Age Dependency Ratio
The Age Dependency Ratio is the number of the financially dependent persons (aged 0-14 and 65+) to every 100 working age persons (aged 15-64). In 2005 [1], the dependency ratio was 83.6. However, there were large differences across provinces. In the Vientiane Capital there were 46 dependents for every 100 persons of working age. On the contrary, in Luangprabang, Xiengkhuang and Sekong, more than 100 persons are dependent on 100 persons of working ages. This adds an additional burden on households in these provinces, making it more difficult for them to provide food security to their household members. This also supports the assumption that in economically developed areas, the employment rate and the ability to help oneself are higher than in underdeveloped areas.