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This table provides metadata for the actual indicator available from Lao PDR statistics closest to the corresponding global SDG indicator. Please note that even when the global SDG indicator is fully available from Lao statistics, this table should be consulted for information on national methodology and other Lao-specific metadata information.

Goal

Goal 8: Promote sustained, inclusive and sustainable economic growth, full and productive employment

and decent work for all

Target

Target 8.1: Sustain per capita economic growth in accordance with national circumstances and, in

particular, at least 7 per cent gross domestic product growth per annum in the least developed countries

Indicator

Indicator 8.1.1: Annual growth rate of real GDP per capita

Series

Annual growth rate of real GDP per capita

Metadata update

23 June 2021

Related indicators

Any economic statistics that is used for other SDG indicator 

Organisation

Lao Statistics Bureau

Contact person(s)

Ms.Salika CHANHTHALAVONG

Contact organisation unit

Department of Economic Statistics

Contact person function

Deputy Director General

Contact phone

+856 20 55042665

Contact mail

Ministry of Planning and Investment

Lao Statistics Bureau, Dongnachokphuea Village, Sikhottabong District, Vientiane Capital Province. Tel: (+856 21) 214740, Fax: (+856 21) 242022.

Contact email

Salikanaja@yahoo.com

Definition and concepts

Annual growth rate of real Gross Domestic Product (GDP) per capita is calculated as the percentage change in the real GDP per capita between two consecutive years. Real GDP per capita is calculated by dividing GDP at constant prices by the population of a country or area.

Unit of measure

percent (%)

Data sources

Lao Statistic Bureau, Department of Economic Statistics, National Account Division

Data collection method

Each year, the Lao Sstatistics Bureau collects the latest data and estimates GDP based on data collected either from surveys (i.e. Lao Expenditure and Consumption Survey; and Annual Establishment Survey) and administrative data.

Population figures are projections based on the 2015 Census of Population and Housing in Lao PDR.

Data collection calendar

Quarterly, semestral, and annual

Data release calendar

Annually, December June 2021

Data providers

Lao Statistics Bureau

Data compilers

Lao Statistics Bureau

Institutional mandate

Data collection, processing, dissemination and use of statistics for this indicator is in accordance with the Statistics Law 2017; the National Strategy for Sustainable Development of Statistical System (NSSDSS) 2016-2020; and the Vision for 2030.

Rationale

Real Gross Domestic Product (GDP) per capita is a proxy for the average standard of living of residents in a country or area.

A positive percentage change in annual real GDP per capita can be interpreted as an increase in the average standard of living of the residents in a country or area

Comment and limitations

Although countries or areas calculate GDP using the common principles and recommendations in the United Nations System of National Accounts (SNA), there are still problems in international comparability of GDP estimates. These include:

  1. Different versions of the SNA (for example, 1968, 1993 or 2008) countries or areas use in calculating their GDP estimates
  2. Different degree of coverage of informal and non-observed economic activities in the GDP estimates

Further, as a necessary condition to being a key economic performance indicator of sustainable development, one of the often-cited limitations of GDP is that it does not account for the social and environmental costs of production. It is designed as a measure of the level of overall well-being. For example, growth in real GDP per capita reveals nothing concerning energy and material interactions with the environment.

Method of computation

The annual growth rate of real Gross Domestic Product (GDP) per capita is calculated as follows:

  1. Numerator: GDP per capita of current year (at constant price)- GDP per capita of previous year (at constant price)
  2. Denominator: GDP per capita of previous year (at constant price)
  3. Multiplier: 100
Validation

Standard data review and validation protocols were implemented from data collection, processing, calculation to finalization and publication of the results.

Quality management

Managing the quality of the indicator is guided by the Lao PDR Statistics Law of 2017 and in accordance with the recommendations of the UN Fundamental Principles of Official Statistics.

Quality assurance

Data are validated in accordance with the international statistical standards

Quality assessment

The estimates derived for each year are compared to previous years to ensure that estimates are prepared consistently from year to year.

In general, the quality of the results is considered good given the quality management and standards implemented in the basic data source used for obtaining the value for this SDG indicator. 

Data availability and disaggregation

Annual: 2015 to 2018

Breakdown/disaggregation: no breakdown.

References and Documentation

The System of National Accounts (SNA) website
http://unstats.un.org/unsd/nationalaccount/sna.asp

The UNSD SDG Indicators, Metadata repository https://unstats.un.org/sdgs/metadata/

Lao Statistical Information Service for GDP

https://laosis.lsb.gov.la/tblInfo/TblInfoList.do

Lao PDR Statistics Law, 2017
https://www.lsb.gov.la

This table provides information on metadata for SDG indicators as defined by the UN Statistical Commission. Complete global metadata is provided by the UN Statistics Division.