2015 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 and the WTO in 2013.

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

588.9 cu m/yr (2005)

total

3.49 cu km/yr (4%/5%/91%)

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

3,100 sq km (2005)

Land boundaries

border countries (5)

Burma 238 km, Cambodia 555 km, China 475 km, Thailand 1,845 km, Vietnam 2,161 km

total

5,274 km

Land use

arable land 6.2%; permanent crops 0.7%; permanent pasture 3.7%

agricultural land

10.6%

forest

67.9%

other

21.5% (2011 est.)

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

333.5 cu km (2011)

Age structure

0-14 years

34.1% (male 1,190,119/female 1,166,774)

15-24 years

21.31% (male 731,531/female 741,107)

25-54 years

35.54% (male 1,211,600/female 1,245,010)

55-64 years

5.23% (male 177,142/female 184,409)

65 years and over

3.82% (male 119,392/female 144,460) (2015 est.)

Birth rate

24.25 births/1,000 population (2015 est.)

Child labor - children ages 5-14

percentage

11% (2006 est.)

total number

175,138

Children under the age of 5 years underweight

26.5% (2012)

Contraceptive prevalence rate

49.8% (2011/12)

Death rate

7.63 deaths/1,000 population (2015 est.)

Dependency ratios

elderly dependency ratio

6.2%

potential support ratio

16.1% (2015 est.)

total dependency ratio

62.8%

youth dependency ratio

56.6%

Drinking water source

urban: 85.6% of population

rural: 69.4% of population

total: 75.7% of population

urban: 14.4% of population

rural: 30.6% of population

total: 24.3% of population (2015 est.)

Education expenditures

2.8% of GDP (2010)

Ethnic groups

Lao 54.6%, Khmou 10.9%, Hmong 8%, Tai 3.8%, Phuthai 3.3%, Leu 2.2%, Katang 2.1%, Makong 2.1%, Akha 1.6%, other 10.4%, unspecified 1% (2005 est.)

Health expenditures

2% of GDP (2013)

HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate

0.26% (2014 est.)

HIV/AIDS - deaths

500 (2014 est.)

HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS

11,100 (2014 est.)

Hospital bed density

1.5 beds/1,000 population (2012)

Infant mortality rate

female

47.21 deaths/1,000 live births (2015 est.)

male

58.52 deaths/1,000 live births

total

52.97 deaths/1,000 live births

Languages

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

Life expectancy at birth

female

65.95 years (2015 est.)

male

61.88 years

total population

63.88 years

Literacy

definition

age 15 and over can read and write

female

72.8% (2015 est.)

male

87.1%

total population

79.9%

Major infectious diseases

degree of risk

very high

food or waterborne diseases

bacterial and protozoal diarrhea, hepatitis A, and typhoid fever

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 (2013)

vectorborne diseases

dengue fever and malaria

Major urban areas - population

VIENTIANE (capital) 997,000 (2015)

Median age

female

22.6 years (2015 est.)

male

22 years

total

22.3 years

Nationality

adjective

Lao or Laotian

noun

Lao(s) or Laotian(s)

Net migration rate

-1.09 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2015 est.)

Obesity - adult prevalence rate

3% (2014)

Physicians density

0.18 physicians/1,000 population (2012)

Population

6,911,544 (July 2015 est.)

Population growth rate

1.55% (2015 est.)

Religions

Buddhist 66.8%, Christian 1.5%, other 31%, unspecified 0.7% (2005 est.)

Sanitation facility access

urban: 94.5% of population

rural: 56% of population

total: 70.9% of population

urban: 5.5% of population

rural: 44% of population

total: 29.1% of population (2015 est.)

School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education)

female

10 years (2013)

male

11 years

total

11 years

Sex ratio

0-14 years

1.02 male(s)/female

15-24 years

0.99 male(s)/female

25-54 years

0.97 male(s)/female

55-64 years

0.96 male(s)/female

65 years and over

0.83 male(s)/female

at birth

1.04 male(s)/female

total population

0.99 male(s)/female (2015 est.)

Total fertility rate

2.82 children born/woman (2015 est.)

Urbanization

rate of urbanization

4.93% annual rate of change (2010-15 est.)

urban population

38.6% of total population (2015)

Administrative divisions

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

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

previous 1947 (preindependence); latest promulgated 13-15 August 1991; amended 2003 (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 David A. CLUNE (since 16 September 2013)

embassy

Thadeua Road, Kilometer 9, Ban Somvang Thai, Haysatfong District, Vientiane

FAX

[856] 21-48-7190

mailing address

American Embassy Vientiane, Unit 8165, APO AP 96546

telephone

[856] 21-48-7000

Diplomatic representation in the US

chancery

2222 S Street NW, Washington, DC 20008

chief of mission

Ambassador Mai SAYAVONGS (since 3 August 2015)

consulate(s)

New York

FAX

[1] (202) 332-4923

telephone

[1] (202) 332-6416

Executive branch

cabinet

Council of Ministers appointed by the president, approved by the National Assembly

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 (LPRP) reelected president; BOUN-GNANG Volachit reelected vice president; percent of National Assembly vote - NA; THONGSING Thammavong elected prime minister; percent of National Assembly vote - NA

elections/appointments

president and vice president indirectly elected by the National Assembly for a 5-year term (no term limits); election last held on 30 April 2011 (next to be held in 2016); prime minister nominated by the president, elected by the National Assembly for 5-year term

head of government

Prime Minister THONGSING Thammavong (since 24 December 2010); Deputy Prime Ministers SOMSAVAT Lengsavat (since 26 February 1998), THONGLOUN Sisoulit (since 27 March 2001), Maj. Gen. ASANG Laoli (since May 2002), BOUNPON Bouttanavong (since July 2014), PHANKHAM Viphavan (since July 2014)

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

Government type

Communist state

Independence

19 July 1949 (from France)

International law organization participation

has not submitted an ICJ jurisdiction declaration; non-party state to the ICCt

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

Judicial branch

highest court(s)

People's Supreme Court (consists of NA judges)

judge selection and term of office

president of People's Supreme Court elected by National Assembly on recommendation of National Assembly Standing Committee; vice president of People's Supreme Court and judges appointed by National Assembly Standing Committee; judge tenure NA

subordinate courts

provincial, municipal, district, and military courts

Legal system

civil law system similar in form to the French system

Legislative branch

description

unicameral National Assembly or Sapha Heng Xat (132 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)

election results

percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - LPRP 128, independents 4

elections

last held on 30 April 2011 (next to be held in 2016)

National anthem

lyrics/music

SISANA Sisane/THONGDY Sounthonevichit

name

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

note

music adopted 1945, lyrics adopted 1975; the anthem's lyrics were changed following the 1975 Communist revolution that overthrew the monarchy

National holiday

Republic Day, 2 December (1975)

National symbol(s)

elephant; national colors: red, white, blue

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; cassava (manioc, tapioca), water buffalo, pigs, cattle, poultry

Budget

expenditures

$3.297 billion (2014 est.)

revenues

$2.742 billion

Budget surplus (+) or deficit (-)

-4.7% of GDP (2014 est.)

Central bank discount rate

4.3% (31 December 2010)

4% (31 December 2009)

Commercial bank prime lending rate

24.5% (31 December 2014 est.)

23.2% (31 December 2013 est.)

Current account balance

-$2.907 billion (2014 est.)

-$593 million (2013 est.)

Debt - external

$7.52 billion (31 December 2014 est.)

$6.861 billion (31 December 2013 est.)

Distribution of family income - Gini index

36.7 (2008)

34.6 (2002)

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. Laos' growth has more recently been amongst the fastest in Asia and averaged nearly 8% per year for the last decade. Despite this high growth rate, Laos remains a country with an underdeveloped infrastructure, particularly in rural areas. It has a basic, but improving, road system, and limited external and internal land-line telecommunications. Electricity is available to 83% of the population. Laos' economy is heavily dependent on capital-intensive natural resource exports. The labor force, however, still relies on agriculture, dominated by rice cultivation in lowland areas, which accounts for about 25% of GDP and 73% of total employment. Economic growth has reduced official poverty rates from 46% in 1992 to 26% in 2010. The economy also has benefited from high-profile foreign direct investment in hydropower dams along the Mekong river, copper and gold mining, logging, and construction though some projects in these industries have drawn criticism for their environmental impacts. The strength of the natural resources and hydropower sectors have masked ongoing problems with the business environment that would have otherwise constrained growth. These problems include onerous registration requirements, a gap between legislation and implementation, and unclear or conflicting business regulations. Laos gained Normal Trade Relations status with the US in 2004 and applied for Generalized System of Preferences trade benefits in 2013 after being admitted to the World Trade Organization earlier in the year. Laos is in the process of implementing a value-added tax system. Simplified investment procedures and expanded bank credits for small farmers and small entrepreneurs will improve Laos' economic prospects. The government appears committed to raising the country's profile among foreign investors and has developed special economic zones replete with generous tax incentives, but a small labor pool of both skilled and unskilled workers remains an impediment to investment. Laos broadly appears to be on target to graduate from the UN Development Program's list of least-developed countries by 2020, and the country is preparing for implementation of the ASEAN Economic Community at the end of 2015 and for the rotating ASEAN chairmanship in 2016.

Exchange rates

kips (LAK) per US dollar -

8,052 (2014 est.)

7,852.7 (2013 est.)

8,007.3 (2012 est.)

8,035.1 (2011 est.)

8,258.8 (2010 est.)

Exports

$2.791 billion (2014 est.)

$2.448 billion (2013 est.)

Exports - commodities

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

Exports - partners

China 34.2%, Thailand 27.4%, Vietnam 15.7% (2014)

Fiscal year

1 October - 30 September

GDP - composition, by end use

(2014 est.)

exports of goods and services

37.3%

government consumption

13.9%

household consumption

69.6%

imports of goods and services

-59.9%

investment in fixed capital

39.1%

investment in inventories

0%

GDP - composition, by sector of origin

agriculture

23.7%

industry

32.2%

services

44.1% (2014 est.)

GDP - per capita (PPP)

$5,000 (2014 est.)

$4,600 (2013 est.)

$4,300 (2012 est.)

note

data are in 2014 US dollars

GDP - real growth rate

7.4% (2014 est.)

8% (2013 est.)

7.9% (2012 est.)

GDP (official exchange rate)

$11.68 billion (2014 est.)

GDP (purchasing power parity)

$34.4 billion (2014 est.)

$32.03 billion (2013 est.)

$29.66 billion (2012 est.)

note

data are in 2014 US dollars

Gross national saving

32.3% of GDP (2014 est.)

29.5% of GDP (2013 est.)

27.4% of GDP (2012 est.)

Household income or consumption by percentage share

highest 10%

30.3% (2008)

lowest 10%

3.3%

Imports

$4.074 billion (2014 est.)

$3.452 billion (2013 est.)

Imports - commodities

machinery and equipment, vehicles, fuel, consumer goods

Imports - partners

Thailand 55.2%, China 25.6%, Vietnam 6.6% (2014)

Industrial production growth rate

9% (2014 est.)

Industries

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

Inflation rate (consumer prices)

4.1% (2014 est.)

6.4% (2013 est.)

Labor force

3.445 million (2014 est.)

Labor force - by occupation

agriculture

73.1%

industry

6.1%

services

20.6% (2012 est.)

Market value of publicly traded shares

$1.012 billion (2012 est.)

$576.8 million (2011)

Population below poverty line

22% (2013 est.)

Public debt

46.2% of GDP (2014 est.)

46.2% of GDP (2013 est.)

Reserves of foreign exchange and gold

$845.8 million (31 December 2014 est.)

$664 million (31 December 2013 est.)

Stock of broad money

$5.411 billion (31 December 2014 est.)

$5.141 billion (31 December 2013 est.)

Stock of direct foreign investment - at home

$15.14 billion (31 December 2012 est.)

$12.44 billion (31 December 2011 est.)

Stock of domestic credit

$5.157 billion (31 December 2014 est.)

$4.665 billion (31 December 2013 est.)

Stock of narrow money

$1.629 billion (31 December 2014 est.)

$1.414 billion (31 December 2013 est.)

Taxes and other revenues

23.4% of GDP (2014 est.)

Unemployment rate

1.3% (2012 est.)

1.9% (2010 est.)

Carbon dioxide emissions from consumption of energy

1.623 million Mt (2012 est.)

Crude oil - exports

0 bbl/day (2010 est.)

Crude oil - imports

0 bbl/day (2010 est.)

Crude oil - production

0 bbl/day (2013 est.)

Crude oil - proved reserves

0 bbl (1 January 2014 est.)

Electricity - consumption

2.4 billion kWh (2012 est.)

Electricity - exports

2.537 billion kWh (2013 est.)

Electricity - from fossil fuels

1.9% of total installed capacity (2011 est.)

Electricity - from hydroelectric plants

98.1% of total installed capacity (2011 est.)

Electricity - from nuclear fuels

0% of total installed capacity (2011 est.)

Electricity - from other renewable sources

0% of total installed capacity (2011 est.)

Electricity - imports

1 billion kWh (2011 est.)

Electricity - installed generating capacity

3.217 million kW (2013 est.)

Electricity - production

12.24 billion kWh (2011 est.)

Natural gas - consumption

0 cu m (2012 est.)

Natural gas - exports

0 cu m (2012 est.)

Natural gas - imports

0 cu m (2012 est.)

Natural gas - production

0 cu m (2012 est.)

Natural gas - proved reserves

0 cu m (1 January 2014 est.)

Refined petroleum products - consumption

3,520 bbl/day (2013 est.)

Refined petroleum products - exports

0 bbl/day (2010 est.)

Refined petroleum products - imports

3,160 bbl/day (2010 est.)

Refined petroleum products - production

0 bbl/day (2010 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 (2012)

Internet country code

.la

Internet users

percent of population

5.8% (2009)

total

300,000

Radio broadcast stations

AM 3, FM 34, shortwave 3 (2010)

Telephone system

domestic

4 service providers with mobile cellular usage growing very rapidly

general assessment

service to general public is 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 (2012)

Telephones - fixed lines

subscriptions per 100 inhabitants

14 (2014 est.)

total subscriptions

920,000

Telephones - mobile cellular

subscriptions per 100 inhabitants

68 (2014 est.)

total

4.6 million

Television broadcast stations

28 (2010)

Airports

41 (2013)

Airports - with paved runways

1,524 to 2,437 m

4

2,438 to 3,047 m

3

914 to 1,523 m

1 (2013)

total

8

Airports - with unpaved runways

22 (2013)

1,524 to 2,437 m

2

914 to 1,523 m

9

total

33

Pipelines

refined products 540 km (2013)

Roadways

paved

530 km

total

39,568 km

unpaved

39,038 km (2007)

Waterways

4,600 km (primarily on the Mekong River and its tributaries; 2,900 additional km are intermittently navigable by craft drawing less than 0.5 m) (2012)

Manpower available for military service

females age 16-49

1,607,856 (2010 est.)

males age 16-49

1,574,362

Manpower fit for military service

females age 16-49

1,190,035 (2010 est.)

males age 16-49

1,111,629

Manpower reaching militarily significant age annually

female

73,038 (2010 est.)

male

71,400

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; there is no perceived external threat to the state and the LPA maintains strong ties with the neighboring Vietnamese military (2012)

Military branches

Lao People's Armed Forces (LPAF): Lao People's Army (LPA; includes Riverine Force), Air Force (2011)

Military expenditures

NA% (2012)

0.23% of GDP (2011)

NA% (2010)

Military service age and obligation

18 years of age for compulsory or voluntary military service; conscript service obligation - minimum 18-months (2012)

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 River Commission members that China's construction of dams on the Mekong River and its tributaries will affect water levels; Cambodia and Vietnam are concerned about Laos' extensive upstream dam construction

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 (2009)

Trafficking in persons

current situation

Laos is a source and, to a lesser extent, transit and destination country for men, women, and children subjected to forced labor and sex trafficking; Lao economic migrants may encounter conditions of forced labor or sexual exploitation in destination countries, most often Thailand; Lao women and girls are exploited in Thailand’s commercial sex trade, domestic service, factories, and agriculture; Lao men and boys are victims of forced labor in the Thai fishing, construction, and agriculture industries; some Vietnamese and Chinese women and girls are subjected to sex trafficking in Laos while others are trafficked through Laos to neighboring countries, particularly Thailand; some Lao adults and children are subject to sex and labor exploitation domestically

tier rating

Tier 2 Watch List – Laos does not fully comply with the minimum standards for the elimination of trafficking; however, it is making significant efforts to do so; authorities sustained moderate efforts to prosecute and convict trafficking offenders; the government failed to identify victims exploited within the country or among those deported from abroad; the government relies almost entirely on local and international organizations to implement its anti-trafficking programs, including providing assistance to trafficking victims (2014)