Laos

Southeastern Asia, northeast of Thailand, west of Vietnam

18 00 N, 105 00 E

Southeast Asia

236,800 sq km

230,800 sq km

6,000 sq km

About twice the size of Pennsylvania; slightly larger than Utah

5,274 km

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

0 km (landlocked)

None (landlocked)

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

Mostly rugged mountains; some plains and plateaus

Phu Bia 2,817 m

Mekong River 70 m

710 m

Timber, hydropower, gypsum, tin, gold, gemstones

9.9% (2023 est.)

Arable land: 5.3% (2023 est.)

Permanent crops: 1.7% (2023 est.)

Permanent pasture: 2.9% (2023 est.)

56.8% (2023 est.)

33.3% (2023 est.)

4,410 sq km (2022)

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

Mekong (805,604 sq km)

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

Floods, droughts

Landlocked; most of the country is mountainous and thickly forested; the Mekong River forms a large part of the western boundary with Thailand

7,953,556 (2024 est.)

3,966,320

3,987,236

Lao(s) or Laotian(s)

Lao or Laotian

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.)

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

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

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

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

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

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

53.7 (2024 est.)

46.3 (2024 est.)

7.4 (2024 est.)

13.5 (2024 est.)

25.8 years (2025 est.)

25 years

25.7 years

1.22% (2025 est.)

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

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

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

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

38.2% of total population (2023)

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

721,000 VIENTIANE (capital) (2023)

1.04 male(s)/female

1.03 male(s)/female

0.99 male(s)/female

0.87 male(s)/female

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

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

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

39.1 deaths/1,000 live births

31.6 deaths/1,000 live births

69 years (2024 est.)

67.4 years

70.7 years

2.19 children born/woman (2025 est.)

1.07 (2025 est.)

Urban: 97.1% of population (2022 est.)

Rural: 78.5% of population (2022 est.)

Total: 85.5% of population (2022 est.)

Urban: 2.9% of population (2022 est.)

Rural: 21.5% of population (2022 est.)

Total: 14.5% of population (2022 est.)

2.7% of GDP (2021)

4.3% of national budget (2022 est.)

0.33 physicians/1,000 population (2022)

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

Urban: 100% of population (2022 est.)

Rural: 72% of population (2022 est.)

Total: 82.5% of population (2022 est.)

Urban: 0% of population (2022 est.)

Rural: 28% of population (2022 est.)

Total: 17.5% of population (2022 est.)

5.3% (2016)

8.15 liters of pure alcohol (2019 est.)

3.62 liters of pure alcohol (2019 est.)

0.07 liters of pure alcohol (2019 est.)

4.46 liters of pure alcohol (2019 est.)

0 liters of pure alcohol (2019 est.)

24.1% (2025 est.)

41% (2025 est.)

7.2% (2025 est.)

24.3% (2023 est.)

61.6% (2017 est.)

7.1% (2017)

32.7% (2017)

10.8% (2017)

1.2% of GDP (2023 est.)

8.2% national budget (2024 est.)

75.6% (2023 est.)

85.1% (2023 est.)

66.7% (2023 est.)

9 years (2023 est.)

9 years (2023 est.)

9 years (2023 est.)

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

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

None of the selected agreements

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

9.9% (2023 est.)

Arable land: 5.3% (2023 est.)

Permanent crops: 1.7% (2023 est.)

Permanent pasture: 2.9% (2023 est.)

56.8% (2023 est.)

33.3% (2023 est.)

38.2% of total population (2023)

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

23.412 million metric tonnes of CO2 (2023 est.)

19.652 million metric tonnes of CO2 (2023 est.)

3.76 million metric tonnes of CO2 (2023 est.)

20.5 micrograms per cubic meter (2019 est.)

351,900 tons (2024 est.)

15.1% (2022 est.)

130 million cubic meters (2022 est.)

170 million cubic meters (2022 est.)

7.05 billion cubic meters (2022 est.)

333.5 billion cubic meters (2022 est.)

Lao People's Democratic Republic

Laos

Sathalanalat Paxathipatai Paxaxon Lao

Mueang Lao (unofficial)

Lao PDR

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

Communist party-led state

Vientiane (Viangchan)

17 58 N, 102 36 E

UTC+7 (12 hours ahead of Washington, DC, during Standard Time)

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

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

Civil law system similar in form to the French system

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

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

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

No

At least one parent must be a citizen of Laos

No

10 years

18 years of age; universal

President THONGLOUN Sisoulith (since 22 March 2021)

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

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

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

22 March 2021

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

March 2026

National Assembly (Sapha Heng Xat)

Unicameral

164 (all directly elected)

Plurality/majority

Full renewal

5 years

2/21/2021

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

22%

February 2026

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 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

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

Lao People's Revolutionary Party or LPRP

Ambassador PHOUKHONG Sisoulath (since 5 September 2025)

2222 S Street NW, Washington, DC 20008

[1] (202) 332-6416

[1] (202) 332-4923

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

Ambassador Heather VARIAVA (since 5 February 2024)

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

4350 Vientiane Place, Washington DC 20521-4350

[856] 21-48-7000

[856] 21-48-7040

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

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

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

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

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

Elephant

Red, white, blue

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

SISANA Sisane/THONGDY Sounthonevichit

Music adopted 1945, lyrics adopted 1975; the anthem's lyrics were changed after the communist revolution that overthrew the monarchy in 1975

3 (all cultural)

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

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

$66.905 billion (2024 est.)

$64.173 billion (2023 est.)

$61.856 billion (2022 est.)

4.3% (2024 est.)

3.7% (2023 est.)

2.7% (2022 est.)

$8,600 (2024 est.)

$8,400 (2023 est.)

$8,200 (2022 est.)

$16.503 billion (2024 est.)

23.1% (2024 est.)

31.2% (2023 est.)

23% (2022 est.)

16.8% (2024 est.)

29% (2024 est.)

43.5% (2024 est.)

65.7% (2016 est.)

14% (2016 est.)

29% (2016 est.)

0% (2016 est.)

33.2% (2016 est.)

-41.9% (2016 est.)

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

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

3.9% (2024 est.)

3.585 million (2024 est.)

1.3% (2024 est.)

1.2% (2023 est.)

1.3% (2022 est.)

2.2% (2024 est.)

2.4% (2024 est.)

2.1% (2024 est.)

18.3% (2018 est.)

38.8 (2018 est.)

50.5% of household expenditures (2023 est.)

7.8% of household expenditures (2023 est.)

3% (2018 est.)

31.2% (2018 est.)

1.8% of GDP (2023 est.)

1.5% of GDP (2022 est.)

1.2% of GDP (2021 est.)

$2.288 billion (2022 est.)

$2.259 billion (2022 est.)

58.4% of GDP (2016 est.)

12.1% (of GDP) (2022 est.)

$404.523 million (2023 est.)

-$458.754 million (2022 est.)

$431.636 million (2021 est.)

$9.698 billion (2023 est.)

$8.604 billion (2022 est.)

$7.82 billion (2021 est.)

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

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

$8.596 billion (2023 est.)

$7.983 billion (2022 est.)

$6.527 billion (2021 est.)

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

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

$1.77 billion (2023 est.)

$1.576 billion (2022 est.)

$1.951 billion (2021 est.)

$9.619 billion (2023 est.)

Kips (LAK) per US dollar -

17,688.874 (2023 est.)

14,035.227 (2022 est.)

9,697.916 (2021 est.)

9,045.788 (2020 est.)

8,679.409 (2019 est.)

100% (2022 est.)

12.738 million kW (2023 est.)

12.803 billion kWh (2023 est.)

38 billion kWh (2023 est.)

955.095 million kWh (2023 est.)

2.447 billion kWh (2023 est.)

23.3% of total installed capacity (2023 est.)

0.2% of total installed capacity (2023 est.)

76.5% of total installed capacity (2023 est.)

0.1% of total installed capacity (2023 est.)

16.629 million metric tons (2023 est.)

15.944 million metric tons (2023 est.)

1.065 million metric tons (2023 est.)

22,000 metric tons (2023 est.)

62 million metric tons (2023 est.)

25,000 bbl/day (2023 est.)

34.463 million Btu/person (2023 est.)

1.3 million (2021 est.)

18 (2022 est.)

4.96 million (2023 est.)

65 (2023 est.)

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

.la

64% (2023 est.)

183,000 (2022 est.)

2 (2022 est.)

RDPL

20 (2025)

422 km (2023)

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

1 (2023)

General cargo 1

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)

0.2% of GDP (2019 est.)

0.2% of GDP (2018 est.)

0.2% of GDP (2017 est.)

0.2% of GDP (2016 est.)

0.2% of GDP (2015 est.)

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

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

18 years of age for voluntary military service; mandatory military service for men 18-35 with a minimum 18-month service obligation (2025)

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)

1,274 (2024 est.)

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/

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