Economy
The economy of Laos is primarily agricultural and since the late 20th century has remained heavily dependent on foreign aid and investment. The disruption during the civil war period (late 1950s to 1975) and the economic policies of the early years of the Lao People’s Democratic Republic—notably the attempt to collectivize agriculture—resulted in economic stagnation in the country. By 1980, however, the government had begun to pursue more pragmatic development policies, and in 1986 it introduced market-oriented reforms. Since then private and state enterprises have operated side by side, and foreign investment has been encouraged. A number of nongovernmental organizations, including some from the United States, have been assisting the government, mainly in the fields of rural development and public health.