Capital: Vientiane
Population
Total Population:
7,769,819
Natural Increase:
1.4%
Density:
33 Inhabitants/km²
Urban Population:
38.9%
Ethnic Origins:
The Lao make up about 53% of the population, with the Khmu, Hmong, Vietnamese/ethnic Chinese and over 100 other ethnic groups making up around 47% of the population. (
Lao Statistics Bureau)
Official Language:
Lao
Other Languages Spoken:
French, English, and various ethnic languages
Business Language(s):
English
Religion:
Buddhist 64.7%, Christian 1.7%, none 31.4%, other/not stated 2.1%
Literacy Rate:
68.7%
Local Time:
It is %T:%M %A In Vientiane
Exchange Rate on
:
National Currency: Lao Kip (LAK)
Country Overview
Area:
236,800 km²
Type of State:
One-party parliamentary socialist republic.
Type of Economy:
Variable income, mixed economy based on resources and services..
Laos is facing a difficult economic situation, with heavy debt, high inflation and currency devaluation which has direct consequences on the economy and the standard of living of the population.
HDI*:
0.617/1
HDI (World Rank):
147/192
Note: (*) The HDI, Human Development Index, measures a country's development in terms of quality of life. It mainly takes into account life expectancy, level of education and GDP per capita.
Telecommunication
Telephone Code:
To call from Laos, dial 00
To call Laos, dial +856
Internet Suffix:
.la
Households with a computer:
13.5 per 100 Inhabitants
Telephone Lines:
1.8 per 100 Inhabitants
Internet Users:
63.6 per 100 Inhabitants
Access to Electricity:
96.5% of the Population
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Latest Update: October 2025
Laos: Statistical Overview
