Moving to Laos from Singapore

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What to Expect

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

If you moved from Singapore to Laos, and you’d need to navigate life in Lao. You’ll also switch from driving on the left to the right.

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Key Indicator Comparison

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

Is it safe?

Road traffic deaths United Nations SDG Indicators, 2021

per 100,000 people per year

SG
1.9
LA
16.4

Singapore performs better than Laos across all safety metrics.

How's the healthcare?

Healthcare spending per person World Bank, 2023

annual government + private spending per person

SG
$6,551
LA
$123
Doctors per 10,000 people United Nations SDG Indicators, 2021

affects wait times and access to care

SG
26.0
LA
3.3

Laos generally does better on health & wellbeing, though Singapore leads in doctors per 10,000 people.

What about the environment?

Air pollution deaths United Nations SDG Indicators, 2019

deaths attributable to air pollution per 100k people

SG
23.0
LA
69.0
CO₂ emissions per capita World Bank, 2024

tonnes of CO₂ emitted per person per year

SG
9.8t
LA
3.4t

Singapore generally does better on environment, though Laos leads in co₂ emissions per capita.

Will I have good infrastructure?

Broadband per 100 people United Nations SDG Indicators, 2022

fixed broadband subscriptions — key for remote work

SG
37.7
LA
2.4
Water stress level United Nations SDG Indicators, 2021

higher means greater strain on freshwater supply

SG
83.1%
LA
4.8%

Singapore generally does better on infrastructure, though Laos leads in water stress level.

What are the job prospects?

Unemployment rate The World Factbook, 2023

percentage of the labour force without work

SG
3.5%
LA
1.2%
GDP per capita The World Factbook, 2023

a broad measure of economic output per person

SG
$127,500
LA
$8,400

Singapore 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

SG
86.3 yrs
LA
68.2 yrs
Infant mortality The World Factbook, 2022

deaths per 1,000 live births — lower is better

SG
1.6
LA
37.8

Singapore performs better than Laos across all family life metrics.

Data: Inland Revenue Authority of Singapore, The World Factbook, United Nations SDG Indicators, World Bank

What's the Climate Like?

Monthly averages — select a city to compare.

Singapore Rain: 83.2 in/yr (2113 mm)
89° / 77°F

Avg. annual high / low

Vientiane Rain: 65.4 in/yr (1660 mm)
88° / 71°F

Avg. annual high / low

Months Singapore Vientiane
Jan–Mar 89°/76°F (31°/25°C) 87°/66°F (31°/19°C)
Apr–Jun 90°/78°F (32°/26°C) 91°/76°F (33°/24°C)
Jul–Sep 89°/78°F (31°/25°C) 88°/76°F (31°/24°C)
Oct–Dec 88°/76°F (31°/25°C) 85°/67°F (30°/20°C)
View all months
Month Singapore Vientiane
Jan 87°/76°F (30.6°/24.3°C) 83°/62°F (28.4°/16.4°C)
Feb 89°/76°F (31.5°/24.6°C) 87°/65°F (30.3°/18.5°C)
Mar 90°/77°F (32.2°/24.9°C) 91°/71°F (33.0°/21.5°C)
Apr 90°/78°F (32.4°/25.3°C) 94°/75°F (34.3°/23.8°C)
May 90°/78°F (32.3°/25.7°C) 91°/76°F (33.0°/24.6°C)
Jun 89°/78°F (31.9°/25.7°C) 89°/77°F (31.9°/24.9°C)
Jul 89°/78°F (31.4°/25.4°C) 88°/76°F (31.3°/24.7°C)
Aug 89°/78°F (31.4°/25.3°C) 87°/76°F (30.8°/24.6°C)
Sep 89°/77°F (31.6°/25.2°C) 88°/75°F (30.9°/24.1°C)
Oct 89°/77°F (31.8°/25.0°C) 87°/73°F (30.8°/22.9°C)
Nov 88°/76°F (31.2°/24.6°C) 86°/67°F (29.8°/19.3°C)
Dec 87°/76°F (30.5°/24.3°C) 83°/62°F (28.1°/16.7°C)

Data: Meteorological Service Singapore Meteorological Service Singapore, Department of Meteorology and Hydrology (DMH), Lao PDR Department of Meteorology and Hydrology (DMH), Lao PDR

Visitor Visa Requirements

Short-stay tourist visa rules between Singapore 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.

Singapore passport

Singapore passport holder visiting Laos

Visa Free
Singapore passport holders can enter Laos without a visa.
Laos passport

Laos passport holder visiting Singapore

Visa Free
Laos passport holders can enter Singapore without a visa.

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?

Singapore performs better than Laos across all safety metrics.

How is healthcare in Laos compared to Singapore?

Laos generally does better on health & wellbeing, though Singapore leads in doctors per 10,000 people. There are 3.3 doctors per 10,000 people in Laos, compared to 26.0 in Singapore. Laos scores 52 on the WHO universal health coverage index (Singapore: 89).

What's the weather like in Laos compared to Singapore?

The average high temperature in Vientiane is 88°F, compared to 89°F in Singapore. Vientiane receives around 65.4 in of rainfall per year, while Singapore gets 83.2 in.

What language do they speak in Laos?

The official language in Laos is Lao. In Singapore, the official languages are Chinese, English, Malay and Tamil.

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At a Glance

SG LA
Population 5,921,231 7,749,595
Currency Singapore Dollar (SGD) Laotian Kip (LAK)
Languages Chinese, English, Malay, Tamil Lao
Driving side Left Right
Calling code +65 +856
Time zones 1 1
Emergency number 999 191