Laos

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.

18 00 N, 105 00 E

floods, droughts

about twice the size of Pennsylvania; slightly larger than Utah

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

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

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

0 km (landlocked)

Total: 5,274 km

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

Agricultural land: 9.8% (2022 est.)

Arable land: 5.3% (2022 est.)

Permanent crops: 1.5% (2022 est.)

Permanent pasture: 2.9% (2022 est.)

Forest: 71.6% (2022 est.)

Other: 18.6% (2022 est.)

none (landlocked)

timber, hydropower, gypsum, tin, gold, gemstones

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

mostly rugged mountains; some plains and plateaus

Southeastern Asia, northeast of Thailand, west of Vietnam

Southeast Asia

4,410 sq km (2022)

333.5 billion cubic meters (2020 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

Highest point: Phu Bia 2,817 m

Lowest point: Mekong River 70 m

Mean elevation: 710 m

Pacific Ocean drainage: Mekong (805,604 sq 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

Total : 236,800 sq km

Land: 230,800 sq km

Water: 6,000 sq km

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)

At birth: 1.04 male(s)/female

0-14 years: 1.03 male(s)/female

15-64 years: 0.99 male(s)/female

65 years and over: 0.87 male(s)/female

Total population: 1 male(s)/female (2024 est.)

Total population: 85% (2015 est.)

Male: 90% (2015 est.)

Female: 79% (2015 est.)

Noun: Lao(s) or Laotian(s)

Adjective: Lao or Laotian

Total: 9 years (2023 est.)

Male: 9 years (2023 est.)

Female: 9 years (2023 est.)

Urban population: 38.2% of total population (2023)

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

Improved:

Urban: 97.1% of population (2022 est.)

Rural: 78.5% of population (2022 est.)

Total: 85.5% of population (2022 est.)

Unimproved:

Urban: 2.9% of population (2022 est.)

Rural: 21.5% of population (2022 est.)

Total: 14.5% of population (2022 est.)

721,000 VIENTIANE (capital) (2023)

0.33 physicians/1,000 population (2022)

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

Total dependency ratio: 53.7 (2024 est.)

Youth dependency ratio: 46.3 (2024 est.)

Elderly dependency ratio: 7.4 (2024 est.)

Potential support ratio: 13.5 (2024 est.)

Improved:

Urban: 100% of population (2022 est.)

Rural: 72% of population (2022 est.)

Total: 82.5% of population (2022 est.)

Unimproved:

Urban: 0% of population (2022 est.)

Rural: 28% of population (2022 est.)

Total: 17.5% of population (2022 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

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

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

Major-language sample(s):
ແຫລ່ງທີ່ຂາດບໍ່ໄດ້ສຳລັບຂໍ້ມູນຕົ້ນຕໍ່” (Lao)

The World Factbook, the indispensable source for basic information.

2.7% of GDP (2021)

4.3% of national budget (2022 est.)

Women married by age 15: 7.1% (2017)

Women married by age 18: 32.7% (2017)

Men married by age 18: 10.8% (2017)

1.1 (2024 est.)

60.1% (2023 est.)

Total: 2.2% (2024 est.)

Male: 2.4% (2024 est.)

Female: 2.1% (2024 est.)

note: % of labor force ages 15-24 seeking employment

-1 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2024 est.)

Total: 25.4 years (2024 est.)

Male: 25 years

Female: 25.7 years

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

2.24 children born/woman (2024 est.)

Total: 7,953,556 (2024 est.)

Male: 3,966,320

Female: 3,987,236

Total: 35.4 deaths/1,000 live births (2024 est.)

Male: 39.1 deaths/1,000 live births

Female: 31.6 deaths/1,000 live births

Total: 24.1% (2025 est.)

Male: 41% (2025 est.)

Female: 7.2% (2025 est.)

5.3% (2016)

6.2 deaths/1,000 population (2024 est.)

19.8 births/1,000 population (2024 est.)

21.1% (2017)

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.)

Total population: 69 years (2024 est.)

Male: 67.4 years

Female: 70.7 years

1.2% of GDP (2023 est.)

9.8% national budget (2023 est.)

1.26% (2024 est.)

Municipal: 130 million cubic meters (2020 est.)

Industrial: 170 million cubic meters (2020 est.)

Agricultural: 7.05 billion cubic meters (2020 est.)

Municipal solid waste generated annually: 351,900 tons (2024 est.)

Percent of municipal solid waste recycled: 15.1% (2022 est.)

20.5 micrograms per cubic meter (2019 est.)

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.)

34.463 million Btu/person (2023 est.)

Chief of mission: Ambassador Heather VARIAVA (since 5 February 2024)

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:
CONSLAO@state.gov

https://la.usembassy.gov/

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

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

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

Chief of state: President THONGLOUN Sisoulith (since 22 March 2021)

Head of government: Prime Minister SONEXAY (also spelled SONXAI) Siphandon (since 30 December 2022)

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

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

Most recent election date: 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

Expected date of next election: March 2026

three horizontal bands of red (top), blue (double-width), and red with a large white disk centered in the blue band; the red bands stand for the blood shed for liberation, and the 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

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

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

civil law system similar in form to the French system

Legislature name: National Assembly (Sapha Heng Xat)

Legislative structure: Unicameral

Number of seats: 164 (all directly elected)

Electoral system: Plurality/majority

Scope of elections: Full renewal

Term in office: 5 years

Most recent election date: 2/21/2021

Parties elected and seats per party: Lao People's Revolutionary Party (LPRP) (158); Other (6)

Percentage of women in chamber: 22%

Expected date of next election: February 2026

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

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

Lao People's Revolutionary Party or LPRP

Note:  other parties proscribed

18 years of age; universal

communist party-led state

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)

Abbreviation: Lao PDR

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

Chief of mission: Ambassador Sisavath INPHACHANH (since 7 June 2022)

Chancery: 2222 S Street NW, Washington, DC 20008

Telephone: [1] (202) 332-6416

FAX: [1] (202) 332-4923

Email address and website:
Embasslao@gmail.com

https://laoembassy.com/

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

Lyrics/music: SISANA Sisane/THONGDY Sounthonevichit

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

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

elephant

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

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

red, white, blue

18.3% (2018 est.)

note: % of population with income below national poverty line

Lowest 10%: 3% (2018 est.)

Highest 10%: 31.2% (2018 est.)

note: % share of income accruing to lowest and highest 10% of population

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

note: top five export commodities based on value in dollars

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

note: top five export partners based on percentage share of exports

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

note: top ten agricultural products based on tonnage

Revenues: $2.288 billion (2022 est.)

Expenditures: $1.596 billion (2022 est.)

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

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

note: top five import commodities based on value in dollars

kips (LAK) per US dollar -

Exchange rates:
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.)

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

lower middle-income, socialist Southeast Asian economy; one of the fastest growing economies; declining but still high poverty; natural resource rich; new anticorruption efforts; already high and growing public debt; service sector hit hard by COVID-19

$16.503 billion (2024 est.)

note: data in current dollars at official exchange rate

Household consumption: 65.7% (2016 est.)

Government consumption: 14% (2016 est.)

Investment in fixed capital: 29% (2016 est.)

Investment in inventories: 0% (2016 est.)

Exports of goods and services: 33.2% (2016 est.)

Imports of goods and services: -41.9% (2016 est.)

Note: Figures may not total 100% due to rounding or gaps in data collection

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

note: top five import partners based on percentage share of imports

On food: 50.5% of household expenditures (2023 est.)

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

1.8% of GDP (2023 est.)
1.5% of GDP (2022 est.)
1.2% of GDP (2021 est.)

note: personal transfers and compensation between resident and non-resident individuals/households/entities

3.585 million (2024 est.)

note: number of people ages 15 or older who are employed or seeking work

$9.619 billion (2023 est.)

Note: Present value of external debt in current US dollars

$1.77 billion (2023 est.)
$1.576 billion (2022 est.)
$1.951 billion (2021 est.)

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

1.3% (2024 est.)
1.2% (2023 est.)
1.3% (2022 est.)

note: % of labor force seeking employment

12.1% (of GDP) (2022 est.)

Note: Central government tax revenue as a % of GDP

$66.905 billion (2024 est.)
$64.173 billion (2023 est.)
$61.856 billion (2022 est.)

note: data in 2021 dollars

23.1% (2024 est.)
31.2% (2023 est.)
23% (2022 est.)

note: annual % change based on consumer prices

$404.523 million (2023 est.)
-$458.754 million (2022 est.)
$431.636 million (2021 est.)

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

$8,600 (2024 est.)
$8,400 (2023 est.)
$8,200 (2022 est.)

note: data in 2021 dollars

$8.596 billion (2023 est.)
$7.983 billion (2022 est.)
$6.527 billion (2021 est.)

note: balance of payments - imports of goods and services in current dollars

$9.698 billion (2023 est.)
$8.604 billion (2022 est.)
$7.82 billion (2021 est.)

note: balance of payments - exports of goods and services in current dollars

4.3% (2024 est.)
3.7% (2023 est.)
2.7% (2022 est.)

note: annual GDP % growth based on constant local currency

3.9% (2024 est.)

note: annual % change in industrial value added based on constant local currency

Agriculture: 16.8% (2024 est.)

Industry: 29% (2024 est.)

Services: 43.5% (2024 est.)

note: figures may not total 100% due to non-allocated consumption not captured in sector-reported data

Electrification - total population: 100% (2022 est.)

Production: 16.629 million metric tons (2023 est.)

Consumption: 15.944 million metric tons (2023 est.)

Exports: 1.065 million metric tons (2023 est.)

Imports: 22,000 metric tons (2023 est.)

Proven reserves: 62 million metric tons (2023 est.)

Fossil fuels: 23.3% of total installed capacity (2023 est.)

Solar: 0.2% 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.)

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

Installed generating capacity: 12.738 million kW (2023 est.)

Consumption: 12.803 billion kWh (2023 est.)

Exports: 38 billion kWh (2023 est.)

Imports: 955.095 million kWh (2023 est.)

Transmission/distribution losses: 2.447 billion kWh (2023 est.)

Percent of population: 64% (2023 est.)

.la

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

Total subscriptions: 4.82 million (2021 est.)

Subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 65 (2021 est.)

Total: 183,000 (2022 est.)

Subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 2 (2022 est.)

Total subscriptions: 1.3 million (2021 est.)

Subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 18 (2022 est.)

RDPL

Total: 422 km (2023)

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

20 (2025)

Total: 1 (2023)

By type: General cargo 1

18 years of age for compulsory or voluntary military service; minimum 18-month service obligation (2023)

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.)

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)

Note: The Ministry of Public Security maintains internal security and is responsible for law enforcement; it oversees local, traffic, immigration, and security police, village police auxiliaries, and other armed police units

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)

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 (2024)

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

Tier rating: Tier 2 Watch List — the government did not demonstrate overall increasing efforts to eliminate trafficking compared with the previous reporting period, therefore Laos was downgraded to Tier 2 Watch List; for more details, go to:  https://www.state.gov/reports/2024-trafficking-in-persons-report/laos/

IDPs: 1,274 (2024 est.)

38.8 (2018 est.)

note: index (0-100) of income distribution; higher values represent greater inequality