Laos: Quick Facts

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Last updated

Nov. 13, 2026

News •

Wind of change: Laos project shows promise of connecting S-E Asia to green power • Nov. 8, 2026, 6:00 PM ET (Straits Times)

Laos looks to wind energy for its renewables plans • Nov. 1, 2026, 11:00 AM ET (Taipei Times)

China opens a joint airfield in Laos with construction ongoing and eyes on its military role • Oct. 15, 2026, 6:20 AM ET (AP)

Facts

Also Known As	Sathalanalat Paxathipatai Paxaxôn Lao • Lao People’s Democratic Republic
Head Of Government	Prime Minister: Sonexay Siphandone
Capital	Vientiane (Viangchan)
Population	(2026 est.) 7,856,000
Head Of State	President: Thongloun Sisoulith
Form Of Government	unitary single-party people’s republic with one legislative house (National Assembly [175])
Official Language	Lao
Official Religion	none
Official Name	Sathalanalat Paxathipatai Paxaxôn Lao (Lao People’s Democratic Republic)
Total Area (Sq Km)	236,800
Total Area (Sq Mi)	91,429
Monetary Unit	kip (KN)
Population Rank	(2026) 103
Population Projection 2030	7,375,000
Density: Persons Per Sq Mi	(2026) 85.9
Density: Persons Per Sq Km	(2026) 33.2
Urban-Rural Population	Urban: (2024) 38.9% • Rural: (2024) 61.1%
Life Expectancy At Birth	Male: (2024) 66.1 years • Female: (2024) 70.1 years
Gni (U.S.$ ’000,000)	(2024) 15,528
Gni Per Capita (U.S.$)	(2024) 2,000

Photos

Political map of Laos showing international boundaries, major cities such as Vientiane, Luang Prabang, Savannakhet, and Pakxe, and neighboring countries including China, Vietnam, Cambodia, Thailand, and Myanmar. An inset locator map highlights Laos' position within Southeast Asia.

Wat Aham Buddhist temple in Luang Prabang, Laos, with two stone stupas in the foreground and the ornate red and gold temple building surrounded by trees in the background.

Map of Southeast Asia highlighting Laos in orange, showing its location bordered by Myanmar, China, Vietnam, Cambodia, and Thailand. Neighboring countries and major bodies of water, such as the South China Sea and Pacific Ocean, are labeled. An inset globe in the upper right shows the region's position within Asia.

Bolovens Plateau

Map of Laos highlighting major physical features, including the Xiangkhoang Plateau, Plain of Jars, Annamese Cordillera, and Bolovens Plateau. Key rivers such as the Mekong and its tributaries are shown, along with major reservoirs. Neighboring countries-China, Vietnam, Cambodia, Thailand, and Myanmar-are labeled, and an inset locator map shows Laos's position in Southeast Asia.

Four Buddhist monks in orange robes walk past the large golden stupa of Pha That Luang in Vientiane, Laos, with blue sky overhead.

Map of Laos showing population density by province, with darker shades indicating higher density. The most densely populated area surrounds the capital, Vientiane, while other major cities such as Savannakhet, Pakxe, Thakhek, Xam Nua, and Louangphrabang are also marked. Province boundaries and cities by population size are indicated.

Louangphrabang, Laos: Buddhist monk

That Luang stupa, Vientiane, Laos, 1566, restored 18th and 19th centuries.

National anthem of Laos

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Topics

Katay Don Sasorith Prince Phetsarath Ratanavongsa Auguste Pavie Kaysone Phomvihan Souvanna Phouma Souphanouvong Prince Boun Oum Asia history of Southeast Asia Southeast Asia Germany Australia United States India United Kingdom China Canada Russia Japan France

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