Laos

Lao People's Democratic RepublicSathalanalat Paxathipatai Paxaxon Lao

communist state

Laos as the 2022 edition of the CIA World Factbook published it: 162 fields, one of 36 editions from 1990 to 2025.

field in that editiontext changed from the edition beforenot in that editionthe open editionEach field below ends in its editions, 1990 to 2025. Point at a year above to follow it down.

CapitalVientiane (Viangchan), UTC+7
Position18 00 N, 105 00 E
Area236,800 sq km
LocationSoutheastern Asia, northeast of Thailand, west of Vietnam
Populationas each edition published it
7.75 million 2022 est. · 4.02m in 1990
Population growth% a year
1.34% 2022 est. · 2.86% in 1993
Median ageyears
24 years 2020 est. · 18.5 yrs in 2003
Life expectancyyears at birth
68.15 years 2022 est. · 51.18 yrs in 1993
Fertility ratechildren per woman
2.35 children per woman 2022 est. · 5.1 in 1990
Infant mortalitydeaths per 1,000 live births
37.78 deaths per 1,000 live births 2022 est. · 126 in 1990
GDP per capitaeach edition's own dollars
$7,800 2020 est. · $200 in 1993
GDP real growth% a year
6.9% 2017 est. · 4% in 1993

Introduction

1 field

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.

Geography

Southeastern Asia, northeast of Thailand, west of Vietnam

19 fields

Land useshare of 236,800 sq km

arable land 6.2% (2018 est.)permanent crops 0.7% (2018 est.)permanent pasture 3.7% (2018 est.)forest 67.9% (2018 est.)other 21.5% (2018 est.)agricultural land 10.6% (2018 est.) in all · irrigated 4,409 sq km (2020)
Area
236,800sq km
land: 230,800 sq kmwater: 6,000 sq kmabout twice the size of Pennsylvania; slightly larger than Utah
Coastline
0km
(landlocked)Maritime claims: none (landlocked)
Highest point
2,817m
Phu Bialowest point: Mekong River 70 mmean elevation: 710 m
Land boundaries
5,274km
border countries (5): Burma 238 km; Cambodia 555 km; China 475 km; Thailand 1,845 km; Vietnam 2,161 km

Location

Southeastern Asia, northeast of Thailand, west of Vietnam

Geographic coordinates

18 00 N, 105 00 E

Map references

Southeast Asia

Climate

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

Terrain

mostly rugged mountains; some plains and plateaus

Natural resources

timber, hydropower, gypsum, tin, gold, gemstones

Major rivers (by length in km)

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)

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

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

People and Society

38 fields

Age structuremale left, female right · (2020 est.)

139,665
65 and over4.13%
168,046
206,977
55-645.73%
219,833
1,407,823
25-5438.29%
1,443,774
763,757
15-2420.6%
770,497
1,177,297
0-1431.25%
1,149,727
MaleFemaleDependency ratios: total dependency ratio: 54.7 · youth dependency ratio: 48 · elderly dependency ratio: 6.7 · potential support ratio: 14.8 (2021 est.)
Population
7,749,595
(2022 est.)growth rate: 1.34% (2022 est.)

Per 1,000 population(2022 est.)

Birth
20.9Death
6.37Net migration
-1.17

Male · female

TotalMale · femaleLife expectancy years (2022 est.)68.15
66.49 · 69.88Infant mortality deaths/1,000 live births (2022 est.)37.78
41.76 · 33.63Literacy (2015)84.7%
90% · 79.4%
TotalMale · femaleMedian age years (2020 est.)24
23.7 · 24.4School life expectancy years (2020)10
10 · 10Youth unemployment (2017 est.)5.9%
6.5% · 5.4%
MaleFemaleLiteracy definition: age 15 and over can read and write

Ethnic groups(2015 est.)

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

Religions(2015 est.)

Buddhist 64.7%Christian 1.7%none 31.4%other/not stated 2.1% (2015 est.)
Urban population
38.2%of total population
(2023)rate of urbanization: 2.99% annual rate of change (2020-25 est.)Major urban areas - population: 721,000 VIENTIANE (capital) (2023)
Improved drinking water
88.8%of population
improved: urban: 97.1% of populationrural: 84.1% of populationunimproved: urban: 2.9% of populationrural: 15.9% of populationtotal: 11.2% of population (2020 est.)
Improved sanitation
82.2%of population
improved: urban: 100% of populationrural: 72% of populationunimproved: urban: 0% of populationrural: 28% of populationtotal: 17.8% of population (2020 est.)
Maternal mortality ratio
185deaths/100,000 live births
(2017 est.)

Nationality

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

Languages

Lao (official), French, English, various ethnic languages; major-language sample(s): ແຫລ່ງທີ່ຂາດບໍ່ໄດ້ສຳລັບຂໍ້ມູນຕົ້ນຕໍ່” (Lao); The World Factbook, the indispensable source for basic information.

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.

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

Sex ratio

at birth:
1.04 male(s)/female
0-14 years:
1.03 male(s)/female
15-24 years:
1 male(s)/female
25-54 years:
0.99 male(s)/female
55-64 years:
0.94 male(s)/female
65 years and over:
0.71 male(s)/female
total population:
0.99 male(s)/female (2022 est.)

Total fertility rate

2.35 children born/woman (2022 est.)

Current health expenditure

2.6% of GDP (2019)

Physicians density

0.35 physicians/1,000 population (2020)

Hospital bed density

1.5 beds/1,000 population (2012)

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

Alcohol consumption per capita

total:
8.15 liters of pure alcohol (2019 est.)
beer:
3.62 liters of pure alcohol (2019 est.)
wine:
0.07 liters of pure alcohol (2019 est.)
spirits:
4.46 liters of pure alcohol (2019 est.)
other alcohols:
0 liters of pure alcohol (2019 est.)

Tobacco use

total:
31.8% (2020 est.)
male:
53.3% (2020 est.)
female:
10.3% (2020 est.)

Child marriage

women married by age 15:
7.1%
women married by age 18:
32.7%
men married by age 18:
10.8% (2017 est.)

Education expenditures

2.3% of GDP (2020 est.)

Environment

13 fields

Land use(2018 est.)

arable land 6.2% (2018 est.)permanent crops 0.7% (2018 est.)permanent pasture 3.7% (2018 est.)forest 67.9% (2018 est.)other 21.5% (2018 est.)agricultural land 10.6% (2018 est.) in all

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

Air pollutants

particulate matter emissions:
24.49 micrograms per cubic meter (2016 est.)
carbon dioxide emissions:
17.76 megatons (2016 est.)
methane emissions:
9 megatons (2020 est.)

Climate

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

Urbanization

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

Revenue from forest resources

forest revenues: 1.48% of GDP (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

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.)

Major rivers (by length in km)

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)

Total water withdrawal

municipal:
130 million cubic meters (2017 est.)
industrial:
170 million cubic meters (2017 est.)
agricultural:
7.02 billion cubic meters (2017 est.)

Total renewable water resources

333.5 billion cubic meters (2017 est.)

Government

Communist state; President THONGLOUN Sisoulit (since 22 March 2021); Prime Minister PHANKHAM Viphavan (since 22 March 2021)

22 fields

National Assembly or Sapha Heng Xat, 164 seats, elected 21 February 2021one dot, one seat

LPRP 158independent 6

Composition: men 128, women 36, percent of women 21.9%

Country name

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

Government type

communist state

Capital

name:
Vientiane (Viangchan)
geographic coordinates:
17 58 N, 102 36 E
time difference:
UTC+7 (12 hours ahead of Washington, DC, during Standard Time)
etymology:
the meaning in Pali, a Buddhist liturgical language, is "city of sandalwood"

Administrative divisions

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

Independence

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

National holiday

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

Constitution

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

International law organization participation

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

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

Suffrage

18 years of age; universal

Executive branch

chief of state:
President THONGLOUN Sisoulit (since 22 March 2021); Vice Presidents PANI Yathotou and BOUNTHONG Chitmani (since 22 March 2021)
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);
  • VILAI Lakhamfong, SALEUMXAI Kommasit (since June 2022)
cabinet:
Council of Ministers appointed by the president, approved by the National Assembly
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 (next to be held in March 2026);
  • prime minister nominated by the president, elected by the National Assembly for 5-year term
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: 158-3
;
  • 2016: 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

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

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

Political parties and leaders

Lao People's Revolutionary Party or LPRP [THONGLOUN Sisoulit] note: other parties proscribed

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

Diplomatic representation in the US

chief of mission:
Ambassador Sisavath INPHACHANH (since 7 June 2022)
chancery:
2222 S Street NW, Washington, DC 20008
telephone:
[1] (202) 328-9148; [1] (202) 332-6416
FAX:
[1] (202) 332-4923
email address and website:
[email protected]; [email protected]; https://laoembassy.com/
consulate(s):
New York

Diplomatic representation from the US

chief of mission:
Ambassador Peter HAYMOND (since 7 February 2020)
embassy:
Ban Somvang Tai, Thadeua Road, Km 9, Hatsayfong District, Vientiane
mailing address:
4350 Vientiane Place, Washington DC 20521-4350
telephone:
[856] 21-48-7000
FAX:
[856] 21-48-7040
email address and website:
[email protected]; https://la.usembassy.gov/

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

National symbol(s)

elephant; national colors: red, white, blue

National anthem

name:
"Pheng Xat Lao" (Hymn of the Lao People)
lyrics/music:
SISANA Sisane/THONGDY Sounthonevichit

note: music adopted 1945, lyrics adopted 1975; the anthem's lyrics were changed following the 1975 Communist revolution that overthrew the monarchy

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

Economy

The government of Laos, one of the few remaining one-party communist states, began decentralizing control and encouraging private enterprise in 1986.

34 fields
GDP, purchasing power parity
$56.79billion
(2020 est.) · $56.54 billion (2019 est.) · $53.62 billion (2018 est.)note: data are in 2017 dollarsofficial exchange rate: $16.97 billion (2017 est.)
GDP per capita, PPP
$7,800
(2020 est.) · $7,900 (2019 est.) · $7,600 (2018 est.)note: data are in 2017 dollars
Real growth rate
6.9%
(2017 est.) · 7% (2016 est.) · 7.3% (2015 est.)industrial production growth: 8% (2017 est.)
Inflation, consumer prices
0.8%
(2017 est.) · 1.6% (2016 est.)

GDP - composition, by sector of origin(2017 est.)

agriculture 20.9% (2017 est.)industry 33.2% (2017 est.)services 45.9% (2017 est.)

Trading partnersexports left, imports right

36%
Thailand
53%
28%
China
26%
16%
Vietnam
10%
Exports $6.99 billion (2019 est.) note: data are in current year dollarsImports $7.52 billion (2019 est.) note: data are in current year dollars(2019)

By end use% of GDP · (2017 est.)

Household consumption
63.7%Government consumption
14.1%Fixed capital
30.9%Inventories
3.1%Exports
34.6%Imports
-43.2%

Budget(2017 est.)

Revenues
3.099 billionExpenditures
4.038 billion

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.

Credit ratings

Fitch rating:
CCC (2020)
Moody's rating:
Caa2 (2020)

note: The year refers to the year in which the current credit rating was first obtained.

Agricultural products

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

Industries

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

Labor force

3.582 million (2017 est.)

Labor force - by occupation

agriculture:
73.1%
industry:
6.1%
services:
20.6% (2012 est.)

Unemployment rate

0.7% (2017 est.) · 0.7% (2016 est.)

Youth unemployment rate (ages 15-24)

total:
5.9%
male:
6.5%
female:
5.4% (2017 est.)

Household income or consumption by percentage share

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

Budget surplus (+) or deficit (-)

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

Public debt

63.6% of GDP (2017 est.) · 58.4% of GDP (2016 est.)

Taxes and other revenues

18.3% (of GDP) (2017 est.)

Fiscal year

1 October - 30 September

Current account balance

-$2.057 billion (2017 est.) · -$2.07 billion (2016 est.)

Exports

$6.99 billion (2019 est.) note: data are in current year dollars; $6.39 billion (2018 est.) note: data are in current year dollars

Exports - commodities

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

Imports

$7.52 billion (2019 est.) note: data are in current year dollars; $7.56 billion (2018 est.) note: data are in current year dollars

Imports - commodities

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

Reserves of foreign exchange and gold

$1.27 billion (31 December 2017 est.) · $940.1 million (31 December 2016 est.)

Debt - external

$14.9 billion (31 December 2017 est.) · $12.9 billion (31 December 2016 est.)

Exchange rates

kips (LAK) per US dollar - 8,231.1 (2017 est.) · 8,129.1 (2016 est.) · 8,129.1 (2015 est.) · 8,147.9 (2014 est.) · 8,049 (2013 est.)

Energy

11 fields

Electrification% of population · (2019)

98%Urban
93%Rural
95%Total

Installed generating capacity, 9.346 million kW(2020 est.)

fossil fuels 35.6% of total installed capacity (2020 est.)solar 0.1% of total installed capacity (2020 est.)hydroelectricity 64.1% of total installed capacity (2020 est.)biomass and waste 0.2% of total installed capacity (2020 est.)nuclear 0% · wind 0% · tide and wave 0% · geothermal 0%
Electricity consumption
5,108,640,000 (2019 est.)Electricity exports
24.114 billion (2019 est.)Electricity imports
1.345 billion (2019 est.)Electricity transmission/distribution losses
2.262 billion (2019 est.)Refined petroleum imports
17,460 (2015 est.)

Coal

production:
16.04 million metric tons (2020 est.)
consumption:
15.823 million metric tons (2020 est.)
exports:
235,000 metric tons (2020 est.)
imports:
18,000 metric tons (2020 est.)
proven reserves:
503 million metric tons (2019 est.)

Petroleum

total petroleum production:
0 bbl/day (2021 est.)
refined petroleum consumption:
19,300 bbl/day (2019 est.)
crude oil and lease condensate exports:
0 bbl/day (2018 est.)
crude oil and lease condensate imports:
0 bbl/day (2018 est.)
crude oil estimated reserves:
0 barrels (2021 est.)

Natural gas

production:
0 cubic meters (2021 est.)
consumption:
0 cubic meters (2021 est.)
exports:
0 cubic meters (2021 est.)
imports:
0 cubic meters (2021 est.)
proven reserves:
0 cubic meters (2021 est.)

Carbon dioxide emissions

40.726 million metric tonnes of CO2 (2019 est.)

from coal and metallurgical coke:
37.871 million metric tonnes of CO2 (2019 est.)
from petroleum and other liquids:
2.855 million metric tonnes of CO2 (2019 est.)
from consumed natural gas:
0 metric tonnes of CO2 (2019 est.)

Energy consumption per capita

73.187 million Btu/person (2019 est.)

Communications

7 fields

Per 100 inhabitants(2020 est.)

56Mobile cellular
34%Internet users, % of population
20Fixed lines
2Fixed broadband
Mobile cellular
4.1 million
(2020 est.)
Internet users
2,473,689
(2020 est.)
Fixed lines
1.491 million
(2020 est.)
Fixed broadband
128,000
(2020 est.) · country code .la

Telecommunication systems

general assessment:
  • Laos joined the World Trade Organization (WTO) in 2013;
  • one of the conditions of admittance was to establish an independent regulator for its telecom sector within two years;
  • the government had committed to do so by February 2015 as part of the accession agreement;
  • there still has been no sign of any firm plans being made to create an independent regulatory body;
  • the Ministry of Posts and Telecommunications (MPT) retains the primary role in regulating the country’s telecom market;
  • with the government also having a financial stake (in part or in whole) in every one of the major fixed-line and mobile operators, the MPT’s position and decision-making is far from what could be considered independent;
  • sufficient returns on investment cannot be guaranteed with such strict pricing controls as well as the potential for political interference;
  • fixed-line and mobile penetration levels have, as a result, remained much lower than what’s seen in neighboring South East Asian markets;
  • there are signs of growth in the mobile broadband segment as LTE network coverage slowly widens and, more recently, the country’s first 5G services start to come on stream;
  • residents in the capital will at least be able to enjoy high-speed services in the near future, while the rest of the country waits patiently to catch up with the rest of the world. (2022)
domestic:
fixed-line nearly 20 per 100 and 56 per 100 for mobile-cellular subscriptions (2020)
international:
country code - 856; satellite earth station - 1 Intersputnik (Indian Ocean region) and a second to be developed by China

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 a downturn, particularly in mobile device production;

progress toward 5G implementation has resumed, as well as upgrades to infrastructure; consumer spending on telecom services has increased due to the surge in demand for capacity and bandwidth; the crucial nature of telecom services as a tool for work and school from home is still evident, and the spike in this area has seen growth opportunities for development of new tools and increased services

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

Transportation

9 fields

Airports by runway lengthpaved left, unpaved right

3
2,438 to 3,047 m
4
1,524 to 2,437 m
2
1
914 to 1,523 m
9
under 914 m
22
Paved 8Unpaved 33

Networkskm

Roadways
39,586 (2009)Waterways
4,600Pipelines
540 (2013)
Roadways: paved: 5,415 km (2009) · unpaved: 34,171 km (2009) · Waterways: (2012) (primarily on the Mekong River and its tributaries; 2,900 additional km are intermittently navigable by craft drawing less than 0.5 m)

National air transport system

number of registered air carriers:
1 (2020); inventory of registered aircraft operated by air carriers: 12
annual passenger traffic on registered air carriers:
1,251,961 (2018)
annual freight traffic on registered air carriers:
1.53 million (2018) mt-km

Airports

total: 41 (2021)

Roadways

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

Waterways

4,600 km (2012) (primarily on the Mekong River and its tributaries; 2,900 additional km are intermittently navigable by craft drawing less than 0.5 m)

Merchant marine

total:
1
by type:
general cargo 1 (2021)

Military and Security

Lao People's Armed Forces (LPAF): Lao People's Army (LPA, includes Riverine Force), Air Force, Self-Defense Militia Forces (2022)

6 fields

Personnel strengthsone square, 100 people · (2022)

Army 26,000Air Force 4,000information is limited and estimates vary; approximately 30,000 active duty troops (26,000 Army; 4,000 Air Force) (2022)
Military expenditures
0.2%of GDP
(2019 est.) (approximately $120 million) · 0.2% of GDP (2018 est.) (approximately $110 million) · 0.2% of GDP (2017 est.) (approximately $100 million) · 0.2% of GDP (2016 est.) (approximately $95 million) · 0.2% of GDP (2015 est.) (approximately $85 million)

Military and security forces

Lao People's Armed Forces (LPAF): Lao People's Army (LPA, includes Riverine Force), Air Force, Self-Defense Militia Forces (2022)

Military equipment inventories and acquisitions

  • the LPAF is armed largely with Soviet-era weapons acquired from the former Soviet Union, Russia, and Vietnam;
  • since 2010, China and Russia have been the leading suppliers of military equipment to Laos (2022)

Military service age and obligation

18 years of age for compulsory or voluntary military service; minimum 18-month service obligation (2022)

Military - note

the LPAF’s primary missions are border and internal security, including counterinsurgency and counterterrorism; Vietnam is the Laotian military's primary security partner, although in recent years, Laos has expanded defense ties with China (2022)

Transnational Issues

2 fields

Disputes - international

Laos-Burma :
none identified
Laos-Cambodia :
in 2021, the two countries agreed to increase efforts to combat drug trafficking and other transnational crimes and to complete the last 14% of their border demarcation
Laos-Cambodia-Vietnam :
Cambodia and Vietnam are concerned about Laos' extensive plans for upstream dam construction and the potential harm it poses to fisheries and farming downstream
Laos-China :
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
Laos-Thailand :
talks continue as of 2018 on completion of demarcation with Thailand but disputes remain over islands in the Mekong River
Laos-Vietnam:
Laos and Vietnam completed border demarcation in 2016

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

Cite this entry

Central Intelligence Agency. “Laos.” The World Factbook 2022. Archived by The Factbook, thefactbook.org/laos/2022.