Laos
ສປປລາວ
Laos is a landlocked country in South-eastern Asia with about 7.87 million people, and its capital is Vientiane. Its system of government is a communist one-party state. The main language is Laotian, and the currency is the Laotian Kip.
It covers 236,800 km², making it the 82nd largest of the 197 countries here, and ranks 103rd by population. That works out at 33 per km², 149th in the world for density. Laos shares land borders with 5 countries: China, Cambodia, Myanmar, Thailand and Vietnam.
- Capital
- Vientiane
- Government
- Communist one-party state
- Population
- 7,873,046103rd of 197, 2025
- Area
- 236,800 km²82nd of 197, 2024
- Density
- 33 per km²
- Continent
- AsiaSouth-eastern Asia
- Language
- Laotian
- Currency
- Laotian Kip (LAK)
- GDP
- $18.3 billion136th of 193, 2025
- GDP per person
- $2,325152nd of 193, 2025
- Life expectancy
- 69.2 years2025 figure
- Urban population
- 40.3%2025 figure
- Highest point
- Phou Bia, 2,819 m
- Coastline
- None (landlocked)
- Drives on the
- right
- Calling code
- +856
How Laos ranks
| Measure | World | Asia |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 103rd of 197 | 32nd of 47 |
| Area | 82nd of 197 | 22nd of 47 |
| Population density | 149th of 197 | 41st of 47 |
| GDP | 136th of 193 | 39th of 45 |
| GDP per person | 152nd of 193 | 38th of 45 |
| Life expectancy | 136th of 194 | 42nd of 46 |
| Urban population | 151st of 194 | 36th of 46 |
| Land borders | 35th of 197 | 8th of 47 |
Neighbouring countries
Similar in population
- Turkmenistan7.62 million
- Libya7.46 million
- Kyrgyzstan7.34 million