An exact analytical expression of the threshold pump power for the one-end-pumped Yb 3+ -doped gain-guided and index-antiguided (GG–IAG) fiber laser has been obtained by solving the improved rate equations (REs) with the additional leakage losses. The effects of Yb 3+ concentration, fiber length, core radius and mirror reflectivity on the threshold pump power are discussed. After optimizing, the results show that the laser threshold of GG–IAG fiber laser can be greatly reduced while maintaining single mode oscillation. Compared to the numerical methods, the analytical expression has easy calculation and distinct results.