200 households.

“The PES is essential for assessing the quality of the Population and Housing Census,” she said. “Its objective is to verify and evaluate data collected during the main field data collection of the 5th Population and Housing Census.”

After four years of preparation, with comprehensive technical support from the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) and in partnership with the Australian Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT), China Aid, the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation (SDC), Luxembourg Development Cooperation, the United States of America, and GIZ, Lao PDR officially launched nationwide field data collection for its first-ever digital census on November 3, 2025.

The PES is an internationally recognised methodology used to measure the coverage and quality of census data. It will support the preparation of official census results, which are expected to be released in mid-2026.

UNFPA Representative Dr. Bakhtiyor Kadyrov said UNFPA was proud to serve as a key partner in the 2025 Population and Housing Census, describing it as a landmark national undertaking that will play a strategic role in shaping an inclusive and evidence-based future for Lao PDR.

“The 2025 Census of Lao PDR is more than a population count; it is a commitment to leaving no one behind,” he said. “The Post-Enumeration Survey is a vital tool for assessing the quality, accuracy and integrity of the data that will guide national development over the next decade.”

He added that the large-scale operation was made possible through strong cooperation between the Government of Lao PDR, UN agencies, development partners and other relevant stakeholders.

KPL