2021 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. 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 December 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.

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

3,100 sq km (2012)

Land boundaries

border countries

Burma 238 km, Cambodia 555 km, China 475 km, Thailand 1845 km, Vietnam 2161 km

total

5,274 km

Land use

agricultural land

10.6% (2018 est.)

agricultural land: arable land

arable land: 6.2% (2018 est.)

agricultural land: permanent crops

permanent crops: 0.7% (2018 est.)

agricultural land: permanent pasture

permanent pasture: 3.7% (2018 est.)

forest

67.9% (2018 est.)

other

21.5% (2018 est.)

Location

Southeastern Asia, northeast of Thailand, west of Vietnam

Major rivers (by length in km)

Mekong (shared with China [s], Burma, Thailand, Cambodia, and Vietnam [m]) - 4,350 kmnote – [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

31.25% (male 1,177,297/female 1,149,727)

15-24 years

20.6% (male 763,757/female 770,497)

25-54 years

38.29% (male 1,407,823/female 1,443,774)

55-64 years

5.73% (male 206,977/female 219,833)

65 years and over

4.13% (male 139,665/female 168,046) (2020 est.)

Birth rate

22.74 births/1,000 population (2021 est.)

Children under the age of 5 years underweight

21.1% (2017)

Contraceptive prevalence rate

54.1% (2017)

Current Health Expenditure

2.3% (2018)

Death rate

7.12 deaths/1,000 population (2021 est.)

Demographic profile

Laos is a predominantly rural country with a youthful population – almost 55% of the population is under the age of 25.  Its progress on health and development issues has been uneven geographically, among ethnic groups, and socioeconomically.  Laos has made headway in poverty reduction, with the poverty rate almost halving from 46% in 1992/93 to 22% in 2012/13.  Nevertheless, pronounced rural-urban disparities persist, and income inequality is rising.  Poverty most affects populations in rural and highland areas, particularly ethnic minority groups.  The total fertility rate (TFR) has decreased markedly from around 6 births per woman on average in 1990 to approximately 2.8 in 2016, but it is still one of the highest in Southeast Asia.  TFR is higher in rural and remote areas, among ethnic minority groups, the less-educated, and the poor; it is lower in urban areas and among the more educated and those with higher incomes.  Although Laos’ mortality rates have improved substantially over the last few decades, the maternal mortality rate and childhood malnutrition remain at high levels.  As fertility and mortality rates continue to decline, the proportion of Laos’ working-age population will increase, and its share of dependents will shrink.  The age structure shift will provide Laos with the potential to realize a demographic dividend during the next few decades, if it can improve educational access and quality and gainfully employ its growing working-age population in productive sectors.  Currently, Laos primary school enrollment is nearly universal, but the drop-out rate remains problematic.  Secondary school enrollment has also increased but remains low, especially for girls.  Laos has historically been a country of emigration and internal displacement due to conflict and a weak economy. The Laos civil war (1953 – 1975) mainly caused internal displacement (numbering in the hundreds of thousands).  Following the end of the Vietnam War in 1975, indigenous people in remote, war-struck areas were resettled and more than 300,000 people fled to Thailand to escape the communist regime that took power.  The majority of those who sought refuge in Thailand ultimately were resettled in the US (mainly Hmong who fought with US forces), and lesser numbers went to France, Canada, and Australia.  The Laos Government carried out resettlement programs between the mid-1980s and mid-1990s to relocate ethnic minority groups from the rural northern highlands to development areas in the lowlands ostensibly to alleviate poverty, make basic services more accessible, eliminate slash-and-burn agriculture and opium production, integrate ethnic minorities, and control rebel groups (including Hmong insurgents).  For many, however, resettlement has exacerbated poverty, led to the loss of livelihoods, and increased food insecurity and mortality rates.  As the resettlement programs started to wane in the second half of the 1990s, migration from the northern highlands to urban centers – chiefly the capital Vientiane – to pursue better jobs in the growing manufacturing and service sectors became the main type of relocation.  Migration of villagers from the south seeking work in neighboring Thailand also increased.  Thailand is the main international migration destination for Laotians because of the greater availability of jobs and higher pay than at home; nearly a million Laotian migrants were estimated to live in Thailand as of 2015.

Dependency ratios

elderly dependency ratio

6.7

potential support ratio

15 (2020 est.)

total dependency ratio

56.8

youth dependency ratio

50.1

Drinking water source

improved: rural

rural: 76.8% of population

improved: total

total: 82.1% of population

improved: urban

urban: 94.4% of population

unimproved: rural

rural: 23.2% of population

unimproved: total

total: 17.9% of population (2017 est.)

unimproved: urban

urban: 5.6% of population

Education expenditures

2.9% of GDP (2014)

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.)

note

note: the Laos Government officially recognizes 49 ethnic groups, but the total number of ethnic groups is estimated to be well over 200

HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate

0.3% (2020 est.)

HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS

15,000 (2020 est.)

Hospital bed density

1.5 beds/1,000 population (2012)

Infant mortality rate

female

42.95 deaths/1,000 live births (2021 est.)

male

55.75 deaths/1,000 live births

total

49.48 deaths/1,000 live births

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

68.26 years (2021 est.)

male

63.83 years

total population

66 years

Literacy

definition

age 15 and over can read and write

female

79.4% (2015)

male

90%

total population

84.7%

Major infectious diseases

degree of risk

very high (2020)

food or waterborne diseases

bacterial and protozoal diarrhea, hepatitis A, and typhoid fever

vectorborne diseases

dengue fever and malaria

Major urban areas - population

694,000 VIENTIANE (capital) (2021)

Maternal mortality ratio

185 deaths/100,000 live births (2017 est.)

Median age

female

24.4 years (2020 est.)

male

23.7 years

total

24 years

Nationality

adjective

Lao or Laotian

noun

Lao(s) or Laotian(s)

Net migration rate

-0.99 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2021 est.)

Obesity - adult prevalence rate

5.3% (2016)

Physicians density

0.37 physicians/1,000 population (2017)

Population

7,574,356 (July 2021 est.)

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

Population growth rate

1.46% (2021 est.)

Religions

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

Sanitation facility access

improved: rural

rural: 66.3% of population

improved: total

total: 77.2% of population

improved: urban

urban: 98% of population

unimproved: rural

rural: 33.7% of population

unimproved: total

total: 22.8% of population (2017 est.)

unimproved: urban

urban: 2% of population

School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education)

female

10 years (2020)

male

10 years

total

10 years

Sex ratio

0-14 years

1.02 male(s)/female

15-24 years

0.99 male(s)/female

25-54 years

0.98 male(s)/female

55-64 years

0.94 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 (2020 est.)

Total fertility rate

2.57 children born/woman (2021 est.)

Unemployment, youth ages 15-24

female

15.5% (2017 est.)

male

20.8%

total

18.2%

Urbanization

rate of urbanization

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

urban population

36.9% of total population (2021)

Administrative divisions

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

Capital

etymology

the meaning in Pali, a Buddhist liturgical language, is "city of sandalwood"

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

amendments

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; amended 2003, 2015

history

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

Country name

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

Mueang Lao (unofficial)

Diplomatic representation from the US

chief of mission

Ambassador Peter HAYMOND (since 7 February 2020)

email address and website

CONSLAO@state.govhttps://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 KHAMPHAN Anlavan (since 21 July 2019)

consulate(s)

New York

email address and website

embasslao@gmail.com; laoemb@verizon.nethttps://laoembassy.com/

FAX

[1] (202) 332-4923

telephone

[1] (202) 328-9148; [1] (202) 332-6416

Executive branch

cabinet

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

chief of state

President THONGLOUN Sisoulit (since 22 March 2021); Vice President PANI Yathotou; Vice President BOUNTHONG Chitmani (since 22 March 2021)

election results

2021: THONGLOUN Sisoulit (LPRP) elected president; National Assembly vote: 161-1; PANI Yathotou and BOUNTHONG Chitmani (LPRP) elected vice presidents; National Assembly vote NA; PHANKHAM Viphavan (LPRP) elected prime minister; National Assembly vote: 158-32016: 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 22 March 2021; prime minister nominated by the president, elected by the National Assembly for 5-year term

head of government

Prime Minister PHANKHAM Viphavan (since 22 March 2021); Deputy Prime Ministers CHANSAMON Chan-gnalat, SONXAI Siphandon, KIKEO Khaikhamphithoun (since 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; 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 by the Franco-Lao General Convention); 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 courts

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

description

unicameral National Assembly or Sapha Heng Xat (164 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 158, independent 6; composition - men 128, women 36, percent of women 21.9%

elections

last held on 21 February 2021 (next to be held in 2026)

National anthem

lyrics/music

SISANA Sisane/THONGDY Sounthonevichit

name

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

note

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 (National Day), 2 December (1975)

National symbol(s)

elephant; national colors: red, white, blue

Political parties and leaders

Lao People's Revolutionary Party or LPRP [THONGLOUN Sisoulit]

note

note: other parties proscribed

Suffrage

18 years of age; universal

Agricultural products

rice, roots/tubers nes, cassava, sugar cane, vegetables, bananas, maize, watermelons, coffee, taro

Budget

expenditures

4.038 billion (2017 est.)

revenues

3.099 billion (2017 est.)

Budget surplus (+) or deficit (-)

-5.5% (of GDP) (2017 est.)

Credit ratings

Fitch rating

CCC (2020)

Moody's rating

Caa2 (2020)

Current account balance

Current account balance 2016

-$2.07 billion (2016 est.)

Current account balance 2017

-$2.057 billion (2017 est.)

Debt - external

Debt - external 31 December 2016

$12.9 billion (31 December 2016 est.)

Debt - external 31 December 2017

$14.9 billion (31 December 2017 est.)

Economic 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 more than 6% per year in the period 1988-2008, and Laos' growth has more recently been amongst the fastest in Asia, averaging more than 7% per year for most of 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 20% of GDP and 73% of total employment. Recently, the country has faced a persistent current account deficit, falling foreign currency reserves, and growing public debt.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 held the chairmanship of ASEAN in 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 limited labor pool, a small domestic market, and corruption remain impediments 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

currency

kips (LAK) per US dollar -

Exchange rates 2013

8,049 (2013 est.)

Exchange rates 2014

8,147.9 (2014 est.)

Exchange rates 2015

8,129.1 (2015 est.)

Exchange rates 2016

8,129.1 (2016 est.)

Exchange rates 2017

8,231.1 (2017 est.)

Exports

Exports 2018

$6.39 billion note: data are in current year dollars (2018 est.)

Exports 2019

$6.99 billion note: data are in current year dollars (2019 est.)

Exports - commodities

electricity, copper, rubber, gold, flavored water (2019)

Exports - partners

Thailand 36%, China 28%, Vietnam 16% (2019)

Fiscal year

1 October - 30 September

GDP - composition, by end use

exports of goods and services

34.6% (2017 est.)

government consumption

14.1% (2017 est.)

household consumption

63.7% (2017 est.)

imports of goods and services

-43.2% (2017 est.)

investment in fixed capital

30.9% (2017 est.)

investment in inventories

3.1% (2017 est.)

GDP - composition, by sector of origin

agriculture

20.9% (2017 est.)

industry

33.2% (2017 est.)

services

45.9% (2017 est.)

GDP (official exchange rate)

$16.97 billion (2017 est.)

Gini Index coefficient - distribution of family income

Gini Index coefficient - distribution of family income 2002

34.6 (2002)

Gini Index coefficient - distribution of family income 2012

36.4 (2012 est.)

Household income or consumption by percentage share

highest 10%

30.3% (2008)

lowest 10%

3.3%

Imports

Imports 2018

$7.56 billion note: data are in current year dollars (2018 est.)

Imports 2019

$7.52 billion note: data are in current year dollars (2019 est.)

Imports - commodities

refined petroleum, cars, cattle, iron structures, steel products (2019)

Imports - partners

Thailand 53%, China 26%, Vietnam 10% (2019)

Industrial production growth rate

8% (2017 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) 2016

1.6% (2016 est.)

Inflation rate (consumer prices) 2017

0.8% (2017 est.)

Labor force

3.582 million (2017 est.)

Labor force - by occupation

agriculture

73.1%

industry

6.1%

services

20.6% (2012 est.)

Population below poverty line

18.3% (2018 est.)

Public debt

Public debt 2016

58.4% of GDP (2016 est.)

Public debt 2017

63.6% of GDP (2017 est.)

Real GDP (purchasing power parity)

note

note: data are in 2017 dollars

Real GDP (purchasing power parity) 2018

$53.62 billion note: data are in 2017 dollars (2018 est.)

Real GDP (purchasing power parity) 2019

$56.54 billion note: data are in 2017 dollars (2019 est.)

Real GDP (purchasing power parity) 2020

$56.79 billion note: data are in 2017 dollars (2020 est.)

Real GDP growth rate

Real GDP growth rate 2015

7.3% (2015 est.)

Real GDP growth rate 2016

7% (2016 est.)

Real GDP growth rate 2017

6.9% (2017 est.)

Real GDP per capita

note

note: data are in 2017 dollars

Real GDP per capita 2018

$7,600 note: data are in 2017 dollars (2018 est.)

Real GDP per capita 2019

$7,900 note: data are in 2017 dollars (2019 est.)

Real GDP per capita 2020

$7,800 note: data are in 2017 dollars (2020 est.)

Reserves of foreign exchange and gold

Reserves of foreign exchange and gold 31 December 2016

$940.1 million (31 December 2016 est.)

Reserves of foreign exchange and gold 31 December 2017

$1.27 billion (31 December 2017 est.)

Taxes and other revenues

18.3% (of GDP) (2017 est.)

Unemployment rate

Unemployment rate 2016

0.7% (2016 est.)

Unemployment rate 2017

0.7% (2017 est.)

Unemployment, youth ages 15-24

female

15.5% (2017 est.)

male

20.8%

total

18.2%

Crude oil - exports

0 bbl/day (2015 est.)

Crude oil - imports

0 bbl/day (2015 est.)

Crude oil - production

0 bbl/day (2018 est.)

Crude oil - proved reserves

0 bbl (1 January 2018 est.)

Electricity - consumption

5.471 billion kWh (2016 est.)

Electricity - exports

8.469 billion kWh (2015 est.)

Electricity - from fossil fuels

28% of total installed capacity (2016 est.)

Electricity - from hydroelectric plants

72% of total installed capacity (2017 est.)

Electricity - from nuclear fuels

0% of total installed capacity (2017 est.)

Electricity - from other renewable sources

1% of total installed capacity (2017 est.)

Electricity - imports

2.5 billion kWh (2016 est.)

Electricity - installed generating capacity

6.94 million kW (2016 est.)

Electricity - production

29.74 billion kWh (2016 est.)

Electricity access

electrification - rural areas

93% (2019)

electrification - total population

95% (2019)

electrification - urban areas

98% (2019)

Natural gas - consumption

0 cu m (2017 est.)

Natural gas - exports

0 cu m (2017 est.)

Natural gas - imports

0 cu m (2017 est.)

Natural gas - production

0 cu m (2017 est.)

Natural gas - proved reserves

0 cu m (1 January 2014 est.)

Refined petroleum products - consumption

18,000 bbl/day (2016 est.)

Refined petroleum products - exports

0 bbl/day (2015 est.)

Refined petroleum products - imports

17,460 bbl/day (2015 est.)

Refined petroleum products - production

0 bbl/day (2015 est.)

Broadband - fixed subscriptions

subscriptions per 100 inhabitants

1.06 (2019 est.)

total

76,280 (2019)

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

Internet country code

.la

Internet users

percent of population

25.51% (2019 est.)

total

3.55 million (2021 est.)

Telecommunication systems

domestic

fixed-line 21 per 100 and 61 per 100 for mobile-cellular subscriptions (2019)

general assessment

reliance on radio network to communicate with remote areas; regulatory reform is below industry standards; government aims to strengthen infrastructure and attract foreign investment; low fixed-broadband penetration; dominance in mobile broadband with 4G and LTE, but low compared to other Asian markets; ASEAN Digital Hub investment provides international capacity; state owns almost all media, except for some entertainment outlets, and has suppressed some news; importer of broadcasting equipment and computers from China; providers examining m-payment platforms and 5G tests (2020)

international

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

note

note: the COVID-19 pandemic continues to have a significant impact on production and supply chains globally; since 2020, some aspects of the telecom sector have experienced downturn, particularly in mobile device production; many network operators delayed upgrades to infrastructure; progress towards 5G implementation was postponed or slowed in some countries; consumer spending on telecom services and devices was affected by large-scale job losses and the consequent restriction on disposable incomes; the crucial nature of telecom services as a tool for work and school from home became evident, and received some support from governments

Telephones - fixed lines

subscriptions per 100 inhabitants

20.79 (2019 est.)

total subscriptions

1,490,831 (2019)

Telephones - mobile cellular

subscriptions per 100 inhabitants

60.84 (2019 est.)

total subscriptions

4,362,183 (2019)

Airports

total

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 (2017)

total

8

Airports - with unpaved runways

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

Merchant marine

by type

general cargo 1 (2021)

total

1

National air transport system

annual freight traffic on registered air carriers

1.53 million mt-km (2018)

annual passenger traffic on registered air carriers

1,251,961 (2018)

inventory of registered aircraft operated by air carriers

12

number of registered air carriers

1 (2020)

Pipelines

540 km refined products (2013)

Roadways

paved

5,415 km (2009)

total

39,586 km (2009)

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 - note

the LPAF’s primary missions are border and internal security, including counterinsurgency and counterterrorism

Military and security forces

Lao People's Armed Forces (LPAF): Lao People's Army (LPA, includes Riverine Force), Air Force, Self-Defense Militia ForcesMinistry of Public Security (internal security and law enforcement):  local, traffic, immigration, and security police, as well as village police auxiliaries and other armed police units (2021)

Military and security service personnel strengths

information is limited and estimates vary; approximately 30,000 active duty troops (26,000 Army; 4000 Air Force) (2021)

Military equipment inventories and acquisitions

the LPAF is armed largely with weapons from the former Soviet Union; since 2010, China and Russia are the leading suppliers of military equipment to Laos (2021)

Military expenditures

Military Expenditures 2013

0.2% of GDP (2013 est.)

Military Expenditures 2014

0.2% of GDP (2014 est.)

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 service age and obligation

18 years of age for compulsory or voluntary military service; conscript service obligation - minimum 18 months (2021)

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; Cambodia and Laos have a longstanding border demarcation dispute; concern among Mekong River Commission members that China's construction of eight dams on the Upper Mekong River and construction of more dams on its tributaries will affect water levels, sediment flows, and fisheries; Cambodia and Vietnam are concerned about Laos' extensive plans for upstream dam construction for the same reasons

Illicit drugs

Bokeo Province part of the “Golden Triangle,” a notorious drug production and transit area; remains a poppy cultivator and source of illicit opium and a transit hub for other illicit drugs such as amphetamine-type stimulants (ATS) and chemical precursors; estimate of 4,925 ha of opium poppy cultivated in Laos in 2018

Air pollutants

carbon dioxide emissions

17.76 megatons (2016 est.)

methane emissions

9 megatons (2020 est.)

particulate matter emissions

24.49 micrograms per cubic meter (2016 est.)

Climate

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

Environment - current issues

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

Environment - international 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

Land use

agricultural land

10.6% (2018 est.)

agricultural land: arable land

arable land: 6.2% (2018 est.)

agricultural land: permanent crops

permanent crops: 0.7% (2018 est.)

agricultural land: permanent pasture

permanent pasture: 3.7% (2018 est.)

forest

67.9% (2018 est.)

other

21.5% (2018 est.)

Major infectious diseases

degree of risk

very high (2020)

food or waterborne diseases

bacterial and protozoal diarrhea, hepatitis A, and typhoid fever

vectorborne diseases

dengue fever and malaria

Major rivers (by length in km)

Mekong (shared with China [s], Burma, Thailand, Cambodia, and Vietnam [m]) - 4,350 kmnote – [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)

Revenue from forest resources

forest revenues

1.48% of GDP (2018 est.)

Total renewable water resources

333.5 billion cubic meters (2017 est.)

Total water withdrawal

agricultural

7.02 billion cubic meters (2017 est.)

industrial

170 million cubic meters (2017 est.)

municipal

130 million cubic meters (2017 est.)

Urbanization

rate of urbanization

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

urban population

36.9% of total population (2021)

Waste and recycling

municipal solid waste generated annually

351,900 tons (2015 est.)

municipal solid waste recycled annually

35,190 tons (2015 est.)

percent of municipal solid waste recycled

10% (2015 est.)