Laos

Communist Party-Led StatePop7.8MGDP (PPP)$66.9BCI22Beta CP0.0→Beta

Some figures reconciled across multiple sources via Civica's methodology (v0.2 BETA). Methodology →

Laos

⌘K

Overview

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.

Geography

Area

Land: 230,800 sq km
Water: 6,000 sq km
Total: 236,800 sq km

Climate: tropical monsoon; rainy season (May to November); dry season (December to April)
Terrain: mostly rugged mountains; some plains and plateaus

Land Use

Other: 33.3% (2023 est.)
Forest: 56.8% (2023 est.)
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.)

Location: Southeastern Asia, northeast of Thailand, west of Vietnam
Coastline: 0 km (landlocked)

Elevation

Lowest point: Mekong River 70 m
Highest point: Phu Bia 2,817 m
Mean elevation: 710 m

Irrigated land: 4,410 sq km (2022)
Map references: Southeast Asia

Land Boundaries

Total: 5,274 km
Border countries: Burma 238 km; Cambodia 555 km; China 475 km; Thailand 1,845 km; Vietnam 2,161 km

Maritime claims: none (landlocked)
Natural hazards: floods, droughts
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
Natural resources: timber, hydropower, gypsum, tin, gold, gemstones
Area comparative: about twice the size of Pennsylvania; slightly larger than Utah
Geographic coordinates: 18 00 N, 105 00 E
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

Major Watersheds (Area Sq Km)

Pacific ocean drainage: Mekong (805,604 sq km)

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

People & Society

Literacy

Male: 85.1% (2023 est.)
Female: 66.7% (2023 est.)
Total population: 75.6% (2023 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.

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

Sex Ratio

At birth: 1.04 male(s)/female
0 14 years: 1.03 male(s)/female
15 64 years: 0.99 male(s)/female
Total population: 1 male(s)/female (2024 est.)
65 years and over: 0.87 male(s)/female

Birth rate: 19.22 births/1,000 population (2025 est.)
Death rate: 6.07 deaths/1,000 population (2025 est.)

Median Age

Male: 25 years
Total: 25.8 years (2025 est.)
Female: 25.7 years

Population

Male: 3,966,320
Total: 7,953,556 (2024 est.)
Female: 3,987,236

Nationality

Noun: Lao(s) or Laotian(s)
Adjective: Lao or Laotian

Tobacco Use

Male: 41% (2025 est.)
Total: 24.1% (2025 est.)
Female: 7.2% (2025 est.)

Urbanization

Urban population: 38.2% of total population (2023)
Rate of urbanization: 2.99% annual rate of change (2020-25 est.)

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)

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.)

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)

Dependency Ratios

Total dependency ratio: 53.7 (2024 est.)
Youth dependency ratio: 46.3 (2024 est.)
Potential support ratio: 13.5 (2024 est.)
Elderly dependency ratio: 7.4 (2024 est.)

Physician density: 0.33 physicians/1,000 population (2022)

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.)

Net migration rate: -0.93 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2025 est.)
Hospital bed density: 1.3 beds/1,000 population (2021 est.)
Total fertility rate: 2.19 children born/woman (2025 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.)

Infant Mortality Rate

Male: 39.1 deaths/1,000 live births
Total: 34.2 deaths/1,000 live births (2025 est.)
Female: 31.6 deaths/1,000 live births

Population growth rate: 1.22% (2025 est.)
Gross reproduction rate: 1.07 (2025 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

Life Expectancy at Birth

Male: 67.4 years
Female: 70.7 years
Total population: 69 years (2024 est.)

Maternal mortality ratio: 112 deaths/100,000 live births (2023 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.)

Alcohol Consumption Per Capita

Beer: 3.62 liters of pure alcohol (2019 est.)
Wine: 0.07 liters of pure alcohol (2019 est.)
Total: 8.15 liters of pure alcohol (2019 est.)
Spirits: 4.46 liters of pure alcohol (2019 est.)
Other alcohols: 0 liters of pure alcohol (2019 est.)

Major urban areas population: 721,000 VIENTIANE (capital) (2023)
Obesity adult prevalence rate: 5.3% (2016)
Currently married women (ages 15 49): 61.6% (2017 est.)
Children under the age of 5 years underweight: 24.3% (2023 est.)

School Life Expectancy (Primary to Tertiary Education)

Male: 9 years (2023 est.)
Total: 9 years (2023 est.)
Female: 9 years (2023 est.)

Government

Civica · structure

How power is organised

ExecutiveLegislative

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

Capital

Name: Vientiane (Viangchan)
Etymology: the name Viangchan means "city of sandalwood" in Laotian; the standard spelling reflects French influence
Time difference: UTC+7 (12 hours ahead of Washington, DC, during Standard Time)
Geographic coordinates: 17 58 N, 102 36 E

Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal

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

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

Country Name

Etymology: name means "Land of the Lao [people];" it derives from the name of the country's founder, Lao
Abbreviation: Lao PDR
Local long form: Sathalanalat Paxathipatai Paxaxon Lao
Local short form: Mueang Lao (unofficial)
Conventional long form: Lao People's Democratic Republic
Conventional short form: Laos

Independence: 19 July 1949 (from France); 22 October 1953 (Franco-Lao Treaty recognizes full independence)
Legal system: civil law system similar in form to the French system
Government type: communist party-led state

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)
Subordinate courts: appellate courts; provincial, municipal, district, and military courts
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

Executive Branch

Note: note: President THONGLOUN Sisoulith is also general secretary of the Lao People's Revolutionary Party
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
Head of government: Prime Minister SONEXAY (also spelled SONXAI) Siphandon (since 30 December 2022)
Most recent election date: 22 March 2021
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

National holiday: Republic Day (National Day), 2 December (1975)
National color(s): red, white, blue

National Heritage

Total world heritage sites: 3 (all cultural)
Selected world heritage site locales: Town of Luangphrabang; Vat Phou and Associated Ancient Settlements; Megalithic Jar Sites in Xiengkhuang - Plain of Jars

Political parties: Lao People's Revolutionary Party or LPRP

Legislative Branch

Term in office: 5 years
Number of seats: 164 (all directly elected)
Electoral system: plurality/majority
Legislature name: National Assembly (Sapha Heng Xat)
Scope of elections: full renewal
Legislative structure: unicameral
Most recent election date: 2/21/2021
Expected date of next election: February 2026
Percentage of women in chamber: 22%
Parties elected and seats per party: Lao People's Revolutionary Party (LPRP) (158); Other (6)

National Anthem(s)

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

National symbol(s): elephant
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

Diplomatic Representation in the US

Fax: [1] (202) 332-4923
Chancery: 2222 S Street NW, Washington, DC 20008
Telephone: [1] (202) 332-6416
Chief of mission: Ambassador PHOUKHONG Sisoulath (since 5 September 2025)
Email address and website: embasslao@gmail.com

https://laoembassy.com/

Diplomatic Representation from the US

Fax: [856] 21-48-7040
Embassy: Ban Somvang Tai, Thadeua Road, Km 9, Hatsayfong District, Vientiane
Telephone: [856] 21-48-7000
Mailing address: 4350 Vientiane Place, Washington DC  20521-4350
Chief of mission: Ambassador Heather VARIAVA (since 5 February 2024)
Email address and website: CONSLAO@state.gov

https://la.usembassy.gov/

International organisations: 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
International law organization participation: has not submitted an ICJ jurisdiction declaration; non-party state to the ICCt

Legislature

LAOS · LEGISLATURE

National Assembly

175 seats · hover a seat for the party

Total seats

175

Majority line

Largest party

Lao People's Revolutionary Party (LPRP)

Parties

All political parties1 party · 175 seats · click to dim in hemicycle

Leaders

Current

TS
Thongloun Sisoulith
- Head of StateDate unknown
SS
Sonexay Siphandone
- Head of GovernmentSince 2022

Economy

Budget

Note: note: central government revenues and expenses (excluding grants/extrabudgetary units/social security funds) converted to US dollars at average official exchange rate for year indicated
Revenues: $2.288 billion (2022 est.)
Expenditures: $2.259 billion (2022 est.)

Exports

Civica canonical (reconciled): $7.82 billion (2021 est.)

Note: note: balance of payments - exports of goods and services in current dollars
Exports 2021: $7.82 billion (2021 est.)
Exports 2022: $8.604 billion (2022 est.)
Exports 2023: $9.698 billion (2023 est.)

Imports

Civica canonical (reconciled): $6.527 billion (2021 est.)

Note: note: balance of payments - imports of goods and services in current dollars
Imports 2021: $6.527 billion (2021 est.)
Imports 2022: $7.983 billion (2022 est.)
Imports 2023: $8.596 billion (2023 est.)

Industries: mining (copper, tin, gold, gypsum); timber, electric power, agricultural processing, rubber, construction, garments, cement, tourism
Labor force: 3.585 million (2024 est.)

Public Debt

Civica canonical (reconciled): 58.4% of GDP (2016 est.)

Public debt 2016: 58.4% of GDP (2016 est.)

Remittances

Note: note: personal transfers and compensation between resident and non-resident individuals/households/entities
Remittances 2021: 1.2% of GDP (2021 est.)
Remittances 2022: 1.5% of GDP (2022 est.)
Remittances 2023: 1.8% of GDP (2023 est.)

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.)

Debt External

Note: note: present value of external debt in current US dollars
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

Unemployment Rate

Civica canonical (reconciled): 1.2%

Note: note: % of labor force seeking employment
Unemployment rate 2022: 1.3% (2022 est.)
Unemployment rate 2023: 1.2% (2023 est.)
Unemployment rate 2024: 1.3% (2024 est.)

Exports partners: China 39%, Thailand 34%, Australia 4%, USA 4%, Cambodia 2% (2023)
Imports partners: Thailand 58%, China 36%, Japan 1%, Singapore 1%, Germany 1% (2023)

Real GDP Per Capita

Civica canonical (reconciled): $9,776

Note: note: data in 2021 dollars
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.)

Real GDP Growth Rate

Civica canonical (reconciled): 4.1%

Note: note: annual GDP % growth based on constant local currency
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.)

Agricultural products: cassava, root vegetables, rice, sugarcane, vegetables, bananas, maize, rubber, coffee, watermelons (2023)
Exports commodities: electricity, fertilizers, gold, garments, paper (2023)
Imports commodities: refined petroleum, cars, raw sugar, plastic products, trucks (2023)

Current Account Balance

Civica canonical (reconciled): $531.4M

Note: note: balance of payments - net trade and primary/secondary income in current dollars
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.)

Taxes and other revenues: 12.1% (of GDP) (2022 est.)
GDP (official exchange rate): $16.503 billion (2024 est.)

GDP Composition, BY End Use

Note: note: figures may not total 100% due to rounding or gaps in data collection
Household consumption: 65.7% (2016 est.)
Government consumption: 14% (2016 est.)
Investment in inventories: 0% (2016 est.)
Investment in fixed capital: 29% (2016 est.)
Exports of goods and services: 33.2% (2016 est.)
Imports of goods and services: -41.9% (2016 est.)

Population below poverty line: 18.3% (2018 est.)

Average Household Expenditures

On food: 50.5% of household expenditures (2023 est.)
On alcohol and tobacco: 7.8% of household expenditures (2023 est.)

Inflation Rate (Consumer Prices)

Civica canonical (reconciled): 23.1%

Note: note: annual % change based on 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.)

Industrial production growth rate: 3.9% (2024 est.)

Real GDP (Purchasing Power Parity)

Civica canonical (reconciled): $66.905 billion (2024 est.)

Note: note: data in 2021 dollars
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.)

Youth Unemployment Rate (Ages 15 24)

Male: 2.4% (2024 est.)
Note: note: % of labor force ages 15-24 seeking employment
Total: 2.2% (2024 est.)
Female: 2.1% (2024 est.)

Reserves of Foreign Exchange and Gold

Note: note: holdings of gold (year-end prices)/foreign exchange/special drawing rights in current dollars
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.)

GDP Composition, BY Sector of Origin

Note: note: figures may not total 100% due to non-allocated consumption not captured in sector-reported data
Industry: 29% (2024 est.)
Services: 43.5% (2024 est.)
Agriculture: 16.8% (2024 est.)

Note: note: % share of income accruing to lowest and highest 10% of population
Lowest 10%: 3% (2018 est.)
Highest 10%: 31.2% (2018 est.)

Gini Index Coefficient Distribution of Family Income

Note: note: index (0-100) of income distribution; higher values represent greater inequality
Gini index coefficient distribution of family income 2018: 38.8 (2018 est.)

Energy

Coal

Exports: 1.065 million metric tons (2023 est.)
Imports: 22,000 metric tons (2023 est.)
Production: 16.629 million metric tons (2023 est.)
Consumption: 15.944 million metric tons (2023 est.)
Proven reserves: 62 million metric tons (2023 est.)

Petroleum

Refined petroleum consumption: 25,000 bbl/day (2023 est.)

Electricity

Exports: 38 billion kWh (2023 est.)
Imports: 955.095 million kWh (2023 est.)
Consumption: 12.803 billion 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.)

Energy Consumption Per Capita

Total energy consumption per capita 2023: 34.463 million Btu/person (2023 est.)

Electricity Generation Sources

Solar: 0.2% 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.)
Biomass and waste: 0.1% of total installed capacity (2023 est.)

Communications

Internet Users

Percent of population: 64% (2023 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

Telephones Fixed Lines

Total subscriptions: 1.3 million (2021 est.)
Subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 18 (2022 est.)

Telephones Mobile Cellular

Total subscriptions: 4.96 million (2023 est.)
Subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 65 (2023 est.)

Broadband Fixed Subscriptions

Total: 183,000 (2022 est.)
Subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 2 (2022 est.)

Transport

Airports: 20 (2025)

Railways

Total: 422 km (2023)
Standard gauge: 422 km (2023) 1.435-m gauge (422 km overhead electrification)

Merchant Marine

Total: 1 (2023)
BY type: general cargo 1

Civil aircraft registration country code prefix: RDPL

Environment

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

Land Use

Other: 33.3% (2023 est.)
Forest: 56.8% (2023 est.)
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.)

Urbanization

Urban population: 38.2% of total population (2023)
Rate of urbanization: 2.99% annual rate of change (2020-25 est.)

Waste and Recycling

Municipal solid waste generated annually: 351,900 tons (2024 est.)
Percent of municipal solid waste recycled: 15.1% (2022 est.)

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

Total Water Withdrawal

Municipal: 130 million cubic meters (2022 est.)
Industrial: 170 million cubic meters (2022 est.)
Agricultural: 7.05 billion cubic meters (2022 est.)

Carbon Dioxide Emissions

Total emissions: 23.412 million metric tonnes of CO2 (2023 est.)
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.)

Particulate matter emissions: 20.5 micrograms per cubic meter (2019 est.)
Total renewable water resources: 333.5 billion cubic meters (2022 est.)

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

Military & Security

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 Expenditures

Civica canonical (reconciled): 0.2% of GDP (2019 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 expenditures 2018: 0.2% of GDP (2018 est.)
Military expenditures 2019: 0.2% of GDP (2019 est.)

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 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)
Military equipment inventories and acquisitions: the LPAF is armed with Chinese, Russian, and Soviet-era equipment and weapons (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)

Transnational Issues

Illicit Drugs

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

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/

Refugees and Internally Displaced Persons

Idps: 1,274 (2024 est.)

Scores & Rankings

ScoreValueGlobal rankTrendAs of

Civica Index22.0 / 100as of 2024-Q4158 / 1902024-Q4

V-Dem Liberal Democracy0.10as of 2024-Q4137 / 1702024-Q4

Freedom House StatusNot Free (8/100)as of 2024-Q4—2024-Q4

Press Freedom (RSF)Partly free (50/100)as of 2024—2024

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Civica. (2026). Civica Atlas — Laos — vintage 2026-Q1: Laos factbook. Civica Atlas. Retrieved May 7, 2026, from https://civicaatlas.org/factbook/laos

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Sources: FAO FAOSTAT, ILO ILOSTAT, IMF (WEO), UN Statistics Division, UNDP HDR, UNESCO Institute for Statistics, V-Dem, WHO Global Health Observatory, World Bank, WTO Stats, CIA World Factbook, Wikidata

Laos

Area

Land Use

Elevation

Land Boundaries

Major Watersheds (Area Sq Km)

Literacy

Languages

Sex Ratio

Median Age

Population

Nationality

Tobacco Use

Urbanization

Age Structure

Child Marriage

Dependency Ratios

Health Expenditure

Drinking Water Source

Education Expenditure

Infant Mortality Rate

Life Expectancy at Birth

Sanitation Facility Access

Alcohol Consumption Per Capita

School Life Expectancy (Primary to Tertiary Education)

How power is organised

Capital

Citizenship

Constitution

Country Name

Judicial Branch

Executive Branch

National Heritage

Legislative Branch

National Anthem(s)

Diplomatic Representation in the US

Diplomatic Representation from the US

National Assembly

Current

Thongloun Sisoulith

Sonexay Siphandone

Budget

Exports

Imports

Public Debt

Remittances

Exchange Rates

Debt External

Unemployment Rate

Real GDP Per Capita

Real GDP Growth Rate

Current Account Balance

GDP Composition, BY End Use

Average Household Expenditures

Inflation Rate (Consumer Prices)

Real GDP (Purchasing Power Parity)

Youth Unemployment Rate (Ages 15 24)

Reserves of Foreign Exchange and Gold

GDP Composition, BY Sector of Origin

Household Income or Consumption BY Percentage Share

Gini Index Coefficient Distribution of Family Income

Coal

Petroleum

Electricity

Electricity Access

Energy Consumption Per Capita

Electricity Generation Sources

Internet Users

Telephones Fixed Lines

Telephones Mobile Cellular

Broadband Fixed Subscriptions

Railways

Merchant Marine

Land Use

Urbanization

Waste and Recycling

Total Water Withdrawal

Carbon Dioxide Emissions

International Environmental Agreements

Military Expenditures