Completion and Learning Review Lao PDR - FY17-FY21 Country Partnership Framework - April 18, 2022

Jul 19, 2026

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This Completion and Learning Review assesses the World Bank Group’s Country Partnership Framework (CPF) for Lao PDR covering FY17-FY21, updated in the Performance and Learning Review dated February 12, 2020. It summarizes alignment with national priorities, three focus areas (inclusive growth, investing in people, protecting the environment), and a cross-cutting theme on strengthening institutions. Ratings conclude Moderately Unsatisfactory development outcome and Good WBG performance, with mixed achievement across objectives, including constraints on validating outcomes and gaps in monitoring.

LanguageEnglish

CategoryResearch & Report

FormatPDF

Pages37

Reading Time1 h 33 min

Executive Summary

Review scope and alignment with CPF priorities

Development outcome ratings and objective-by-objective results

Focus Area I: Supporting inclusive growth

Focus Area II: Investing in people

Focus Area III: Protecting the environment

Cross-cutting theme: Strengthening institutions

Public Disc losure Authorized CLR Review Independent Evaluation Group Completion and Learning Review Lao PDR FY17-FY21 Country Partnership Framework April 18, 2022 Ratings | | CLR Rating | CLRR (IEG) Rating | | --- | --- | --- | | Development Outcome: | Moderately Unsatisfactory | Moderately Unsatisfactory | | WBG Performance: | Good | Good | Pub lic Disc losure Authorized Executive Summary i. This review of the World Bank Group’s (WBG) Completion and Learning Review (CLR) covers the period of the Country Partnership Framework (CPF), FY17-FY21, and updated in the Performance and Learning Review (PLR) dated February 12, 2020. ii. The CPF program(objectives and design) was closely aligned with the government’s economic priorities: (i) sustained, inclusive economic growth with reduced economic vulnerability; (ii) developed human resources, with upgraded capacities of the public and private sectors and with reduced poverty in all ethnic groups, with equal access across genders and ethnic groups to quality education and health services; and (iii) effective protection and use of natural resources and the environment according to green-growth and sustainable principles, with readiness to cope with natural disasters and the effects of climate change. The program, which drew substantially on the then recently completed SCD, had as its overall objective to support Lao PDR to accelerate progress toward the WBG twin goals of ending extreme poverty and boosting shared prosperity. To this end the program had three focus areas: supporting inclusive growth, investing in people, and protecting the environment, and with a cross cutting theme of strengthening institutions to establish a rules-based environment. The CLR notes that subsequently to the PLR, the Bank responded quickly to the pandemic with several operations for vaccines and to support the health system and the broader impact on the economy. All of the issues in the results framework were related (directly or indirectly) to reduction of poverty or inequality. The | CLR Reviewed by | Peer Reviewed by | CLR Review Coordinator | | --- | --- | --- | program also sought to address gender issues and disaster risk management and resilience, including from risks enhanced by climate change. iii. IEG rates the CPS development outcome as Moderately Unsatisfactory, and notes that some indicators and objectives stopped short of assessing outcomes. Of the nine objectives, one was rated Achieved, two Mostly Achieved, and six Partially Achieved. a. Focus Area I (Supporting inclusive growth) is rated Moderately Unsatisfactory. Objective 1, Putting public finance on a sustainable path and supporting financial sector stability, was rated Partially Achieved. The indicator for financial sector stability (public reporting and compliance with the capital adequacy ratio [CAR]) was achieved; however, given data unavailability it is not possible to validate whether the CAR actually improved over the period. Public debt has increased substantially over the CPF period and risk of debt distress remains high. Objective 2, Making it easier to do business, was Partially Achieved with limited evidence of progress. Objective 3, Investing in infrastructure for growth and inclusion, was Achieved. There was good progress on share of population with access to an allweather road, reduced time to access safe water sources in targeted areas, and provision of poverty reduction grants in targeted districts. b. Focus Area II (Investing in people) is rated Moderately Satisfactory. Objective 4 (Reducing prevalence of malnutrition) was Partially Achieved; evidence on the prevalence of malnutrition, including stunting rates, was not monitored. Objective 5 (Improving quality primary and pre-primary education and keeping girls in school) was Mostly Achieved. There was good progress on the percentage of preschool aged children attending pre-school programs in target areas and some progress on reducing

FAQs

What period does the Completion and Learning Review cover for Lao PDR?

It covers the CPF period FY17-FY21, with updates reflected from the Performance and Learning Review dated February 12, 2020.

What are the overall ratings for development outcome and WBG performance?

The IEG rates the development outcome as Moderately Unsatisfactory, while WBG performance is rated Good.

How does achievement vary across the three focus areas?

Focus Area I is rated Moderately Unsatisfactory, Focus Area II is rated Moderately Satisfactory, and Focus Area III is rated Unsatisfactory, with limited progress in environmental and disaster resilience outcomes.

Jul 19, 2026

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