Laos
Lao People's Democratic Republic
Current Population (Live)
Annual Growth Rate: +1.33%
Laos is a South-Eastern Asia landlocked nation of around 7.65 million residents, placing it above the global median in population. This landlocked territory spans 236,800 km² with a density of 32 people per km². Its capital is Vientiane, and Lao is the official language, while the Lao kip serves as the national currency.
Population
7,647,000
Area
236,800 km²
Density
32/km²
World Rank
#103
Population Trend (1960-2050)
Historical data from 1960 to present with projections to 2050.
Annual Growth Rate by Period
Population growth has effectively stalled at 0% annually, suggesting the country is approaching or has reached a demographic plateau. Births occur at 21.3 per thousand against deaths at 6.2 per thousand, yielding a moderate natural surplus. The age distribution is relatively balanced, with 30.2% of residents under 15 and 4.7% over 65.
General Information
- Capital
- Vientiane
- Region
- Asia
- Subregion
- South-Eastern Asia
- Continent
- Asia
- Languages
- Lao
- Currencies
- Lao kip (₭)
- Calling Code
- +856
- Top-Level Domain
- .la
- Landlocked
- Yes
- UN Member
- Yes
- Timezones
- UTC+07:00
Population Details
- Total Population
- 7,647,000
- Land Area
- 236,800 km²
- Population Density
- 32 per km²
- Annual Growth Rate
- +1.33%
- Annual Growth
- +101,705 people
- Daily Growth
- +279 people
- World Population Share
- 0.09%
- Coordinates
- 18.00°, 105.00°
Global Population Share
Demographics & Economy
At around $2.1k per person, the economy falls into the lower-middle-income tier, reflecting ongoing development needs. The labor market is notably tight, with unemployment at just 1.2%—well below the world average. The Gini index of 38.8 indicates a moderate level of income inequality.
Life Expectancy
69.0 years
GDP per Capita
$2,124
Birth Rate
21.3 per 1,000
Death Rate
6.2 per 1,000
Urban Population
39.6%
Fertility Rate
2.42 births/woman
Infant Mortality
35.2 per 1,000
Unemployment
1.2%
Literacy Rate
75.6%
Internet Users
63.6%
Under 15
30.2%
Over 65
4.7%
Health Spending
1.3% GDP
Gini Index
38.8
Age Distribution
0-14 years
2.3M
15-64 years
5.0M
65+ years
357K
Urbanization
Only 39.6% of the population lives in urban areas, reflecting a predominantly rural way of life that shapes access to services and markets. The capital, Vientiane, remains the primary hub for government and commerce. Net emigration of 10645.0 per thousand is thinning rural areas in particular, accelerating the concentration of population in cities.
3.0M
39.6%
4.6M
60.4%
Health & Education Indicators
Average life expectancy of 69.0 years is roughly in line with the global benchmark of 72.8. Infant mortality stands at 35.2 per thousand live births, somewhat lower than the global average. The literacy rate of 75.6% is roughly in line with the world average, reflecting the current state of educational investment.
Life Expectancy
World avg: 72.8
Fertility Rate
World avg: 2.3
Infant Mortality
World avg: 27.5
Literacy Rate
World avg: 86.7
Internet Users
World avg: 63
Major Cities in Laos
Laos has 2 cities with a population over 100,000. Click on markers to see details.
Population Projections (2026-2050)
Near-zero growth suggests that Laos is entering a period of demographic stability—or, depending on policy responses, the early stages of decline. As a United Nations member state, Laos participates in global discussions on sustainable development that will shape its demographic future.
| Year | Projected Population |
|---|---|
| 2026 | 7,647,000 |
| 2030 | 8,049,739 |
| 2035 | 8,556,546 |
| 2040 | 9,068,093 |
| 2045 | 9,585,551 |
| 2050 | 10,110,185 |
Population History (1960-2026)
Year-by-year population data, growth rates, and trends for Laos.
Largest Cities in Laos
Explore the biggest cities and urban centers in Laos by population.
Neighboring Countries
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the population of Laos?
The population of Laos is approximately 7.6 million as of 2026, making it #103 in the world by population.
What is the capital of Laos?
The capital of Laos is Vientiane.
What languages are spoken in Laos?
The main languages spoken in Laos are Lao.
How big is Laos?
Laos covers an area of 236,800 km² with a population density of 32 people per km².
Is Laos growing or shrinking?
Laos is growing at a rate of 1.33% per year, adding approximately 101,705 people annually.
What is the life expectancy in Laos?
The average life expectancy in Laos is 69.0 years.
What is the GDP per capita of Laos?
The GDP per capita of Laos is $2,124.