Laos - LA - LAO - LAO - East and Southeast Asia

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/

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)

18 00 N, 105 00 E

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.)

floods, droughts

about twice the size of Pennsylvania; slightly larger than Utah

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

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.

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

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.)

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

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

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

note: top ten agricultural products based on tonnage

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 (2024)

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

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

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

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

note: top five import commodities based on value in dollars

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

0 km (landlocked)

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

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.)

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

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 a 5-year term

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

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

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

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

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

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.)

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

definition: age 15 and over can read and write

total population: 87.1%

male: 91.4%

female: 81.4% (2021)

none (landlocked)

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)

noun: Lao(s) or Laotian(s)

adjective: Lao or Laotian

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

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

Lao People's Revolutionary Party or LPRP

note:  other parties proscribed

18 years of age; universal

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 Technology and Communications 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 18 per 100 and 65 per 100 for mobile-cellular subscriptions (2021)

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

mostly rugged mountains; some plains and plateaus

communist party-led state

the LPAF’s primary missions are border and internal security, including counterinsurgency and counterterrorism, as well as protecting the regime; China, Russia, and Vietnam are the country's closest security partners (2024)

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

Southeastern Asia, northeast of Thailand, west of Vietnam

Southeast Asia

4,410 sq km (2022)

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/

percent of population: 66% (2022 est.)

.la

$15.843 billion (2023 est.)

note: data in current dollars at official exchange rate

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/

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.

333.5 billion cubic meters (2020 est.)

total: 10 years

male: 10 years

female: 10 years (2020)

urban population: 38.2% of total population (2023)

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

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

improved:

urban: 97.1% of population

rural: 84.1% of population

total: 88.8% of population

unimproved:

urban: 2.9% of population

rural: 15.9% of population

total: 11.2% of population (2020 est.)

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

721,000 VIENTIANE (capital) (2023)

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

0.33 physicians/1,000 population (2022)

1.5 beds/1,000 population (2012)

elephant; national colors: red, white, blue

54.1% (2017)

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

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.)

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

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

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

RDPL

improved:

urban: 100% of population

rural: 72% of population

total: 82.2% of population

unimproved:

urban: 0% of population

rural: 28% of population

total: 17.8% of population (2020 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.

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

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

highest point: Phu Bia 2,817 m

lowest point: Mekong River 70 m

mean elevation: 710 m

2.7% of GDP (2021)

limited and varied information; estimated 30,000 active-duty troops (26,000 Army; 4,000 Air Force) (2023)

the LPAF is armed with Chinese, Russian, and Soviet-era equipment and weapons (2024)

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 (2015 est.)

municipal solid waste recycled annually: 35,190 tons (2015 est.)

percent of municipal solid waste recycled: 10% (2015 est.)

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

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

particulate matter emissions: 21.15 micrograms per cubic meter (2019 est.)

carbon dioxide emissions: 17.76 megatons (2016 est.)

methane emissions: 9 megatons (2020 est.)

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 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

women married by age 15: 7.1%

women married by age 18: 32.7%

men married by age 18: 10.8% (2017 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.)

1.1 (2024 est.)

60.1% (2023 est.)

1.81% of GDP (2023 est.)
1.55% of GDP (2022 est.)
1.17% of GDP (2021 est.)

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

total: 422 km (2023)

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

3.173 million (2023 est.)

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

total: 2.2% (2023 est.)

male: 2.3% (2023 est.)

female: 2.1% (2023 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

$9.853 billion (2023 est.)

126 deaths/100,000 live births (2020 est.)

$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

63.6% of GDP (2017 est.)

2.24 children born/woman (2024 est.)

1.18% (2023 est.)
1.21% (2022 est.)
2% (2021 est.)

note: % of labor force seeking employment

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

male: 3,966,320

female: 3,987,236

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.)

total : 236,800 sq km

land: 230,800 sq km

water: 6,000 sq km

12.11% (of GDP) (2022 est.)

$64.173 billion (2023 est.)
$61.856 billion (2022 est.)
$60.225 billion (2021 est.)

note: data in 2021 dollars

20 (2025)

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 subscriptions: 4.82 million (2021 est.)

subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 65 (2021 est.)

38.8 (2018 est.)

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

31.23% (2023 est.)
22.96% (2022 est.)
3.76% (2021 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

$8,400 (2023 est.)
$8,200 (2022 est.)
$8,100 (2021 est.)

note: data in 2021 dollars

total: 183,000 (2022 est.)

subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 2 (2022 est.)

total: 31.8% (2020 est.)

male: 53.3% (2020 est.)

female: 10.3% (2020 est.)

5.3% (2016)

34.463 million Btu/person (2023 est.)

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

19.8 births/1,000 population (2024 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.)

total: 1 (2023)

by type: general cargo 1

21.1% (2017)

$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

total subscriptions: 1.3 million (2021 est.)

subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 18 (2022 est.)

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

3.75% (2023 est.)
2.71% (2022 est.)
2.53% (2021 est.)

note: annual GDP % growth based on constant local currency

2.61% (2023 est.)

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

agriculture: 16.1% (2023 est.)

industry: 30.5% (2023 est.)

services: 44% (2023 est.)

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

1.48% of GDP (2018 est.)

2.3% of GDP (2020 est.)

1.26% (2024 est.)