2010 Edition

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. 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. In late 2009, Thailand returned to Laos about 3,000 Hmong residing in refugee camps.

Area

land

230,800 sq km

total

236,800 sq km

water

6,000 sq km

Area - comparative

slightly larger than Utah

Climate

tropical monsoon; rainy season (May to November); dry season (December to April)

Coastline

0 km (landlocked)

Elevation extremes

highest point

Phu Bia 2,817 m

lowest point

Mekong River 70 m

Environment - current issues

unexploded ordnance; deforestation; soil erosion; most of the population does not have access to potable water

Environment - international agreements

party to

Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species, Environmental Modification, Law of the Sea, Ozone Layer Protection signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements

Freshwater withdrawal (domestic/industrial/agricultural)

per capita

507 cu m/yr (2000)

total

3 cu km/yr (4%/6%/90%)

Geographic coordinates

18 00 N, 105 00 E

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

Irrigated land

1,750 sq km (2003)

Land boundaries

border countries

Burma 235 km, Cambodia 541 km, China 423 km, Thailand 1,754 km, Vietnam 2,130 km

total

5,083 km

Land use

arable land

4.01%

other

95.65% (2005)

permanent crops

0.34%

Location

Southeastern Asia, northeast of Thailand, west of Vietnam

Map references

Southeast Asia

Maritime claims

none (landlocked)

Natural hazards

floods, droughts

Natural resources

timber, hydropower, gypsum, tin, gold, gemstones

Terrain

mostly rugged mountains; some plains and plateaus

Total renewable water resources

333.6 cu km (2003)

Age structure

0-14 years: 40.8% (male 1,399,674/female 1,386,526) 15-64 years: 56.2% (male 1,900,638/female 1,938,165) 65 years and over: 3.1% (male 90,144/female 119,198) (2010 est.)

Birth rate

26.57 births/1,000 population (2010 est.)

Death rate

8.28 deaths/1,000 population (July 2010 est.)

Education expenditures

2.3% of GDP (2008)

Ethnic groups

Lao 55%, Khmou 11%, Hmong 8%, other (over 100 minor ethnic groups) 26% (2005 census)

HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate

0.2% (2007 est.)

HIV/AIDS - deaths

fewer than 100 (2007 est.)

HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS

5,500 (2007 est.)

Infant mortality rate

female

54.78 deaths/1,000 live births (2010 est.)

male

67.36 deaths/1,000 live births

total

61.19 deaths/1,000 live births

Languages

Lao (official), French, English, and various ethnic languages

Life expectancy at birth

female

63.94 years (2010 est.)

male

60.14 years

total population

62 years

Literacy

definition: age 15 and over can read and write

female

63% (2005 Census)

male

83%

total population

73%

Major infectious diseases

degree of risk

very high

food or waterborne diseases

bacterial and protozoal diarrhea, hepatitis A, and typhoid fever

vectorborne diseases

dengue fever and malaria note: highly pathogenic H5N1 avian influenza has been identified in this country; it poses a negligible risk with extremely rare cases possible among US citizens who have close contact with birds (2008) (2009)

Median age

female

21 years (2010 est.)

male

20.4 years

total

20.7 years

Nationality

adjective

Lao or Laotian

noun

Lao(s) or Laotian(s)

Net migration rate

-1.18 migrant(s)/1,000 population

Population

6,368,162 (July 2010 est.)

Population growth rate

1.712% (2010 est.)

Religions

Buddhist 67%, Christian 1.5%, other and unspecified 31.5% (2005 census)

School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education)

female

9 years (2008)

male

10 years

total

9 years

Sex ratio

at birth

1.04 male(s)/female under 15 years: 1.01 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 0.98 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.75 male(s)/female

total population

0.98 male(s)/female (2010 est.)

Total fertility rate

3.22 children born/woman (2010 est.)

Urbanization

rate of urbanization

5.6% annual rate of change (2005-10 est.)

urban population

31% of total population (2008)

Administrative divisions

16 provinces (khoueng, singular and plural) and 1 capital city* (nakhon luang, singular and plural); Attapu, Bokeo, Bolikhamxai, Champasak, Houaphan, Khammouan, Louangnamtha, Louangphrabang, Oudomxai, Phongsali, Salavan, Savannakhet, Viangchan (Vientiane)*, Viangchan, Xaignabouli, Xekong, Xiangkhoang

Capital

geographic coordinates

17 58 N, 102 36 E

name

Vientiane (Viangchan)

time difference

UTC+7 (12 hours ahead of Washington, DC during Standard Time)

Constitution

promulgated 14 August 1991; amended in 2003

Country name

conventional long form

Lao People's Democratic Republic

conventional short form

Laos

local long form

Sathalanalat Paxathipatai Paxaxon Lao

local short form

Pathet Lao (unofficial)

Diplomatic representation from the US

chief of mission

Ambassador Karen B. STEWART

embassy

19 Rue Bartholonie, That Dam, Vientiane

FAX

[856] 21-26-7190

mailing address

American Embassy Vientiane, APO AP 96546

telephone

[856] 21-26-7000

Diplomatic representation in the US

chancery

2222 S Street NW, Washington, DC 20008

chief of mission

Ambassador SENG Soukhathivong

FAX

[1] (202) 332-4923

telephone

[1] (202) 332-6416

Executive branch

cabinet

Ministers appointed by president, approved by National Assembly (For more information visit the World Leaders website )

chief of state

President Lt. Gen. CHOUMMALI Saignason (since 8 June 2006); Vice President BOUN-GNANG Volachit (since 8 June 2006)

election results

CHOUMMALI Saignason elected president; BOUN-GNANG Volachit elected vice president; percent of National Assembly vote - 100%; BOUASONE Bouphavanh elected prime minister; percent of National Assembly vote - 97%

elections

president and vice president elected by National Assembly for five-year terms; election last held on 8 June 2006 (next to be held in 2011); prime minister nominated by the president and elected by the National Assembly for five-year term

head of government

Prime Minister THONGSING Thammavong (since 24 December 2010); Deputy Prime Ministers Maj. Gen. ASANG Laoli (since May 2002), Lt. Gen. DOUANGCHAI Phichit (since 8 June 2006), SOMSAVAT Lengsavat (since 26 February 1998), and THONGLOUN Sisoulit (since 27 March 2001)

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 Pathet Lao, as well as the country's bright future

Government type

Communist state

Independence

19 July 1949 (from France)

International organization participation

ADB, ARF, ASEAN, CP, EAS, FAO, G-77, 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, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO (observer)

Judicial branch

People's Supreme Court (the president of the People's Supreme Court is elected by the National Assembly on the recommendation of the National Assembly Standing Committee; the vice president of the People's Supreme Court and the judges are appointed by the National Assembly Standing Committee)

Legal system

based on traditional customs, French legal norms and procedures, and socialist practice; has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction

Legislative branch

unicameral National Assembly (115 seats; members elected by popular vote from a list of candidates selected by the Lao People's Revolutionary Party to serve five-year terms)

election results

percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - LPRP 113, independents 2

elections

last held 30 on April 2006 (next to be held in 2011)

National anthem

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

name

"Pheng Xat Lao" (Hymn of the Lao People)

National holiday

Republic Day, 2 December (1975)

Political parties and leaders

Lao People's Revolutionary Party or LPRP [CHOUMMALI Saignason]; other parties proscribed

Political pressure groups and leaders

NA

Suffrage

18 years of age; universal

Agriculture - products

sweet potatoes, vegetables, corn, coffee, sugarcane, tobacco, cotton, tea, peanuts, rice; water buffalo, pigs, cattle, poultry

Central bank discount rate

4.3% (31 December 2010) 4% (31 December 2009)

Commercial bank prime lending rate

26% (31 December 2010) 11% (30 November 2009)

Current account balance

-$23 million (2010 est.) -$356 million (2009 est.)

Debt - external

$3.085 billion (2009 est.) $3.179 billion (2006 est.)

Distribution of family income - Gini index

34.6 (2002) 37 (1997)

Economy - overview

The government of Laos, one of the few remaining one-party Communist states, began decentralizing control and encouraging private enterprise in 1986. The results, starting from an extremely low base, were striking - growth averaged 6% per year from 1988-2008 except during the short-lived drop caused by the Asian financial crisis that began in 1997. Despite this high growth rate, Laos remains a country with an underdeveloped infrastructure, particularly in rural areas. It has a rudimentary, but improving, road system, and limited external and internal telecommunications. Electricity is available in urban areas and in many rural districts. Subsistence agriculture, dominated by rice cultivation in lowland areas, accounts for about 30% of GDP and provides 80% of total employment. The government in FY08/09 received $560 million from international donors. Economic growth has reduced official poverty rates from 46% in 1992 to 26% in 2009. The economy has benefited from high foreign investment in hydropower, mining, and construction. Laos gained Normal Trade Relations status with the US in 2004, and is taking steps required to join the World Trade Organization, such as reforming import licensing. Related trade policy reforms will improve the business environment. On the fiscal side, Laos launched an effort to ensure the collection of taxes in 2009 as the global economic slowdown reduced revenues from mining projects. Simplified investment procedures and expanded bank credits for small farmers and small entrepreneurs will improve Lao's economic prospects. The government appears committed to raising the country's profile among investors. The World Bank has declared that Laos's goal of graduating from the UN Development Program's list of least-developed countries by 2020 is achievable. According Laotian officials, the 7th Socio-Economic Development Plan for 2011-15 will outline efforts to achieve Millennium Development Goals.

Electricity - consumption

1.798 billion kWh (2009 est.)

Electricity - exports

230 million kWh (2009 est.)

Electricity - imports

819.5 million kWh (2009 est.)

Electricity - production

1.656 billion kWh (2009 est.)

Exchange rates

kips (LAK) per US dollar - 8,320.27 (2010), 8,516.04 (2009), 8,760.69 (2008), 9,658 (2007), 10,235 (2006)

Exports

$1.215 billion (2010 est.) $1.104 billion (2009 est.)

Exports - commodities

wood products, coffee, electricity, tin, copper, gold

Exports - partners

Thailand 29.18%, China 15.04%, Vietnam 14.96%, UK 4.29% (2009)

GDP - composition by sector

agriculture

29.8%

industry

31.7%

services

38.5% (2010 est.)

GDP - per capita (PPP)

$2,400 (2010 est.) $2,300 (2009 est.) $2,200 (2008 est.) note: data are in 2010 US dollars

GDP - real growth rate

7% (2010 est.) 6.5% (2009 est.) 7.2% (2008 est.)

GDP (official exchange rate)

$6.341 billion (2010 est.)

GDP (purchasing power parity)

$15.42 billion (2010 est.) $14.41 billion (2009 est.) $13.53 billion (2008 est.) note: data are in 2010 US dollars

Household income or consumption by percentage share

lowest 10%: 3.4% highest 10%: 28.5% (2002)

Imports

$1.504 billion (2010 est.) $1.308 billion (2009 est.)

Imports - commodities

machinery and equipment, vehicles, fuel, consumer goods

Imports - partners

Thailand 66.2%, China 11.45%, Vietnam 5.3% (2009)

Industrial production growth rate

12% (2010 est.)

Industries

copper, tin, gold, and gypsum mining; timber, electric power, agricultural processing, construction, garments, cement, tourism

Inflation rate (consumer prices)

6.2% (2010 est.) 0% (2009 est.)

Labor force

3.65 million (2009 est.)

Labor force - by occupation

agriculture

80%

industry and services

20% (2009 est.)

Natural gas - consumption

0 cu m (2008 est.)

Natural gas - exports

0 cu m (2008 est.)

Natural gas - imports

0 cu m (2008 est.)

Natural gas - production

0 cu m (2008 est.)

Natural gas - proved reserves

0 cu m (1 January 2010 est.)

Oil - consumption

3,000 bbl/day (2009 est.)

Oil - exports

0 bbl/day (2007 est.)

Oil - imports

3,080 bbl/day (2007 est.)

Oil - production

0 bbl/day (2009 est.)

Oil - proved reserves

NA bbl (1 January 2010 est.)

Population below poverty line

26% (2009 est.)

Reserves of foreign exchange and gold

$756 million (31 December 2010 est.) $712.4 million (31 December 2009 est.)

Stock of broad money

$1.818 billion (31 December 2010 est.) $1.549 billion (31 December 2009 est.)

Stock of domestic credit

$1.562 billion (31 December 2010 est.) $1.095 billion (31 December 2009 est.)

Stock of narrow money

$630 million (31 December 2010 est) $691.1 million (31 December 2009)

Unemployment rate

2.5% (2009 est.) 2.4% (2005 est.)

Broadcast media

2 television stations operating out of Vientiane - 1 government-operated and the other jointly-owned by the government and a Thai company; roughly 15 provincial stations operating with nearly all programming relayed via satellite from the government-operated station in Vientiane; relays from Hanoi provide access to a Vietnamese television station; 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, 2 SW, and 2 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 (2008)

Internet country code

.la

Internet hosts

1,468 (2010)

Internet users

300,000 (2009)

Telephone system

domestic

multiple service providers; mobile cellular usage growing very rapidly

general assessment

service to general public is poor but improving; the government relies on a radiotelephone network to communicate with remote areas

international

country code - 856; satellite earth station - 1 Intersputnik (Indian Ocean region) and a second to be developed by China (2008)

Telephones - main lines in use

132,200 (2009)

Telephones - mobile cellular

3.235 million (2009)

Airports

41 (2010)

Airports - with paved runways

total

9 2,438 to 3,047 m: 2 1,524 to 2,437 m: 4 914 to 1,523 m: 3 (2010)

Airports - with unpaved runways

total

32 1,524 to 2,437 m: 2 914 to 1,523 m: 9 under 914 m: 21 (2010)

Merchant marine

by type

cargo 1 (2008)

total

1

Pipelines

refined products 540 km (2009)

Roadways

paved

4,811 km

total

36,831 km

unpaved

32,020 km (2007)

Waterways

4,600 km note: primarily Mekong and tributaries; 2,900 additional km are intermittently navigable by craft drawing less than 0.5 m (2010)

Manpower available for military service

males age 16-49: 1,633,725 females age 16-49: 1,654,235 (2010 est.)

Manpower fit for military service

males age 16-49: 1,056,050 females age 16-49: 1,121,640 (2010 est.)

Manpower reaching militarily significant age annually

female

77,761 (2010 est.)

male

77,910

Military - note

serving one of the world's least developed countries, the Lao People's Armed Forces (LPAF) is small, poorly funded, and ineffectively resourced; its mission focus is border and internal security, primarily in countering ethnic Hmong insurgent groups; together with the Lao People's Revolutionary Party and the government, the Lao People's Army (LPA) is the third pillar of state machinery, and as such is expected to suppress political and civil unrest and similar national emergencies, but the LPA also has upgraded skills to respond to avian influenza outbreaks; there is no perceived external threat to the state and the LPA maintains strong ties with the neighboring Vietnamese military (2008)

Military branches

Lao People's Armed Forces (LPAF): Lao People's Army (LPA; includes Riverine Force), Air Force (2010)

Military expenditures

0.5% of GDP (2006)

Military service age and obligation

18 years of age for compulsory military service; minimum 18-month conscript service obligation (2010)

Disputes - international

Southeast Asian states have enhanced border surveillance to check the spread of avian flu; talks continue on completion of demarcation with Thailand but disputes remain over islands in the Mekong River; concern among Mekong Commission members that China's construction of dams on the Mekong River will affect water levels

Illicit drugs

estimated opium poppy cultivation in 2008 was 1,900 hectares, about a 73% increase from 2007; estimated potential opium production in 2008 more than tripled to 17 metric tons; unsubstantiated reports of domestic methamphetamine production; growing domestic methamphetamine problem (2007) page last updated on January 13, 2011 ======================================================================