Moving to Laos from Palau

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What to Expect

Everything you need to know before relocating from Palau to Laos — costs, safety, healthcare, and practical first steps.

If you moved from Palau to Laos, and you’d need to navigate life in Lao.

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Key Indicator Comparison

Key indicators for anyone considering a move from Palau to Laos.

Is it safe?

Road traffic deaths United Nations SDG Indicators, 2021

per 100,000 people per year

PW
22.2
LA
16.4

Laos performs significantly better than Palau across all safety metrics.

How's the healthcare?

Healthcare spending per person World Bank, 2023

annual government + private spending per person

PW
$1,857
LA
$123
Doctors per 10,000 people United Nations SDG Indicators, 2021

affects wait times and access to care

PW
17.8
LA
3.3

Palau generally does better on health & wellbeing, though Laos leads in healthcare spending per person.

What about the environment?

CO₂ emissions per capita World Bank, 2024

tonnes of CO₂ emitted per person per year

PW
82.8t
LA
3.4t

Laos performs significantly better than Palau across all environment metrics.

Will I have good infrastructure?

Broadband per 100 people United Nations SDG Indicators, 2022

fixed broadband subscriptions — key for remote work

PW
6.9
LA
2.4

Palau performs better than Laos across all infrastructure metrics.

What are the job prospects?

Unemployment rate The World Factbook, 2023

percentage of the labour force without work

PW
1.7%
LA
1.2%
GDP per capita The World Factbook, 2023

a broad measure of economic output per person

PW
$15,800
LA
$8,400

Palau generally does better on employment & economy, though Laos leads in unemployment rate.

Is it good for families?

Life expectancy The World Factbook, 2022

average years of life at birth

PW
74.6 yrs
LA
68.2 yrs
Infant mortality The World Factbook, 2022

deaths per 1,000 live births — lower is better

PW
11.3
LA
37.8

Palau performs better than Laos across all family life metrics.

Data: The World Factbook, United Nations SDG Indicators, World Bank

Visitor Visa Requirements

Short-stay tourist visa rules between Palau and Laos. To live, work, or study long-term in Laos, you'll need a separate residence or work visa — check Laos's immigration authority.

Palau passport

Palau passport holder visiting Laos

Visa on Arrival
Palau passport holders can obtain a visa on arrival in Laos.
Laos passport

Laos passport holder visiting Palau

Visa on Arrival
Laos passport holders can obtain a visa on arrival in Palau.

Data: Henley Passport Index. Check with the destination country's embassy for the most current requirements.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I work remotely from Laos?

Internet is rarely the blocker — Laos has 2.4 fixed broadband subscriptions per 100 people. The real questions are legal: digital nomad visa eligibility, your employer's overseas-work policy, and tax residency in both countries.

Is Laos safe for expats?

Laos performs significantly better than Palau across all safety metrics.

How is healthcare in Laos compared to Palau?

Palau generally does better on health & wellbeing, though Laos leads in healthcare spending per person. There are 3.3 doctors per 10,000 people in Laos, compared to 17.8 in Palau. Laos scores 52 on the WHO universal health coverage index (Palau: 65).

What language do they speak in Laos?

The official language in Laos is Lao. In Palau, the official languages are English and Palauan.

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At a Glance

PW LA
Population 21,695 7,749,595
Currency United States Dollar ($) Laotian Kip (LAK)
Languages English, Palauan Lao
Driving side Right Right
Calling code +680 +856
Time zones 1 1
Emergency number 191