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Communications

Internet country code [time series]

.la

Internet users (Internet hosts) [time series]

937 (2003)

Internet users [time series]

15,000 (2002)

Broadcast media (Radio broadcast stations) [time series]

AM 12, FM 1, shortwave 4 (1998)

Telecommunication systems (Telephone system) [time series]

general assessment: service to general public is poor but improving with over 20,000 telephones currently in service and an additional 48,000 expected by 2001; the government relies on a radiotelephone network to communicate with remote areas domestic: radiotelephone communications international: country code - 856; satellite earth station - 1 Intersputnik (Indian Ocean region)

Telephones - fixed lines (Telephones - main lines in use) [time series]

61,900 (2002)

Telephones - mobile cellular [time series]

55,200 (2002)

Broadcast media (Television broadcast stations) [time series]

4 (1999)

Economy

Agricultural products (Agriculture - products) [time series]

sweet potatoes, vegetables, corn, coffee, sugarcane, tobacco, cotton, tea, peanuts, rice, water buffalo, pigs, cattle, poultry

Budget [time series]

revenues: $284.3 million expenditures: $416.5 million, including capital expenditures of NA (2004 est.)

Exchange rates (Currency (code)) [time series]

kip (LAK)

Current account balance [time series]

$-80.76 million (2004 est.)

Debt - external [time series]

$2.49 billion (2001)

Gini Index coefficient - distribution of family income (Distribution of family income - Gini index) [time series]

37 (1997)

Economic aid (Economic aid - recipient) [time series]

$243 million (2001 est.)

Economic overview (Economy - overview) [time series]

The government of Laos - one of the few remaining official Communist states - began decentralizing control and encouraging private enterprise in 1986. The results, starting from an extremely low base, were striking - growth averaged 6% in 1988-2004 except during the short-lived drop caused by the Asian financial crisis beginning in 1997. Despite this high growth rate, Laos remains a country with a primitive infrastructure; it has no railroads, a rudimentary road system, and limited external and internal telecommunications. The government has sponsored major improvements in the road system. Electricity is available in only a few urban areas. Subsistence agriculture accounts for half of GDP and provides 80% of total employment. The economy will continue to benefit from aid from the IMF and other international sources and from new foreign investment in food processing and mining. In late 2004, Laos gained Normal Trade Relations status with the US, allowing Laos-based producers to face lower tariffs on their exports; this may help spur growth.

Electricity - consumption [time series]

3.036 billion kWh (2002)

Electricity - exports [time series]

400 million kWh (2002)

Electricity - imports [time series]

125 million kWh (2002)

Electricity - production [time series]

3.56 billion kWh (2002)

Exchange rates [time series]

kips per US dollar - 10,820 (2004), 10,569 (2003), 10,056.3 (2002), 8,954.6 (2001), 7,887.6 (2000)

Exports [time series]

$365.5 million (2004 est.)

Exports - commodities [time series]

garments, wood products, coffee, electricity, tin

Exports - partners [time series]

Thailand 19.3%, Vietnam 13.4%, France 8%, Germany 5.3%, UK 5% (2004)

Fiscal year [time series]

1 October - 30 September

Real GDP (purchasing power parity) (GDP (purchasing power parity)) [time series]

$11.28 billion (2004 est.)

GDP - composition, by sector of origin (GDP - composition by sector) [time series]

agriculture: 49.5% industry: 27.5% services: 23% (2004 est.)

Real GDP per capita (GDP - per capita) [time series]

purchasing power parity - $1,900 (2004 est.)

Real GDP growth rate (GDP - real growth rate) [time series]

6% (2004 est.)

Household income or consumption by percentage share [time series]

lowest 10%: 3.2% highest 10%: 30.6% (1997)

Imports [time series]

$579.5 million f.o.b. (2004 est.)

Imports - commodities [time series]

machinery and equipment, vehicles, fuel, consumer goods

Imports - partners [time series]

Thailand 60.5%, China 10.3%, Vietnam 7.1%, Singapore 4% (2004)

Industrial production growth rate [time series]

9.7% (2001 est.)

Industries [time series]

tin and gypsum mining, timber, electric power, agricultural processing, construction, garments, tourism

Inflation rate (consumer prices) [time series]

12.3% (2004 est.)

Labor force [time series]

2.6 million (2001 est.)

Labor force - by occupation [time series]

agriculture 80% (1997 est.)

Oil - consumption [time series]

2,750 bbl/day (2001 est.)

Oil - exports [time series]

Oil - imports [time series]

Oil - production [time series]

0 bbl/day (2001 est.)

Population below poverty line [time series]

40% (2002 est.)

Reserves of foreign exchange and gold [time series]

$193.1 million (2004 est.)

Unemployment rate [time series]

5.7% (1997 est.)

Geography

Area [time series]

total: 236,800 sq km land: 230,800 sq km water: 6,000 sq km

Area - comparative [time series]

slightly larger than Utah

Climate [time series]

tropical monsoon; rainy season (May to November); dry season (December to April)

Coastline [time series]

0 km (landlocked)

Elevation (Elevation extremes) [time series]

lowest point: Mekong River 70 m highest point: Phou Bia 2,817 m

Environment - current issues [time series]

unexploded ordnance; deforestation; soil erosion; most of the population does not have access to potable water

International environmental agreements (Environment - international agreements) [time series]

party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species, Environmental Modification, Law of the Sea, Ozone Layer Protection signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements

Geographic coordinates [time series]

18 00 N, 105 00 E

Geography - note [time series]

landlocked; most of the country is mountainous and thickly forested; the Mekong River forms a large part of the western boundary with Thailand

Irrigated land [time series]

1,640 sq km note: rainy season irrigation - 2,169 sq km; dry season irrigation - 750 sq km (1998 est.)

Land boundaries [time series]

total: 5,083 km border countries: Burma 235 km, Cambodia 541 km, China 423 km, Thailand 1,754 km, Vietnam 2,130 km

Land use [time series]

arable land: 3.8% permanent crops: 0.35% other: 95.85% (2001)

Location [time series]

Southeastern Asia, northeast of Thailand, west of Vietnam

Map references [time series]

Southeast Asia

Maritime claims [time series]

none (landlocked)

Natural hazards [time series]

floods, droughts

Natural resources [time series]

timber, hydropower, gypsum, tin, gold, gemstones

Terrain [time series]

mostly rugged mountains; some plains and plateaus

Government

Administrative divisions [time series]

16 provinces (khoueng, singular and plural), 1 municipality* (kampheng nakhon, singular and plural), and 1 special zone** (khetphiset, singular and plural); Attapu, Bokeo, Bolikhamxai, Champasak, Houaphan, Khammouan, Louangnamtha, Louangphrabang, Oudomxai, Phongsali, Salavan, Savannakhet, Viangchan (Vientiane)*, Viangchan, Xaignabouli, Xaisomboun**, Xekong, Xiangkhoang

Capital [time series]

Vientiane

Constitution [time series]

promulgated 14 August 1991

Country name [time series]

conventional long form: Lao People's Democratic Republic conventional short form: Laos local long form: Sathalanalat Paxathipatai Paxaxon Lao local short form: none

Diplomatic representation from the US [time series]

chief of mission: Ambassador Patricia M. HASLACH embassy: 19 Rue Bartholonie, B. P. 114, Vientiane mailing address: American Embassy, Box V, APO AP 96546 telephone: [856] (21) 212581, 212582, 212585 FAX: [856] (21) 212584

Diplomatic representation in the US [time series]

chief of mission: Ambassador PHANTHONG Phommahaxay chancery: 2222 S Street NW, Washington, DC 20008 telephone: [1] (202) 332-6416 FAX: [1] (202) 332-4923

Executive branch [time series]

chief of state: President Gen. KHAMTAI Siphadon (since 26 February 1998) and Vice President Lt. Gen. CHOUMMALI Saignason (since 27 March 2001) head of government: Prime Minister BOUNGNANG Volachit (since 27 March 2001); First Deputy Prime Minister Bouasone BOUPHAVANH (since 3 October 2003) Deputy Prime Minister Maj. Gen. ASANG Laoli (since May 2002), Deputy Prime Minister THONGLOUN Sisolit (since 27 March 2001), and Deputy Prime Minister SOMSAVAT Lengsavat (since 26 February 1998) cabinet: Council of Ministers appointed by the president, approved by the National Assembly elections: president elected by the National Assembly for a five-year term; election last held 24 February 2002 (next to be held in 2007); prime minister appointed by the president with the approval of the National Assembly for a five-year term election results: KHAMTAI Siphadon elected president; percent of National Assembly vote - NA%

Flag (Flag description) [time series]

three horizontal bands of red (top), blue (double width), and red with a large white disk centered in the blue band

Government type [time series]

Communist state

Independence [time series]

19 July 1949 (from France)

International organization participation [time series]

ACCT, APT, ARF, AsDB, ASEAN, CP, FAO, G-77, IBRD, ICAO, ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, Interpol, IOC, ITU, MIGA, NAM, OPCW, PCA, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UPU, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WToO, WTO (observer)

Judicial branch [time series]

People's Supreme Court (the president of the People's Supreme Court is elected by the National Assembly on the recommendation of the National Assembly Standing Committee; the vice president of the People's Supreme Court and the judges are appointed by the National Assembly Standing Committee)

Legal system [time series]

based on traditional customs, French legal norms and procedures, and socialist practice

Legislative branch [time series]

unicameral National Assembly (109 seats; members elected by popular vote to serve five-year terms; note - total number of seats increased from 99 to 109 for the 2002 election) elections: last held 24 February 2002 (next to be held in 2007) election results: percent of vote by party - NA%; seats by party - LPRP or LPRP-approved (independent, non-party members) 109

National holiday [time series]

Republic Day, 2 December (1975)

Political parties (Political parties and leaders) [time series]

Lao People's Revolutionary Party or LPRP [KHAMTAI Siphadon, party president]; other parties proscribed

Political parties (Political pressure groups and leaders) [time series]

noncommunist political groups proscribed; most opposition leaders fled the country in 1975

Suffrage [time series]

18 years of age; universal

Introduction

Background [time series]

Laos was under the control 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. In 1975, the Communist Pathet Lao took control of the government, ending a six-century-old monarchy. Initial closer ties to Vietnam and socialization were replaced with a gradual return to private enterprise, a liberalization of foreign investment laws, and the admission into ASEAN in 1997.

Military

Manpower available for military service [time series]

males age 15-49: 1,500,625 (2005 est.)

Manpower fit for military service [time series]

males age 15-49: 954,816 (2005 est.)

Manpower reaching military service age annually [time series]

males: 73,167 (2005 est.)

Military - note [time series]

Laos is one of the world's least developed countries; the Lao People's Armed Forces are small, poorly funded, and ineffectively resourced; there is little political will to allocate sparse funding to the military, and the armed forces' gradual degradation is likely to continue; the massive drug production and trafficking industry centered in the Golden Triangle makes Laos an important narcotics transit country, and armed Wa and Chinese smugglers are active on the Lao-Burma border (2005)

Military and security forces (Military branches) [time series]

Lao People's Army (LPA; includes Riverine Force), Air Force

Military expenditures - dollar figure [time series]

$10.7 million (2004)

Military expenditures (Military expenditures - percent of GDP) [time series]

0.5% (2004)

Military service age and obligation [time series]

15 years of age for compulsory military service; conscript service obligation - minimum 18 months (2004)

People

Age structure [time series]

0-14 years: 41.6% (male 1,300,094/female 1,289,227) 15-64 years: 55.2% (male 1,693,494/female 1,737,196) 65 years and over: 3.2% (male 88,744/female 108,386) (2005 est.)

Birth rate [time series]

35.99 births/1,000 population (2005 est.)

Death rate [time series]

11.83 deaths/1,000 population (2005 est.)

Ethnic groups [time series]

Lao Loum (lowland) 68%, Lao Theung (upland) 22%, Lao Soung (highland) including the Hmong and the Yao 9%, ethnic Vietnamese/Chinese 1%

HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate [time series]

0.1% (2003 est.)

HIV/AIDS - deaths [time series]

less than 200 (2003 est.)

HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS [time series]

1,700 (2003 est.)

Infant mortality rate [time series]

total: 85.22 deaths/1,000 live births male: 95.04 deaths/1,000 live births female: 75.01 deaths/1,000 live births (2005 est.)

Languages [time series]

Lao (official), French, English, and various ethnic languages

Life expectancy at birth [time series]

total population: 55.08 years male: 53.07 years female: 57.17 years (2005 est.)

Literacy [time series]

definition: age 15 and over can read and write total population: 66.4% male: 77.4% female: 55.5% (2002)

Median age [time series]

total: 18.74 years male: 18.42 years female: 19.08 years (2005 est.)

Nationality [time series]

noun: Lao(s) or Laotian(s) adjective: Lao or Laotian

Net migration rate [time series]

0 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2005 est.)

Population [time series]

6,217,141 (July 2005 est.)

Population growth rate [time series]

2.42% (2005 est.)

Religions [time series]

Buddhist 60%, animist and other 40% (including various Christian denominations 1.5%)

Sex ratio [time series]

at birth: 1.04 male(s)/female under 15 years: 1.01 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 0.98 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.82 male(s)/female total population: 0.98 male(s)/female (2005 est.)

Total fertility rate [time series]

4.77 children born/woman (2005 est.)

Transnational Issues

Disputes - international [time series]

Southeast Asian states have enhanced border surveillance to check the spread of avian flu; Laos and Thailand pledge to complete demarcation of boundaries in 2005, while ongoing disputes over squatters and boundary encroachment by Thailand including Mekong River islets persist; in 2004 Cambodian-Laotian boundary commission agrees to re-erect missing markers in two adjoining provinces; concern among Mekong Commission members that China's construction of dams on the Mekong River will affect water levels

Illicit drugs [time series]

estimated cultivation in 2004 - 10,000 hectares, a 45% decrease from 2003; estimated potential production in 2004 - 49 metric tons, a significant decrease from 200 metric tons in 2003 (2005)

Transportation

Airports [time series]

44 (2004 est.)

Airports - with paved runways [time series]

total: 9 2,438 to 3,047 m: 1 1,524 to 2,437 m: 5 914 to 1,523 m: 3 (2004 est.)

Airports - with unpaved runways [time series]

total: 35 1,524 to 2,437 m: 1 914 to 1,523 m: 13 under 914 m: 21 (2004 est.)

Roadways (Highways) [time series]

total: 21,716 km paved: 9,664 km unpaved: 12,052 km (1999 est.)

Merchant marine [time series]

total: 1 ship (1,000 GRT or over) 2,370 GRT/3,110 DWT by type: cargo 1 (2005)

Pipelines [time series]

refined products 540 km (2004)

Waterways [time series]

4,600 km note: primarily Mekong and tributaries; 2,897 additional km are intermittently navigable by craft drawing less than 0.5 m (2003)