Official name
Lao People's Democratic Republic
Name in local language
Sathalanalat Passathipatai Passasson lao - ສາທາລະນະລັດ ປະຊາທິປະໄຕ ປະຊາຊົນລາວ (lo) ; République démocratique populaire lao (fr)
Continent
Asia
Subcontinent
Southeast Asia
Population (ranking: 106e )
7,230,665 inhabitants (2018)
Population growth
4.78 % / year
Area
236,800 km²
Density
30.53 inhabitants / km²
GDP (ranking: 123e )18.131 billions $USD (2018)
GDP/capita (ranking )
2,568 $USD (2018)
GDP growth
6.50 % / year (2018)
Life expectancy (ranking )
67.60 years (2018)
Birth rate
28.00 ‰ (2015)
Fertility rate
3.20 children / woman (2015)
Death rate (ranking )
8.20 ‰ (2015)
Infant mortality rate (ranking )
57.00 ‰ (2015)
Literacy rate
84.70 % (2015)
Official languages
Lao (French, Vietnamese and Chinese spoken)
Currency
Kip (₭ LAK)
HDI (ranking: 178e )0.604 / 1 (2018)
EPI (ranking )42.94 (2018)
Government
Unitary Marxist–Leninist one-party socialist republic
Head of State
President Bounnhang Vorachith
National Day
2 December (Republic of 1975)
ISO Codes LA, LAO
Demonym
Laotian, Lao
Tourists (ranking )
3,257,000 people (2017)
Limited but real opening to the outside
Laos is a country without access to the sea of Southeast Asia, surrounded by Burma , Thailand , Cambodia , Vietnam and China .The country, ruled by a single party claiming Communism, lives almost totally inward-looking. Freedom of expression is non-existent, and living conditions, both democratic and material, are particularly difficult. Basic human rights are not respected. But the country is tentatively trying to open up internationally.
Patouxai, Vientiane, Laos. Monument build to celebrate the independence River Nam Song landscape in Vang Vieng, Laos Vang Vieng, Laos. Photo: Todd Adams Kouang Si Falls, Laos Urban areas (2014)
Urban areas
Population
Vientiane
820,940 inhabitants
Savannakhet (Kaysone Phomvihane)
125,622 inhabitants
Louang Prabang
90,313 inhabitants
Paksé
77,860 inhabitants
Administrative divisions
Provinces
Population
Area
Attapeu
139,628 inhabitants
10,320 km²
Bokéo
179,243 inhabitants
6,196 km²
Borikhamxay
273,691 inhabitants
14,863 km²
Champassak
694,023 inhabitants
15,415 km²
Houaphan
289,393 inhabitants
16,500 km²
Khammouane
392,052 inhabitants
16,315 km²
Louang Namtha
175,753 inhabitants
9,325 km²
Louang Prabang
431,889 inhabitants
16,875 km²
Oudom Xai
307,622 inhabitants
15,370 km²
Phongsali
177,989 inhabitants
16,270 km²
Saravane
396,942 inhabitants
10,691 km²
Savannakhet
969,697 inhabitants
21,774 km²
Sayaboury
381,376 inhabitants
16,389 km²
Sékong
113,048 inhabitants
7,665 km²
Vientiane (Préfecture)
820,940 inhabitants
3,920 km²
Vientiane
419,090 inhabitants
18,526 km²
Xaysomboun
85,168 inhabitants
4,506 km²
Xieng Khouang
244,684 inhabitants
15,880 km²
See also
