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Sheet 91 of 195 · AsiaLAO · 19.7°N 102.6°E

Laos

Lao People's Democratic Republic · ສາທາລະນະ ຊາທິປະໄຕ ຄົນລາວ ຂອງ

Capital
Vientiane
Population
7.87 million 2025
Area
236,800 km²
Neighbours
5
Locator map of LaosLAOSVientianeTHAILANDMYANMARVIETNAMCAMBODIASouth China SeaAndaman SeaGulf of Tonkin0250 km
Laos hatched, Vientiane marked with a triangle, land neighbours shaded. Orthographic projection centred on 18.2°N 103.9°E; the scale bar is true at the centre.

Landlocked in South-Eastern Asia, Laos has five land neighbours: Cambodia, China, Myanmar, Thailand and Vietnam. At 236,800 km², it ranks 82nd of 195 by area, close in size to Romania and Ghana.

Its population was 7.87 million in 2025 (World Bank), the 93rd-smallest of the 194 countries with data. Density is 33 people per km². Most people live outside urban areas: the urban share was 40.3% in 2025.

GDP per capita was US$2,325 in 2025 (World Bank, current US$), 152nd of 191 and 38th of 46 in Asia. Life expectancy at birth was 69.2 years in 2024.

Its main landmass lies entirely in the Northern and Eastern hemispheres. North to south it runs about 953 km, between 13.9°N and 22.5°N. Vientiane's antipode is in the South Pacific Ocean, about 370 km from Peru, the nearest land.

How it compares Asia: 47 countries

MeasureFigureWorldAsia
Population7,873,0462025, World Bank102nd of 19431st of 47
Area236,800 km²world-countries82nd of 19522nd of 47
GDPUS$18.3 billion2025, World Bank, current US$136th of 19139th of 46
GDP per capitaUS$2,3252025, World Bank, current US$152nd of 19138th of 46
Population density33 per km²population 2025, World Bank; area, world-countries146th of 19441st of 47
Life expectancy69.2 years2024, World Bank136th of 19442nd of 47
Urban population40.3%2025, World Bank151st of 19436th of 47
Forest area56.6% of land2024, World Bank38th of 1948th of 47
Population growth+1.32% a year2025, World Bank75th of 19417th of 47
Internet users65.6%2024, World Bank129th of 18835th of 45
Fertility rate2.40 births per woman2024, World Bank79th of 19418th of 47
Land neighbours5world-countries; among the 19535th of 1958th of 47
 Ranks run from the largest value (1st) among the countries with data; equal values share a rank.

Closest in areaRomania, Ghana and Uganda

Closest in populationTurkmenistan, Libya and Kyrgyzstan

Neighbours 5 countries by land, nearest capital first

  • Vietnam482 km
    Vientiane to Hanoi, capital to capital
  • Thailand519 km
    Vientiane to Bangkok, capital to capital
  • Myanmar711 km
    Vientiane to Naypyidaw, capital to capital
  • Cambodia755 km
    Vientiane to Phnom Penh, capital to capital
  • China2,778 km
    Vientiane to Beijing, capital to capital

Where on Earth main landmass

Hemispheres
Northern and Eastern
Capital
Vientiane
17.97°N 102.60°E
Northernmost latitude
22.50°N
Southernmost latitude
13.92°N
Westernmost longitude
100.12°E
Easternmost longitude
107.65°E
North to south
about 953 km
Antipode of Vientiane
17.97°S 77.40°W
in the South Pacific Ocean, about 370 km from the nearest land (Peru)