Introduction

Laos: Introduction

Capital: Vientiane

Population

Total Population: 7,275,556

Natural Increase: 1.5%

Density: 32 Inhabitants/km²

Urban Population: 36.3%

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 65%, Animist 32.9%, Christian 1.3%, Others and unspecified 0.8%.

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: People's Democratic Republic. Communist. Democratically elected.

Type of Economy: Low-income economy.
Dynamic foreign trade; The country depends on international aid.

HDI*: 0.575/1

HDI (World Rank): 141/188

Note: (*) The HDI, Human Development Index, is an Indicator Which Synthesizes Several Data Such as Life Expectancy, Level of Education, Professional Careers, Access to Culture etc.

Telecommunication

Telephone Code:
To call from Laos, dial 00
To call Laos, dial +856

Internet Suffix: .la

Telephone Lines: 1.8 per 100 Inhabitants

Internet Users: 10.7 per 100 Inhabitants

Access to Electricity: 70% of the Population

Foreign Trade in Figures

Foreign Trade Indicators	2016	2017	2018	2019	2020
Imports of Goods (million USD)	4,720	5,667	6,315	6,272	5,370
Exports of Goods (million USD)	3,020	4,873	5,408	5,806	6,115
Imports of Services (million USD)	n/a	1,140	1,242	1,241	444
Exports of Services (million USD)	n/a	878	985	1,178	346

Source: WTO – World Trade Organisation, Latest Available Data

See the latest updates in the Country Profile for Laos.

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