Communications: Broadband - fixed subscriptions: subscriptions per 100 inhabitants
2 (2022 est.)
Communications: Broadband - fixed subscriptions: total
183,000 (2022 est.)
Communications: 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
Communications: Internet country code
.la
Communications: Internet users: percent of population
65.59% (2024 est.)
Communications: Telephones - fixed lines: subscriptions per 100 inhabitants
18 (2022 est.)
Communications: Telephones - fixed lines: total subscriptions
1.3 million (2021 est.)
Communications: Telephones - mobile cellular: subscriptions per 100 inhabitants
65 (2023 est.)
Communications: Telephones - mobile cellular: total subscriptions
4.96 million (2023 est.)
Economy: Agricultural products
cassava, root vegetables, rice, sugarcane, vegetables, bananas, maize, rubber, coffee, watermelons (2023)
Economy: Average household expenditures: on alcohol and tobacco
7.8% of household expenditures (2023 est.)
Economy: Average household expenditures: on food
50.5% of household expenditures (2023 est.)
Economy: Budget: expenditures
$2.259 billion (2022 est.)
Economy: Budget: revenues
$2.288 billion (2022 est.)
Economy: Current account balance: Current account balance 2013
-$937.9 million (2013 est.)
Economy: Current account balance: Current account balance 2014
-$1.924 billion (2014 est.)
Economy: Current account balance: Current account balance 2015
-$2.268 billion (2015 est.)
Economy: Current account balance: Current account balance 2016
-$1.385 billion (2016 est.)
Economy: Current account balance: Current account balance 2017
-$1.260 billion (2017 est.)
Economy: Current account balance: Current account balance 2018
-$1.649 billion (2018 est.)
Economy: Current account balance: Current account balance 2019
-$1.320 billion (2019 est.)
Economy: Current account balance: Current account balance 2020
-$304.4 million (2020 est.)
Economy: Current account balance: Current account balance 2021
$431.636 million (2021 est.)
Economy: Current account balance: Current account balance 2022
-$458.754 million (2022 est.)
Economy: Current account balance: Current account balance 2023
$404.523 million (2023 est.)
Economy: Current account balance: Current account balance 2024
$531.4 million (2024 est.)
Economy: Debt - external: Debt - external 2022
$18.495 billion (2022 est.)
Economy: Debt - external: Debt - external 2023
$9.619 billion (2023 est.)
Economy: Exchange rates
20167.331 (2024 est.)
Economy: Exchange rates: Currency
kips (LAK) per US dollar -
Economy: Exchange rates: Exchange rates 2013
7833.230 (2013 est.)
Economy: Exchange rates: Exchange rates 2014
8042.422 (2014 est.)
Economy: Exchange rates: Exchange rates 2015
8127.611 (2015 est.)
Economy: Exchange rates: Exchange rates 2016
8124.367 (2016 est.)
Economy: Exchange rates: Exchange rates 2017
8244.843 (2017 est.)
Economy: Exchange rates: Exchange rates 2018
8401.335 (2018 est.)
Economy: Exchange rates: Exchange rates 2019
8679.409 (2019 est.)
Economy: Exchange rates: Exchange rates 2020
9045.788 (2020 est.)
Economy: Exchange rates: Exchange rates 2021
9697.916 (2021 est.)
Economy: Exchange rates: Exchange rates 2022
14035.227 (2022 est.)
Economy: Exchange rates: Exchange rates 2023
17688.874 (2023 est.)
Economy: Exchange rates: Exchange rates 2024
20167.331 (2024 est.)
Economy: Exports - commodities
electricity, fertilizers, gold, garments, paper (2023)
Economy: Exports: Exports 2011
$3.530 billion (2011 est.)
Economy: Exports: Exports 2014
$5.412 billion (2014 est.)
Economy: Exports: Exports 2015
$4.898 billion (2015 est.)
Economy: Exports: Exports 2016
$5.284 billion (2016 est.)
Economy: Exports: Exports 2021
$7.82 billion (2021 est.)
Economy: Exports: Exports 2022
$8.604 billion (2022 est.)
Economy: Exports: Exports 2023
$9.698 billion (2023 est.)
Economy: GDP - composition, by end use: exports of goods and services
33.2% (2016 est.)
Economy: GDP - composition, by end use: government consumption
14% (2016 est.)
Economy: GDP - composition, by end use: household consumption
65.7% (2016 est.)
Economy: GDP - composition, by end use: imports of goods and services
-41.9% (2016 est.)
Economy: GDP - composition, by end use: investment in fixed capital
29% (2016 est.)
Economy: GDP - composition, by end use: investment in inventories
0% (2016 est.)
Economy: GDP - composition, by sector of origin: agriculture
16.8% (2024 est.)
Economy: GDP - composition, by sector of origin: industry
29% (2024 est.)
Economy: GDP - composition, by sector of origin: services
43.5% (2024 est.)
Economy: GDP - per capita (PPP)
$9,776 (2024 est.)
Economy: GDP (official exchange rate)
$16.503 billion (2024 est.)
Economy: GDP (purchasing power parity) - real
$75.956 billion (2024 est.)
Economy: Gini Index coefficient - distribution of family income: Gini Index coefficient - distribution of family income 2018
38.8 (2018 est.)
Economy: Gini Index coefficient - distribution of family income: Gini Index coefficient - distribution of family income 2024
34.7 (2024 est.)
Economy: Household income or consumption by percentage share: highest 10%
31.2% (2018 est.)
Economy: Household income or consumption by percentage share: lowest 10%
3% (2018 est.)
Economy: Imports - commodities
refined petroleum, cars, raw sugar, plastic products, trucks (2023)
Economy: Imports: Imports 2010
$3.519 billion (2010 est.)
Economy: Imports: Imports 2015
$7.480 billion (2015 est.)
Economy: Imports: Imports 2016
$6.665 billion (2016 est.)
Economy: Imports: Imports 2021
$6.527 billion (2021 est.)
Economy: Imports: Imports 2022
$7.983 billion (2022 est.)
Economy: Imports: Imports 2023
$8.596 billion (2023 est.)
Economy: Industrial production growth rate
3.9% (2024 est.)
Economy: Inflation rate (consumer prices): Inflation rate (consumer prices) 2015
1.28% (2015 est.)
Economy: Inflation rate (consumer prices): Inflation rate (consumer prices) 2016
1.60% (2016 est.)
Economy: Inflation rate (consumer prices): Inflation rate (consumer prices) 2017
0.83% (2017 est.)
Economy: Inflation rate (consumer prices): Inflation rate (consumer prices) 2018
2.04% (2018 est.)
Economy: Inflation rate (consumer prices): Inflation rate (consumer prices) 2019
3.32% (2019 est.)
Economy: Inflation rate (consumer prices): Inflation rate (consumer prices) 2020
5.10% (2020 est.)
Economy: Inflation rate (consumer prices): Inflation rate (consumer prices) 2021
3.76% (2021 est.)
Economy: Inflation rate (consumer prices): Inflation rate (consumer prices) 2022
22.96% (2022 est.)
Economy: Inflation rate (consumer prices): Inflation rate (consumer prices) 2023
31.23% (2023 est.)
Economy: Inflation rate (consumer prices): Inflation rate (consumer prices) 2024
23.13% (2024 est.)
Economy: Labor force
3.585 million (2024 est.)
Economy: Population below poverty line
15.00% (2024 est.)
Economy: Public debt: Public debt 2016
58.4% of GDP (2016 est.)
Economy: Real GDP (purchasing power parity): Real GDP (purchasing power parity) 2014
$38.868 billion (2014 est.)
Economy: Real GDP (purchasing power parity): Real GDP (purchasing power parity) 2015
$41.395 billion (2015 est.)
Economy: Real GDP (purchasing power parity): Real GDP (purchasing power parity) 2016
$46.586 billion (2016 est.)
Economy: Real GDP (purchasing power parity): Real GDP (purchasing power parity) 2017
$50.123 billion (2017 est.)
Economy: Real GDP (purchasing power parity): Real GDP (purchasing power parity) 2019
$56.043 billion (2019 est.)
Economy: Real GDP (purchasing power parity): Real GDP (purchasing power parity) 2020
$58.136 billion (2020 est.)
Economy: Real GDP (purchasing power parity): Real GDP (purchasing power parity) 2021
$60.225 billion (2021 est.)
Economy: Real GDP (purchasing power parity): Real GDP (purchasing power parity) 2022
$61.856 billion (2022 est.)
Economy: Real GDP (purchasing power parity): Real GDP (purchasing power parity) 2023
$64.173 billion (2023 est.)
Economy: Real GDP (purchasing power parity): Real GDP (purchasing power parity) 2024
$66.905 billion (2024 est.)
Economy: Real GDP growth rate: Real GDP growth rate 2015
7.27% (2015 est.)
Economy: Real GDP growth rate: Real GDP growth rate 2016
7.02% (2016 est.)
Economy: Real GDP growth rate: Real GDP growth rate 2017
6.89% (2017 est.)
Economy: Real GDP growth rate: Real GDP growth rate 2018
6.25% (2018 est.)
Economy: Real GDP growth rate: Real GDP growth rate 2019
5.46% (2019 est.)
Economy: Real GDP growth rate: Real GDP growth rate 2020
0.50% (2020 est.)
Economy: Real GDP growth rate: Real GDP growth rate 2021
2.53% (2021 est.)
Economy: Real GDP growth rate: Real GDP growth rate 2022
2.71% (2022 est.)
Economy: Real GDP growth rate: Real GDP growth rate 2023
3.75% (2023 est.)
Economy: Real GDP growth rate: Real GDP growth rate 2024
4.13% (2024 est.)
Economy: Real GDP per capita: Real GDP per capita 2014
$5,799 (2014 est.)
Economy: Real GDP per capita: Real GDP per capita 2015
$6,086 (2015 est.)
Economy: Real GDP per capita: Real GDP per capita 2016
$6,743 (2016 est.)
Economy: Real GDP per capita: Real GDP per capita 2017
$7,142 (2017 est.)
Economy: Real GDP per capita: Real GDP per capita 2019
$7,743 (2019 est.)
Economy: Real GDP per capita: Real GDP per capita 2020
$7,913 (2020 est.)
Economy: Real GDP per capita: Real GDP per capita 2021
$8,080 (2021 est.)
Economy: Real GDP per capita: Real GDP per capita 2022
$8,766 (2022 est.)
Economy: Real GDP per capita: Real GDP per capita 2023
$9,292 (2023 est.)
Economy: Remittances: Remittances 2013
$170.4 million (2013 est.)
Economy: Remittances: Remittances 2014
$188.0 million (2014 est.)
Economy: Remittances: Remittances 2015
$189.2 million (2015 est.)
Economy: Remittances: Remittances 2020
$232.2 million (2020 est.)
Economy: Remittances: Remittances 2021
1.2% of GDP (2021 est.)
Economy: Remittances: Remittances 2022
1.5% of GDP (2022 est.)
Economy: Remittances: Remittances 2023
1.8% of GDP (2023 est.)
Economy: Remittances: Remittances 2024
$246.6 million (2024 est.)
Economy: Reserves of foreign exchange and gold: Reserves of foreign exchange and gold 2015
$1.069 billion (2015 est.)
Economy: Reserves of foreign exchange and gold: Reserves of foreign exchange and gold 2016
$916.0 million (2016 est.)
Economy: Reserves of foreign exchange and gold: Reserves of foreign exchange and gold 2017
$1.125 billion (2017 est.)
Economy: Reserves of foreign exchange and gold: Reserves of foreign exchange and gold 2018
$980.4 million (2018 est.)
Economy: Reserves of foreign exchange and gold: Reserves of foreign exchange and gold 2019
$1.111 billion (2019 est.)
Economy: Reserves of foreign exchange and gold: Reserves of foreign exchange and gold 2020
$1.895 billion (2020 est.)
Economy: Reserves of foreign exchange and gold: Reserves of foreign exchange and gold 2021
$1.951 billion (2021 est.)
Economy: Reserves of foreign exchange and gold: Reserves of foreign exchange and gold 2022
$1.576 billion (2022 est.)
Economy: Reserves of foreign exchange and gold: Reserves of foreign exchange and gold 2023
$1.77 billion (2023 est.)
Economy: Reserves of foreign exchange and gold: Reserves of foreign exchange and gold 2024
$2.213 billion (2024 est.)
Economy: Taxes and other revenues
12.1% (of GDP) (2022 est.)
Economy: Unemployment rate: Unemployment rate 2019
2.53% (2019 est.)
Economy: Unemployment rate: Unemployment rate 2020
2.35% (2020 est.)
Economy: Unemployment rate: Unemployment rate 2021
2.08% (2021 est.)
Economy: Unemployment rate: Unemployment rate 2022
1.21% (2022 est.)
Economy: Unemployment rate: Unemployment rate 2023
1.19% (2023 est.)
Economy: Unemployment rate: Unemployment rate 2024
1.17% (2024 est.)
Economy: Youth unemployment rate (ages 15-24): female
2.1% (2024 est.)
Economy: Youth unemployment rate (ages 15-24): male
2.4% (2024 est.)
Economy: Youth unemployment rate (ages 15-24): total
2.2% (2024 est.)
Energy: Coal: consumption
15.944 million metric tons (2023 est.)
Energy: Coal: exports
1.065 million metric tons (2023 est.)
Energy: Coal: imports
22,000 metric tons (2023 est.)
Energy: Coal: production
16.629 million metric tons (2023 est.)
Energy: Coal: proven reserves
62 million metric tons (2023 est.)
Energy: Electricity access: electrification - total population
100% (2022 est.)
Energy: Electricity generation sources: biomass and waste
0.1% of total installed capacity (2023 est.)
Energy: Electricity generation sources: fossil fuels
23.3% of total installed capacity (2023 est.)
Energy: Electricity generation sources: hydroelectricity
76.5% of total installed capacity (2023 est.)
Energy: Electricity generation sources: solar
0.2% of total installed capacity (2023 est.)
Energy: Electricity: consumption
12.803 billion kWh (2023 est.)
Energy: Electricity: exports
38 billion kWh (2023 est.)
Energy: Electricity: imports
955.095 million kWh (2023 est.)
Energy: Electricity: installed generating capacity
12.738 million kW (2023 est.)
Energy: Electricity: transmission/distribution losses
2.447 billion kWh (2023 est.)
Energy: Energy consumption per capita: Total energy consumption per capita 2023
34.463 million Btu/person (2023 est.)
Energy: Petroleum: refined petroleum consumption
25,000 bbl/day (2023 est.)
Environment: Carbon dioxide emissions: from coal and metallurgical coke
19.652 million metric tonnes of CO2 (2023 est.)
Environment: Carbon dioxide emissions: from petroleum and other liquids
3.76 million metric tonnes of CO2 (2023 est.)
Environment: Carbon dioxide emissions: total emissions
23.412 million metric tonnes of CO2 (2023 est.)
Environment: Climate
tropical monsoon; rainy season (May to November); dry season (December to April)
Environment: Environmental issues
unexploded ordnance; deforestation; soil erosion; loss of biodiversity; water pollution; limited access to potable water
Environment: International environmental 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
Environment: International environmental agreements: signed, but not ratified
none of the selected agreements
Environment: Land use: agricultural land
9.9% (2023 est.)
Environment: Land use: agricultural land: arable land
arable land: 5.3% (2023 est.)
Environment: Land use: agricultural land: permanent crops
permanent crops: 1.7% (2023 est.)
Environment: Land use: agricultural land: permanent pasture
permanent pasture: 2.9% (2023 est.)
Environment: Land use: forest
56.8% (2023 est.)
Environment: Land use: other
33.3% (2023 est.)
Environment: Particulate matter emissions
20.5 micrograms per cubic meter (2019 est.)
Environment: Total renewable water resources
333.5 billion cubic meters (2022 est.)
Environment: Total water withdrawal: agricultural
7.05 billion cubic meters (2022 est.)
Environment: Total water withdrawal: industrial
170 million cubic meters (2022 est.)
Environment: Total water withdrawal: municipal
130 million cubic meters (2022 est.)
Environment: Urbanization: rate of urbanization
2.99% annual rate of change (2020-25 est.)
Environment: Urbanization: urban population
39.56% (2024 est.)
Environment: Waste and recycling: municipal solid waste generated annually
351,900 tons (2024 est.)
Environment: Waste and recycling: percent of municipal solid waste recycled
15.1% (2022 est.)
Geography: Area - comparative
about twice the size of Pennsylvania; slightly larger than Utah
Geography: Area: land
230,800 sq km
Geography: Area: water
6,000 sq km
Geography: Coastline
0 km (landlocked)
Geography: Elevation: highest point
Phu Bia 2,817 m
Geography: Elevation: lowest point
Mekong River 70 m
Geography: Elevation: mean elevation
710 m
Geography: Geographic coordinates
18 00 N, 105 00 E
Geography: 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
Geography: Irrigated land
4,410 sq km (2022)
Geography: Land boundaries: border countries
Burma 238 km; Cambodia 555 km; China 475 km; Thailand 1,845 km; Vietnam 2,161 km
Geography: Land boundaries: total
5,274 km
Geography: Land use: agricultural land
9.9% (2023 est.)
Geography: Land use: agricultural land: arable land
arable land: 5.3% (2023 est.)
Geography: Land use: agricultural land: permanent crops
permanent crops: 1.7% (2023 est.)
Geography: Land use: agricultural land: permanent pasture
permanent pasture: 2.9% (2023 est.)
Geography: Land use: forest
56.8% (2023 est.)
Geography: Land use: other
33.3% (2023 est.)
Geography: 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
Geography: Major watersheds (area sq km): Pacific Ocean drainage
Mekong (805,604 sq km)
Geography: Map references
Southeast Asia
Geography: Maritime claims
none (landlocked)
Geography: Natural hazards
floods, droughts
Geography: 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
Geography: Terrain
mostly rugged mountains; some plains and plateaus
Government: Administrative divisions
17 provinces ( khoueng , singular and plural) and 1 prefecture* ( kampheng nakhon ); Attapu, Bokeo, Bolikhamxay, Champasak, Houaphanh, Khammouan, Louangnamtha, Louangphabang (Luang Prabang), Oudomxai, Phongsali, Salavan, Savannakhet, Viangchan (Vientiane)*, Viangchan, Xaignabouli, Xaisomboun, Xekong, Xiangkhouang
Government: Capital: etymology
the name Viangchan means "city of sandalwood" in Laotian; the standard spelling reflects French influence
Government: Capital: geographic coordinates
17 58 N, 102 36 E
Government: Capital: time difference
UTC+7 (12 hours ahead of Washington, DC, during Standard Time)
Government: Citizenship: citizenship by birth
no
Government: Citizenship: citizenship by descent only
at least one parent must be a citizen of Laos
Government: Citizenship: dual citizenship recognized
no
Government: Citizenship: residency requirement for naturalization
10 years
Government: 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
Government: Constitution: history
previous 1947 (pre-independence); latest promulgated 13-15 August 1991
Government: Country name: abbreviation
Lao PDR
Government: Country name: conventional short form
Laos
Government: Country name: etymology
name means "Land of the Lao [people];" it derives from the name of the country's founder, Lao
Government: Country name: local long form
Sathalanalat Paxathipatai Paxaxon Lao
Government: Country name: local short form
Mueang Lao (unofficial)
Government: Diplomatic representation from the US: chief of mission
Ambassador Heather VARIAVA (since 5 February 2024)
Government: Diplomatic representation from the US: email address and website
CONSLAO@state.gov https://la.usembassy.gov/
Government: Diplomatic representation from the US: embassy
Ban Somvang Tai, Thadeua Road, Km 9, Hatsayfong District, Vientiane
Government: Diplomatic representation from the US: FAX
[856] 21-48-7040
Government: Diplomatic representation from the US: mailing address
4350 Vientiane Place, Washington DC 20521-4350
Government: Diplomatic representation from the US: telephone
[856] 21-48-7000
Government: Diplomatic representation in the US: chancery
2222 S Street NW, Washington, DC 20008
Government: Diplomatic representation in the US: chief of mission
Ambassador PHOUKHONG Sisoulath (since 5 September 2025)
Government: Diplomatic representation in the US: email address and website
embasslao@gmail.com https://laoembassy.com/
Government: Diplomatic representation in the US: FAX
[1] (202) 332-4923
Government: Diplomatic representation in the US: telephone
[1] (202) 332-6416
Government: Executive branch: cabinet
Council of Ministers appointed by the president and approved by the National Assembly
Government: Executive branch: chief of state
President THONGLOUN Sisoulith (since 22 March 2021)
Government: Executive branch: 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
Government: Executive branch: election/appointment process
president and vice president indirectly elected by the National Assembly for a 5-year term (no term limits); prime minister nominated by the president, elected by the National Assembly for a 5-year term
Government: Executive branch: expected date of next election
March 2026
Government: Executive branch: head of government
Prime Minister SONEXAY (also spelled SONXAI) Siphandon (since 30 December 2022)
Government: Executive branch: most recent election date
22 March 2021
Government: Flag
description: three horizontal bands of red (top), blue (double-width), and red, with a large white disk centered in the blue band 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
Government: International law organization participation
has not submitted an ICJ jurisdiction declaration; non-party state to the ICCt
Government: 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
Government: Judicial branch: highest court(s)
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)
Government: 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
Government: Judicial branch: subordinate courts
appellate courts; provincial, municipal, district, and military courts
Government: Legal system
civil law system similar in form to the French system
Government: Legislative branch: electoral system
plurality/majority
Government: Legislative branch: expected date of next election
February 2026
Government: Legislative branch: legislative structure
unicameral
Government: Legislative branch: legislature name
National Assembly (Sapha Heng Xat)
Government: Legislative branch: most recent election date
2/21/2021
Government: Legislative branch: number of seats
164 (all directly elected)
Government: Legislative branch: parties elected and seats per party
Lao People's Revolutionary Party (LPRP) (158); Other (6)
Government: Legislative branch: percentage of women in chamber
22%
Government: Legislative branch: scope of elections
full renewal
Government: Legislative branch: term in office
5 years
Government: National anthem(s): history
music adopted 1945, lyrics adopted 1975; the anthem's lyrics were changed after the communist revolution that overthrew the monarchy in 1975
Government: National anthem(s): lyrics/music
SISANA Sisane/THONGDY Sounthonevichit
Government: National color(s)
red, white, blue
Government: National heritage: selected World Heritage Site locales
Town of Luangphrabang; Vat Phou and Associated Ancient Settlements; Megalithic Jar Sites in Xiengkhuang - Plain of Jars
Government: National heritage: total World Heritage Sites
3 (all cultural)
Government: National holiday
Republic Day (National Day), 2 December (1975)
Government: National symbol(s)
elephant
Government: Political parties
Lao People's Revolutionary Party or LPRP
Government: Suffrage
18 years of age; universal
Introduction: Background
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. Following more than 15 years of civil war, the communist Pathet Lao took control of the government in 1975, ending a six-century-old monarchy and instituting a one party--the Lao People's Revolutionary Party--communist state. A gradual, limited return to private enterprise and the liberalization of foreign investment laws began in the late 1980s. 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 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.
Military and Security: 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)
Military and Security: 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 and Security: 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 and Security: Military equipment inventories and acquisitions
the LPAF is armed with Chinese, Russian, and Soviet-era equipment and weapons (2025)
Military and Security: Military expenditures: Military Expenditures 2015
0.2% of GDP (2015 est.)
Military and Security: Military expenditures: Military Expenditures 2016
0.2% of GDP (2016 est.)
Military and Security: Military expenditures: Military Expenditures 2017
0.2% of GDP (2017 est.)
Military and Security: Military expenditures: Military Expenditures 2018
0.2% of GDP (2018 est.)
Military and Security: Military expenditures: Military Expenditures 2019
0.2% of GDP (2019 est.)
Military and Security: 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)
People and Society: Age structure: 0-14 years
30.1% (male 1,214,429/female 1,181,845)
People and Society: Age structure: 15-64 years
65% (male 2,573,668/female 2,599,957)
People and Society: Age structure: 65 years and over
4.8% (2024 est.) (male 178,223/female 205,434)
People and Society: Alcohol consumption per capita: beer
3.62 liters of pure alcohol (2019 est.)
People and Society: Alcohol consumption per capita: other alcohols
0 liters of pure alcohol (2019 est.)
People and Society: Alcohol consumption per capita: spirits
4.46 liters of pure alcohol (2019 est.)
People and Society: Alcohol consumption per capita: total
8.15 liters of pure alcohol (2019 est.)
People and Society: Alcohol consumption per capita: wine
0.07 liters of pure alcohol (2019 est.)
People and Society: Birth rate
19.22 births/1,000 population (2025 est.)
People and Society: Child marriage: men married by age 18
10.8% (2017)
People and Society: Child marriage: women married by age 15
7.1% (2017)
People and Society: Child marriage: women married by age 18
32.7% (2017)
People and Society: Children under the age of 5 years underweight
24.3% (2023 est.)
People and Society: Current health expenditure
1.33% (2023 est.)
People and Society: Currently married women (ages 15-49)
61.6% (2017 est.)
People and Society: Death rate
6.07 deaths/1,000 population (2025 est.)
People and Society: Dependency ratios: elderly dependency ratio
7.4 (2024 est.)
People and Society: Dependency ratios: potential support ratio
13.5 (2024 est.)
People and Society: Dependency ratios: total dependency ratio
53.7 (2024 est.)
People and Society: Dependency ratios: youth dependency ratio
46.3 (2024 est.)
People and Society: Drinking water source: improved: rural
rural: 78.5% of population (2022 est.)
People and Society: Drinking water source: improved: total
total: 85.5% of population (2022 est.)
People and Society: Drinking water source: improved: urban
urban: 97.1% of population (2022 est.)
People and Society: Drinking water source: unimproved: rural
rural: 21.5% of population (2022 est.)
People and Society: Drinking water source: unimproved: total
total: 14.5% of population (2022 est.)
People and Society: Drinking water source: unimproved: urban
urban: 2.9% of population (2022 est.)
People and Society: Education expenditure: Education expenditure (% GDP)
1.2% of GDP (2023 est.)
People and Society: Education expenditure: Education expenditure (% national budget)
8.2% national budget (2024 est.)
People and Society: Education expenditures
1.23% (2023 est.)
People and Society: 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.)
People and Society: Gross reproduction rate
1.07 (2025 est.)
People and Society: Health expenditure: Health expenditure (as % of GDP)
2.7% of GDP (2021)
People and Society: Health expenditure: Health expenditure (as % of national budget)
4.3% of national budget (2022 est.)
People and Society: HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate
0.40% (2024 est.)
People and Society: Hospital bed density
1.3 beds/1,000 population (2021 est.)
People and Society: Infant mortality rate: female
31.6 deaths/1,000 live births
People and Society: Infant mortality rate: male
39.1 deaths/1,000 live births
People and Society: Infant mortality rate: total
27.2 deaths/1,000 live births (2024 est.)
People and Society: Languages: Languages
Lao (official), French, English, various ethnic languages
People and Society: Languages: major-language sample(s)
ແຫລ່ງທີ່ຂາດບໍ່ໄດ້ສຳລັບຂໍ້ມູນຕົ້ນຕໍ່” (Lao) The World Factbook, the indispensable source for basic information.
People and Society: Life expectancy at birth: female
71.5 years (2024 est.)
People and Society: Life expectancy at birth: male
67.0 years (2024 est.)
People and Society: Literacy: female
66.7% (2023 est.)
People and Society: Literacy: male
85.1% (2023 est.)
People and Society: Literacy: total population
75.64% (2023 est.)
People and Society: Major urban areas - population
721,000 VIENTIANE (capital) (2023)
People and Society: Maternal mortality ratio
112 deaths/100,000 live births (2023 est.)
People and Society: Median age: female
25.7 years
People and Society: Median age: male
25 years
People and Society: Nationality: adjective
Lao or Laotian
People and Society: Net migration rate
-0.93 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2025 est.)
People and Society: Obesity - adult prevalence rate
5.3% (2016)
People and Society: Physician density
0.33 physicians/1,000 population (2022)
People and Society: Population
7,769,819 (2024 est.)
People and Society: 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
People and Society: Population growth rate
1.36% (2024 est.)
People and Society: Population: female
3,987,236
People and Society: Population: male
3,966,320
People and Society: Sanitation facility access: improved: rural
rural: 72% of population (2022 est.)
People and Society: Sanitation facility access: improved: total
total: 82.5% of population (2022 est.)
People and Society: Sanitation facility access: improved: urban
urban: 100% of population (2022 est.)
People and Society: Sanitation facility access: unimproved: rural
rural: 28% of population (2022 est.)
People and Society: Sanitation facility access: unimproved: total
total: 17.5% of population (2022 est.)
People and Society: Sanitation facility access: unimproved: urban
urban: 0% of population (2022 est.)
People and Society: School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education): female
9 years (2023 est.)
People and Society: School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education): male
9 years (2023 est.)
People and Society: School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education): total
9 years (2023 est.)
People and Society: Sex ratio: 0-14 years
1.03 male(s)/female
People and Society: Sex ratio: 15-64 years
0.99 male(s)/female
People and Society: Sex ratio: 65 years and over
0.87 male(s)/female
People and Society: Sex ratio: at birth
1.04 male(s)/female
People and Society: Sex ratio: total population
1 male(s)/female (2024 est.)
People and Society: Tobacco use: female
7.2% (2025 est.)
People and Society: Tobacco use: male
41% (2025 est.)
People and Society: Tobacco use: total
24.1% (2025 est.)
People and Society: Total fertility rate
2.40 children born/woman (2024 est.)
People and Society: Urbanization: rate of urbanization
2.99% annual rate of change (2020-25 est.)
People and Society: Urbanization: urban population
39.56% (2024 est.)
Transnational Issues: Illicit drugs: USG identification
major illicit drug-producing and/or drug-transit country (2025)
Transnational Issues: Refugees and internally displaced persons: IDPs
1,274 (2024 est.)
Transnational Issues: Trafficking in persons: tier rating
Tier 3 — Laos does not fully meet the minimum standards for the elimination of trafficking and is not making significant efforts to do so, therefore, Laos was downgraded to Tier 3; for more details, go to: https://www.state.gov/reports/2025-trafficking-in-persons-report/laos/
Transportation: Airports
20 (2025)
Transportation: Civil aircraft registration country code prefix
RDPL
Transportation: Merchant marine: by type
general cargo 1
Transportation: Merchant marine: total
1 (2023)
Transportation: Railways: standard gauge
422 km (2023) 1.435-m gauge (422 km overhead electrification)
Transportation: Railways: total
422 km (2023)
Warning: Some information might be outdated or incorrect, please check statistics before using(most of the economical stats are correct, its mostly the Population stats that are incorrect). Some dates are listed but some are missed, if you have any issues please report it to the Github at github.com.