View Intelligence Dossier Back to 2010 CSV Excel Print All Years

Communications

Broadcast media [time series]

2 television stations operating out of Vientiane - 1 government-operated and the other jointly-owned by the government and a Thai company; roughly 15 provincial stations operating with nearly all programming relayed via satellite from the government-operated station in Vientiane; relays from Hanoi provide access to a Vietnamese television station; broadcasts available from stations in Thailand and Vietnam in border areas; 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 - 1 AM, 2 SW, and 2 FM; LNR's AM and FM programs are relayed via satellite constituting a large part of the programming schedules of the provincial radio stations; Thai radio broadcasts available in border areas and transmissions of multiple international broadcasters are also accessible (2008)

Internet country code [time series]

.la

Internet users (Internet hosts) [time series]

1,468 (2010) country comparison to the world: 161

Internet users [time series]

300,000 (2009) country comparison to the world: 130

Telecommunication systems (Telephone system) [time series]

general assessment: service to general public is poor but improving; the government relies on a radiotelephone network to communicate with remote areas domestic: multiple service providers; mobile cellular usage growing very rapidly international: country code - 856; satellite earth station - 1 Intersputnik (Indian Ocean region) and a second to be developed by China (2008)

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

132,200 (2009) country comparison to the world: 137

Telephones - mobile cellular [time series]

3.235 million (2009) country comparison to the world: 111

Economy

Agricultural products (Agriculture - products) [time series]

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

Central bank discount rate [time series]

4.3% (31 December 2010) country comparison to the world: 108 4% (31 December 2009)

Commercial bank prime lending rate [time series]

26% (31 December 2010) country comparison to the world: 83 11% (30 November 2009)

Current account balance [time series]

-$23 million (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 64 -$356 million (2009 est.)

Debt - external [time series]

$3.085 billion (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 126 $3.179 billion (2006 est.)

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

34.6 (2002) country comparison to the world: 88 37 (1997)

Economic overview (Economy - overview) [time series]

The government of Laos, one of the few remaining one-party Communist states, began decentralizing control and encouraging private enterprise in 1986. The results, starting from an extremely low base, were striking - growth averaged 6% per year from 1988-2008 except during the short-lived drop caused by the Asian financial crisis that began in 1997. Despite this high growth rate, Laos remains a country with an underdeveloped infrastructure, particularly in rural areas. It has a rudimentary, but improving, road system, and limited external and internal telecommunications. Electricity is available in urban areas and in many rural districts. Subsistence agriculture, dominated by rice cultivation in lowland areas, accounts for about 30% of GDP and provides 80% of total employment. The government in FY08/09 received $560 million from international donors. Economic growth has reduced official poverty rates from 46% in 1992 to 26% in 2009. The economy has benefited from high foreign investment in hydropower, mining, and construction. Laos gained Normal Trade Relations status with the US in 2004, and is taking steps required to join the World Trade Organization, such as reforming import licensing. Related trade policy reforms will improve the business environment. On the fiscal side, Laos launched an effort to ensure the collection of taxes in 2009 as the global economic slowdown reduced revenues from mining projects. Simplified investment procedures and expanded bank credits for small farmers and small entrepreneurs will improve Lao's economic prospects. The government appears committed to raising the country's profile among investors. The World Bank has declared that Laos's goal of graduating from the UN Development Program's list of least-developed countries by 2020 is achievable. According Laotian officials, the 7th Socio-Economic Development Plan for 2011-15 will outline efforts to achieve Millennium Development Goals.

Electricity - consumption [time series]

1.798 billion kWh (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 137

Electricity - exports [time series]

230 million kWh (2009 est.)

Electricity - imports [time series]

819.5 million kWh (2009 est.)

Electricity - production [time series]

1.656 billion kWh (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 137

Exchange rates [time series]

kips (LAK) per US dollar - 8,320.27 (2010), 8,516.04 (2009), 8,760.69 (2008), 9,658 (2007), 10,235 (2006)

Exports [time series]

$1.215 billion (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 146 $1.104 billion (2009 est.)

Exports - commodities [time series]

wood products, coffee, electricity, tin, copper, gold

Exports - partners [time series]

Thailand 29.18%, China 15.04%, Vietnam 14.96%, UK 4.29% (2009)

GDP (official exchange rate) [time series]

$6.341 billion (2010 est.)

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

$15.42 billion (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 135 $14.41 billion (2009 est.) $13.53 billion (2008 est.) note: data are in 2010 US dollars

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

agriculture: 29.8% industry: 31.7% services: 38.5% (2010 est.)

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

$2,400 (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 180 $2,300 (2009 est.) $2,200 (2008 est.) note: data are in 2010 US dollars

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

7% (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 24 6.5% (2009 est.) 7.2% (2008 est.)

Household income or consumption by percentage share [time series]

lowest 10%: 3.4% highest 10%: 28.5% (2002)

Imports [time series]

$1.504 billion (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 161 $1.308 billion (2009 est.)

Imports - commodities [time series]

machinery and equipment, vehicles, fuel, consumer goods

Imports - partners [time series]

Thailand 66.2%, China 11.45%, Vietnam 5.3% (2009)

Industrial production growth rate [time series]

12% (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 9

Industries [time series]

copper, tin, gold, and gypsum mining; timber, electric power, agricultural processing, construction, garments, cement, tourism

Inflation rate (consumer prices) [time series]

6.2% (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 165 0% (2009 est.)

Labor force [time series]

3.65 million (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 94

Labor force - by occupation [time series]

agriculture: 80% industry and services: 20% (2009 est.)

Natural gas - consumption [time series]

0 cu m (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 122

Natural gas - exports [time series]

0 cu m (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 165

Natural gas - imports [time series]

0 cu m (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 154

Natural gas - production [time series]

0 cu m (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 168

Natural gas - proved reserves [time series]

0 cu m (1 January 2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 156

Oil - consumption [time series]

3,000 bbl/day (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 179

Oil - exports [time series]

0 bbl/day (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 187

Oil - imports [time series]

3,080 bbl/day (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 168

Oil - production [time series]

0 bbl/day (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 157

Oil - proved reserves [time series]

NA bbl (1 January 2010 est.)

Population below poverty line [time series]

26% (2009 est.)

Reserves of foreign exchange and gold [time series]

$756 million (31 December 2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 114 $712.4 million (31 December 2009 est.)

Stock of broad money [time series]

$1.818 billion (31 December 2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 144 $1.549 billion (31 December 2009 est.)

Stock of domestic credit [time series]

$1.562 billion (31 December 2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 134 $1.095 billion (31 December 2009 est.)

Stock of narrow money [time series]

$630 million (31 December 2010 est) country comparison to the world: 150 $691.1 million (31 December 2009)

Unemployment rate [time series]

2.5% (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 21 2.4% (2005 est.)

Geography

Area [time series]

total: 236,800 sq km country comparison to the world: 83 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: Phu 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

Total water withdrawal (Freshwater withdrawal (domestic/industrial/agricultural)) [time series]

total: 3 cu km/yr (4%/6%/90%) per capita: 507 cu m/yr (2000)

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]

1,750 sq km (2003)

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: 4.01% permanent crops: 0.34% other: 95.65% (2005)

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

Total renewable water resources [time series]

333.6 cu km (2003)

Government

Administrative divisions [time series]

16 provinces (khoueng, singular and plural) and 1 capital city* (nakhon luang, singular and plural); Attapu, Bokeo, Bolikhamxai, Champasak, Houaphan, Khammouan, Louangnamtha, Louangphrabang, Oudomxai, Phongsali, Salavan, Savannakhet, Viangchan (Vientiane)*, Viangchan, Xaignabouli, Xekong, Xiangkhoang

Capital [time series]

name: Vientiane (Viangchan) geographic coordinates: 17 58 N, 102 36 E time difference: UTC+7 (12 hours ahead of Washington, DC during Standard Time)

Constitution [time series]

promulgated 14 August 1991; amended in 2003

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: Pathet Lao (unofficial)

Diplomatic representation from the US [time series]

chief of mission: Ambassador Karen B. STEWART embassy: 19 Rue Bartholonie, That Dam, Vientiane mailing address: American Embassy Vientiane, APO AP 96546 telephone: [856] 21-26-7000 FAX: [856] 21-26-7190

Diplomatic representation in the US [time series]

chief of mission: Ambassador SENG Soukhathivong 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 Lt. Gen. CHOUMMALI Saignason (since 8 June 2006); Vice President BOUN-GNANG Volachit (since 8 June 2006) head of government: Prime Minister THONGSING Thammavong (since 24 December 2010); Deputy Prime Ministers Maj. Gen. ASANG Laoli (since May 2002), Lt. Gen. DOUANGCHAI Phichit (since 8 June 2006), SOMSAVAT Lengsavat (since 26 February 1998), and THONGLOUN Sisoulit (since 27 March 2001) cabinet: Ministers appointed by president, approved by National Assembly (For more information visit theWorld Leaders website) elections: president and vice president elected by National Assembly for five-year terms; election last held on 8 June 2006 (next to be held in 2011); prime minister nominated by the president and elected by the National Assembly for five-year term election results: CHOUMMALI Saignason elected president; BOUN-GNANG Volachit elected vice president; percent of National Assembly vote - 100%; BOUASONE Bouphavanh elected prime minister; percent of National Assembly vote - 97%

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; the red bands recall the blood shed for liberation; the blue band represents the Mekong River and prosperity; the white disk symbolizes the full moon against the Mekong River, but also signifies the unity of the people under the Pathet Lao, as well as the country's bright future

Government type [time series]

Communist state

Independence [time series]

19 July 1949 (from France)

International organization participation [time series]

ADB, ARF, ASEAN, CP, EAS, FAO, G-77, 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, WHO, WIPO, WMO, 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; has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction

Legislative branch [time series]

unicameral National Assembly (115 seats; members elected by popular vote from a list of candidates selected by the Lao People's Revolutionary Party to serve five-year terms) elections: last held 30 on April 2006 (next to be held in 2011) election results: percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - LPRP 113, independents 2

National anthem(s) (National anthem) [time series]

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 holiday [time series]

Republic Day, 2 December (1975)

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

Lao People's Revolutionary Party or LPRP [CHOUMMALI Saignason]; other parties proscribed

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

Suffrage [time series]

18 years of age; universal

Introduction

Background [time series]

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. In 1975, the Communist Pathet Lao took control of the government ending a six-century-old monarchy and instituting a strict socialist regime closely aligned to Vietnam. A gradual, limited return to private enterprise and the liberalization of foreign investment laws began in 1988. Laos became a member of ASEAN in 1997. In late 2009, Thailand returned to Laos about 3,000 Hmong residing in refugee camps.

Military

Manpower available for military service [time series]

males age 16-49: 1,633,725 females age 16-49: 1,654,235 (2010 est.)

Manpower fit for military service [time series]

males age 16-49: 1,056,050 females age 16-49: 1,121,640 (2010 est.)

Manpower reaching militarily significant age annually [time series]

male: 77,910 female: 77,761 (2010 est.)

Military - note [time series]

serving one of the world's least developed countries, the Lao People's Armed Forces (LPAF) is small, poorly funded, and ineffectively resourced; its mission focus is border and internal security, primarily in countering ethnic Hmong insurgent groups; together with the Lao People's Revolutionary Party and the government, the Lao People's Army (LPA) is the third pillar of state machinery, and as such is expected to suppress political and civil unrest and similar national emergencies, but the LPA also has upgraded skills to respond to avian influenza outbreaks; there is no perceived external threat to the state and the LPA maintains strong ties with the neighboring Vietnamese military (2008)

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

Lao People's Armed Forces (LPAF): Lao People's Army (LPA; includes Riverine Force), Air Force (2010)

Military expenditures [time series]

0.5% of GDP (2006) country comparison to the world: 164

Military service age and obligation [time series]

18 years of age for compulsory military service; minimum 18-month conscript service obligation (2010)

People

Age structure [time series]

0-14 years: 40.8% (male 1,399,674/female 1,386,526) 15-64 years: 56.2% (male 1,900,638/female 1,938,165) 65 years and over: 3.1% (male 90,144/female 119,198) (2010 est.)

Birth rate [time series]

26.57 births/1,000 population (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 55

Death rate [time series]

8.28 deaths/1,000 population (July 2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 95

Education expenditure (Education expenditures) [time series]

2.3% of GDP (2008) country comparison to the world: 164

Ethnic groups [time series]

Lao 55%, Khmou 11%, Hmong 8%, other (over 100 minor ethnic groups) 26% (2005 census)

HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate [time series]

0.2% (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 100

HIV/AIDS - deaths [time series]

fewer than 100 (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 140

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

5,500 (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 122

Infant mortality rate [time series]

total: 61.19 deaths/1,000 live births country comparison to the world: 35 male: 67.36 deaths/1,000 live births female: 54.78 deaths/1,000 live births (2010 est.)

Languages [time series]

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

Life expectancy at birth [time series]

total population: 62 years country comparison to the world: 181 male: 60.14 years female: 63.94 years (2010 est.)

Literacy [time series]

definition: age 15 and over can read and write total population: 73% male: 83% female: 63% (2005 Census)

Major infectious diseases [time series]

degree of risk: very high food or waterborne diseases: bacterial and protozoal diarrhea, hepatitis A, and typhoid fever vectorborne diseases: dengue fever and malaria note: highly pathogenic H5N1 avian influenza has been identified in this country; it poses a negligible risk with extremely rare cases possible among US citizens who have close contact with birds (2008) (2009)

Median age [time series]

total: 20.7 years male: 20.4 years female: 21 years (2010 est.)

Nationality [time series]

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

Net migration rate [time series]

-1.18 migrant(s)/1,000 population country comparison to the world: 160

Population [time series]

6,368,162 (July 2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 104

Population growth rate [time series]

1.712% (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 72

Religions [time series]

Buddhist 67%, Christian 1.5%, other and unspecified 31.5% (2005 census)

School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education) [time series]

total: 9 years male: 10 years female: 9 years (2008)

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: 0.75 male(s)/female total population: 0.98 male(s)/female (2010 est.)

Total fertility rate [time series]

3.22 children born/woman (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 56

Urbanization [time series]

urban population: 31% of total population (2008) rate of urbanization: 5.6% annual rate of change (2005-10 est.)

Transnational Issues

Disputes - international [time series]

Southeast Asian states have enhanced border surveillance to check the spread of avian flu; talks continue on completion of demarcation with Thailand but disputes remain over islands in the Mekong River; concern among Mekong Commission members that China's construction of dams on the Mekong River will affect water levels

Illicit drugs [time series]

estimated opium poppy cultivation in 2008 was 1,900 hectares, about a 73% increase from 2007; estimated potential opium production in 2008 more than tripled to 17 metric tons; unsubstantiated reports of domestic methamphetamine production; growing domestic methamphetamine problem (2007)

Transportation

Airports [time series]

41 (2010) country comparison to the world: 102

Airports - with paved runways [time series]

total: 9 2,438 to 3,047 m: 2 1,524 to 2,437 m: 4 914 to 1,523 m: 3 (2010)

Airports - with unpaved runways [time series]

total: 32 1,524 to 2,437 m: 2 914 to 1,523 m: 9 under 914 m: 21 (2010)

Merchant marine [time series]

total: 1 country comparison to the world: 157 by type: cargo 1 (2008)

Pipelines [time series]

refined products 540 km (2009)

Roadways [time series]

total: 36,831 km country comparison to the world: 93 paved: 4,811 km unpaved: 32,020 km (2007)

Waterways [time series]

4,600 km country comparison to the world: 24 note: primarily Mekong and tributaries; 2,900 additional km are intermittently navigable by craft drawing less than 0.5 m (2010)