Migration
The Department of Statistics data indicate that in 2005, 73% of Lao’s population lived in rural areas compared to 83% in 1995. This trend to move to cities has been particularly strong in provinces such as Borikhamxay, Vientiane Capital, Xayaboury and Xiengkhuang. About 53 600 people migrated with about 60% of all movements being within the same province and 40% to another province. In total, 40% of the migrants had gone to Vientiane Capital, which received the main bulk of migration and has the highest proportion in urban areas (82%). The age distribution of net-migrants reflects the assumption that these persons predominantly are of working age. Only the province of Sekong and the former province of Xaysomboon has positive net-migration, i.e. more persons have immigrated than emigrated in the provinces. Huaphanh, Xiengkhuang and Luangprabang experienced the largest net-outflow.