Laos
Lao People's Democratic Republic
Population
7.95M
Area
236,800 km²
GDP
$16.50B
GDP Per Capita
$8,600
Pop. Density
34/km²
Quick Facts
Currency
₭Lao kip(LAK)
Calling Code
+856
Timezone
UTC+07:00
Languages
Lao
Driving Side
right
Demonym
Laotian
Background
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 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. Nevertheless, despite steady economic growth for more than a decade, it remains one of Asia's poorest countries.
Historical Trends
GDP (USD)
↑377.6% since 2006Population
↑30.3% since 2006Life Expectancy at Birth
Latest: 69.0 yearsData source: World Bank Open Data
Geography19
Location
Southeastern Asia, northeast of Thailand, west of Vietnam
Geographic coordinates
18 00 N, 105 00 E
Map references
Southeast Asia
Area
land: 230,800 sq km
water: 6,000 sq km
Area - comparative
about twice the size of Pennsylvania; slightly larger than Utah
Land boundaries
border countries: Burma 238 km; Cambodia 555 km; China 475 km; Thailand 1,845 km; Vietnam 2,161 km
Coastline
0 km (landlocked)
Maritime claims
none (landlocked)
Climate
tropical monsoon; rainy season (May to November); dry season (December to April)
Terrain
mostly rugged mountains; some plains and plateaus
Elevation
lowest point: Mekong River 70 m
mean elevation: 710 m
Natural resources
timber, hydropower, gypsum, tin, gold, gemstones
Land use
agricultural land
agricultural land: arable land
agricultural land: permanent crops
agricultural land: permanent pasture
forest
other
Irrigated land
4,410 sq km (2022)
Major rivers (by length in km)
note: [s] after country name indicates river source; [m] after country name indicates river mouth
Major watersheds (area sq km)
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
Natural hazards
floods, droughts
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
People & Society35
Population
male: 3,966,320
female: 3,987,236
Nationality
adjective: Lao or Laotian
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.)
Languages
major-language sample(s):
ແຫລ່ງທີ່ຂາດບໍ່ໄດ້ສຳລັບຂໍ້ມູນຕົ້ນຕໍ່” (Lao)
The World Factbook, the indispensable source for basic information.
Religions
Buddhist 64.7%, Christian 1.7%, none 31.4%, other/not stated 2.1% (2015 est.)
Age structure
15-64 years: 65% (male 2,573,668/female 2,599,957)
65 years and over: 4.8% (2024 est.) (male 178,223/female 205,434)
Dependency ratios
youth dependency ratio: 46.3 (2024 est.)
elderly dependency ratio: 7.4 (2024 est.)
potential support ratio: 13.5 (2024 est.)
Median age
male: 25 years
female: 25.7 years
Population growth rate
1.22% (2025 est.)
Birth rate
19.22 births/1,000 population (2025 est.)
Death rate
6.07 deaths/1,000 population (2025 est.)
Net migration rate
-0.93 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2025 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
rate of urbanization: 2.99% annual rate of change (2020-25 est.)
Major urban areas - population
721,000 VIENTIANE (capital) (2023)
Sex ratio
0-14 years: 1.03 male(s)/female
15-64 years: 0.99 male(s)/female
65 years and over: 0.87 male(s)/female
total population: 1 male(s)/female (2024 est.)
Maternal mortality ratio
112 deaths/100,000 live births (2023 est.)
Infant mortality rate
male: 39.1 deaths/1,000 live births
female: 31.6 deaths/1,000 live births
Life expectancy at birth
male: 67.4 years
female: 70.7 years
Total fertility rate
2.19 children born/woman (2025 est.)
Gross reproduction rate
1.07 (2025 est.)
Drinking water source
improved: urban
improved: rural
improved: total
unimproved: urban
unimproved: rural
unimproved: total
Health expenditure
Health expenditure (as % of national budget): 4.3% of national budget (2022 est.)
Physician density
0.33 physicians/1,000 population (2022)
Hospital bed density
1.3 beds/1,000 population (2021 est.)
Sanitation facility access
improved: urban
improved: rural
improved: total
unimproved: urban
unimproved: rural
unimproved: total
Obesity - adult prevalence rate
5.3% (2016)
Alcohol consumption per capita
beer: 3.62 liters of pure alcohol (2019 est.)
wine: 0.07 liters of pure alcohol (2019 est.)
spirits: 4.46 liters of pure alcohol (2019 est.)
other alcohols: 0 liters of pure alcohol (2019 est.)
Tobacco use
male: 41% (2025 est.)
female: 7.2% (2025 est.)
Children under the age of 5 years underweight
24.3% (2023 est.)
Currently married women (ages 15-49)
61.6% (2017 est.)
Child marriage
women married by age 18: 32.7% (2017)
men married by age 18: 10.8% (2017)
Education expenditure
Education expenditure (% national budget): 8.2% national budget (2024 est.)
Literacy
male: 85.1% (2023 est.)
female: 66.7% (2023 est.)
School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education)
male: 9 years (2023 est.)
female: 9 years (2023 est.)
Government23
Country name
conventional long form
conventional short form
local long form
local short form
abbreviation
etymology
Government type
communist party-led state
Capital
geographic coordinates: 17 58 N, 102 36 E
time difference: UTC+7 (12 hours ahead of Washington, DC, during Standard Time)
etymology: the name Viangchan means "city of sandalwood" in Laotian; the standard spelling reflects French influence
Administrative divisions
Legal system
civil law system similar in form to the French system
Constitution
amendment process: 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
International law organization participation
has not submitted an ICJ jurisdiction declaration; non-party state to the ICCt
Citizenship
citizenship by descent only: at least one parent must be a citizen of Laos
dual citizenship recognized: no
residency requirement for naturalization: 10 years
Suffrage
18 years of age; universal
Executive branch
chief of state
head of government
cabinet
election/appointment process
most recent election date
election results
2021: THONGLOUN Sisoulith (LPRP) elected president; National Assembly vote - 161-1; PHANKHAM Viphavanh (LPRP) elected prime minister; National Assembly vote - 158-3
2016: BOUNNHANG Vorachit (LPRP) elected president; percent of National Assembly vote - NA; THONGLOUN Sisoulith (LPRP) elected prime minister; percent of National Assembly vote - NA
expected date of next election
Legislative branch
legislature name
legislative structure
number of seats
electoral system
scope of elections
term in office
most recent election date
parties elected and seats per party
percentage of women in chamber
expected date of next election
Judicial branch
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
Lao People's Revolutionary Party or LPRP
Diplomatic representation in the US
chancery: 2222 S Street NW, Washington, DC 20008
telephone: [1] (202) 332-6416
FAX: [1] (202) 332-4923
email address and website:
embasslao@gmail.com
https://laoembassy.com/
Diplomatic representation from the US
chief of mission
embassy
mailing address
telephone
FAX
email address and website
CONSLAO@state.gov
https://la.usembassy.gov/
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
Independence
19 July 1949 (from France); 22 October 1953 (Franco-Lao Treaty recognizes full independence)
National holiday
Republic Day (National Day), 2 December (1975)
Flag
meaning: red stands for the blood shed for liberation, and blue for the Mekong River and prosperity; the white disk represents the full moon over the Mekong River and the unity of the people under the Lao People's Revolutionary Party, as well as the country's bright future
National symbol(s)
elephant
National color(s)
red, white, blue
National anthem(s)
lyrics/music: SISANA Sisane/THONGDY Sounthonevichit
history: music adopted 1945, lyrics adopted 1975; the anthem's lyrics were changed after the communist revolution that overthrew the monarchy in 1975
National heritage
selected World Heritage Site locales: Town of Luangphrabang; Vat Phou and Associated Ancient Settlements; Megalithic Jar Sites in Xiengkhuang - Plain of Jars
Economy32
Economic overview
lower middle-income, industrial Southeast Asian economy; high inflation due to 2022 currency depreciation brought on by persistently high debt; new Laos-China railway and dry port; rising inequities; ongoing labor shortages
Real GDP (purchasing power parity)
Real GDP (purchasing power parity) 2023: $64.173 billion (2023 est.)
Real GDP (purchasing power parity) 2022: $61.856 billion (2022 est.)
Real GDP growth rate
Real GDP growth rate 2023: 3.7% (2023 est.)
Real GDP growth rate 2022: 2.7% (2022 est.)
Real GDP per capita
Real GDP per capita 2023: $8,400 (2023 est.)
Real GDP per capita 2022: $8,200 (2022 est.)
GDP (official exchange rate)
$16.503 billion (2024 est.)
Inflation rate (consumer prices)
Inflation rate (consumer prices) 2023: 31.2% (2023 est.)
Inflation rate (consumer prices) 2022: 23% (2022 est.)
GDP - composition, by sector of origin
industry: 29% (2024 est.)
services: 43.5% (2024 est.)
GDP - composition, by end use
household consumption
government consumption
investment in fixed capital
investment in inventories
exports of goods and services
imports of goods and services
Agricultural products
cassava, root vegetables, rice, sugarcane, vegetables, bananas, maize, rubber, coffee, watermelons (2023)
Industries
mining (copper, tin, gold, gypsum); timber, electric power, agricultural processing, rubber, construction, garments, cement, tourism
Industrial production growth rate
3.9% (2024 est.)
Labor force
3.585 million (2024 est.)
Unemployment rate
Unemployment rate 2023: 1.2% (2023 est.)
Unemployment rate 2022: 1.3% (2022 est.)
Youth unemployment rate (ages 15-24)
male: 2.4% (2024 est.)
female: 2.1% (2024 est.)
Population below poverty line
18.3% (2018 est.)
Gini Index coefficient - distribution of family income
Average household expenditures
on alcohol and tobacco: 7.8% of household expenditures (2023 est.)
Household income or consumption by percentage share
highest 10%: 31.2% (2018 est.)
Remittances
Remittances 2022: 1.5% of GDP (2022 est.)
Remittances 2021: 1.2% of GDP (2021 est.)
Budget
expenditures: $2.259 billion (2022 est.)
Public debt
Taxes and other revenues
12.1% (of GDP) (2022 est.)
Current account balance
Current account balance 2022: -$458.754 million (2022 est.)
Current account balance 2021: $431.636 million (2021 est.)
Exports
Exports 2022: $8.604 billion (2022 est.)
Exports 2021: $7.82 billion (2021 est.)
Exports - partners
China 39%, Thailand 34%, Australia 4%, USA 4%, Cambodia 2% (2023)
Exports - commodities
electricity, fertilizers, gold, garments, paper (2023)
Imports
Imports 2022: $7.983 billion (2022 est.)
Imports 2021: $6.527 billion (2021 est.)
Imports - partners
Thailand 58%, China 36%, Japan 1%, Singapore 1%, Germany 1% (2023)
Imports - commodities
refined petroleum, cars, raw sugar, plastic products, trucks (2023)
Reserves of foreign exchange and gold
Reserves of foreign exchange and gold 2022: $1.576 billion (2022 est.)
Reserves of foreign exchange and gold 2021: $1.951 billion (2021 est.)
Debt - external
Exchange rates
Currency
Exchange rates 2023
Exchange rates 2022
Exchange rates 2021
Exchange rates 2020
Exchange rates 2019
Energy6
Electricity access
Electricity
consumption: 12.803 billion kWh (2023 est.)
exports: 38 billion kWh (2023 est.)
imports: 955.095 million kWh (2023 est.)
transmission/distribution losses: 2.447 billion kWh (2023 est.)
Electricity generation sources
solar: 0.2% of total installed capacity (2023 est.)
hydroelectricity: 76.5% of total installed capacity (2023 est.)
biomass and waste: 0.1% of total installed capacity (2023 est.)
Coal
consumption: 15.944 million metric tons (2023 est.)
exports: 1.065 million metric tons (2023 est.)
imports: 22,000 metric tons (2023 est.)
proven reserves: 62 million metric tons (2023 est.)
Petroleum
Energy consumption per capita
Communications6
Telephones - fixed lines
subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 18 (2022 est.)
Telephones - mobile cellular
subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 65 (2023 est.)
Broadcast media
6 TV stations operating out of Vientiane, with half state-operated and half commercial; 17 provincial stations, with nearly all programming relayed via satellite from the state-operated stations in Vientiane; 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; transmissions of multiple international broadcasters are accessible
Internet country code
.la
Internet users
Broadband - fixed subscriptions
subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 2 (2022 est.)
Transportation4
Civil aircraft registration country code prefix
RDPL
Airports
20 (2025)
Railways
standard gauge: 422 km (2023) 1.435-m gauge (422 km overhead electrification)
Merchant marine
by type: general cargo 1
Military & Security6
Military and security forces
Lao People's Armed Forces (LPAF; aka Lao People's Army): Lao People's Army (LPA, includes Riverine Force), Lao People's Air Force (LPAF); Self-Defense Militia Forces (2025)
Military expenditures
Military Expenditures 2018: 0.2% of GDP (2018 est.)
Military Expenditures 2017: 0.2% of GDP (2017 est.)
Military Expenditures 2016: 0.2% of GDP (2016 est.)
Military Expenditures 2015: 0.2% of GDP (2015 est.)
Military and security service personnel strengths
information limited and varied; estimated 30,000 active Armed Forces; estimated 100,000 Self-Defense Militia Forces (2025)
Military equipment inventories and acquisitions
the LPAF is armed with Chinese, Russian, and Soviet-era equipment and weapons (2025)
Military service age and obligation
18 years of age for voluntary military service; mandatory military service for men 18-35 with a minimum 18-month service obligation (2025)
Military - note
the LPAF’s primary missions are border and internal security, including counterinsurgency, counterterrorism, and counter-narcotics operations, as well as protecting the regime; its defense partners include Cambodia, China, Russia, and Vietnam (2025)
Transnational Issues3
Refugees and internally displaced persons
Trafficking in persons
Illicit drugs
major illicit drug-producing and/or drug-transit country (2025)