2018 Edition

CIA World Factbook 2018 Archive (Wayback Machine)

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Countries

268

Data Records

69,324

Laos

2018 Edition · 308 data fields

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Introduction

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.

Geography

Area

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

Area Comparative

about twice the size of Pennsylvania; slightly larger than Utah

Climate

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

Coastline

0 km (landlocked)

Elevation

elevation extremes: 70 m lowest point: Mekong River
mean elevation: 710 m
note: 2817 highest point: Phu Bia

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, Desertification, Endangered Species, Environmental Modification, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Ozone Layer Protection
signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements

Geographic Coordinates

18 00 N, 105 00 E

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

Irrigated Land

3,100 sq km (2012)

Land Boundaries

border countries (5): Burma 238 km, Cambodia 555 km, China 475 km, Thailand 1845 km, Vietnam 2161 km
total: 5,274 km

Land Use

arable land: 6.2% (2011 est.) / permanent crops: 0.7% (2011 est.) / permanent pasture: 3.7% (2011 est.)
agricultural land: 10.6% (2011 est.)
forest: 67.9% (2011 est.)
other: 21.5% (2011 est.)

Location

Southeastern Asia, northeast of Thailand, west of Vietnam

Map References

Southeast Asia

Maritime Claims

note: none (landlocked)

Natural Hazards

floods, droughts

Natural Resources

timber, hydropower, gypsum, tin, gold, gemstones

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

Terrain

mostly rugged mountains; some plains and plateaus

People and Society

Age Structure

0-14 years: 32.19% (male 1,177,639 /female 1,151,134)
15-24 years: 21% (male 754,198 /female 764,673)
25-54 years: 37.29% (male 1,332,231 /female 1,365,715)
55-64 years: 5.57% (male 196,509 /female 206,613)
65 years and over: 3.95% (male 129,336 /female 156,123) (2018 est.)

Birth Rate

23.2 births/1,000 population (2018 est.)

Children Under The Age Of 5 Years Underweight

26.5% (2011)

Contraceptive Prevalence Rate

49.8% (2011/12)

Death Rate

7.3 deaths/1,000 population (2018 est.)

Dependency Ratios

elderly dependency ratio: 6.2 (2015 est.)
potential support ratio: 16.1 (2015 est.)
total dependency ratio: 60.2 (2015 est.)
youth dependency ratio: 54 (2015 est.)

Drinking Water Source

improved: urban: 85.6% of population

rural: 69.4% of population

total: 75.7% of population

unimproved: urban: 14.4% of population

rural: 30.6% of population

total: 24.3% of population (2015 est.)

Education Expenditures

2.9% of GDP (2014)

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

Health Expenditures

1.9% of GDP (2014)

Hiv Aids Adult Prevalence Rate

0.3% (2017 est.)

Hiv Aids Deaths

<500 (2017 est.)

Hiv Aids People Living With Hiv Aids

12,000 (2017 est.)

Hospital Bed Density

1.5 beds/1,000 population (2012)

Infant Mortality Rate

female: 43 deaths/1,000 live births (2018 est.)
male: 53.6 deaths/1,000 live births (2018 est.)
total: 48.4 deaths/1,000 live births (2018 est.)

Languages

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

Life Expectancy At Birth

female: 67.1 years (2018 est.)
male: 62.9 years (2018 est.)
total population: 65 years (2018 est.)

Literacy

definition: age 15 and over can read and write (2015 est.)
female: 72.8% (2015 est.)
male: 87.1% (2015 est.)
total population: 79.9% (2015 est.)

Major Infectious Diseases

degree of risk: very high (2016)
food or waterborne diseases: bacterial and protozoal diarrhea, hepatitis A, and typhoid fever (2016)
vectorborne diseases: dengue fever and malaria (2016)

Major Urban Areas Population

665,000 VIENTIANE (capital) (2018)

Maternal Mortality Rate

197 deaths/100,000 live births (2015 est.)

Median Age

female: 23.7 years (2018 est.)
male: 23 years
total: 23.4 years

Nationality

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

Net Migration Rate

-1.1 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2017 est.)

Obesity Adult Prevalence Rate

5.3% (2016)

Physicians Density

0.49 physicians/1,000 population (2014)

Population

7,234,171 (July 2018 est.)

Population Growth Rate

1.48% (2018 est.)

Religions

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

Sanitation Facility Access

improved: urban: 94.5% of population (2015 est.)

rural: 56% of population (2015 est.)

total: 70.9% of population (2015 est.)

unimproved: urban: 5.5% of population (2015 est.)

rural: 44% of population (2015 est.)

total: 29.1% of population (2015 est.)

School Life Expectancy Primary To Tertiary Education

female: 11 years (2015)
male: 11 years (2015)
total: 11 years (2015)

Sex Ratio

0-14 years: 1.02 male(s)/female (2017 est.)
15-24 years: 0.99 male(s)/female (2017 est.)
25-54 years: 0.97 male(s)/female (2017 est.)
55-64 years: 0.96 male(s)/female (2017 est.)
65 years and over: 0.83 male(s)/female (2017 est.)
at birth: 1.03 male(s)/female (2017 est.)
total population: 0.99 male(s)/female (2017 est.)

Total Fertility Rate

2.65 children born/woman (2018 est.)

Unemployment Youth Ages 15 24

female: 1.6% (2010 est.)
male: 1.9% (2010 est.)
total: 1.8% (2010 est.)

Urbanization

rate of urbanization: 3.28% annual rate of change (2015-20 est.)
urban population: 35% of total population (2018)

Government

Administrative Divisions

17 provinces (khoueng, singular and plural) and 1 capital city* (nakhon luang, singular and plural); Attapu, Bokeo, Bolikhamxai, Champasak, Houaphan, Khammouan, Louangnamtha, Louangphabang, Oudomxai, Phongsali, Salavan, Savannakhet, Viangchan (Vientiane)*, Viangchan, Xaignabouli, Xaisomboun, Xekong, Xiangkhouang

Capital

geographic coordinates: 17 58 N, 102 36 E
name: Vientiane (Viangchan)
time difference: UTC+7 (12 hours ahead of Washington, DC, during Standard Time)

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

Constitution

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 (2018)
history: previous 1947 (preindependence); latest promulgated 13-15 August 1991 (2018)

Country Name

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

Diplomatic Representation From The Us

chief of mission: Ambassador Rena BITTER (since 2 November 2016)
embassy: Thadeua Road, Kilometer 9, Ban Somvang Tai, Hatsayfong District, Vientiane
FAX: [856] 21-48-7190
mailing address: American Embassy Vientiane, Unit 46222, APO AP 96546-6222
telephone: [856] 21-48-7000

Diplomatic Representation In The Us

chancery: 2222 S Street NW, Washington, DC 20008
chief of mission: Ambassador MAI Xaignavong (since 3 August 2015)
consulate(s): New York
FAX: [1] (202) 332-4923
telephone: [1] (202) 332-6416

Executive Branch

cabinet: Council of Ministers appointed by the president, approved by the National Assembly
chief of state: President BOUNNYANG Vorachit (since 20 April 2016); Vice President PHANKHAM Viphavan (since 20 April 2016)
election results: 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
elections/appointments: president and vice president indirectly elected by the National Assembly for a 5-year term (no term limits); election last held on 20 April 2016 (next to be held in 2021); prime minister nominated by the president, elected by the National Assembly for 5-year term
head of government: Prime Minister THONGLOUN Sisoulit (since 20 April 2016); Deputy Prime Ministers BOUNTHONG Chitmani, SONXAI Siphandon, SOMDI Douangdi (since 20 April 2016)

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

Government Type

communist state

Independence

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

International Law Organization Participation

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

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

Judicial Branch

highest courts: 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

Legal System

civil law system similar in form to the French system

Legislative Branch

description: unicameral National Assembly or Sapha Heng Xat (149 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)
election results: percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - LPRP 144, independent 5
elections: last held on 20 March 2016 (next to be held in 2021)

National Anthem

lyrics/music: SISANA Sisane/THONGDY Sounthonevichit
name: "Pheng Xat Lao" (Hymn of the Lao People)
note: music adopted 1945, lyrics adopted 1975; the anthem's lyrics were changed following the 1975 Communist revolution that overthrew the monarchy

National Holiday

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

National Symbol S

elephant; national colors: red, white, blue

Political Parties And Leaders

Lao People's Revolutionary Party or LPRP [BOUNNYANG Vorachit]
note: other parties proscribed

Suffrage

18 years of age; universal

Economy

Agriculture Products

sweet potatoes, vegetables, corn, coffee, sugarcane, tobacco, cotton, tea, peanuts, rice; cassava (manioc, tapioca), water buffalo, pigs, cattle, poultry

Budget

expenditures: 4.038 billion (2017 est.)
revenues: 3.099 billion (2017 est.)

Budget Surplus Or Deficit

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

Central Bank Discount Rate

4.3% (31 December 2010)

4% (31 December 2009)

Commercial Bank Prime Lending Rate

18.5% (31 December 2017 est.)

18% (31 December 2016 est.)

Current Account Balance

-$2.057 billion (2017 est.)

-$2.07 billion (2016 est.)

Debt External

$14.9 billion (31 December 2017 est.)

$12.9 billion (31 December 2016 est.)

Distribution Of Family Income Gini Index

36.7 (2008)

34.6 (2002)

Economy 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.

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.)

Exports

$3.654 billion (2017 est.)

$2.705 billion (2016 est.)

Exports Commodities

wood products, coffee, electricity, tin, copper, gold, cassava

Exports Partners

Thailand 42.6%, China 28.7%, Vietnam 10.4%, India 4.4% (2017)

Fiscal Year

1 October - 30 September

Gdp Composition By End Use

exports of goods and services: 34.6% (2017 est.)
government consumption: 14.1% (2017 est.)
household consumption: 63.7% (2017 est.)
imports of goods and services: -43.2% (2017 est.)
investment in fixed capital: 30.9% (2017 est.)
investment in inventories: 3.1% (2017 est.)

Gdp Composition By Sector Of Origin

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

Gdp Official Exchange Rate

$16.97 billion (2017 est.) (2017 est.)

Gdp Per Capita Ppp

$7,400 (2017 est.); $7,000 (2016 est.); $6,600 (2015 est.)
note: data are in 2017 dollars

Gdp Purchasing Power Parity

$49.34 billion (2017 est.); $46.16 billion (2016 est.); $43.13 billion (2015 est.)
note: data are in 2017 dollars

Gdp Real Growth Rate

6.9% (2017 est.)

7% (2016 est.)

7.3% (2015 est.)

Gross National Saving

22.7% of GDP (2017 est.)

21.3% of GDP (2016 est.)

15.8% of GDP (2015 est.)

Household Income Or Consumption By Percentage Share

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

Imports

$4.976 billion (2017 est.)

$4.739 billion (2016 est.)

Imports Commodities

machinery and equipment, vehicles, fuel, consumer goods

Imports Partners

Thailand 59.1%, China 21.5%, Vietnam 9.8% (2017)

Industrial Production Growth Rate

8% (2017 est.)

Industries

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

Inflation Rate Consumer Prices

0.8% (2017 est.)

1.6% (2016 est.)

Labor Force

3.582 million (2017 est.)

Labor Force By Occupation

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

Market Value Of Publicly Traded Shares

$1.012 billion (2012 est.)

$576.8 million (2011 est.)

Population Below Poverty Line

22% (2013 est.)

Public Debt

63.6% of GDP (2017 est.)

58.4% of GDP (2016 est.)

Reserves Of Foreign Exchange And Gold

$1.27 billion (31 December 2017 est.)

$940.1 million (31 December 2016 est.)

Stock Of Broad Money

$1.131 billion (31 December 2017 est.)

$1.1 billion (31 December 2016 est.)

Stock Of Direct Foreign Investment At Home

$15.14 billion (31 December 2012 est.)

$12.44 billion (31 December 2011 est.)

Stock Of Domestic Credit

$9.3 billion (31 December 2017 est.)

$8.623 billion (31 December 2016 est.)

Stock Of Narrow Money

$1.131 billion (31 December 2017 est.)

$1.1 billion (31 December 2016 est.)

Taxes And Other Revenues

18.3% (of GDP) (2017 est.)

Unemployment Rate

0.7% (2017 est.)

0.7% (2016 est.)

Energy

subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: less than 1 (2017 est.)
total: 27,217 (2017 est.)

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 (2012)

Internet Country Code

.la

Internet Users

percent of population: 18.2% (July 2016 est.)
total: 1.258 million (July 2016 est.)

Telephone System

domestic: fixed-line 16 per 100 and 52 per 100 for mobile-cellular subscriptions (2017)
general assessment: service to public is generally improving; the government relies on a radiotelephone network to communicate with remote areas; regulatory reform below industry standards; low fixed-broadband penetration due to dominance of mobile platforms; strong boost in mobile broadband penetration but still low compared to other Asian markets; development of mobile broadband internet services given the expansion of 4G services (2017)
international: country code - 856; satellite earth station - 1 Intersputnik (Indian Ocean region) and a second to be developed by China (2017)

Telephones Fixed Lines

subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 16 (2017 est.)
total subscriptions: 1,125,469 (2017 est.)

Telephones Mobile Cellular

subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 52 (2017 est.)
total subscriptions: 3,711,813 (2017 est.)

Transportation

Airports

41 (2013)

Airports With Paved Runways

1,524 to 2,437 m: 4 (2017)
2,438 to 3,047 m: 3 (2017)
914 to 1,523 m: 1 (2017)
total: 8 (2017)

Airports With Unpaved Runways

1,524 to 2,437 m: 2 (2013)
914 to 1,523 m: 9 (2013)
total: 33 (2013)
under 914 m: 22 (2013)

Civil Aircraft Registration Country Code Prefix

RDPL (2016)

Merchant Marine

by type: general cargo 1 (2017)
total: 1 (2017)

National Air Transport System

annual freight traffic on registered air carriers: 1,356,497 mt-km (2015)
annual passenger traffic on registered air carriers: 1,181,187 (2015)
inventory of registered aircraft operated by air carriers: 11 (2015)
number of registered air carriers: 1 (2015)

Pipelines

540 km refined products (2013)

Roadways

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

Waterways

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

Military and Security

Military Branches

Lao People's Armed Forces (LPAF): Lao People's Army (LPA, includes Riverine Force), Air Force (2011)

Military Expenditures

0.2% of GDP (2013)

0.22% of GDP (2012)

0.23% of GDP (2011)

Military Note

serving one of the world's least developed countries, the Lao People's Armed Forces (LPAF) is small, poorly funded, and ineffectively resourced; its mission focus is border and internal security, primarily in countering ethnic Hmong insurgent groups; together with the Lao People's Revolutionary Party and the government, the Lao People's Army (LPA) is the third pillar of state machinery, and as such is expected to suppress political and civil unrest and similar national emergencies; there is no perceived external threat to the state and the LPA maintains strong ties with the neighboring Vietnamese military (2012)

Military Service Age And Obligation

18 years of age for compulsory or voluntary military service; conscript service obligation - minimum 18-months (2012)

Transnational Issues

Disputes International

southeast Asian states have enhanced border surveillance to check the spread of avian flutalks continue on completion of demarcation with Thailand but disputes remain over islands in the Mekong River; Cambodia and Laos have a longstanding border demarcation disputeconcern 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 fisheriesCambodia and Vietnam are concerned about Laos' extensive plans for upstream dam construction for the same reasons

Illicit Drugs

estimated opium poppy cultivation in 2015 was estimated to be 5,700 hectares, compared with 6,200 hectares in 2014; estimated potential production of between 84 and 176 mt of raw opium; unsubstantiated reports of domestic methamphetamine production; growing domestic methamphetamine problem

Trafficking In Persons

current situation: Laos is a source and, to a lesser extent, transit and destination country for men, women, and children subjected to forced labor and sex trafficking; Lao economic migrants may encounter conditions of forced labor or sexual exploitation in destination countries, most often Thailand; Lao women and girls are exploited in Thailand’s commercial sex trade, domestic service, factories, and agriculture; a small, possibly growing, number of Lao women and girls are sold as brides in China and South Korea and subsequently sex trafficked; Lao men and boys are victims of forced labor in the Thai fishing, construction, and agriculture industries; some Lao children, as well as Vietnamese and Chinese women and girls, are subjected to sex trafficking in Laos; other Vietnamese and Chinese, and possibly Burmese, adults and girls transit Laos for sexual and labor exploitation in neighboring countries, particularly Thailand
tier rating: Tier 2 Watch List – Laos does not fully comply with the minimum standards for the elimination of trafficking; however, it is making significant efforts to do so; authorities sustained moderate efforts to investigate, prosecute, and convict trafficking offenders; the government failed to make progress in proactively identifying victims exploited within the country or among those deported from abroad; the government continues to rely almost entirely on local and international organizations to provide and fund services to trafficking victims; although Lao men and boys are trafficked, most protective services are only available to women and girls, and long-term support is lacking; modest prevention efforts include the promotion of anti-trafficking awareness on state-controlled media (2015)