2016 Edition

CIA World Factbook 2016 Archive (HTML)

1981 1982 1983 1984 1985 1986 1987 1988 1989 1990 1991 1992 1993 1994 1995 1996 1997 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019 2020 2021 2022 2023 2024

Countries

268

Data Records

71,560

Laos

2016 Edition · 308 data fields

View Current Profile

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. 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.

Geography

Area

236,800 sq km 230,800 sq km 6,000 sq km
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

710 m lowest point: Mekong River 70 m highest point: Phu Bia 2,817 m
elevation extremes: lowest point: Mekong River 70 m
highest point: Phu Bia 2,817 m
mean elevation: 710 m

Environment - current issues

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

Environment - international agreements

Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species, Environmental Modification, Law of the Sea, Ozone Layer Protection none of the selected 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

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 (2012)

Land boundaries

5,274 km Burma 238 km, Cambodia 555 km, China 475 km, Thailand 1,845 km, Vietnam 2,161 km
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

10.6% arable land 6.2%; permanent crops 0.7%; permanent pasture 3.7% 67.9% 21.5% (2011 est.)
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

People and Society

Age structure

33.4% (male 1,184,344/female 1,159,731) 21.29% (male 742,073/female 751,983) 36.1% (male 1,250,108/female 1,283,834) 5.36% (male 184,183/female 192,298) 3.85% (male 122,485/female 148,034) (2016 est.)
0-14 years: 33.4% (male 1,184,344/female 1,159,731)
15-24 years: 21.29% (male 742,073/female 751,983)
25-54 years: 36.1% (male 1,250,108/female 1,283,834)
55-64 years: 5.36% (male 184,183/female 192,298)
65 years and over: 3.85% (male 122,485/female 148,034) (2016 est.)

Birth rate

23.9 births/1,000 population (2016 est.)

Child labor - children ages 5-14

175,138 11% (2006 est.)
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

7.5 deaths/1,000 population (2016 est.)

Dependency ratios

62.8% 56.6% 6.2% 16.1% (2015 est.)
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.)
rural: 30.6% of population
total: 24.3% of population (2015 est.)
urban: 14.4% of population

Education expenditures

4.2% of GDP (2014)

Ethnic groups

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

Health expenditures

1.9% of GDP (2014)

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

51.4 deaths/1,000 live births 56.8 deaths/1,000 live births 45.8 deaths/1,000 live births (2016 est.)
female: 45.8 deaths/1,000 live births (2016 est.)
male: 56.8 deaths/1,000 live births
total: 51.4 deaths/1,000 live births

Languages

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

Life expectancy at birth

64.3 years 62.2 years 66.4 years (2016 est.)
female: 66.4 years (2016 est.)
male: 62.2 years
total population: 64.3 years

Literacy

age 15 and over can read and write 79.9% 87.1% 72.8% (2015 est.)
definition: age 15 and over can read and write
female: 72.8% (2015 est.)
male: 87.1%
total population: 79.9%

Major infectious diseases

very high bacterial and protozoal diarrhea, hepatitis A, and typhoid fever dengue fever and malaria (2016)
degree of risk: very high
food or waterborne diseases: bacterial and protozoal diarrhea, hepatitis A, and typhoid fever
vectorborne diseases: dengue fever and malaria (2016)

Major urban areas - population

VIENTIANE (capital) 997,000 (2015)

Maternal mortality rate

197 deaths/100,000 live births (2015 est.)

Median age

22.7 years 22.4 years 23 years (2016 est.)
female: 23 years (2016 est.)
male: 22.4 years
total: 22.7 years

Nationality

Lao(s) or Laotian(s) Lao or Laotian
adjective: Lao or Laotian
noun: Lao(s) or Laotian(s)

Net migration rate

-1.1 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2016 est.)

Obesity - adult prevalence rate

3% (2014)

Physicians density

0.18 physicians/1,000 population (2012)

Population

7,019,073 (July 2016 est.)

Population growth rate

1.53% (2016 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.)
rural: 44% of population
total: 29.1% of population (2015 est.)
urban: 5.5% of population

School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education)

11 years 11 years 10 years (2014)
female: 10 years (2014)
male: 11 years
total: 11 years

Sex ratio

1.04 male(s)/female 1.02 male(s)/female 0.99 male(s)/female 0.97 male(s)/female 0.96 male(s)/female 0.83 male(s)/female 0.99 male(s)/female (2016 est.)
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 (2016 est.)

Total fertility rate

2.76 children born/woman (2016 est.)

Urbanization

38.6% of total population (2015) 4.93% annual rate of change (2010-15 est.)
rate of urbanization: 4.93% annual rate of change (2010-15 est.)
urban population: 38.6% of total population (2015)

Government

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, Xaisomboun, Xekong, Xiangkhouang

Capital

Vientiane (Viangchan) 17 58 N, 102 36 E UTC+7 (12 hours ahead of Washington, DC, during Standard Time)
geographic coordinates: 17 58 N, 102 36 E
name: Vientiane (Viangchan)
time difference: UTC+7 (12 hours ahead of Washington, DC, during Standard Time)

Citizenship

no at least one parent must be a citizen of Laos no 10 years
citizenship by birth: no
citizenship by descent only: at least one parent must be a citizen of Laos
dual citizenship recognized: no
residency requirement for naturalization: 10 years

Constitution

previous 1947 (preindependence); latest promulgated 13-15 August 1991; amended 2003, 2015 (2016)

Country name

Lao People's Democratic Republic Laos Sathalanalat Paxathipatai Paxaxon Lao Pathet Lao (unofficial) name means "Land of the Lao [people]"
conventional long form: Lao People's Democratic Republic
conventional short form: Laos
etymology: name means "Land of the Lao [people]"
local long form: Sathalanalat Paxathipatai Paxaxon Lao
local short form: Pathet Lao (unofficial)

Diplomatic representation from the US

Ambassador David A. CLUNE (since 16 September 2013) Thadeua Road, Kilometer 9, Ban Somvang Tai, Hatsayfong District, Vientiane American Embassy Vientiane, Unit 8165, APO AP 96546 [856] 21-48-7000 [856] 21-48-7190
chief of mission: Ambassador David A. CLUNE (since 16 September 2013)
embassy: Thadeua Road, Kilometer 9, Ban Somvang Tai, Hatsayfong 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

Ambassador MAI Xaignavong (since 3 August 2015) 2222 S Street NW, Washington, DC 20008 [1] (202) 332-6416 [1] (202) 332-4923 New York
chancery: 2222 S Street NW, Washington, DC 20008
chief of mission: Ambassador MAI Xaignavong (since 3 August 2015)
consulate(s): New York
FAX: [1] (202) 332-4923
telephone: [1] (202) 332-6416

Executive branch

President BOUNNYANG Vorachit (since 20 April 2016); Vice President PHANKHAM Viphavan (since 20 April 2016) Prime Minister THONGLOUN Sisoulit (since 20 April 2016); Deputy Prime Ministers BOUNTHONG Chitmani, SONXAI Siphandon, SOMDI Douangdi (since 20 April 2016) Council of Ministers appointed by the president, approved by the National Assembly president and vice president indirectly elected by the National Assembly for a 5-year term (no term limits); election last held on 20 April 2016 (next to be held in 2021); prime minister nominated by the president, elected by the National Assembly for 5-year term BOUNNYANG Vorachit (LPRP) elected president; PHANKHAM Viphavan (LPRP) elected vice president; percent of National Assembly vote - NA; THONGLOUN Sisoulit (LPRP) elected prime minister; percent of National Assembly vote - NA
cabinet: Council of Ministers appointed by the president, approved by the National Assembly
chief of state: President BOUNNYANG Vorachit (since 20 April 2016); Vice President PHANKHAM Viphavan (since 20 April 2016)
election results: BOUNNYANG Vorachit (LPRP) elected president; PHANKHAM Viphavan (LPRP) elected vice president; percent of National Assembly vote - NA; THONGLOUN Sisoulit (LPRP) 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 20 April 2016 (next to be held in 2021); prime minister nominated by the president, elected by the National Assembly for 5-year term
head of government: Prime Minister THONGLOUN Sisoulit (since 20 April 2016); Deputy Prime Ministers BOUNTHONG Chitmani, SONXAI Siphandon, SOMDI Douangdi (since 20 April 2016)

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

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) president of People's Supreme Court appointed by National Assembly on recommendation of the president of the republic for a 5-year term; vice presidents of People's Supreme Court appointed by the president of the republic on recommendation of the National Assembly; appointment of chamber judges NA; tenure of court vice-presidents and chamber judges NA appellate courts; provincial, municipal, district, and military courts
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)
judge selection and term of office: president of People's Supreme Court appointed by National Assembly on recommendation of the president of the republic for a 5-year term; vice presidents of People's Supreme Court appointed by the president of the republic on 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

Legal system

civil law system similar in form to the French system

Legislative branch

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) last held on 20 April 2016 (next to be held in 2021) percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - LPRP 128, independent 4
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, independent 4
elections: last held on 20 April 2016 (next to be held in 2021)

National anthem

"Pheng Xat Lao" (Hymn of the Lao People) SISANA Sisane/THONGDY Sounthonevichit music adopted 1945, lyrics adopted 1975; the anthem's lyrics were changed following the 1975 Communist revolution that overthrew the monarchy
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
elephant; national colors: red, white, blue

Political parties and leaders

Lao People's Revolutionary Party or LPRP [BOUNNYANG Vorachit] other parties proscribed
note: other parties proscribed

Political pressure groups and leaders

Suffrage

18 years of age; universal

Economy

Agriculture - products

sweet potatoes, vegetables, corn, coffee, sugarcane, tobacco, cotton, tea, peanuts, rice; cassava (manioc, tapioca), water buffalo, pigs, cattle, poultry

Budget

$2.799 billion $3.446 billion (2015 est.)
expenditures: $3.446 billion (2015 est.)
revenues: $2.799 billion

Budget surplus (+) or deficit (-)

-5.2% of GDP (2015 est.)

Central bank discount rate

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

Commercial bank prime lending rate

18.2% (31 December 2015 est.) 19.2% (31 December 2014 est.)

Current account balance

-$2.905 billion (2015 est.) -$2.71 billion (2014 est.)

Debt - external

$10.77 billion (31 December 2015 est.) $10.72 billion (31 December 2014 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. Economic 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. Nevertheless, 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. Agriculture, dominated by rice cultivation in lowland areas, accounts for about 25% of GDP and 73% of total employment. Laos' economy is heavily dependent on capital-intensive natural resource exports. The economy has benefited from high-profile foreign direct investment in hydropower dams along the Mekong River, copper and gold mining, logging, and construction, although some projects in these industries have drawn criticism for their environmental impacts. 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 began a one-year chairmanship of ASEAN in January 2016. Laos is in the process of implementing a value-added tax system. 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 remains an impediment to investment. Laos also has ongoing problems with the business environment, including onerous registration requirements, a gap between legislation and implementation, and unclear or conflicting regulations.

Exchange rates

kips (LAK) per US dollar - 8,147.9 (2015 est.) 8,049 (2014 est.) 8,049 (2013 est.) 8,007.3 (2012 est.) 8,035.1 (2011 est.)

Exports

$2.928 billion (2015 est.) $2.662 billion (2014 est.)

Exports - commodities

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

Exports - partners

Thailand 30.4%, China 27%, Vietnam 17.6% (2015)

Fiscal year

1 October - 30 September

GDP - composition, by end use

63.7% 14.1% 31.3% 0.8% 43.6% -53.5% (2015 est.)
exports of goods and services: 43.6%
government consumption: 14.1%
household consumption: 63.7%
imports of goods and services: -53.5% (2015 est.)
investment in fixed capital: 31.3%
investment in inventories: 0.8%

GDP - composition, by sector of origin

22.2% 32.4% 38.7% (2015 est.)
agriculture: 22.2%
industry: 32.4%
services: 38.7% (2015 est.)

GDP - per capita (PPP)

$5,300 (2015 est.) $5,100 (2014 est.) $4,800 (2013 est.) data are in 2015 US dollars
note: data are in 2015 US dollars

GDP - real growth rate

7% (2015 est.) 7.4% (2014 est.) 8% (2013 est.)

GDP (official exchange rate)

$12.5 billion (2015 est.)

GDP (purchasing power parity)

$37.32 billion (2015 est.) $34.88 billion (2014 est.) $32.47 billion (2013 est.) data are in 2015 US dollars
note: data are in 2015 US dollars

Gross national saving

25% of GDP (2015 est.) 20% of GDP (2014 est.) 25.8% of GDP (2013 est.)

Household income or consumption by percentage share

3.3% 30.3% (2008)
highest 10%: 30.3% (2008)
lowest 10%: 3.3%

Imports

$4.058 billion (2015 est.) $4.271 billion (2014 est.)

Imports - commodities

machinery and equipment, vehicles, fuel, consumer goods

Imports - partners

Thailand 60.9%, China 18.6%, Vietnam 7.3% (2015)

Industrial production growth rate

7.5% (2015 est.)

Industries

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

Inflation rate (consumer prices)

1.3% (2015 est.) 4.1% (2014 est.)

Labor force

3.438 million (2015 est.)

Labor force - by occupation

73.1% 6.1% 20.6% (2012 est.)
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 est.)

Population below poverty line

22% (2013 est.)

Public debt

61.7% of GDP (2015 est.) 60.4% of GDP (2014 est.)

Reserves of foreign exchange and gold

$1.058 billion (31 December 2015 est.) $889.7 million (31 December 2014 est.)

Stock of broad money

$6.509 billion (31 December 2015 est.) $6.461 billion (31 December 2014 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

$7.231 billion (31 December 2015 est.) $6.22 billion (31 December 2014 est.)

Stock of narrow money

$1.132 billion (31 December 2015 est.) $1.149 billion (31 December 2014 est.)

Taxes and other revenues

22.4% of GDP (2015 est.)

Unemployment rate

1.3% (2012 est.) 1.4% (2014 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

1.258 million 18.2% (July 2015 est.)
percent of population: 18.2% (July 2015 est.)
total: 1.258 million

Telephone system

service to public is generally improving; the government relies on a radiotelephone network to communicate with remote areas mobile cellular usage has slowed as the regulator imposed a strict policy on pricing and competition is effectively discouraged; network performance has suffered because of insufficient maintenance and upgrades country code - 856; satellite earth station - 1 Intersputnik (Indian Ocean region) and a second to be developed by China (2015)
domestic: mobile cellular usage has slowed as the regulator imposed a strict policy on pricing and competition is effectively discouraged; network performance has suffered because of insufficient maintenance and upgrades
general assessment: service to public is generally 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 (2015)

Telephones - fixed lines

962,497 14 (July 2015 est.)
subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 14 (July 2015 est.)
total subscriptions: 962,497

Telephones - mobile cellular

3.727 million 54 (July 2015 est.)
subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 54 (July 2015 est.)
total: 3.727 million

Transportation

Airports

41 (2013)

Airports - with paved runways

1 (2013)
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
under 914 m: 22 (2013)

Civil aircraft registration country code prefix

RDPL (2016)

National air transport system

1,181,187 1,356,497 mt-km (2015)
annual freight traffic on registered air carriers: 1,356,497 mt-km (2015)
annual passenger traffic on registered air carriers: 1,181,187
inventory of registered aircraft operated by air carriers: 11
number of registered air carriers: 1

Pipelines

refined products 540 km (2013)

Roadways

39,586 km 5,415 km 34,171 km (2009)
paved: 5,415 km
total: 39,586 km
unpaved: 34,171 km (2009)

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)

Military and Security

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)
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)

Military service age and obligation

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

Transnational Issues

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

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; a small, possibly growing, number of Lao women and girls are sold as brides in China and South Korea and subsequently sex trafficked; Lao men and boys are victims of forced labor in the Thai fishing, construction, and agriculture industries; some Lao children, as well as Vietnamese and Chinese women and girls are subjected to sex trafficking in Laos; other Vietnamese and Chinese, and possibly Burmese, adults and girls transit Laos for sexual and labor exploitation in neighboring countries, particularly Thailand 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 investigate, prosecute, and convict trafficking offenders; the government failed to make progress in proactively identifying victims exploited within the country or among those deported from abroad; the government continues to rely almost entirely on local and international organizations to provide and fund services to trafficking victims; although Lao men and boys are trafficked, most protective services are only available to women and girls, and long-term support is lacking; modest prevention efforts include the promotion of anti-trafficking awareness on state-controlled media (2015)
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; a small, possibly growing, number of Lao women and girls are sold as brides in China and South Korea and subsequently sex trafficked; Lao men and boys are victims of forced labor in the Thai fishing, construction, and agriculture industries; some Lao children, as well as Vietnamese and Chinese women and girls are subjected to sex trafficking in Laos; other Vietnamese and Chinese, and possibly Burmese, adults and girls transit Laos for sexual and labor exploitation in neighboring countries, particularly Thailand
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 investigate, prosecute, and convict trafficking offenders; the government failed to make progress in proactively identifying victims exploited within the country or among those deported from abroad; the government continues to rely almost entirely on local and international organizations to provide and fund services to trafficking victims; although Lao men and boys are trafficked, most protective services are only available to women and girls, and long-term support is lacking; modest prevention efforts include the promotion of anti-trafficking awareness on state-controlled media (2015)