Modern-day Laos has its roots in the ancient Lao kingdom of Lan Xang, established in the 14th century under King FA NGUM. For 300 years, Lan Xang had influence reaching into present-day Cambodia and Thailand, as well as over all of what is now Laos. After centuries of gradual decline, Laos came under the domination of Siam (Thailand) from the late 18th century until the late 19th century, when it became part of French Indochina. The Franco-Siamese Treaty of 1907 defined the current Lao border with Thailand. Following more than 15 years of civil war, the communist Pathet Lao took control of the government in 1975, ending a six-century-old monarchy and instituting a one party–the Lao People’s Revolutionary Party–communist state. A gradual, limited return to private enterprise and the liberalization of foreign investment laws began in the late 1980s. Laos became a member of ASEAN in 1997 and the WTO in 2013.
In the 2010s, the country benefited from direct foreign investment, particularly in the natural resource and industry sectors. Construction of a number of large hydropower dams and expanding mining activities have also boosted the economy. Laos has retained its official commitment to communism and maintains close ties with its two communist neighbors, Vietnam and China, both of which continue to exert substantial political and economic influence on the country. China, for example, provided 70% of the funding for a $5.9 billion, 400-km railway line between the Chinese border and the capital Vientiane, which opened for operations in 2021. Laos financed the remaining 30% with loans from China. At the same time, Laos has expanded its economic reliance on the West and other Asian countries, such as Japan, Malaysia, Singapore, Taiwan, and Thailand. Nevertheless, despite steady economic growth for more than a decade, it remains one of Asia’s poorest countries.TipVisit the Definitions and Notes page to view a description of each topic.Definitions and Notes
Geography
Location
Southeastern Asia, northeast of Thailand, west of Vietnam
Geographic coordinates
18 00 N, 105 00 E
Map references
Southeast Asia
Area
total : 236,800 sq km
land: 230,800 sq km
water: 6,000 sq km
comparison ranking: total 84
Area – comparative
about twice the size of Pennsylvania; slightly larger than Utah
Area comparison map:
Land boundaries
total: 5,274 km
border countries (5): Burma 238 km; Cambodia 555 km; China 475 km; Thailand 1,845 km; Vietnam 2,161 km
Coastline
0 km (landlocked)
Maritime claims
none (landlocked)
Climate
tropical monsoon; rainy season (May to November); dry season (December to April)
Terrain
mostly rugged mountains; some plains and plateaus
Elevation
highest point: Phu Bia 2,817 m
lowest point: Mekong River 70 m
mean elevation: 710 m
Natural resources
timber, hydropower, gypsum, tin, gold, gemstones
Land use
agricultural land: 9.8% (2022 est.)
arable land: 5.3% (2022 est.)
permanent crops: 1.5% (2022 est.)
permanent pasture: 2.9% (2022 est.)
forest: 71.6% (2022 est.)
other: 18.6% (2022 est.)
Irrigated land
4,410 sq km (2022)
Major rivers (by length in km)
Mènam Khong (Mekong) (shared with China [s], Burma, Thailand, Cambodia, and Vietnam [m]) – 4,350 km
note: [s] after country name indicates river source; [m] after country name indicates river mouth
Major watersheds (area sq km)
Pacific Ocean drainage: Mekong (805,604 sq km)
Population distribution
most densely populated area is in and around the capital city of Vientiane; large communities are primarily found along the Mekong River along the southwestern border; overall density is considered one of the lowest in Southeast Asia
Natural hazards
floods, droughts
Geography – note
landlocked; most of the country is mountainous and thickly forested; the Mekong River forms a large part of the western boundary with Thailand
People and Society
Population
total: 7,953,556 (2024 est.)
male: 3,966,320
female: 3,987,236
comparison rankings: total 103; female 102; male 103
Nationality
noun: Lao(s) or Laotian(s)
adjective: Lao or Laotian
Ethnic groups
Lao 53.2%, Khmou 11%, Hmong 9.2%, Phouthay 3.4%, Tai 3.1%, Makong 2.5%, Katong 2.2%, Lue 2%, Akha 1.8%, other 11.6% (2015 est.)
note: the Laos Government officially recognizes 49 ethnic groups, but the total number of ethnic groups is estimated to be well over 200
Languages
Lao (official), French, English, various ethnic languages
major-language sample(s):
ແຫລ່ງທີ່ຂາດບໍ່ໄດ້ສຳລັບຂໍ້ມູນຕົ້ນຕໍ່” (Lao)
The World Factbook, the indispensable source for basic information.
Lao audio sample:
Religions
Buddhist 64.7%, Christian 1.7%, none 31.4%, other/not stated 2.1% (2015 est.)
Age structure
0-14 years: 30.1% (male 1,214,429/female 1,181,845)
15-64 years: 65% (male 2,573,668/female 2,599,957)
65 years and over: 4.8% (2024 est.) (male 178,223/female 205,434)
2024 population pyramid:
Dependency ratios
total dependency ratio: 53.7 (2024 est.)
youth dependency ratio: 46.3 (2024 est.)
elderly dependency ratio: 7.4 (2024 est.)
potential support ratio: 13.5 (2024 est.)
Median age
total: 25.4 years (2024 est.)
male: 25 years
female: 25.7 years
comparison ranking: total 170
Population growth rate
1.26% (2024 est.)
comparison ranking: 75
Birth rate
19.8 births/1,000 population (2024 est.)
comparison ranking: 69
Death rate
6.2 deaths/1,000 population (2024 est.)
comparison ranking: 147
Net migration rate
-1 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2024 est.)
comparison ranking: 145
Population distribution
most densely populated area is in and around the capital city of Vientiane; large communities are primarily found along the Mekong River along the southwestern border; overall density is considered one of the lowest in Southeast Asia
Urbanization
urban population: 38.2% of total population (2023)
rate of urbanization: 2.99% annual rate of change (2020-25 est.)
Major urban areas – population
721,000 VIENTIANE (capital) (2023)
Sex ratio
at birth: 1.04 male(s)/female
0-14 years: 1.03 male(s)/female
15-64 years: 0.99 male(s)/female
65 years and over: 0.87 male(s)/female
total population: 1 male(s)/female (2024 est.)
Maternal mortality ratio
126 deaths/100,000 live births (2020 est.)
comparison ranking: 60
Infant mortality rate
total: 35.4 deaths/1,000 live births (2024 est.)
male: 39.1 deaths/1,000 live births
female: 31.6 deaths/1,000 live births
comparison ranking: total 38
Life expectancy at birth
total population: 69 years (2024 est.)
male: 67.4 years
female: 70.7 years
comparison ranking: total population 183
Total fertility rate
2.24 children born/woman (2024 est.)
comparison ranking: 81
Gross reproduction rate
1.1 (2024 est.)
Contraceptive prevalence rate
54.1% (2017)
Drinking water source
improved:
urban: 97.1% of population
rural: 84.1% of population
total: 88.8% of population
unimproved:
urban: 2.9% of population
rural: 15.9% of population
total: 11.2% of population (2020 est.)
Health expenditure
2.7% of GDP (2021)
4.3% of national budget (2022 est.)
Physician density
0.33 physicians/1,000 population (2022)
Hospital bed density
1.3 beds/1,000 population (2021 est.)
Sanitation facility access
improved:
urban: 100% of population
rural: 72% of population
total: 82.2% of population
unimproved:
urban: 0% of population
rural: 28% of population
total: 17.8% of population (2020 est.)
Obesity – adult prevalence rate
5.3% (2016)
comparison ranking: 179
Alcohol consumption per capita
total: 8.15 liters of pure alcohol (2019 est.)
beer: 3.62 liters of pure alcohol (2019 est.)
wine: 0.07 liters of pure alcohol (2019 est.)
spirits: 4.46 liters of pure alcohol (2019 est.)
other alcohols: 0 liters of pure alcohol (2019 est.)
comparison ranking: total 42
Tobacco use
total: 24.1% (2025 est.)
male: 41% (2025 est.)
female: 7.2% (2025 est.)
comparison ranking: total 42
Children under the age of 5 years underweight
21.1% (2017)
comparison ranking: 12
Currently married women (ages 15-49)
60.1% (2023 est.)
Child marriage
women married by age 15: 7.1% (2017)
women married by age 18: 32.7% (2017)
men married by age 18: 10.8% (2017)
Education expenditure
1.2% of GDP (2023 est.)
9.8% national budget (2023 est.)
comparison ranking: Education expenditure (% GDP) 196
Literacy
total population: 85% (2015 est.)
male: 90% (2015 est.)
female: 79% (2015 est.)
School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education)
total: 10 years
male: 10 years
female: 10 years (2020)
Environment
Environment – current issues
unexploded ordnance; deforestation; soil erosion; loss of biodiversity; water pollution; limited access to potable water
Environment – international agreements
party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Climate Change-Paris Agreement, Comprehensive Nuclear Test Ban, Desertification, Endangered Species, Environmental Modification, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Nuclear Test Ban, Ozone Layer Protection, Wetlands, Whaling
signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements
Climate
tropical monsoon; rainy season (May to November); dry season (December to April)
Land use
agricultural land: 9.8% (2022 est.)
arable land: 5.3% (2022 est.)
permanent crops: 1.5% (2022 est.)
permanent pasture: 2.9% (2022 est.)
forest: 71.6% (2022 est.)
other: 18.6% (2022 est.)
Urbanization
urban population: 38.2% of total population (2023)
rate of urbanization: 2.99% annual rate of change (2020-25 est.)
Air pollutants
particulate matter emissions: 21.15 micrograms per cubic meter (2019 est.)
carbon dioxide emissions: 17.76 megatons (2016 est.)
methane emissions: 9 megatons (2020 est.)
Waste and recycling
municipal solid waste generated annually: 351,900 tons (2015 est.)
municipal solid waste recycled annually: 35,190 tons (2015 est.)
percent of municipal solid waste recycled: 10% (2015 est.)
Major rivers (by length in km)
Mènam Khong (Mekong) (shared with China [s], Burma, Thailand, Cambodia, and Vietnam [m]) – 4,350 km
note: [s] after country name indicates river source; [m] after country name indicates river mouth
Major watersheds (area sq km)
Pacific Ocean drainage: Mekong (805,604 sq km)
Total water withdrawal
municipal: 130 million cubic meters (2020 est.)
industrial: 170 million cubic meters (2020 est.)
agricultural: 7.05 billion cubic meters (2020 est.)
Total renewable water resources
333.5 billion cubic meters (2020 est.)
Government
Country name
conventional long form: Lao People’s Democratic Republic
conventional short form: Laos
local long form: Sathalanalat Paxathipatai Paxaxon Lao
local short form: Mueang Lao (unofficial)
abbreviation: Lao PDR
etymology: name means “Land of the Lao [people];” it derives from the name of the country’s founder, Lao
Government type
communist party-led state
Capital
name: Vientiane (Viangchan)
geographic coordinates: 17 58 N, 102 36 E
time difference: UTC+7 (12 hours ahead of Washington, DC, during Standard Time)
etymology: the name Viangchan means “city of sandalwood” in Laotian; the standard spelling reflects French influence
Administrative divisions
17 provinces (khoueng, singular and plural) and 1 prefecture* (kampheng nakhon); Attapu, Bokeo, Bolikhamxay, Champasak, Houaphanh, Khammouan, Louangnamtha, Louangphabang (Luang Prabang), Oudomxai, Phongsali, Salavan, Savannakhet, Viangchan (Vientiane)*, Viangchan, Xaignabouli, Xaisomboun, Xekong, Xiangkhouang
Legal system
civil law system similar in form to the French system
Constitution
history: previous 1947 (pre-independence); latest promulgated 13-15 August 1991
amendment process: proposed by the National Assembly; passage requires at least two-thirds majority vote of the Assembly membership and promulgation by the president of the republic
International law organization participation
has not submitted an ICJ jurisdiction declaration; non-party state to the ICCt
Citizenship
citizenship by birth: no
citizenship by descent only: at least one parent must be a citizen of Laos
dual citizenship recognized: no
residency requirement for naturalization: 10 years
Suffrage
18 years of age; universal
Executive branch
chief of state: President THONGLOUN Sisoulith (since 22 March 2021)
head of government: Prime Minister SONEXAY (also spelled SONXAI) Siphandon (since 30 December 2022)
cabinet: Council of Ministers appointed by the president and approved by the National Assembly
election/appointment process: president and vice president indirectly elected by the National Assembly for a 5-year term (no term limits); prime minister nominated by the president, elected by the National Assembly for a 5-year term
most recent election date: 22 March 2021
election results:
2021: THONGLOUN Sisoulith (LPRP) elected president; National Assembly vote – 161-1; PHANKHAM Viphavanh (LPRP) elected prime minister; National Assembly vote – 158-3
2016: BOUNNHANG Vorachit (LPRP) elected president; percent of National Assembly vote – NA; THONGLOUN Sisoulith (LPRP) elected prime minister; percent of National Assembly vote – NA
expected date of next election: March 2026
Legislative branch
legislature name: National Assembly (Sapha Heng Xat)
legislative structure: unicameral
number of seats: 164 (all directly elected)
electoral system: plurality/majority
scope of elections: full renewal
term in office: 5 years
most recent election date: 2/21/2021
parties elected and seats per party: Lao People’s Revolutionary Party (LPRP) (158); Other (6)
percentage of women in chamber: 22%
expected date of next election: February 2026
Judicial branch
highest court(s): People’s Supreme Court (consists of the court president and organized into criminal, civil, administrative, commercial, family, and juvenile chambers, each with a vice president and several judges)
judge selection and term of office: president of People’s Supreme Court appointed by the National Assembly upon the recommendation of the president of the republic for a 5-year term; vice presidents of the People’s Supreme Court appointed by the president of the republic upon the recommendation of the National Assembly; appointment of chamber judges NA; tenure of court vice presidents and chamber judges NA
subordinate courts: appellate courts; provincial, municipal, district, and military courts
Political parties
Lao People’s Revolutionary Party or LPRP
note: other parties proscribed
Diplomatic representation in the US
chief of mission: Ambassador Sisavath INPHACHANH (since 7 June 2022)
chancery: 2222 S Street NW, Washington, DC 20008
telephone: [1] (202) 332-6416
FAX: [1] (202) 332-4923
email address and website:
[email protected]
https://laoembassy.com/
Diplomatic representation from the US
chief of mission: Ambassador Heather VARIAVA (since 5 February 2024)
embassy: Ban Somvang Tai, Thadeua Road, Km 9, Hatsayfong District, Vientiane
mailing address: 4350 Vientiane Place, Washington DC 20521-4350
telephone: [856] 21-48-7000
FAX: [856] 21-48-7040
email address and website:
[email protected]
https://la.usembassy.gov/
International organization participation
ADB, ARF, ASEAN, CP, EAS, FAO, G-77, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, Interpol, IOC, IPU, ISO (subscriber), ITU, MIGA, NAM, OIF, OPCW, PCA, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UNWTO, UPU, WCO, WFTU (NGOs), WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO
Independence
19 July 1949 (from France); 22 October 1953 (Franco-Lao Treaty recognizes full independence)
National holiday
Republic Day (National Day), 2 December (1975)
Flag description
three horizontal bands of red (top), blue (double-width), and red with a large white disk centered in the blue band; the red bands stand for the blood shed for liberation, and the blue for the Mekong River and prosperity; the white disk represents the full moon over the Mekong River and the unity of the people under the Lao People’s Revolutionary Party, as well as the country’s bright future
National symbol(s)
elephant
National color(s)
red, white, blue
National anthem
name: “Pheng Xat Lao” (Hymn of the Lao People)
lyrics/music: SISANA Sisane/THONGDY Sounthonevichit
note: music adopted 1945, lyrics adopted 1975; the anthem’s lyrics were changed following the 1975 Communist revolution that overthrew the monarchy
National heritage
total World Heritage Sites: 3 (all cultural)
selected World Heritage Site locales: Town of Luangphrabang; Vat Phou and Associated Ancient Settlements; Megalithic Jar Sites in Xiengkhuang – Plain of Jars
Economy
Economic overview
lower middle-income, socialist Southeast Asian economy; one of the fastest growing economies; declining but still high poverty; natural resource rich; new anticorruption efforts; already high and growing public debt; service sector hit hard by COVID-19
Real GDP (purchasing power parity)
$64.173 billion (2023 est.)
$61.856 billion (2022 est.)
$60.225 billion (2021 est.)
note: data in 2021 dollars
comparison ranking: 113
Real GDP growth rate
3.75% (2023 est.)
2.71% (2022 est.)
2.53% (2021 est.)
note: annual GDP % growth based on constant local currency
comparison ranking: 87
Real GDP per capita
$8,400 (2023 est.)
$8,200 (2022 est.)
$8,100 (2021 est.)
note: data in 2021 dollars
comparison ranking: 154
GDP (official exchange rate)
$15.843 billion (2023 est.)
note: data in current dollars at official exchange rate
Inflation rate (consumer prices)
23.1% (2024 est.)
31.2% (2023 est.)
23% (2022 est.)
note: annual % change based on consumer prices
comparison ranking: 200
GDP – composition, by sector of origin
agriculture: 16.1% (2023 est.)
industry: 30.5% (2023 est.)
services: 44% (2023 est.)
note: figures may not total 100% due to non-allocated consumption not captured in sector-reported data
comparison rankings: services 179; industry 62; agriculture 51
GDP – composition, by end use
household consumption: 65.7% (2016 est.)
government consumption: 14% (2016 est.)
investment in fixed capital: 29% (2016 est.)
investment in inventories: 0% (2016 est.)
exports of goods and services: 33.2% (2016 est.)
imports of goods and services: -41.9% (2016 est.)
note: figures may not total 100% due to rounding or gaps in data collection
Agricultural products
cassava, root vegetables, rice, sugarcane, vegetables, bananas, maize, rubber, coffee, watermelons (2023)
note: top ten agricultural products based on tonnage
Industries
mining (copper, tin, gold, gypsum); timber, electric power, agricultural processing, rubber, construction, garments, cement, tourism
Industrial production growth rate
2.61% (2023 est.)
note: annual % change in industrial value added based on constant local currency
comparison ranking: 109
Labor force
3.585 million (2024 est.)
note: number of people ages 15 or older who are employed or seeking work
comparison ranking: 100
Unemployment rate
1.2% (2024 est.)
1.2% (2023 est.)
1.2% (2022 est.)
note: % of labor force seeking employment
comparison ranking: 11
Youth unemployment rate (ages 15-24)
total: 2.2% (2024 est.)
male: 2.4% (2024 est.)
female: 2.1% (2024 est.)
note: % of labor force ages 15-24 seeking employment
comparison ranking: total 191
Population below poverty line
18.3% (2018 est.)
note: % of population with income below national poverty line
Gini Index coefficient – distribution of family income
38.8 (2018 est.)
note: index (0-100) of income distribution; higher values represent greater inequality
comparison ranking: 49
Average household expenditures
on food: 50.5% of household expenditures (2023 est.)
on alcohol and tobacco: 7.8% of household expenditures (2023 est.)
Household income or consumption by percentage share
lowest 10%: 3% (2018 est.)
highest 10%: 31.2% (2018 est.)
note: % share of income accruing to lowest and highest 10% of population
Remittances
1.81% of GDP (2023 est.)
1.55% of GDP (2022 est.)
1.17% of GDP (2021 est.)
note: personal transfers and compensation between resident and non-resident individuals/households/entities
Budget
revenues: $2.288 billion (2022 est.)
expenditures: $1.596 billion (2022 est.)
note: central government revenues and expenses (excluding grants/extrabudgetary units/social security funds) converted to US dollars at average official exchange rate for year indicated
Public debt
63.6% of GDP (2017 est.)
comparison ranking: 70
Taxes and other revenues
12.1% (of GDP) (2022 est.)
note: central government tax revenue as a % of GDP
comparison ranking: 162
Current account balance
$404.523 million (2023 est.)
-$458.754 million (2022 est.)
$431.636 million (2021 est.)
note: balance of payments – net trade and primary/secondary income in current dollars
comparison ranking: 69
Exports
$9.698 billion (2023 est.)
$8.604 billion (2022 est.)
$7.82 billion (2021 est.)
note: balance of payments – exports of goods and services in current dollars
comparison ranking: 117
Exports – partners
China 39%, Thailand 34%, Australia 4%, USA 4%, Cambodia 2% (2023)
note: top five export partners based on percentage share of exports
Exports – commodities
electricity, fertilizers, gold, garments, paper (2023)
note: top five export commodities based on value in dollars
Imports
$8.596 billion (2023 est.)
$7.983 billion (2022 est.)
$6.527 billion (2021 est.)
note: balance of payments – imports of goods and services in current dollars
comparison ranking: 128
Imports – partners
Thailand 58%, China 36%, Japan 1%, Singapore 1%, Germany 1% (2023)
note: top five import partners based on percentage share of imports
Imports – commodities
refined petroleum, cars, raw sugar, plastic products, trucks (2023)
note: top five import commodities based on value in dollars
Reserves of foreign exchange and gold
$1.77 billion (2023 est.)
$1.576 billion (2022 est.)
$1.951 billion (2021 est.)
note: holdings of gold (year-end prices)/foreign exchange/special drawing rights in current dollars
comparison ranking: 133
Debt – external
$9.619 billion (2023 est.)
note: present value of external debt in current US dollars
comparison ranking: 51
Exchange rates
kips (LAK) per US dollar –
Exchange rates:
17,688.874 (2023 est.)
14,035.227 (2022 est.)
9,697.916 (2021 est.)
9,045.788 (2020 est.)
8,679.409 (2019 est.)
Energy
Electricity access
electrification – total population: 100% (2022 est.)
Electricity
installed generating capacity: 12.738 million kW (2023 est.)
consumption: 12.803 billion kWh (2023 est.)
exports: 38 billion kWh (2023 est.)
imports: 955.095 million kWh (2023 est.)
transmission/distribution losses: 2.447 billion kWh (2023 est.)
comparison rankings: transmission/distribution losses 132; imports 77; exports 4; consumption 95; installed generating capacity 60
Electricity generation sources
fossil fuels: 23.3% of total installed capacity (2023 est.)
solar: 0.2% of total installed capacity (2023 est.)
hydroelectricity: 76.5% of total installed capacity (2023 est.)
biomass and waste: 0.1% of total installed capacity (2023 est.)
Coal
production: 16.629 million metric tons (2023 est.)
consumption: 15.944 million metric tons (2023 est.)
exports: 1.065 million metric tons (2023 est.)
imports: 22,000 metric tons (2023 est.)
proven reserves: 62 million metric tons (2023 est.)
Petroleum
refined petroleum consumption: 25,000 bbl/day (2023 est.)
Carbon dioxide emissions
23.412 million metric tonnes of CO2 (2023 est.)
from coal and metallurgical coke: 19.652 million metric tonnes of CO2 (2023 est.)
from petroleum and other liquids: 3.76 million metric tonnes of CO2 (2023 est.)
comparison ranking: total emissions 80
Energy consumption per capita
34.463 million Btu/person (2023 est.)
comparison ranking: 110
Communications
Telephones – fixed lines
total subscriptions: 1.3 million (2021 est.)
subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 18 (2022 est.)
comparison ranking: total subscriptions 61
Telephones – mobile cellular
total subscriptions: 4.82 million (2021 est.)
subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 65 (2021 est.)
comparison ranking: total subscriptions 127
Broadcast media
6 TV stations operating out of Vientiane, with half state-operated and half commercial; 17 provincial stations, with nearly all programming relayed via satellite from the state-operated stations in Vientiane; multi-channel satellite and cable TV systems provide access to a wide range of foreign stations; state-controlled radio with state-operated Lao National Radio (LNR) broadcasting on 5 frequencies; transmissions of multiple international broadcasters are accessible
Internet country code
.la
Internet users
percent of population: 64% (2023 est.)
Broadband – fixed subscriptions
total: 183,000 (2022 est.)
subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 2 (2022 est.)
comparison ranking: total 123
Transportation
Civil aircraft registration country code prefix
RDPL
Airports
20 (2025)
comparison ranking: 140
Railways
total: 422 km (2023)
standard gauge: 422 km (2023) 1.435-m gauge (422 km overhead electrification)
Merchant marine
total: 1 (2023)
by type: general cargo 1
comparison ranking: total 184
Military and Security
Military and security forces
Lao People’s Armed Forces (LPAF; aka Lao People’s Army): Lao People’s Army (LPA, includes Riverine Force), Lao People’s Air Force (LPAF); Self-Defense Militia Forces (2025)
note: the Ministry of Public Security maintains internal security and is responsible for law enforcement; it oversees local, traffic, immigration, and security police, village police auxiliaries, and other armed police units
Military expenditures
0.2% of GDP (2019 est.)
0.2% of GDP (2018 est.)
0.2% of GDP (2017 est.)
0.2% of GDP (2016 est.)
0.2% of GDP (2015 est.)
Military and security service personnel strengths
information limited and varied; estimated 30,000 active Armed Forces; estimated 100,000 Self-Defense Militia Forces (2025)
Military equipment inventories and acquisitions
the LPAF is armed with Chinese, Russian, and Soviet-era equipment and weapons (2024)
Military service age and obligation
18 years of age for compulsory or voluntary military service; minimum 18-month service obligation (2023)
Military – note
the LPAF’s primary missions are border and internal security, including counterinsurgency, counterterrorism, and counter-narcotics operations, as well as protecting the regime; China, Russia, and Vietnam are the country’s closest security partners (2025)
Transnational Issues
Trafficking in persons
tier rating: Tier 2 Watch List — the government did not demonstrate overall increasing efforts to eliminate trafficking compared with the previous reporting period, therefore Laos was downgraded to Tier 2 Watch List; for more details, go to: https://www.state.gov/reports/2024-trafficking-in-persons-report/laos/
Illicit drugs
Laos remains a key transit route for drug trafficking and the movement of precursor chemicals; opium produced is typically smuggled out of the country and refined elsewhere and not trafficked in significant quantities to the United States
