Laos Case study (unequal flows of migration in LIDC’s)
3.a. Global migration creates opportunities and challenges which reflect the unequal power
relations between countries.
Introduction:
Laos is a landlocked country in SE Asia with limited influence and restricted ability to
respond to change within the global migration system.
- Bordered by Thailand, Vietnam, Cambodia, and Myanmar
- GDP per capita of $2,599
- Population of 7.69 million people
- 73% of the country employed in agriculture
Patterns of immigration and emigration:
- 200,000 Laotians in the USA
- Net migration loss of 1.1 per 1000 population
- Post-Vietnam war (1960’s), many Laotians emigrated to France – well integrated, Laos =
former French colony
- 1.3 million Laotians live abroad
- 20,000 foreign migrants live in Laos
- Thailand is the most popular migrant destination for Laotians – 930,000 living there
- GDP & primary industry domination suggests that living standards are low; limited
economic opportunities.
GNI per capitas:
➔ Thailand - $7,240.
➔ Laos - $2,120 .
➔ Vietnam - $4,180 .
Interdependence with surrounding ASEAN countries:
ASEAN – association of southeast Asian nations. Laos became a member in 1997, allows for
easier migration to other SEA countries
- Thailand has funded health infrastructure and treatment centres in Laos
- Flows of unskilled labour from Laos to Thailand contribute to both Thai and Laotian
economies & help development in Laos through remittances (225 million USD, 2023)
- AEC (ASEAN economic community) program to reduce human trafficking: allowing
skilled workers to freely emigrate for periods of time i.e., 5 years for Doctors/Nurses
- Railway links built between Thailand, Laos, and Vietnam + high speed railway being built
to China allow trafficking to be monitored
- 70,000 approx. undocumented Laotians in Thailand working
- COMMIT (Co-ordinated Mekong Ministerial Initiative Against Trafficking) – both Laos
and Thailand apart of this scheme
- Mekong River Commission manages flooding and economic projects including HEP
dams across both sides of the border river. 88 HEP projects currently active, installed
capacity 13,000 Mega Watts. 20 more under construction, and 14 in the planning phase.
- The Laos-Thailand Cooperation Committee built friendship bridges, promoting
communication and trade – trade routes cross each other
3.a. Global migration creates opportunities and challenges which reflect the unequal power
relations between countries.
Introduction:
Laos is a landlocked country in SE Asia with limited influence and restricted ability to
respond to change within the global migration system.
- Bordered by Thailand, Vietnam, Cambodia, and Myanmar
- GDP per capita of $2,599
- Population of 7.69 million people
- 73% of the country employed in agriculture
Patterns of immigration and emigration:
- 200,000 Laotians in the USA
- Net migration loss of 1.1 per 1000 population
- Post-Vietnam war (1960’s), many Laotians emigrated to France – well integrated, Laos =
former French colony
- 1.3 million Laotians live abroad
- 20,000 foreign migrants live in Laos
- Thailand is the most popular migrant destination for Laotians – 930,000 living there
- GDP & primary industry domination suggests that living standards are low; limited
economic opportunities.
GNI per capitas:
➔ Thailand - $7,240.
➔ Laos - $2,120 .
➔ Vietnam - $4,180 .
Interdependence with surrounding ASEAN countries:
ASEAN – association of southeast Asian nations. Laos became a member in 1997, allows for
easier migration to other SEA countries
- Thailand has funded health infrastructure and treatment centres in Laos
- Flows of unskilled labour from Laos to Thailand contribute to both Thai and Laotian
economies & help development in Laos through remittances (225 million USD, 2023)
- AEC (ASEAN economic community) program to reduce human trafficking: allowing
skilled workers to freely emigrate for periods of time i.e., 5 years for Doctors/Nurses
- Railway links built between Thailand, Laos, and Vietnam + high speed railway being built
to China allow trafficking to be monitored
- 70,000 approx. undocumented Laotians in Thailand working
- COMMIT (Co-ordinated Mekong Ministerial Initiative Against Trafficking) – both Laos
and Thailand apart of this scheme
- Mekong River Commission manages flooding and economic projects including HEP
dams across both sides of the border river. 88 HEP projects currently active, installed
capacity 13,000 Mega Watts. 20 more under construction, and 14 in the planning phase.
- The Laos-Thailand Cooperation Committee built friendship bridges, promoting
communication and trade – trade routes cross each other
