BACKGROUND: This study examines inequalities in health in Laos. Because perception of health might affect ratings, we used both a global and a relative self-rated health (SRH) question. METHODS: The study was based on the fourth Lao Expenditure and Consumption Survey, 2007-2008. The study population consisted of 24 162 individuals 20 years or older. Two single-question measures of SRH were used: a global with no reference point and a relative with age group reference. RESULTS: Significant associations were found with age, sex, illiteracy, ethnicity, remote location, health measures, nutrition, and household poverty. Worse health was reported using SRH questions with reference points by the young rather than the old. CONCLUSION: In Laos, poor SRH is associated with illiteracy, inaccessibility, Mon-Khmer ethnicity, age, being a woman, and being poor. More factors were found to be associated with global rather than relative SRH.