Quick facts
Laos population overview
Laos is the 32nd most populous of 52 countries and territories in Asia. The United Nations put the population at 7,924,939 on 1 January 2026; with an annual growth rate of +1.3% the live estimate on this page rises by roughly 271 people per day.
Over a full year that means about 159,291 births (20.1 per 1,000 people) and 49,135 deaths (6.2 per 1,000), and net emigration of roughly 11,095 people. The infant mortality rate is 27.8 per 1,000 live births.
World Bank data show the population grew from 2,121,514 in 1960 to 7,873,046 in 2025 — a change of +271.1%, or +2% per year on average. The population is at its all-time high today.
Demographically, the median age is 25.3 years; life expectancy at birth is 69.7 years; women have on average 2.4 children (2024, above the 2.1 replacement level); 29.8% of residents are under 15 and 4.8% are 65 or older (2025); 40.3% of people live in urban areas (2025).
The capital is Vientiane. Laos covers 236,800 km², giving a population density of about 33.8 people per km². GDP was $18.3B in 2025 — about $2,325 per person (World Bank classification: lower middle income).
Laos population statistics (2026)
| Population (live, October 2026) #103 of 238 → | 8,004,231 |
|---|---|
| UN estimate, 1 Jan 2026 | 7,924,939 |
| World rank | #103 of 238 |
| Rank in Asia | #32 of 52 |
| Share of world population | 0.097% |
| Annual growth rate #82 of 238 → | +1.3% |
| Births per year est. | 159,291 |
| Deaths per year est. | 49,135 |
| Net migration per year est. · #167 of 238 → | -11,095 |
| Birth rate #66 of 216 → | 20.1 per 1,000 |
| Death rate #151 of 216 → | 6.2 per 1,000 |
| Infant mortality #42 of 238 → | 27.8 per 1,000 births |
| Sex ratio #67 of 238 → | 100.9 males per 100 females |
| Median age #168 of 238 → | 25.3 years |
| Life expectancy #158 of 216 → | 69.7 years |
| Fertility rate 2024 · #81 of 216 → | 2.4 births per woman |
| Urban population 2025 · #172 of 216 → | 40.3% |
| Surface area 2023 · #83 of 215 → | 236,800 km² |
| Population density #163 of 215 → | 33.8 per km² |
| Capital | Vientiane |
| GDP (current US$) 2025 · #139 of 212 → | $18.3B |
| GDP per capita 2025 · #172 of 212 → | $2,325 |
| Income group World Bank | Lower middle income |
Laos population by year
| Year | Population | Change | Annual growth |
|---|---|---|---|
| October 2026 (live, UN-based) | 8,004,231 | – | – |
| 2025 | 7,873,046 | +103,227 | +1.3% |
| 2024 | 7,769,819 | +104,826 | +1.4% |
| 2023 | 7,664,993 | +105,986 | +1.4% |
| 2022 | 7,559,007 | +105,813 | +1.4% |
| 2021 | 7,453,194 | +106,661 | +1.5% |
| 2020 | 7,346,533 | +544,888 | +1.6% |
| 2015 | 6,801,645 | +467,451 | +1.4% |
| 2010 | 6,334,194 | +464,671 | +1.5% |
| 2005 | 5,869,523 | +438,311 | +1.6% |
| 2000 | 5,431,212 | +501,803 | +2% |
| 1995 | 4,929,409 | +617,454 | +2.7% |
| 1990 | 4,311,955 | +571,970 | +2.9% |
| 1985 | 3,739,985 | +447,412 | +2.6% |
| 1980 | 3,292,573 | +287,052 | +1.8% |
| 1975 | 3,005,521 | +335,819 | +2.4% |
| 1970 | 2,669,702 | +293,502 | +2.4% |
| 1965 | 2,376,200 | +254,686 | +2.3% |
| 1960 | 2,121,514 | – | – |
Change and annual growth are measured against the previous row; growth is annualized where rows are five years apart. The live row extrapolates the UN estimate and is not directly comparable with the World Bank series.
Largest cities in Laos
| # | City | Population | Share |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Vientiane Capital | 840,940 | 10.5% |
| 2 | Savannakhet | 125,760 | 1.6% |
| 3 | Thakhèk | 90,800 | 1.1% |
| 4 | Pakse | 77,900 | 1% |
| 5 | Ban Khoan | 65,348 | 0.8% |
| 6 | Xam Nua | 56,900 | 0.7% |
| 7 | Luang Prabang | 55,027 | 0.7% |
| 8 | Muang Phônsavan | 37,507 | 0.5% |
Vientiane is the largest city with 840,940 people and is also the capital. City figures are the latest official estimates for the city proper, so shares are approximate. Full list of Laos cities →
About Laos
Population over time
- From 2,121,514 in 1960 to 8,004,231 today — up 277.3%.
- The population is at its all-time high right now.
- Average change over the last 10 years of data: +1.5% per year.
- World rank: Population #103 of 238 · Population growth rate #82 of 238.
Life expectancy & fertility
- Life expectancy at birth: 69.2 years (2024), up 28.2 years since 1960.
- Fertility: 2.4 births per woman (2024) — above the ~2.1 replacement level.
- World rank: Life expectancy #158 of 216 · Fertility rate #81 of 216.
Birth & death rates
- Latest: 20.9 births vs 6.2 deaths per 1,000 people (2024).
- Natural increase of 14.7 per 1,000 a year, before migration.
- World rank: Birth rate #66 of 216 · Death rate #151 of 216.
Age structure
- 29.8% of the population is under 15 and 4.8% is 65 or older (2025).
- The 65+ share has grown from 2.7% in 1960 — the population is aging.
- World rank: Population under 15 #72 of 216 · Population aged 65+ #151 of 216 · Median age #168 of 238.
CO₂ emissions
- Latest total: 26.06 Mt CO₂ (2024).
- Emissions are at or near their historical peak.
- Per person: 3.35 t in 2024, vs 0.11 t in 1970.
- World rank: CO₂ emissions #79 of 203 · CO₂ emissions per capita #89 of 203.
Energy use & renewables
- Energy use: 880.6 kg of oil equivalent per person (2023), up 196.7% since 2000.
- Renewables supplied 49.2% of final energy in 2022 (-39.2 points since 1990).
- World rank: Energy use per capita #100 of 150 · Renewable energy share #50 of 212.
Forest area (% of land)
- Forest covers 71.5% of land area (2023).
- Net deforestation: cover fell from 77.3% to 71.5% since 1990 — roughly 13,861 km² of forest lost.
- World rank: Forest area #16 of 213.
Urban population (% of total)
- 40.3% of people live in urban areas (2025), vs 7.8% in 1960 (+32.5 points).
- Still majority-rural — less than half the population lives in cities.
- World rank: Urban population #172 of 216.
Water resources & stress
- Water stress: low — freshwater withdrawals are 3.9% of renewable internal resources (2022, SDG 6.4.2-style bands).
- Renewable freshwater per person: 25,188 m³ in 2022, down 71.3% since 1961.
- World rank: Freshwater resources per capita #25 of 183 · Water stress #115 of 177.
Economy
- GDP: $18.3B in 2025.
- Nominal GDP is up 26.9% since 2015.
- That works out to $2,325 per person.
- World rank: GDP #139 of 212 · GDP per capita #172 of 212.
Unemployment & inflation
- Unemployment: 1.2% of the labor force (2025, ILO estimate).
- Consumer-price inflation: 7.7% in 2025.
- World rank: Unemployment rate #179 of 186 · Inflation rate #36 of 191.
Internet & mobile
- 65.6% of people used the internet in 2024.
- Mobile subscriptions: 64.8 per 100 people (2023).
- World rank: Internet users #144 of 209 · Mobile subscriptions #187 of 210.
Laos in the news
Frequently asked questions
What is the population of Laos in 2026?
As of October 2026, Laos has an estimated population of 8,004,231. The United Nations estimated 7,924,939 residents on 1 January 2026; the live figure on this page extrapolates that estimate using the +1.3% annual growth rate.
Is the population of Laos growing or shrinking?
It is growing at +1.3% per year — roughly 271 more people every day. Each year there are about 159,291 births and 49,135 deaths, with net migration of -11,095.
What is the population density of Laos?
About 33.8 people per square kilometre: 8,004,231 people living on 236,800 km² of surface area (World Bank, 2023).
What is the median age in Laos?
The median age is 25.3 years, and life expectancy at birth is 69.7 years. 29.8% of the population is under 15 and 4.8% is 65 or older (2025).
How does Laos rank by population?
Laos is the 103rd most populous of 238 countries and territories worldwide and the 32nd in Asia, with 0.097% of the global population.
How has the population of Laos changed over time?
In 1960 the population was 2,121,514; by 2025 it had grown to 7,873,046 (+271.1%). The year-by-year table above lists the full World Bank series.
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Glostats. (2026). Laos Population 2026 — Live Counter. Retrieved October 20, 2026, from https://glostats.com/country/laos/<a href="https://glostats.com/country/laos/">Laos Population 2026 — Live Counter</a> — GlostatsFigures on this page may be quoted, charted or republished as long as the page is credited with a link. Terms · Download the data as CSV · Embed a live counter.
Sources & method: the live population is a linear extrapolation of the UN World Population Prospects estimate for 1 January 2026 using the annual growth rate (+1.3%); births, deaths and migration counters apply the UN crude rates to the live figure. Historical series, area, GDP and other indicators are from World Bank Open Data; the encyclopedic summary is from Wikipedia. Figures are statistical estimates, not census counts. Page generated 2026-10-20. More about our data.