Statistics Laos 
Laos in the World
Laos - Introduction 2023
top of pageBackground:
Modern-day Laos has its roots in the ancient Lao kingdom of Lan Xang, established in the 14th century under King FA NGUM. For 300 years Lan Xang had influence reaching into present-day Cambodia and Thailand, as well as over all of what is now Laos. After centuries of gradual decline, Laos came under the domination of Siam (Thailand) from the late 18th century until the late 19th century, when it became part of French Indochina. The Franco-Siamese Treaty of 1907 defined the current Lao border with Thailand. In 1975, the communist Pathet Lao took control of the government, ending a six-century-old monarchy and instituting a strict socialist regime closely aligned to Vietnam. A gradual, limited return to private enterprise and the liberalization of foreign investment laws began in 1988. Laos became a member of ASEAN in 1997 and the WTO in 2013.
In the 2010s, the country benefited from direct foreign investment, particularly in the natural resource and industry sectors. Construction of a number of large hydropower dams and expanding mining activities have also boosted the economy. Laos has retained its official commitment to communism and maintains close ties with its two communist neighbors, Vietnam and China, both of which continue to exert substantial political and economic influence on the country. China, for example, provided 70% of the funding for a $5.9 billion, 400-km railway line between the Chinese border and the capital Vientiane, which opened for operations in December 2021. Laos financed the remaining 30% with loans from China. At the same time, Laos has expanded its economic reliance on the West and other Asian countries, such as Japan, Malaysia, Singapore, Taiwan, and Thailand. In 2023, Lao households faced the highest inflation in almost a quarter century, with year-on-year inflation reaching 40% early in the year.
In the 2010s, the country benefited from direct foreign investment, particularly in the natural resource and industry sectors. Construction of a number of large hydropower dams and expanding mining activities have also boosted the economy. Laos has retained its official commitment to communism and maintains close ties with its two communist neighbors, Vietnam and China, both of which continue to exert substantial political and economic influence on the country. China, for example, provided 70% of the funding for a $5.9 billion, 400-km railway line between the Chinese border and the capital Vientiane, which opened for operations in December 2021. Laos financed the remaining 30% with loans from China. At the same time, Laos has expanded its economic reliance on the West and other Asian countries, such as Japan, Malaysia, Singapore, Taiwan, and Thailand. In 2023, Lao households faced the highest inflation in almost a quarter century, with year-on-year inflation reaching 40% early in the year.
Area
Total: 236,800 km²
Land: 230,800 km²
Water: 6,000 km²
Comparative: about twice the size of Pennsylvania; slightly larger than Utah
Land boundaries
Total: 5,274 km
Border countries: (5) Burma 238 km; Cambodia 555 km; China 475 km; Thailand 1,845 km; Vietnam 2,161 km
Land use
Agricultural land: 10.6% (2018 est.)
Agricultural land arable land: 6.2% (2018 est.)
Agricultural land permanent crops: 0.7% (2018 est.)
Agricultural land permanent pasture: 3.7% (2018 est.)
Forest: 67.9% (2018 est.)
Other: 21.5% (2018 est.)
Major rivers
By length in km: Mènam Khong (Mekong) (shared with China [s], Burma, Thailand, Cambodia, and Vietnam [m]) - 4,350 km note - [s] after country name indicates river source; [m] after country name indicates river mouth
Total water withdrawal
Municipal: 130 million cubic meters (2020 est.)
Industrial: 170 million cubic meters (2020 est.)
Agricultural: 7.05 billion cubic meters (2020 est.)
Geography
Note: landlocked; most of the country is mountainous and thickly forested; the Mekong River forms a large part of the western boundary with Thailand
Laos - People 2023
top of pagePopulation
Distribution: most densely populated area is in and around the capital city of Vientiane; large communities are primarily found along the Mekong River along the southwestern border; overall density is considered one of the lowest in Southeast Asia: 7,852,377 (2023 est.)
Growth rate: 1.3% (2023 est.)
Below poverty line: 18.3% (2018 est.)
Ethnic groups: Lao 53.2%, Khmou 11%, Hmong 9.2%, Phouthay 3.4%, Tai 3.1%, Makong 2.5%, Katong 2.2%, Lue 2%, Akha 1.8%, other 11.6% (2015 est.)
Note: the Laos Government officially recognizes 49 ethnic groups, but the total number of ethnic groups is estimated to be well over 200
Languages: Lao (official), French, English, various ethnic languages
Major-language samples:
ແຫລ່ງທີ່ຂາດບໍ່ໄດ້ສຳລັບຂໍ້ມູນຕົ້ນຕໍ່” (Lao)
Gheos World Guide, the indispensable source for basic information.
Gheos World Guide, the indispensable source for basic information.
Demographic profile: Laos is a predominantly rural country with a youthful population - almost 55% of the population is under the age of 25. Its progress on health and development issues has been uneven geographically, among ethnic groups, and socioeconomically. Laos has made headway in poverty reduction, with the poverty rate almost halving from 46% in 1992/93 to 22% in 2012/13. Nevertheless, pronounced rural-urban disparities persist, and income inequality is rising. Poverty most affects populations in rural and highland areas, particularly ethnic minority groups.
Age structure
0-14 years: 30.63% (male 1,218,731/female 1,186,156)
15-64 years: 64.73% (male 2,527,643/female 2,555,029)
65 years and over: 4.65% (2023 est.) (male 169,142/female 195,676)
Dependency ratios
Total dependency ratio: 54.7
Youth dependency ratio: 48
Elderly dependency ratio: 6.7
Potential support ratio: 14.8 (2021 est.)
Population distribution: most densely populated area is in and around the capital city of Vientiane; large communities are primarily found along the Mekong River along the southwestern border; overall density is considered one of the lowest in Southeast Asia
Urbanization
Urban population: 38.2% of total population (2023)
Rate of urbanization: 2.99% annual rate of change (2020-25 est.)
Environment
Current issues: unexploded ordnance; deforestation; soil erosion; loss of biodiversity; water pollution, most of the population does not have access to potable water
International agreements party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Climate Change-Paris Agreement, Comprehensive Nuclear Test Ban, Desertification, Endangered Species, Environmental Modification, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Nuclear Test Ban, Ozone Layer Protection, Wetlands, Whaling
International agreements signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements
Air pollutants
Particulate matter emissions: 21.15 micrograms per cubic meter (2019 est.)
Carbon dioxide emissions: 17.76 megatons (2016 est.)
Methane emissions: 9 megatons (2020 est.)
Sex ratio
At birth: 1.04 male(s)/female
0-14 years: 1.03 male(s)/female
15-64 years: 0.99 male(s)/female
65 years and over: 0.86 male(s)/female
Total population: 1 male(s)/female (2023 est.)
Infant mortality rate
Total: 36.6 deaths/1,000 live births (2023 est.)
Male: 40.4 deaths/1,000 live births
Female: 32.6 deaths/1,000 live births
Drinking water source
Improved urban: 97.1% of population
Improved rural: 84.1% of population
Improved total: 88.8% of population
Unimproved urban: 2.9% of population
Unimproved rural: 15.9% of population
Unimproved total: 11.2% of population (2020 est.)
Sanitation facility access
Improved urban:
100% of population
rural: 72% of population
total: 82.2% of population
rural: 72% of population
total: 82.2% of population
Unimproved urban:
0% of population
rural: 28% of population
total: 17.8% of population (2020 est.)
rural: 28% of population
total: 17.8% of population (2020 est.)
Major infectious diseases
Degree of risk: very high (2023)
Food or waterborne diseases: bacterial and protozoal diarrhea, hepatitis A, and typhoid fever
Vectorborne diseases: dengue fever and malaria
Alcohol consumption
Per capita total: 8.15 liters of pure alcohol (2019 est.)
Per capita beer: 3.62 liters of pure alcohol (2019 est.)
Per capita wine: 0.07 liters of pure alcohol (2019 est.)
Per capita spirits: 4.46 liters of pure alcohol (2019 est.)
Per capita other alcohols: 0 liters of pure alcohol (2019 est.)
Literacy
Definition: age 15 and over can read and write
Total population: 87.1%
Male: 91.4%
Female: 81.4% (2021)
School life expectancy primary to tertiary education
Total: 10 years
Male: 10 years
Female: 10 years (2020)
Youth unemployment
Rate ages 15 24 total: 3.3% (2021 est.)
Rate ages 15 24 male: 3.4%
Rate ages 15 24 female: 3.2%
Laos - Government 2023
top of pageCountry name
Conventional long form: Lao People's Democratic Republic
Conventional short form: Laos
Local long form: Sathalanalat Paxathipatai Paxaxon Lao
Local short form: Mueang Lao (unofficial)
Abbreviation: Lao PDR
Etymology: name means "Land of the Lao [people]"
Capital
Name: Vientiane (Viangchan)
Geographic coordinates: 17 58 N, 102 36 E
Time difference: UTC+7 (12 hours ahead of Washington, DC, during Standard Time)
Etymology: the meaning in Pali, a Buddhist liturgical language, is "city of sandalwood"
Administrative divisions: 17 provinces (khoueng, singular and plural) and 1 prefecture* (kampheng nakhon); Attapu, Bokeo, Bolikhamxai, Champasak, Houaphan, Khammouan, Louangnamtha, Louangphabang (Luang Prabang), Oudomxai, Phongsali, Salavan, Savannakhet, Viangchan (Vientiane)*, Viangchan, Xaignabouli, Xaisomboun, Xekong, Xiangkhouang
Independence: 19 July 1949 (from France by the Franco-Lao General Convention); 22 October 1953 (Franco-Lao Treaty recognizes full independence)
Constitution
History: previous 1947 (preindependence); latest promulgated 13-15 August 1991
Amendments: proposed by the National Assembly; passage requires at least two-thirds majority vote of the Assembly membership and promulgation by the president of the republic; amended 2003, 2015
International law organization participation: has not submitted an ICJ jurisdiction declaration; non-party state to the ICCt
Citizenship
Citizenship by birth: no
Citizenship by descent only: at least one parent must be a citizen of Laos
Dual citizenship recognized: no
Residency requirement for naturalization: 10 years
Executive branch
Chief of state: President THONGLOUN Sisoulith (since 22 March 2021); Vice Presidents PANI Yathotou and BOUNTHONG Chitmani (since 22 March 2021)
Head of government: Prime Minister SONXAI Siphandon (since 30 December 2022)
Cabinet: Council of Ministers appointed by the president and approved by the National Assembly
Elections/appointments: president and vice president indirectly elected by the National Assembly for a 5-year term (no term limits); election last held on 22 March 2021 (next to be held in March 2026); prime minister nominated by the president, elected by the National Assembly for 5-year term
Election results:
2021: THONGLOUN Sisoulith elected president; National Assembly vote - THONGLOUN Sisoulith (LPRP161-1; PANI Yathotou and BOUNTHONG Chitmani (LPRP) elected vice presidents; National Assembly vote - NA; PHANKHAM Viphavan (LPRP) elected prime minister; National Assembly vote - 158-3
2016: BOUNNYANG Vorachit (LPRP) elected president; PHANKHAM Viphavan (LPRP) elected vice president; percent of National Assembly vote - NA; THONGLOUN Sisoulith (LPRP) elected prime minister; percent of National Assembly vote - NA
Legislative branch
Description: unicameral National Assembly or Sapha Heng Xat (164 seats; members directly elected in multi-seat constituencies by simple majority vote from candidate lists provided by the Lao People's Revolutionary Party; members serve 5-year terms)
Elections: last held on 21 February 2021 (next to be held in 2026)
Election results: percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - LPRP 158, independent 6; composition - men 128, women 36, percent of women 21.9%
Judicial branch
Highest courts: People's Supreme Court (consists of the court president and organized into criminal, civil, administrative, commercial, family, and juvenile chambers, each with a vice president and several judges)
Judge selection and term of office: president of People's Supreme Court appointed by the National Assembly upon the recommendation of the president of the republic for a 5-year term; vice presidents of the People's Supreme Court appointed by the president of the republic upon the recommendation of the National Assembly; appointment of chamber judges NA; tenure of court vice presidents and chamber judges NA
Subordinate courts: appellate courts; provincial, municipal, district, and military courts
Political parties and leaders: Lao People's Revolutionary Party or LPRP [THONGLOUN Sisoulit]
Note: other parties proscribed
International organization participation: ADB, ARF, ASEAN, CP, EAS, FAO, G-77, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, Interpol, IOC, IPU, ISO (subscriber), ITU, MIGA, NAM, OIF, OPCW, PCA, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UNWTO, UPU, WCO, WFTU (NGOs), WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO
Diplomatic representation
In the us chief of mission: Ambassador Sisavath INPHACHANH (since 7 June 2022)
In the us chancery: 2,222 S Street NW, Washington, DC 20,008
In the us telephone: [1] (202) 332-6,416
In the us FAX: [1] (202) 332-4,923
In the us email address and website:
From the us chief of mission: Ambassador (vacant); Chargée d’Affaires Michelle OUTLAW (since August 2023)
From the us embassy: Ban Somvang Tai, Thadeua Road, Km 9, Hatsayfong District, Vientiane
From the us mailing address: 4,350 Vientiane Place, Washington DC 20,521-4,350
From the us telephone: [856] 21-48-7,000
From the us FAX: [856] 21-48-7,040
From the us email address and website:
Flag description: three horizontal bands of red (top), blue (double width), and red with a large white disk centered in the blue band; the red bands recall the blood shed for liberation; the blue band represents the Mekong River and prosperity; the white disk symbolizes the full moon against the Mekong River, but also signifies the unity of the people under the Lao People's Revolutionary Party, as well as the country's bright future
National anthem
Name: "Pheng Xat Lao" (Hymn of the Lao People)
Lyrics/music: SISANA Sisane/THONGDY Sounthonevichit
Note: music adopted 1945, lyrics adopted 1975; the anthem's lyrics were changed following the 1975 Communist revolution that overthrew the monarchy
Laos - Economy 2023
top of pageEconomy overview: lower middle-income, socialist Southeast Asian economy; one of the fastest growing economies; declining but still high poverty; natural resource rich; new anticorruption efforts; already high and growing public debt; service sector hit hard by COVID-19
Real gdp purchasing power parity:
$58.264 billion (2021 est.)
$56.827 billion (2020 est.)
$56.543 billion (2019 est.)
$56.827 billion (2020 est.)
$56.543 billion (2019 est.)
Note: data are in 2017 dollars
Real gdp per capita:
$7,800 (2021 est.)
$7,800 (2020 est.)
$7,800 (2019 est.)
$7,800 (2020 est.)
$7,800 (2019 est.)
Note: data are in 2017 dollars
Gdp composition by end use
Household consumption: 63.7% (2017 est.)
Government consumption: 14.1% (2017 est.)
Investment in fixed capital: 30.9% (2017 est.)
Investment in inventories: 3.1% (2017 est.)
Exports of goods and services: 34.6% (2017 est.)
Imports of goods and services: -43.2% (2017 est.)
Gdp composition by sector of origin
Agriculture: 20.9% (2017 est.)
Industry: 33.2% (2017 est.)
Services: 45.9% (2017 est.)
Agriculture products: rice, roots/tubers nes, cassava, sugar cane, vegetables, bananas, maize, watermelons, coffee, taro
Industries: mining (copper, tin, gold, gypsum); timber, electric power, agricultural processing, rubber, construction, garments, cement, tourism
Youth unemployment
Rate ages 15 24 total: 3.3% (2021 est.)
Rate ages 15 24 male: 3.4%
Rate ages 15 24 female: 3.2%
Budget
Revenues: $2.896 billion (2019 est.)
Expenditures: $3.839 billion (2019 est.)
Surplus or deficit: -5.5% (of GDP) (2017 est.)
Current account balance:
$446.572 million (2021 est.)
-$230.973 million (2020 est.)
-$1.32 billion (2019 est.)
-$230.973 million (2020 est.)
-$1.32 billion (2019 est.)
Exports:
$7.82 billion (2021 est.) note: data are in current year dollars
$6.461 billion (2020 est.) note: data are in current year dollars
$6.985 billion (2019 est.)
$6.461 billion (2020 est.) note: data are in current year dollars
$6.985 billion (2019 est.)
Partners: Thailand 33%, China 27%, Vietnam 13%, Australia 8%, Switzerland 3% (2021)
Commodities: electricity, gold, paper, copper, rubber, flavored water (2021)
Imports:
$6.527 billion (2021 est.) note: data are in current year dollars
$5.816 billion (2020 est.) note: data are in current year dollars
$7.518 billion (2019 est.)
$5.816 billion (2020 est.) note: data are in current year dollars
$7.518 billion (2019 est.)
Partners: Thailand 53%, China 26%, Vietnam 10% (2019)
Commodities: refined petroleum, cars, cattle, iron structures, steel products (2019)
Reserves of foreign exchange and gold:
$1.476 billion (31 December 2021 est.)
$1.393 billion (31 December 2020 est.)
$1.111 billion (31 December 2019 est.)
$1.393 billion (31 December 2020 est.)
$1.111 billion (31 December 2019 est.)
Exchange rates:
kips (LAK) per US dollar - 9,697.916 (2021 est.)
9,045.788 (2020 est.)
8,679.409 (2019 est.)
8,401.335 (2018 est.)
8,244.843 (2017 est.)
9,045.788 (2020 est.)
8,679.409 (2019 est.)
8,401.335 (2018 est.)
8,244.843 (2017 est.)
Laos - Energy 2023
top of pageElectricity
Access electrification-total population: 100% (2021)
Installed generating capacity: 9.346 million kW (2020 est.)
Consumption: 5,108,640,000 kWh (2019 est.)
Exports: 24.114 billion kWh (2019 est.)
Imports: 1.345 billion kWh (2019 est.)
Transmission/distribution losses: 2.262 billion kWh (2019 est.)
Generation sources fossil fuels: 35.6% of total installed capacity (2020 est.)
Generation sources nuclear: 0% of total installed capacity (2020 est.)
Generation sources solar: 0.1% of total installed capacity (2020 est.)
Generation sources wind: 0% of total installed capacity (2020 est.)
Generation sources hydroelectricity: 64.1% of total installed capacity (2020 est.)
Generation sources tide and wave: 0% of total installed capacity (2020 est.)
Generation sources geothermal: 0% of total installed capacity (2020 est.)
Generation sources biomass and waste: 0.2% of total installed capacity (2020 est.)
Coal
Production: 16.04 million metric tons (2020 est.)
Consumption: 15.823 million metric tons (2020 est.)
Exports: 235,000 metric tons (2020 est.)
Imports: 18,000 metric tons (2020 est.)
Proven reserves: 503 million metric tons (2019 est.)
Petroleum
Total petroleum production: 0 bbl/day (2021 est.)
Refined petroleum consumption: 19,300 bbl/day (2019 est.)
Crude oil and lease condensate exports: 0 bbl/day (2018 est.)
Crude oil and lease condensate imports: 0 bbl/day (2018 est.)
Crude oil estimated reserves: 0 barrels (2021 est.)
Refined petroleum
Products production: 0 bbl/day (2015 est.)
Products exports: 0 bbl/day (2015 est.)
Products imports: 17,460 bbl/day (2015 est.)
Natural gas
Production: 0 cubic meters (2021 est.)
Consumption: 0 cubic meters (2021 est.)
Exports: 0 cubic meters (2021 est.)
Imports: 0 cubic meters (2021 est.)
Proven reserves: 0 cubic meters (2021 est.)
Carbon dioxide emissions: 40.726 million metric tonnes of CO2 (2019 est.)
From coal and metallurgical coke: 37.871 million metric tonnes of CO2 (2019 est.)
From petroleum and other liquids: 2.855 million metric tonnes of CO2 (2019 est.)
From consumed natural gas: 0 metric tonnes of CO2 (2019 est.)
Laos - Communication 2023
top of pageTelephones
Fixed lines total subscriptions: 1,300,195 (2021 est.)
Fixed lines subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 18 (2021 est.)
Mobile cellular total subscriptions: 4,822,973 (2021 est.)
Mobile cellular subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 65 (2021 est.)
Broadcast media: 6 TV stations operating out of Vientiane - 3 government-operated and the others commercial; 17 provincial stations operating with nearly all programming relayed via satellite from the government-operated stations in Vientiane; Chinese and Vietnamese programming relayed via satellite from Lao National TV; broadcasts available from stations in Thailand and Vietnam in border areas; multi-channel satellite and cable TV systems provide access to a wide range of foreign stations; state-controlled radio with state-operated Lao National Radio (LNR) broadcasting on 5 frequencies - 1 AM, 1 SW, and 3 FM; LNR's AM and FM programs are relayed via satellite constituting a large part of the programming schedules of the provincial radio stations; Thai radio broadcasts available in border areas and transmissions of multiple international broadcasters are also accessible
Internet
Country code: .la
Users total: 4.588 million (2021 est.)
Users percent of population: 62% (2021 est.)
Broadband fixed subscriptions
Total: 128,000 (2020 est.)
Subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 2 (2020 est.)
Laos - Military 2023
top of pageMilitary expenditures:
0.2% of GDP (2019 est.)
0.2% of GDP (2018 est.)
0.2% of GDP (2017 est.)
0.2% of GDP (2016 est.)
0.2% of GDP (2015 est.)
0.2% of GDP (2018 est.)
0.2% of GDP (2017 est.)
0.2% of GDP (2016 est.)
0.2% of GDP (2015 est.)
Military and security forces: Lao People's Armed Forces (LPAF): Lao People's Army (LPA, includes Riverine Force), Air Force, Self-Defense Militia Forces (2023)
Note: the Ministry of Public Security maintains internal security and is responsible for law enforcement; it oversees local, traffic, immigration, and security police, village police auxiliaries, and other armed police units
Military service age and obligation: 18 years of age for compulsory or voluntary military service; minimum 18-month service obligation (2023)
Laos - Transportation 2023
top of pageNational air transport system
Number of registered air carriers: 1 (2020)
Inventory of registered aircraft operated by air carriers: 12
Annual passenger traffic on registered air carriers: 1,251,961 (2018)
Annual freight traffic on registered air carriers: 1.53 million (2018) mt-km
Airports: 41 (2021)
With paved runways: 8
With paved runways note: paved runways have a concrete or asphalt surface but not all have facilities for refueling, maintenance, or air traffic control; the length of a runway required for aircraft to safely operate depends on a number of factors including the type of aircraft, the takeoff weight (including passengers, cargo, and fuel), engine types, flap settings, landing speed, elevation of the airport, and average maximum daily air temperature; paved runways can reach a length of 5,000 m (16,000 ft.), but the “typical” length of a commercial airline runway is between 2,500-4,000 m (8,000-13,000 ft.)
With unpaved runways: 33
With unpaved runways note: unpaved runways have a surface composition such as grass or packed earth and are most suited to the operation of light aircraft; unpaved runways are usually short, often less than 1,000 m (3,280 ft.) in length; airports with unpaved runways often lack facilities for refueling, maintenance, or air traffic control
Railways
Total: 422 km (2023)
Standard gauge: 422 km (2023) 1.435-m gauge (422 km overhead electrification)
Waterways: 4,600 km (2012) (primarily on the Mekong River and its tributaries; 2,900 additional km are intermittently navigable by craft drawing less than 0.5 m)
Laos - Transnational issues 2023
top of pageIllicit drugs: Laos remains a key transit route for drug trafficking and the movement of precursor chemicals; opium produced is typically smuggled out of the country and refined elsewhere and not trafficked in significant quantities to the United States
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