🌍 Geography
Location: Southeastern Asia, northeast of Thailand, west of Vietnam
Area & Boundaries
Total Area
236,800 km²
Land Area
230,800 km²
Water Area
6,000 km²
World Rank by Area
#null
Land Boundaries
5,274 km
Coastline
N/A km
Bordering Countries
Burma (238 km)
845 km; Vietnam 2 (N/A km)
161 km (N/A km)
Terrain & Climate
Terrain: mostly rugged mountains; some plains and plateaus
Climate: tropical monsoon; rainy season (May to November); dry season (December to April)
Elevation
Highest Point
: N/Am
Lowest Point
: nullm
Mean Elevation
710m
Natural Resources
timber, hydropower, gypsum, tin, gold, gemstones
👥 Demographics
Population Overview
Total Population (2024)
7,953,556
World Rank
#null
Growth Rate
1.26%
Urbanization
null%
Age & Life Expectancy
Median Age
25.4 years
Life Expectancy
null years
Birth Rate
19.8 per 1,000
Death Rate
6.2 per 1,000
Major Urban Areas
- VIENTIANE: 721,000 people
Education
Literacy Rate: null% (Male: 85.1%, Female: 66.7%)
💼 Economy
lower middle-income, industrial Southeast Asian economy; high inflation due to 2022 currency depreciation brought on by persistently high debt; new Laos-China railway and dry port; rising inequities; ongoing labor shortages
GDP & Economic Indicators
GDP (PPP)
$66.91 billion
GDP (Official Rate)
$16.50 billion
GDP per Capita (PPP)
$8,600
World GDP Rank
#null
GDP Growth Rate
4.3%
Unemployment Rate
null%
Inflation Rate
23.1%
Public Debt (% of GDP)
null%
GDP Composition by Sector
Agriculture
16.8%
Industry
29%
Services
43.5%
Major Industries
mining (copper, tin, gold, gypsum); timber, electric power, agricultural processing, rubber, construction, garments, cement, tourism
Trade
Exports
N/A
Imports
N/A
Foreign Exchange Reserves
N/A
Currency
(null)
🏛️ Government
Government Type
communist party-led state
Suffrage
18 years of age; universal
Executive Branch
Chief of State:
Head of Government:
Legislative Branch
National Holiday
Republic Day (National Day), 2 December (1975)
📈 Social Indicators
Physicians
0.33 per 1,000
Hospital Beds
1.3 per 1,000
Health Expenditure
2.7% of GDP
Education Expenditure
1.2% of GDP
🎨 Cultural Heritage
UNESCO World Heritage Sites
3
Notable Sites
- Town of Luangphrabang
- Vat Phou and Associated Ancient Settlements
- Megalithic Jar Sites in Xiengkhuang - Plain of Jars