Asia · South-Eastern Asia
Capital: Vientiane
Laos
Explore the facts and rankings that shape Laos in Country Blitz, from its population and economy to its military, innovation, manufacturing, and neighboring countries.
Country Blitz power profile
Overall rank #147
Laos's Country Blitz power profile compares population, GDP, military expenditure, research-and-development spending, and manufacturing output across every playable country. A lower numerical rank represents a stronger position in that category.
Population
7.9M
#102 of 196
48th percentile
2025 · World Bank WDI / UN population sources
View data source ↗GDP (Nominal)
$18.30B
#136 of 196
31st percentile
2025 · World Bank WDI
View data source ↗Military Expenditure
$22.7M
#160 of 196
18th percentile
2013 · SIPRI via World Bank WDI
View data source ↗R&D Spending
$652,283.538
#145 of 196
26th percentile
2002 · UNESCO UIS and World Bank WDI
View data source ↗Manufacturing Output
$1.67B
#126 of 196
36th percentile
2025 · World Bank WDI
View data source ↗Quick facts
- Capital
- Vientiane
- Region
- Asia
- Subregion
- South-Eastern Asia
- Country code
- LAO
Three interesting facts
Laos shares land borders with 5 countries: Myanmar, Cambodia, China, Thailand, and Vietnam.
Laos spans roughly 236,800 square kilometers, placing it around 82nd by area in this factbook.
Laos’s position in South-Eastern Asia places it within a distinctive network of regional trade routes and migration paths.
Geography
Laos on the map
Laos is located in Southeastern Asia, northeast of Thailand, west of Vietnam. Its terrain is mostly rugged mountains, some plains and plateaus. The climate is tropical monsoon, rainy season (May to November), dry season (December to April). In area, the country is about twice the size of Pennsylvania, slightly larger than Utah.
Economy
Economic profile
Laos' economy is characterized by lower middle-income, industrial Southeast Asian economy, high inflation due to 2022 currency depreciation brought on by persistently high debt, new Laos-China railway and dry port, rising inequities, ongoing labor shortages. Major industries include mining (copper, tin, gold, gypsum), timber, electric power, agricultural processing, rubber, construction, garments, cement, tourism. Important agricultural products include cassava, root vegetables, rice, sugarcane, vegetables, bananas, maize, rubber, coffee, watermelons (2023). Notable exports include electricity, fertilizers, gold, garments, paper (2023).
Demographics
People and population
Laos has an estimated population of 7,647,000. Language and cultural traditions vary across Laos. The population includes 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.). The urban population represents 38.2% of total population (2023).
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