Laos Consumer Confidence Holds Steady, With Cautious Optimism Ahead
The Consumer Confidence Index stays in the Neutral zone at 51, and shoppers expect a modest lift next quarter.
(Neutral / Safety Zone)
Consumer confidence in Laos moderated in the first quarter of 2026 but stayed firmly in neutral territory. The latest Laos Consumer Confidence Index (LCCI) puts the national score at 51. The outlook for the second quarter edges up to 52, which suggests people expect modest improvement rather than a sharp rebound.
1Where confidence sits today
The CCI is scored out of 100 and sorted into five bands. Scores from 40 to 59 are Neutral and fall in the “Safety Zone”. Scores above that are the “Bull Zone”, and scores below are the “Bear Zone”.
Where Laos sits on the confidence scale
How the index is built
Respondents rate three things on a 10-point scale, where 1 is “very bad” and 10 is “very good”: the overall economy of Laos, their own financial situation, and their own spending situation. Each question is asked for the current quarter and the next one, which gives the Present CCI and the Outlook CCI. The averages are converted into a weighted score out of 100.
2Men and women: a small gap
Men are slightly more confident than women, though both groups remain in the Neutral zone. Men report higher household income, while women buy a wider range of products.
- Household income: LAK 8.9M
- Basket size: 21 categories
- Household income: LAK 7.9M
- Basket size: 24 categories
3Age groups: confidence is even
Confidence barely moves across generations, ranging from 50 to 52. The youngest (18–25) and oldest (46–55) groups are the most confident, and the 36–45 group is the least. Income, however, does vary by age.
CCI by age group
| Age group | CCI | Avg. monthly household income | Basket size |
|---|---|---|---|
| 18–25 | 52 | LAK 9.8M | 24 |
| 26–35 | 51 | LAK 9.1M | 23 |
| 36–45 | 50 | LAK 7.3M | 23 |
| 46–55 | 52 | LAK 7.2M | 20 |
4Regions: the Capital leads, the Central region lags
Geography shows the clearest split. Vientiane Capital records the highest confidence and the highest household income. The Central region is at the other end of both measures.
CCI by region
Average monthly household income by region
5Income classes: a steep income ladder
SEC A households are the most confident (CCI 55) and SEC D the least (48). The income gap between classes is large: an SEC A household earns around fifteen times more than an SEC E household.
CCI by socioeconomic class
| SEC | CCI | Avg. monthly household income | Basket size |
|---|---|---|---|
| A | 55 | LAK 32.5M | 26 |
| B | 53 | LAK 14.4M | 24 |
| C | 51 | LAK 8.3M | 23 |
| D | 48 | LAK 4.6M | 22 |
| E | 51 | LAK 2.2M | 20 |
6Everyday essentials still lead the basket
Whatever the economic mood, household staples keep selling. The same five categories top the list, with 98–100% of households consuming them. In almost every case the consumer makes the purchase decision.
7What it means for businesses
With confidence neutral and only a slight improvement expected, the report advises balanced growth over aggressive expansion.
Grow steadily
Avoid aggressive expansion while confidence remains in the Neutral zone.
Build brand preference
Keep consumers engaged and strengthen loyalty rather than relying on short-term pushes.
Tailor by region and segment
The Capital and the Central region, and SEC A and the lower classes, behave very differently.
Look to the Capital and SEC A
Higher-income opportunities are strongest where confidence is relatively stronger.
8The bottom line
Laotian consumers enter the second quarter of 2026 cautious but not pessimistic. Confidence is stable at 51, expectations edge up to 52, and everyday essentials continue to anchor household spending. The real story lies in the differences between regions and income groups, and businesses that read those differences well will plan better.
About the study
- Sample: 800 Laotians aged 18–55, male and female, across SEC A–E
- Coverage: Capital (320), Northern (160), Central (160) and Southern (160) regions
- Method: Tablet-aided telephone interviews using the Survey-To-Go platform, with quotas set at region level
- Frequency: Quarterly tracking, running since Q1 2024
Source: Indochina Research Lao Co., Ltd., The Laos Consumer Confidence Index & Omnibus, Summary Report of Q1 2026. Sample n=800.