Lao PDR: Market Functionality Index Report - May 2026

Country: Lao People's Democratic Republic (the) Source: World Food Programme Please refer to the attached file. Background The Market Functionality Index (MFI) is one of the standard market assessment tool of WFP. The assessment was conducted under supervision and support from the Ministry of Industry and Commerce. The MFI in November 2025 Round of study was the first countrywide MFI assessment in Lao PDR. Assessment was conducted in 77 markets in all provincial markets and some selected district markets where WFP is currently operated or some other vulnerable districts (Figure 1). The MFI is a standardized quantitative measure and a light tool developed to enhance WFP’s capabilities in conducting market assessments. The MFI assessment evaluates the functionality of a marketplace across nine dimensions: 1) Assortment of essential goods, 2) Availability, 3) Price, 4) Resilience of supply chains, 5) Competition, 6) Infrastructure, 7) Service, 8) Food quality, and 9) Access & Protection. It returns a score ranging between zero (lowest functionality) to ten (highest functionality); while still allowing to unfold the drivers behind the scores.

Original source: Relief Web