2020 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. 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.

Area

land

230,800 sq km

total

236,800 sq km

water

6,000 sq km

Area - comparative

about twice the size of Pennsylvania; slightly larger than Utah

Climate

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

Coastline

0 km (landlocked)

Elevation

highest point

Phu Bia 2,817 m

lowest point

Mekong River 70 m

mean elevation

710 m

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

4,410 sq km (2022)

Land boundaries

border countries

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

total

5,274 km

Land use

agricultural land

9.9% (2023 est.)

agricultural land: arable land

arable land: 5.3% (2023 est.)

agricultural land: permanent crops

permanent crops: 1.7% (2023 est.)

agricultural land: permanent pasture

permanent pasture: 2.9% (2023 est.)

forest

56.8% (2023 est.)

other

33.3% (2023 est.)

Location

Southeastern Asia, northeast of Thailand, west of Vietnam

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

Major watersheds (area sq km)

Pacific Ocean drainage

Mekong (805,604 sq km)

Map references

Southeast Asia

Maritime claims

none (landlocked)

Natural hazards

floods, droughts

Natural resources

timber, hydropower, gypsum, tin, gold, gemstones

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

Terrain

mostly rugged mountains; some plains and plateaus

Age structure

0-14 years

30.1% (male 1,214,429/female 1,181,845)

15-64 years

65% (male 2,573,668/female 2,599,957)

65 years and over

4.8% (2024 est.) (male 178,223/female 205,434)

Alcohol consumption per capita

beer

3.62 liters of pure alcohol (2019 est.)

other alcohols

0 liters of pure alcohol (2019 est.)

spirits

4.46 liters of pure alcohol (2019 est.)

total

8.15 liters of pure alcohol (2019 est.)

wine

0.07 liters of pure alcohol (2019 est.)

Birth rate

19.22 births/1,000 population (2025 est.)

Child marriage

men married by age 18

10.8% (2017)

women married by age 15

7.1% (2017)

women married by age 18

32.7% (2017)

Children under the age of 5 years underweight

24.3% (2023 est.)

Currently married women (ages 15-49)

61.6% (2017 est.)

Death rate

6.07 deaths/1,000 population (2025 est.)

Dependency ratios

elderly dependency ratio

7.4 (2024 est.)

potential support ratio

13.5 (2024 est.)

total dependency ratio

53.7 (2024 est.)

youth dependency ratio

46.3 (2024 est.)

Drinking water source

improved: rural

rural: 78.5% of population (2022 est.)

improved: total

total: 85.5% of population (2022 est.)

improved: urban

urban: 97.1% of population (2022 est.)

unimproved: rural

rural: 21.5% of population (2022 est.)

unimproved: total

total: 14.5% of population (2022 est.)

unimproved: urban

urban: 2.9% of population (2022 est.)

Education expenditure

Education expenditure (% GDP)

1.2% of GDP (2023 est.)

Education expenditure (% national budget)

8.2% national budget (2024 est.)

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.)

Gross reproduction rate

1.07 (2025 est.)

Health expenditure

Health expenditure (as % of GDP)

2.7% of GDP (2021)

Health expenditure (as % of national budget)

4.3% of national budget (2022 est.)

Hospital bed density

1.3 beds/1,000 population (2021 est.)

Infant mortality rate

female

31.6 deaths/1,000 live births

male

39.1 deaths/1,000 live births

total

34.2 deaths/1,000 live births (2025 est.)

Languages

Languages

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

major-language sample(s)

ແຫລ່ງທີ່ຂາດບໍ່ໄດ້ສຳລັບຂໍ້ມູນຕົ້ນຕໍ່” (Lao) The World Factbook, the indispensable source for basic information.

Life expectancy at birth

female

70.7 years

male

67.4 years

total population

69 years (2024 est.)

Literacy

female

66.7% (2023 est.)

male

85.1% (2023 est.)

total population

75.6% (2023 est.)

Major urban areas - population

721,000 VIENTIANE (capital) (2023)

Maternal mortality ratio

112 deaths/100,000 live births (2023 est.)

Median age

female

25.7 years

male

25 years

total

25.8 years (2025 est.)

Nationality

adjective

Lao or Laotian

noun

Lao(s) or Laotian(s)

Net migration rate

-0.93 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2025 est.)

Obesity - adult prevalence rate

5.3% (2016)

Physician density

0.33 physicians/1,000 population (2022)

Population

female

3,987,236

male

3,966,320

total

7,953,556 (2024 est.)

Population growth rate

1.22% (2025 est.)

Religions

Buddhist 64.7%, Christian 1.7%, none 31.4%, other/not stated 2.1% (2015 est.)

Sanitation facility access

improved: rural

rural: 72% of population (2022 est.)

improved: total

total: 82.5% of population (2022 est.)

improved: urban

urban: 100% of population (2022 est.)

unimproved: rural

rural: 28% of population (2022 est.)

unimproved: total

total: 17.5% of population (2022 est.)

unimproved: urban

urban: 0% of population (2022 est.)

School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education)

female

9 years (2023 est.)

male

9 years (2023 est.)

total

9 years (2023 est.)

Sex ratio

0-14 years

1.03 male(s)/female

15-64 years

0.99 male(s)/female

65 years and over

0.87 male(s)/female

at birth

1.04 male(s)/female

total population

1 male(s)/female (2024 est.)

Tobacco use

female

7.2% (2025 est.)

male

41% (2025 est.)

total

24.1% (2025 est.)

Total fertility rate

2.19 children born/woman (2025 est.)

Urbanization

rate of urbanization

2.99% annual rate of change (2020-25 est.)

urban population

38.2% of total population (2023)

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

Capital

etymology

the name Viangchan means "city of sandalwood" in Laotian; the standard spelling reflects French influence

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

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

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

history

previous 1947 (pre-independence); latest promulgated 13-15 August 1991

Country name

abbreviation

Lao PDR

conventional long form

Lao People's Democratic Republic

conventional short form

Laos

etymology

name means "Land of the Lao [people];" it derives from the name of the country's founder, Lao

local long form

Sathalanalat Paxathipatai Paxaxon Lao

local short form

Mueang Lao (unofficial)

Diplomatic representation from the US

chief of mission

Ambassador Heather VARIAVA (since 5 February 2024)

email address and website

CONSLAO@state.gov https://la.usembassy.gov/

embassy

Ban Somvang Tai, Thadeua Road, Km 9, Hatsayfong District, Vientiane

FAX

[856] 21-48-7040

mailing address

4350 Vientiane Place, Washington DC 20521-4350

telephone

[856] 21-48-7000

Diplomatic representation in the US

chancery

2222 S Street NW, Washington, DC 20008

chief of mission

Ambassador PHOUKHONG Sisoulath (since 5 September 2025)

email address and website

embasslao@gmail.com https://laoembassy.com/

FAX

[1] (202) 332-4923

telephone

[1] (202) 332-6416

Executive branch

cabinet

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

chief of state

President THONGLOUN Sisoulith (since 22 March 2021)

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

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

expected date of next election

March 2026

head of government

Prime Minister SONEXAY (also spelled SONXAI) Siphandon (since 30 December 2022)

most recent election date

22 March 2021

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 type

communist party-led state

Independence

19 July 1949 (from France); 22 October 1953 (Franco-Lao Treaty recognizes full independence)

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 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 the National Assembly upon the recommendation of the president of the republic for a 5-year term; vice presidents of the People's Supreme Court appointed by the president of the republic upon the recommendation of the National Assembly; appointment of chamber judges NA; tenure of court vice presidents and chamber judges NA

subordinate courts

appellate courts; provincial, municipal, district, and military courts

Legal system

civil law system similar in form to the French system

Legislative branch

electoral system

plurality/majority

expected date of next election

February 2026

legislative structure

unicameral

legislature name

National Assembly (Sapha Heng Xat)

most recent election date

2/21/2021

number of seats

164 (all directly elected)

parties elected and seats per party

Lao People's Revolutionary Party (LPRP) (158); Other (6)

percentage of women in chamber

22%

scope of elections

full renewal

term in office

5 years

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

lyrics/music

SISANA Sisane/THONGDY Sounthonevichit

title

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

National color(s)

red, white, blue

National heritage

selected World Heritage Site locales

Town of Luangphrabang; Vat Phou and Associated Ancient Settlements; Megalithic Jar Sites in Xiengkhuang - Plain of Jars

total World Heritage Sites

3 (all cultural)

National holiday

Republic Day (National Day), 2 December (1975)

National symbol(s)

elephant

Political parties

Lao People's Revolutionary Party or LPRP

Suffrage

18 years of age; universal

Agricultural products

cassava, root vegetables, rice, sugarcane, vegetables, bananas, maize, rubber, coffee, watermelons (2023)

Average household expenditures

on alcohol and tobacco

7.8% of household expenditures (2023 est.)

on food

50.5% of household expenditures (2023 est.)

Budget

expenditures

$2.259 billion (2022 est.)

revenues

$2.288 billion (2022 est.)

Current account balance

Current account balance 2021

$431.636 million (2021 est.)

Current account balance 2022

-$458.754 million (2022 est.)

Current account balance 2023

$404.523 million (2023 est.)

Debt - external

Debt - external 2023

$9.619 billion (2023 est.)

Economic overview

lower middle-income, industrial Southeast Asian economy; high inflation due to 2022 currency depreciation brought on by persistently high debt; new Laos-China railway and dry port; rising inequities; ongoing labor shortages

Exchange rates

Currency

kips (LAK) per US dollar -

Exchange rates 2019

8,679.409 (2019 est.)

Exchange rates 2020

9,045.788 (2020 est.)

Exchange rates 2021

9,697.916 (2021 est.)

Exchange rates 2022

14,035.227 (2022 est.)

Exchange rates 2023

17,688.874 (2023 est.)

Exports

Exports 2021

$7.82 billion (2021 est.)

Exports 2022

$8.604 billion (2022 est.)

Exports 2023

$9.698 billion (2023 est.)

Exports - commodities

electricity, fertilizers, gold, garments, paper (2023)

Exports - partners

China 39%, Thailand 34%, Australia 4%, USA 4%, Cambodia 2% (2023)

GDP - composition, by end use

exports of goods and services

33.2% (2016 est.)

government consumption

14% (2016 est.)

household consumption

65.7% (2016 est.)

imports of goods and services

-41.9% (2016 est.)

investment in fixed capital

29% (2016 est.)

investment in inventories

0% (2016 est.)

GDP - composition, by sector of origin

agriculture

16.8% (2024 est.)

industry

29% (2024 est.)

services

43.5% (2024 est.)

GDP (official exchange rate)

$16.503 billion (2024 est.)

Gini Index coefficient - distribution of family income

Gini Index coefficient - distribution of family income 2018

38.8 (2018 est.)

Household income or consumption by percentage share

highest 10%

31.2% (2018 est.)

lowest 10%

3% (2018 est.)

Imports

Imports 2021

$6.527 billion (2021 est.)

Imports 2022

$7.983 billion (2022 est.)

Imports 2023

$8.596 billion (2023 est.)

Imports - commodities

refined petroleum, cars, raw sugar, plastic products, trucks (2023)

Imports - partners

Thailand 58%, China 36%, Japan 1%, Singapore 1%, Germany 1% (2023)

Industrial production growth rate

3.9% (2024 est.)

Industries

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

Inflation rate (consumer prices)

Inflation rate (consumer prices) 2022

23% (2022 est.)

Inflation rate (consumer prices) 2023

31.2% (2023 est.)

Inflation rate (consumer prices) 2024

23.1% (2024 est.)

Labor force

3.585 million (2024 est.)

Population below poverty line

18.3% (2018 est.)

Public debt

Public debt 2016

58.4% of GDP (2016 est.)

Real GDP (purchasing power parity)

Real GDP (purchasing power parity) 2022

$61.856 billion (2022 est.)

Real GDP (purchasing power parity) 2023

$64.173 billion (2023 est.)

Real GDP (purchasing power parity) 2024

$66.905 billion (2024 est.)

Real GDP growth rate

Real GDP growth rate 2022

2.7% (2022 est.)

Real GDP growth rate 2023

3.7% (2023 est.)

Real GDP growth rate 2024

4.3% (2024 est.)

Real GDP per capita

Real GDP per capita 2022

$8,200 (2022 est.)

Real GDP per capita 2023

$8,400 (2023 est.)

Real GDP per capita 2024

$8,600 (2024 est.)

Remittances

Remittances 2021

1.2% of GDP (2021 est.)

Remittances 2022

1.5% of GDP (2022 est.)

Remittances 2023

1.8% of GDP (2023 est.)

Reserves of foreign exchange and gold

Reserves of foreign exchange and gold 2021

$1.951 billion (2021 est.)

Reserves of foreign exchange and gold 2022

$1.576 billion (2022 est.)

Reserves of foreign exchange and gold 2023

$1.77 billion (2023 est.)

Taxes and other revenues

12.1% (of GDP) (2022 est.)

Unemployment rate

Unemployment rate 2022

1.3% (2022 est.)

Unemployment rate 2023

1.2% (2023 est.)

Unemployment rate 2024

1.3% (2024 est.)

Youth unemployment rate (ages 15-24)

female

2.1% (2024 est.)

male

2.4% (2024 est.)

total

2.2% (2024 est.)

Coal

consumption

15.944 million metric tons (2023 est.)

exports

1.065 million metric tons (2023 est.)

imports

22,000 metric tons (2023 est.)

production

16.629 million metric tons (2023 est.)

proven reserves

62 million metric tons (2023 est.)

Electricity

consumption

12.803 billion kWh (2023 est.)

exports

38 billion kWh (2023 est.)

imports

955.095 million kWh (2023 est.)

installed generating capacity

12.738 million kW (2023 est.)

transmission/distribution losses

2.447 billion kWh (2023 est.)

Electricity access

electrification - total population

100% (2022 est.)

Electricity generation sources

biomass and waste

0.1% of total installed capacity (2023 est.)

fossil fuels

23.3% of total installed capacity (2023 est.)

hydroelectricity

76.5% of total installed capacity (2023 est.)

solar

0.2% of total installed capacity (2023 est.)

Energy consumption per capita

Total energy consumption per capita 2023

34.463 million Btu/person (2023 est.)

Petroleum

refined petroleum consumption

25,000 bbl/day (2023 est.)

Broadband - fixed subscriptions

subscriptions per 100 inhabitants

2 (2022 est.)

total

183,000 (2022 est.)

Broadcast media

6 TV stations operating out of Vientiane, with half state-operated and half commercial; 17 provincial stations, with nearly all programming relayed via satellite from the state-operated stations in Vientiane; multi-channel satellite and cable TV systems provide access to a wide range of foreign stations; state-controlled radio with state-operated Lao National Radio (LNR) broadcasting on 5 frequencies; transmissions of multiple international broadcasters are accessible

Internet country code

.la

Internet users

percent of population

64% (2023 est.)

Telephones - fixed lines

subscriptions per 100 inhabitants

18 (2022 est.)

total subscriptions

1.3 million (2021 est.)

Telephones - mobile cellular

subscriptions per 100 inhabitants

65 (2023 est.)

total subscriptions

4.96 million (2023 est.)

Airports

20 (2025)

Civil aircraft registration country code prefix

RDPL

Merchant marine

by type

general cargo 1

total

1 (2023)

Railways

standard gauge

422 km (2023) 1.435-m gauge (422 km overhead electrification)

total

422 km (2023)

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 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 service personnel strengths

information limited and varied; estimated 30,000 active Armed Forces; estimated 100,000 Self-Defense Militia Forces (2025)

Military equipment inventories and acquisitions

the LPAF is armed with Chinese, Russian, and Soviet-era equipment and weapons (2025)

Military expenditures

Military Expenditures 2015

0.2% of GDP (2015 est.)

Military Expenditures 2016

0.2% of GDP (2016 est.)

Military Expenditures 2017

0.2% of GDP (2017 est.)

Military Expenditures 2018

0.2% of GDP (2018 est.)

Military Expenditures 2019

0.2% of GDP (2019 est.)

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)

Illicit drugs

USG identification

major illicit drug-producing and/or drug-transit country (2025)

Refugees and internally displaced persons

IDPs

1,274 (2024 est.)

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/

Carbon dioxide emissions

from coal and metallurgical coke

19.652 million metric tonnes of CO2 (2023 est.)

from petroleum and other liquids

3.76 million metric tonnes of CO2 (2023 est.)

total emissions

23.412 million metric tonnes of CO2 (2023 est.)

Environmental issues

unexploded ordnance; deforestation; soil erosion; loss of biodiversity; water pollution; limited access to potable water

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

signed, but not ratified

none of the selected agreements

Particulate matter emissions

20.5 micrograms per cubic meter (2019 est.)

Total renewable water resources

333.5 billion cubic meters (2022 est.)

Total water withdrawal

agricultural

7.05 billion cubic meters (2022 est.)

industrial

170 million cubic meters (2022 est.)

municipal

130 million cubic meters (2022 est.)

Waste and recycling

municipal solid waste generated annually

351,900 tons (2024 est.)

percent of municipal solid waste recycled

15.1% (2022 est.)