Asia
Laos: flag, map, capital and facts
Everything about Laos: its flag, its map and its facts.
- Capital
- Vientiane
- Population
- 7.9 million
- Area
- 236,800 km²
- Currency
- Laotian Kip (₭)
#103 by population · #82 by area · #136 economy in the world · #147 by population density
Population and society
Population of la, 1960–2025. From 2.1 million in 1960 to 7.9 million in 2025.
- Population density
- 34 per km² (rank 147 of 194)
- Urban population
- 40.3% (2025)
- Under 15
- 29.8% (2025)
- Over 65
- 4.8% (2025)
- Children per woman
- 2.40 (2024)
- Internet users
- 65.6% (2024)
Economy and nature
- GDP
- $18.3B (rank 136 of 194)
- Unemployment
- 1.2% (2025)
- Inflation
- 7.7% (2025)
- Forests
- 56.6% (of its land · 2024)
- CO₂ per person
- 3.4 t (a year · 2024)
- Lowest point
- 70 m (Mekong River)
Figures: World Bank, latest year with data. Lowest point: reviewed by hand.
Symbols
- Anthem
- Pheng Xat Lao
- Official name
- ສາທາລະນະລັດ ປະຊາທິປະໄຕ ປະຊາຊົນລາວ
- Motto
- ສັນຕິພາບ ເອກະລາດ ປະຊາທິປະໄຕ ເອກະພາບ ວັດທະນາຖາວອນ (Lao)
Coat of arms and anthem: Wikimedia Commons.
Practical facts
- Official language
- Lao
- Calling code
- +856
- Internet domain
- .la
- Driving side
- On the right
- Time zone
- UTC+7
- Demonym
- Laotian
Geography
- Continent
- Asia
- Neighbouring countries
- Cambodia, China, Myanmar, Thailand, Vietnam
- Highest point
- Phou Bia (2,819 m)
- Largest city
- Vientiane, the capital
- Access to the sea
- No (landlocked)
History and politics
- Form of government
- One-party state
- Independence from
- France (1953)
Economy and life
- GDP per person
- $2,325 (2025)
- Life expectancy
- 69.2 years (2024)
- Human Development Index
- 0.617 (rank 147 of 193)
Provinces in figures
| Name | Capital | Population | Area (km²) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Attapeu | Attapư̄ | 139,628 (2015) | 10,320 |
| Bokeo | Ban Houayxay | 179,243 (2015) | 6,196 |
| Bolikhamxai (Bolikhamsai Province) | Pakxan | 315,956 (2020) | 14,863 |
| Champasack (Champasak Province) | Pāksē | 694,023 (2015) | 15,415 |
| Houaphan (Hūaphan) | Xam Neua | 310,976 (2020) | 16,500 |
| Khammouan | Thakhèk | 433,570 (2020) | 16,315 |
| Louangnamtha (Lūang Namthā) | Lūang Namthā | 199,090 (2020) | 9,325 |
| Louangphabang (Luang Prabang Province) | Luang Prabang | 467,157 (2020) | 16,875 |
| Oudomxai (Udomsai) | Mư̄ang Sai | 345,425 (2020) | 15,370 |
| Phongsaly | Phongsālī | 177,989 (2015) | 16,925 |
| Salavan | — | 396,942 (2015) | 10,691 |
| Savannakhet | Kaysone Phomvihane | 969,697 (2015) | 21,774 |
| Sekong | — | 113,048 (2015) | 7,665 |
| Vientiane | Phōnhōng | 388,833 (2005) | 15,927 |
| Vientiane Capital | Vientiane | — | 3,920 |
| Xaignabouly (Sainyabūlī) | Sainyabūlī | 423,496 (2020) | 16,389 |
| Xaisomboon (Xaisomboun Province) | — | 85,168 (2015) | 8,300 |
| Xiengkhouang (Xiangkhouang Province) | Phōnsavan | 267,172 (2020) | 16,358 |
Capitals, population and area: Wikidata. The year of each population is in brackets.
Its flags over time
Laos · 1893–1952
Laos · 1952–1975- Laos · 1975–today
Flags: Wikimedia Commons.
Frequently asked questions
What is the capital of Laos?
Vientiane
How many people live in Laos?
7.9 million inhabitants (2025)
What currency is used in Laos?
Laotian Kip
What is the official language of Laos?
Lao
What is the calling code of Laos?
+856
Which countries border Laos?
Cambodia, China, Myanmar, Thailand, and Vietnam
What is the highest point of Laos?
Phou Bia (2,819 m)
Play Laos · Flag of Laos · Country fact sheets · Maps: Asia · Geotaria
Data: World Bank (population, economy), UNDP (human development), Wikidata, GeoNames and mledoze/countries.