Laos

World Book Index

Introduction

Background
Modern-day Laos has its roots in the ancient Lao kingdom of Lan Xang. 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. In 1975, the communist Pathet Lao took control of the government. A gradual, limited return to private enterprise and the liberalization of foreign investment laws began in 1988.

Geography

Area
total : 236,800 sq km
land: 230,800 sq km
water: 6,000 sq km

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

Natural resources
timber, hydropower, gypsum, tin, gold, gemstones

People and Society

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

Ethnic groups
Lao 53.2%, Khmou 11%, Hmong 9.2%, Phouthay 3.4%, Tai 3.1%, Makong 2.5%, Katong 2.2%, Lue 2%, Akha 1.8%, other 11.6% (2015 est.)

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

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

Population growth rate
1.26% (2024 est.)

Government

Government type
communist party-led state

Capital
name: Vientiane (Viangchan)

Executive branch
chief of state: President THONGLOUN Sisoulith (since 22 March 2021)
head of government: Prime Minister SONEXAY (also spelled SONXAI) Siphandon (since 30 December 2022)

Diplomatic representation in the US
chief of mission: Ambassador PHOUKHONG Sisoulath (since 5 September 2025)

Diplomatic representation from the US
chief of mission: Ambassador Heather VARIAVA (since 5 February 2024)

Economy

Economic overview
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

Real GDP (purchasing power parity)
$66.905 billion (2024 est.)
$64.173 billion (2023 est.)
$61.856 billion (2022 est.)

Real GDP per capita
$8,600 (2024 est.)
$8,400 (2023 est.)
$8,200 (2022 est.)

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

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

Exports - commodities
electricity, fertilizers, gold, garments, paper (2023)

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

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

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

Human Development Index

The country's Human Development Index (HDI) is 0.617, ranking it 147th out of 193 countries tested. (more information)

World Happiness Report

The World Happiness Report ranked the country 100th out of 158 countries tested with a score of 5.139. (more information)