CapitalVientiane (Viangchan)
Population7,953,556
Area236,800 km²
GDP per capita$8,600
LanguagesLao , French, English, and various indigenous languages
Currencykips
Life Expectancy69.0 yr
Governmentstate governed by a communist party.
Introduction
Background
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.
Geography
Area
land
230,800 sq km
water
6,000 sq km
total
236,800 sq km
Climate
tropical monsoon climate; wet season (May to November); dry season (December to April)
Terrain
predominantly mountainous terrain; some areas consist of plains and plateaus
Land use
other
33.3% (2023 est.)
forest
56.8% (2023 est.)
agricultural land
9.9% (2023 est.)
agricultural land: arable land
arable land: 5.3% (2023 est.)
agricultural land: permanent crops
permanent crops: 1.7% (2023 est.)
agricultural land: permanent pasture
permanent pasture: 2.9% (2023 est.)
Location
Located in Southeast Asia, to the northeast of Thailand and to the west of Vietnam
Coastline
0 km (landlocked)
Elevation
lowest point
Mekong River 70 m
highest point
Phu Bia 2,817 m
mean elevation
710 m
Irrigated land
4,410 sq km (2022)
Map references
Southeast Asia
Land boundaries
total
5,274 km
border countries
Borders with Burma extend 238 km; Cambodia 555 km; China 475 km; Thailand 1,845 km; Vietnam 2,161 km
Maritime claims
none (landlocked)
Natural hazards
experiences floods and droughts
Geography - note
a landlocked nation; characterized by extensive mountainous regions and dense forests; the Mekong River constitutes a significant portion of the western frontier with Thailand
Natural resources
resources include timber, hydropower, gypsum, tin, gold, and gemstones
Area - comparative
approximately twice the area of Pennsylvania; marginally larger than Utah
Geographic coordinates
18 00 N, 105 00 E
Population distribution
the most densely populated region is centered around the capital, Vientiane; substantial populations are mainly situated along the Mekong River on the southwestern border; in general, population density is regarded as one of the lowest within Southeast Asia
Major watersheds (area sq km)
Pacific Ocean drainage
Mekong (805,604 sq km)
Major rivers (by length in km)
Mènam Khong (Mekong) (shared with China [s], Burma, Thailand, Cambodia, and Vietnam [m]) - 4,350 km
note: [s] denotes river source; [m] indicates river mouth
People & Society
Literacy
male
85.1% (2023 est.)
female
66.7% (2023 est.)
total population
75.6% (2023 est.)
Languages
Languages
Lao (official), French, English, and various indigenous languages
major-language sample(s)
ແຫລ່ງທີ່ຂາດບໍ່ໄດ້ສຳລັບຂໍ້ມູນຕົ້ນຕໍ່” (Lao)
The World Factbook, the indispensable source for basic information.
Religions
Buddhist 64.7%, Christian 1.7%, none 31.4%, other/not specified 2.1% (2015 estimate)
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
total population
1 male(s)/female (2024 est.)
65 years and over
0.87 male(s)/female
Birth rate
19.22 births/1,000 population (2025 est.)
Death rate
6.07 deaths/1,000 population (2025 est.)
Median age
male
25 years
total
25.8 years (2025 est.)
female
25.7 years
Population
male
3,966,320
total
7,953,556 (2024 est.)
female
3,987,236
Nationality
noun
Lao(s) or Laotian(s)
adjective
Lao or Laotian
Tobacco use
male
41% (2025 est.)
total
24.1% (2025 est.)
female
7.2% (2025 est.)
Urbanization
urban population
38.2% of total population (2023)
rate of urbanization
2.99% annual rate of change (2020-25 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)
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.)
Child marriage
men married by age 18
10.8% (2017)
women married by age 15
7.1% (2017)
women married by age 18
32.7% (2017)
Dependency ratios
total dependency ratio
53.7 (2024 est.)
youth dependency ratio
46.3 (2024 est.)
potential support ratio
13.5 (2024 est.)
elderly dependency ratio
7.4 (2024 est.)
Physician density
0.33 physicians/1,000 population (2022)
Health expenditure
Health expenditure (as % of GDP)
2.7% of GDP (2021)
Health expenditure (as % of national budget)
4.3% of national budget (2022 est.)
Net migration rate
-0.93 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2025 est.)
Hospital bed density
1.3 beds/1,000 population (2021 est.)
Total fertility rate
2.19 children born/woman (2025 est.)
Drinking water source
improved: rural
rural: 78.5% of population (2022 est.)
improved: total
total: 85.5% of population (2022 est.)
improved: urban
urban: 97.1% of population (2022 est.)
unimproved: rural
rural: 21.5% of population (2022 est.)
unimproved: total
total: 14.5% of population (2022 est.)
unimproved: urban
urban: 2.9% of population (2022 est.)
Education expenditure
Education expenditure (% GDP)
1.2% of GDP (2023 est.)
Education expenditure (% national budget)
8.2% national budget (2024 est.)
Infant mortality rate
male
39.1 deaths/1,000 live births
total
34.2 deaths/1,000 live births (2025 est.)
female
31.6 deaths/1,000 live births
Population growth rate
1.22% (2025 est.)
Gross reproduction rate
1.07 (2025 est.)
Population distribution
the area with the highest population density is centered around the capital city of Vientiane; significant populations are predominantly located along the Mekong River near the southwestern border; the overall population density is regarded as among the lowest in Southeast Asia
Life expectancy at birth
male
67.4 years
female
70.7 years
total population
69 years (2024 est.)
Maternal mortality ratio
112 deaths/100,000 live births (2023 est.)
Sanitation facility access
improved: rural
rural: 72% of population (2022 est.)
improved: total
total: 82.5% of population (2022 est.)
improved: urban
urban: 100% of population (2022 est.)
unimproved: rural
rural: 28% of population (2022 est.)
unimproved: total
total: 17.5% of population (2022 est.)
unimproved: urban
urban: 0% of population (2022 est.)
Alcohol consumption per capita
beer
3.62 liters of pure alcohol (2019 est.)
wine
0.07 liters of pure alcohol (2019 est.)
total
8.15 liters of pure alcohol (2019 est.)
spirits
4.46 liters of pure alcohol (2019 est.)
other alcohols
0 liters of pure alcohol (2019 est.)
Major urban areas - population
721,000 VIENTIANE (capital) (2023)
Obesity - adult prevalence rate
5.3% (2016)
Currently married women (ages 15-49)
61.6% (2017 est.)
Children under the age of 5 years underweight
24.3% (2023 est.)
School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education)
male
9 years (2023 est.)
total
9 years (2023 est.)
female
9 years (2023 est.)
Environment
Climate
tropical monsoon; wet season (May to November); dry season (December to April)
Land use
other
33.3% (2023 est.)
forest
56.8% (2023 est.)
agricultural land
9.9% (2023 est.)
agricultural land: arable land
arable land: 5.3% (2023 est.)
agricultural land: permanent crops
permanent crops: 1.7% (2023 est.)
agricultural land: permanent pasture
permanent pasture: 2.9% (2023 est.)
Urbanization
urban population
38.2% of total population (2023)
rate of urbanization
2.99% annual rate of change (2020-25 est.)
Waste and recycling
municipal solid waste generated annually
351,900 tons (2024 est.)
percent of municipal solid waste recycled
15.1% (2022 est.)
Environmental issues
unexploded ordnance; deforestation; soil erosion; reduction in biodiversity; water contamination; restricted access to clean water
Total water withdrawal
municipal
130 million cubic meters (2022 est.)
industrial
170 million cubic meters (2022 est.)
agricultural
7.05 billion cubic meters (2022 est.)
Carbon dioxide emissions
total 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.)
Particulate matter emissions
20.5 micrograms per cubic meter (2019 est.)
Total renewable water resources
333.5 billion cubic meters (2022 est.)
International environmental 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
Government
Flag
description: comprised of three horizontal stripes in red (top), blue (wider band), and red, featuring a prominent white circle in the center of the blue stripe
meaning: red symbolizes the blood spilled for freedom, while blue represents the Mekong River and prosperity; the white circle signifies the full moon over the Mekong River and the unity of the populace under the Lao People's Revolutionary Party, in addition to the nation's hopeful future.
Capital
name
Vientiane (Viangchan)
etymology
The term Viangchan translates to "city of sandalwood" in the Laotian language; its standard spelling is influenced by French.
time difference
UTC+7 (12 hours ahead of Washington, DC, during Standard Time)
geographic coordinates
17 58 N, 102 36 E
Suffrage
18 years of age; universal
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
Constitution
history
previously established in 1947 (before independence); most recently promulgated from 13-15 August 1991.
amendment process
initiated by the National Assembly; to pass, it requires a two-thirds majority vote from Assembly members and approval from the president of the republic.
Country name
etymology
the designation translates to "Land of the Lao [people];" it is derived from the name of the nation's founder, Lao.
abbreviation
Lao PDR
local long form
Sathalanalat Paxathipatai Paxaxon Lao
local short form
Mueang Lao (unofficial)
conventional long form
Lao People's Democratic Republic
conventional short form
Laos
Independence
gained independence on 19 July 1949 (from France); the Franco-Lao Treaty confirmed full independence on 22 October 1953.
Legal system
civil law system that bears resemblance to the French legal framework.
Government type
state governed by a communist party.
Judicial branch
highest court(s)
People's Supreme Court (comprises the court president and is divided into chambers for criminal, civil, administrative, commercial, family, and juvenile matters, each with a vice president and several judges).
subordinate courts
includes appellate courts, as well as provincial, municipal, district, and military courts.
judge selection and term of office
the president of the People's Supreme Court is appointed by the National Assembly based on the recommendation of the president of the republic for a term of 5 years; vice presidents are appointed by the president of the republic following the National Assembly's recommendation; the appointment of chamber judges is determined by the National Assembly; the terms of court vice presidents and chamber judges are not applicable.
Executive branch
cabinet
Council of Ministers appointed by the president and approved by the National Assembly
chief of state
President THONGLOUN Sisoulith (since 22 March 2021)
election results
2021: THONGLOUN Sisoulith (LPRP) was elected president with a National Assembly vote of 161-1; PHANKHAM Viphavanh (LPRP) was elected prime minister with a National Assembly vote of 158-3.
2016: BOUNNHANG Vorachit (LPRP) was elected president; percentage of National Assembly vote - NA; THONGLOUN Sisoulith (LPRP) was elected prime minister; percentage of National Assembly vote - NA.
head of government
Prime Minister SONEXAY (also spelled SONXAI) Siphandon (since 30 December 2022)
most recent election date
22 March 2021
election/appointment process
the president and vice president are indirectly elected by the National Assembly for a term of 5 years (without term limits); the prime minister is nominated by the president and elected by the National Assembly for a term of 5 years.
expected date of next election
March 2026
National holiday
Republic Day (National Day), 2 December (1975)
National color(s)
red, white, blue
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.
Political parties
Lao People's Revolutionary Party or LPRP
Legislative branch
term in office
5 years
number of seats
164 (all directly elected)
electoral system
plurality/majority
legislature name
National Assembly (Sapha Heng Xat)
scope of elections
full renewal
legislative structure
unicameral
most recent election date
2/21/2021
expected date of next election
February 2026
percentage of women in chamber
22%
parties elected and seats per party
Lao People's Revolutionary Party (LPRP) (158); Other (6)
National anthem(s)
title
"Pheng Xat Lao" (Hymn of the Lao People)
history
the anthem was adopted in 1945, with the lyrics being revised in 1975; the lyrics were altered following the communist revolution that abolished the monarchy in 1975.
lyrics/music
SISANA Sisane/THONGDY Sounthonevichit
National symbol(s)
elephant
Administrative divisions
17 provinces (khoueng, both 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.
Diplomatic representation in the US
FAX
[1] (202) 332-4923
chancery
2222 S Street NW, Washington, DC 20008
telephone
[1] (202) 332-6416
chief of mission
Ambassador PHOUKHONG Sisoulath (since 5 September 2025)
email address and website
[email protected]
https://laoembassy.com/
Diplomatic representation from the US
FAX
[856] 21-48-7040
embassy
Ban Somvang Tai, Thadeua Road, Km 9, Hatsayfong District, Vientiane.
telephone
[856] 21-48-7000
mailing address
4350 Vientiane Place, Washington DC 20521-4350.
chief of mission
Ambassador Heather VARIAVA (since 5 February 2024)
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
International law organization participation
has not made a declaration regarding ICJ jurisdiction; is not a party state to the ICCt.
Economy
Budget
revenues
$2.288 billion (2022 est.)
expenditures
$2.259 billion (2022 est.)
Exports
Exports 2021
$7.82 billion (2021 est.)
Exports 2022
$8.604 billion (2022 est.)
Exports 2023
$9.698 billion (2023 est.)
Imports
Imports 2021
$6.527 billion (2021 est.)
Imports 2022
$7.983 billion (2022 est.)
Imports 2023
$8.596 billion (2023 est.)
Industries
mining (copper, tin, gold, gypsum); timber, electricity generation, agricultural processing, rubber, construction, textiles, cement, tourism
Labor force
3.585 million (2024 est.)
Public debt
Public debt 2016
58.4% of GDP (2016 est.)
Remittances
Remittances 2021
1.2% of GDP (2021 est.)
Remittances 2022
1.5% of GDP (2022 est.)
Remittances 2023
1.8% of GDP (2023 est.)
Exchange rates
Currency
kips (LAK) per US dollar -
Exchange rates 2019
8,679.409 (2019 est.)
Exchange rates 2020
9,045.788 (2020 est.)
Exchange rates 2021
9,697.916 (2021 est.)
Exchange rates 2022
14,035.227 (2022 est.)
Exchange rates 2023
17,688.874 (2023 est.)
Debt - external
Debt - external 2023
$9.619 billion (2023 est.)
Economic overview
a lower middle-income, industrialized economy in Southeast Asia; experiencing high inflation attributed to currency devaluation in 2022 due to ongoing high debt levels; new Laos-China railway and dry port developments; increasing disparities; persistent labor shortages
Unemployment rate
Unemployment rate 2022
1.3% (2022 est.)
Unemployment rate 2023
1.2% (2023 est.)
Unemployment rate 2024
1.3% (2024 est.)
Exports - partners
China 39%, Thailand 34%, Australia 4%, USA 4%, Cambodia 2% (2023)
Imports - partners
Thailand 58%, China 36%, Japan 1%, Singapore 1%, Germany 1% (2023)
Real GDP per capita
Real GDP per capita 2022
$8,200 (2022 est.)
Real GDP per capita 2023
$8,400 (2023 est.)
Real GDP per capita 2024
$8,600 (2024 est.)
Real GDP growth rate
Real GDP growth rate 2022
2.7% (2022 est.)
Real GDP growth rate 2023
3.7% (2023 est.)
Real GDP growth rate 2024
4.3% (2024 est.)
Agricultural products
cassava, root vegetables, rice, sugarcane, vegetables, bananas, maize, rubber, coffee, watermelons (2023)
Exports - commodities
electricity, fertilizers, gold, textiles, paper (2023)
Imports - commodities
refined petroleum, automobiles, raw sugar, plastic products, trucks (2023)
Current account balance
Current account balance 2021
$431.636 million (2021 est.)
Current account balance 2022
-$458.754 million (2022 est.)
Current account balance 2023
$404.523 million (2023 est.)
Taxes and other revenues
12.1% (of GDP) (2022 est.)
GDP (official exchange rate)
$16.503 billion (2024 est.)
GDP - composition, by end use
household consumption
65.7% (2016 est.)
government consumption
14% (2016 est.)
investment in inventories
0% (2016 est.)
investment in fixed capital
29% (2016 est.)
exports of goods and services
33.2% (2016 est.)
imports of goods and services
-41.9% (2016 est.)
Population below poverty line
18.3% (2018 est.)
Average household expenditures
on food
50.5% of household expenditures (2023 est.)
on alcohol and tobacco
7.8% of household expenditures (2023 est.)
Inflation rate (consumer prices)
Inflation rate (consumer prices) 2022
23% (2022 est.)
Inflation rate (consumer prices) 2023
31.2% (2023 est.)
Inflation rate (consumer prices) 2024
23.1% (2024 est.)
Industrial production growth rate
3.9% (2024 est.)
Real GDP (purchasing power parity)
Real GDP (purchasing power parity) 2022
$61.856 billion (2022 est.)
Real GDP (purchasing power parity) 2023
$64.173 billion (2023 est.)
Real GDP (purchasing power parity) 2024
$66.905 billion (2024 est.)
Youth unemployment rate (ages 15-24)
male
2.4% (2024 est.)
total
2.2% (2024 est.)
female
2.1% (2024 est.)
Reserves of foreign exchange and gold
Reserves of foreign exchange and gold 2021
$1.951 billion (2021 est.)
Reserves of foreign exchange and gold 2022
$1.576 billion (2022 est.)
Reserves of foreign exchange and gold 2023
$1.77 billion (2023 est.)
GDP - composition, by sector of origin
industry
29% (2024 est.)
services
43.5% (2024 est.)
agriculture
16.8% (2024 est.)
Household income or consumption by percentage share
lowest 10%
3% (2018 est.)
highest 10%
31.2% (2018 est.)
Gini Index coefficient - distribution of family income
Gini Index coefficient - distribution of family income 2018
38.8 (2018 est.)
Energy
Coal
exports
1.065 million metric tons (2023 est.)
imports
22,000 metric tons (2023 est.)
production
16.629 million metric tons (2023 est.)
consumption
15.944 million metric tons (2023 est.)
proven reserves
62 million metric tons (2023 est.)
Petroleum
refined petroleum consumption
25,000 bbl/day (2023 est.)
Electricity
exports
38 billion kWh (2023 est.)
imports
955.095 million kWh (2023 est.)
consumption
12.803 billion kWh (2023 est.)
installed generating capacity
12.738 million kW (2023 est.)
transmission/distribution losses
2.447 billion kWh (2023 est.)
Electricity access
electrification - total population
100% (2022 est.)
Energy consumption per capita
Total energy consumption per capita 2023
34.463 million Btu/person (2023 est.)
Electricity generation sources
solar
0.2% of total installed capacity (2023 est.)
fossil fuels
23.3% 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.)
Communications
Internet users
percent of population
64% (2023 est.)
Broadcast media
In Vientiane, there are 6 television stations, evenly split between state-run and commercial entities; additionally, there are 17 provincial television stations, most of which receive their programming via satellite from the state-run stations located in Vientiane. Multi-channel satellite and cable television systems offer a diverse array of foreign channels. The radio landscape is dominated by state control, with the Lao National Radio (LNR) operating on 5 different frequencies; audiences can also access broadcasts from various international stations.
Internet country code
.la
Telephones - fixed lines
total subscriptions
1.3 million (2021 est.)
subscriptions per 100 inhabitants
18 (2022 est.)
Telephones - mobile cellular
total subscriptions
4.96 million (2023 est.)
subscriptions per 100 inhabitants
65 (2023 est.)
Broadband - fixed subscriptions
total
183,000 (2022 est.)
subscriptions per 100 inhabitants
2 (2022 est.)
Transportation
Airports
20 (2025)
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
Civil aircraft registration country code prefix
RDPL
Military & Security
Military - note
The primary objectives of the LPAF include ensuring border and internal security through counterinsurgency, counterterrorism, and counter-narcotics initiatives, in addition to safeguarding the regime; its defense allies encompass Cambodia, China, Russia, and Vietnam (2025)
Military expenditures
Military Expenditures 2015
0.2% of GDP (2015 est.)
Military Expenditures 2016
0.2% of GDP (2016 est.)
Military Expenditures 2017
0.2% of GDP (2017 est.)
Military Expenditures 2018
0.2% of GDP (2018 est.)
Military Expenditures 2019
0.2% of GDP (2019 est.)
Military and security forces
Lao People's Armed Forces (LPAF; also known as Lao People's Army): Lao People's Army (LPA, which includes Riverine Force), Lao People's Air Force (LPAF); Self-Defense Militia Forces (2025)
Military service age and obligation
Individuals must be 18 years old to enlist for voluntary military service; compulsory military service is mandated for males aged 18 to 35, requiring a minimum service duration of 18 months (2025)
Military equipment inventories and acquisitions
The LPAF is equipped with weaponry and equipment from Chinese, Russian, and Soviet-era origins (2025)
Military and security service personnel strengths
Information is limited and varies; it is estimated that there are 30,000 active Armed Forces members and approximately 100,000 Self-Defense Militia Forces (2025)
Transnational Issues
Illicit drugs
USG identification
major illicit drug-producing and/or drug-transit country (2025)
Trafficking in persons
tier rating
Tier 3 — Laos fails to fully satisfy the basic criteria for eradicating trafficking and is not undertaking substantial efforts to improve this situation; consequently, Laos has been lowered to Tier 3. For further information, please visit: https://www.state.gov/reports/2025-trafficking-in-persons-report/laos/
Refugees and internally displaced persons
IDPs
1,274 (2024 est.)
