Laos Facts

by countryaah · Published June 3, 2019 · Updated April 26, 2020

Laos, State of Southeast Asian Peninsula; 236,800 km², 7.1 million residents (2019).The Mekong, the peninsula’s largest river, forms most of Laos border with Thailand in the west, as does the border with Burma (Myanmar) in the northwest, while the highest parts of the Annamitic mountains make up most of the long border with Vietnam in the east. In the south, Laos has a short border with Cambodia and in the north a short border with China. The country is divided into 16 provinces and a prefecture, namely the metropolitan area of Vientiane with 620,200 residents (2015).

Country facts

Sathalanalat Paxathipatai Paxaxon Lao / Democratic People’s Republic of Laos
Country abbreviation: LA
Area: 236 800 km²
Population (2019): 7.1 million residents
Capital: Vientiane
Main language: lao
State: Republic
Head of State: Bounnhang Vorachit (President)
Head of Government: Thongloun Sisoulith
Per capita GDP (2018): US $ 2,568
GNI per capita (2018): US $ 2,460
Coin unit: 1 new chip = 100 at
Currency code: LAK
Country Dialing (Telephony): 856
Internet Domain Name: la
Time difference compared to Sweden: +6
National Day: December 2 (Proclamation of the People’s Republic, 1975)
Independence Day: July 21, 1954

Nature

Land use: forest (40%), agricultural land (4%), other (56%)
Highest mountain: Bia (2,820 m above sea level)
Longest river: Mekong (4,500 km)

Population

Population density (2019): 30 residents per km²
Natural population growth (2019): 1.6%; birth rate 24 ‰, death rate 8 ‰
Age structure (2019): 0-14 years (33%), 15-64 (63%), 65- (4%)
Life expectancy (2019): men 64 years, women 67 years
Infant mortality (2019): 40 per 1,000 live births
Population forecast 2050: 10 million residents
HDI (2017): 0.601 (place 139 of 189)
Urbanization rate (2019): 35%
Most populous city (2015): Vientiane (620,200 residents)

Business

Industry’s contribution to GDP (2017): agriculture (21%), industry (33%), service (46%)
Exports (2017): US $ 3 654 million
Main export products: wood products, coffee, electricity
Main exporting countries: Thailand, China, Vietnam
Imports (2017): US $ 4,976 million
Main import products: machinery, vehicles, fuel
Main importing countries: Thailand, China, Vietnam
Railway network: nothing in operation

The northern part of Lao is mountainous, while to the west of the mountain range are plateaus and plains, which descend towards the lowlands of the Mekong River. The country has a monsoon climate with warm and rainy weather during May – October and dry and slightly cooler weather during November – April.

Laos has a strong presidential power where the president is elected by the National Assembly. Elections to the National Assembly take place every five years. The Communist Laotian Revolutionary People’s Party is the only allowed party. Laos became independent in 1949.

Although the country is rich in natural resources such as wood, hydropower and minerals, it is still one of Asia’s least developed and most aid-dependent countries; aid represents about 15% of GDP. Agriculture is the main industry, but the importance of the industrial and service industries has increased during the reform policy of recent years. During the 2000s, the country has had a positive economic development, but it is mainly the metropolitan area and the Mekong River area that have taken part in economic growth.