Demographics of Laos

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Demographics of Laos
Laos single age population pyramid 2020.png
Population pyramid of Laos in 2020
Population7,443,000 (2022 est.)
Growth rate1.41% (2022 est.)
Birth rate20.9 births/1,000 population (2022 est.)
Death rate6.8 deaths/1,000 population (2022 est.)
Life expectancy67 years (2022 est.)
  male66 years (2022 est.)
  female69 years (2022 est.)
Fertility rate2.48 children born/woman (2022 est.)
Infant mortality rate36.8 deaths/1,000 live births (2022 est.)
Age structure
0–14 years30.80% (2022 est.)
15–64 years64.56% (2022 est.)
65 and over4.68% (2022 est.)
Sex ratio
Total1.00 male(s)/female (2022 est.)
At birth1.04 male(s)/female (2022 est.)
Nationality
NationalityLaotian
Major ethnicLao (53.2%)
Source: LAOSIS [1]

This article describes the demographic aspects of Laos.

Contents

Population

Population graph of Laos, number of inhabitants in millions between 1800 and 2021 (Our World in Data data, 2022) Laos-demography.png
Population graph of Laos, number of inhabitants in millions between 1800 and 2021 (Our World in Data data, 2022)

Lao statistics bureau estimates

Year [1] PopulationLive birthsDeathsNatural increaseCrude birth rateCrude death rateRate of natural increaseTFR
19762,886,000
19803,199,000
19853,618,000
19904,140,000
19954,605,00041.315.126.25.40
20005,218,000
20055,619,00034.79.824.94.50
200930.78.422.33.90
20106,256,00029.98.021.93.70
20116,385,00028.07.720.33.50
20126,514,00028.17.420.73.40
20136,644,00027.56.521.03.22
20146,809,00026.66.320.33.03
20156,492,00026.66.320.33.06
20166,787,00024.67.716.92.90
20176,901,00024.07.516.52.82
20187,013,00023.37.415.92.76
20197,123,00022.77.215.52.68
20207,231,00021.27.014.22.50
20217,338,00021.56.914.62.54
20227,443,00020.96.814.12.48
20237,546,000
20247,647,000

Structure

Population by Sex and Age Group (Census 01.III.2005): [2]
Age groupMaleFemaleTotal%
Total2,800,5512,821,4315,621,982100
0–4351 559349 356700 91512.47
5–9379 137370 071749 20813.33
10–14391 785375 371767 15613.65
15–19323 729323 540647 26911.51
20–24253 926261 371515 2979.17
25–29211 279218 330429 6097.64
30–34176 515183 480359 9956.40
35–39164 415165 362329 7775.87
40–44132 335133 532265 8674.73
45–49113 869113 298227 1674.04
50–5486 77091 210177 9803.17
55–5962 69165 640128 3312.28
60–6450 00655 008105 0141.87
65–6938 28941 25179 5401.41
70–7427 65231 92759 5791.06
75–7917 96419 20837 1720.66
80–8410 40212 18022 5820.40
85–894 6315 69710 3280.18
90–941 9642 7814 7450.08
95–999821 3932 3750.04
100+4809361 4160.03
unknown1714896600.01
Age groupMaleFemaleTotalPer cent
0–141,122,4811,094,7982,217,27939.44
15–641,575,5351,610,7713,186,30656.68
65+102 364115 373217 7373.87
Population by Sex and Age Group (Census 01.III.2015):
Age groupMaleFemaleTotal%
Total3,254,7703,237,4586,492,228100
0–4346 462335 521681 98310.50
5–9345 380333 829679 20910.46
10–14363 026355 580718 60611.07
15–19354 360344 650699 01010.77
20–24325 601328 436654 03710.07
25–29308 988307 000615 9889.49
30–34250 383245 851496 2347.64
35–39212 523207 560420 0836.47
40–44170 808173 062343 8705.30
45–49149 656146 251295 9074.56
50–54127 272140 146267 4184.12
55–5998 61598 992197 6073.04
60–6474 10673 073147 1792.27
65–6947 56351 33898 9011.52
70–7432 93038 49771 4271.10
75–7921 87125 20747 0780.73
80–8413 51916 67130 1900.47
85–896 7448 52315 2670.24
90–943 0413 9957 0360.11
95+1 9223 2765 1980.08
Age groupMaleFemaleTotalPer cent
0–141,054,8681,024,9302,079,79832.04
15–642,072,3122,065,0214,137,33363.73
65+127 590147 507275 0974.24
Population Estimates by Sex and Age Group (01.VII.2020) (Because of rounding, totals are not in all cases the sum of the respective components. Estimates or projections based on the 2015 population census.): [3]
Age groupMaleFemaleTotal%
Total3,622,9963,608,2147,231,210100
0–4392 890376 310769 20010.64
5–9397 353389 566786 91910.88
10–14371 259362 687733 94510.15
15–19355 474346 423701 8969.71
20–24346 620342 462689 0839.53
25–29327 955325 732653 6879.04
30–34293 003292 362585 3658.09
35–39254 782251 614506 3967.00
40–44208 008206 509414 5175.73
45–49173 373172 659346 0314.79
50–54143 504149 136292 6404.05
55–59117 622123 171240 7933.33
60–6490 65197 330187 9822.60
65–6962 96866 823129 7911.79
70–7440 69145 52586 2161.19
75–7923 91628 99752 9120.73
80+22 92830 90853 8360.74
Age groupMaleFemaleTotalPer cent
0–141,161,5021,128,5632,290,06531.67
15–642,310,9912,307,3984,618,38963.87
65+150 503172 253322 7564.46

UN estimates

Period [4] Live births per yearDeaths per yearNatural change per yearCBR1CDR1NC1TFR1IMR1
1950–195580,00037,00043,00044.820.923.95.94167.1
1955–196087,00040,00047,00043.220.123.15.96160.1
1960–196596,00044,00052,00042.419.323.15.97153.5
1965–1970107,00047,00060,00042.318.723.65.98147.0
1970–1975122,00052,00070,00042.518.124.45.99140.5
1975–1980132,00054,00078,00042.217.225.06.15132.4
1980–1985145,00056,00090,00042.216.226.06.36122.6
1985–1990165,00056,000109,00042.114.427.76.27107.6
1990–1995180,00053,000127,00040.011.928.15.8888.3
1995–2000170,00048,000122,00033.69.424.24.8170.8
2000–2005154,00044,000110,00029.99.120.83.90
2005–2010144,00039,000105,00028.17.920.23.40
2010–201525.67.018.62.93
2015–202023.86.517.32.70
2020–202521.46.215.22.48
2025–203019.36.213.12.30
1CBR = crude birth rate (per 1000); CDR = crude death rate (per 1000); NC = natural change (per 1000); TFR = total fertility rate (number of children per woman); IMR = infant mortality rate per 1000 births

Health

Total fertility rate (TFR) and Crude birth rate (CBR): [5]

YearTotalUrbanRural
CBRTFRCBRTFRCBRTFR
2011–2012253.2202.2263.6
2017222.7182.1233.0

Total fertility rate and other related statistics by province, as of 2011–2012: [6]

ProvinceTotal fertility ratePercentage of women age 15–49 currently pregnantMean number of children ever born to women age 40–49Adolescent birth rate (Age-specific fertility rate for women age 15–19)
Vientiane Capital 2.03.83.137
Phongsaly 3.75.25.0145
Luang Namtha 2.64.74.0124
Oudomxay 3.63.95.7138
Bokeo 3.64.95.0149
Luang Prabang 3.15.45.395
Huaphan 3.85.95.9137
Xayabury 2.23.83.883
Xieng Khuang 3.64.56.1101
Vientiane Province 2.75.04.186
Borikhamxay 2.83.94.479
Khammouane 3.74.54.9108
Savannakhet 3.56.35.499
Saravane 4.37.56.0106
Sekong 4.56.95.9107
Champasak 3.65.74.770
Attapeu 3.66.85.7107

Life expectancy

PeriodLife expectancy in
Years
PeriodLife expectancy in
Years
1950–195540.91985–199052.4
1955–196042.41990–199554.9
1960–196544.01995–200057.5
1965–197045.52000–200560.3
1970–197547.02005–201063.2
1975–198048.42010–201565.4
1980–198549.9

Source: UN World Population Prospects [7]

Ethnic groups

Ethno-linguistic groups in Laos (Lao-Tai, Mon-Khmer, Hmung-lu Mien, Sino-Tibetan) Distribution of ethno-linguistic groups in Laos.png
Ethno-linguistic groups in Laos (Lao-Tai, Mon-Khmer, Hmung-lu Mien, Sino-Tibetan)
In Luang Prabang, a woman at the time of a Hmong Meeting Festival. LaosDSCN4342a.jpg
In Luang Prabang, a woman at the time of a Hmong Meeting Festival.

Some specialists are in agreement as to the ethnolinguistic classification of the ethnic groups of Laos. [8] For the purposes of the 1995 census, the government of Laos recognised 149 ethnic groups within 47 main ethnicities. [8] whereas the Lao Front for National Construction (LFNC) recently revised the list to include 49 ethnicities consisting of over 160 ethnic groups. [8]

The term ethnic minorities is used by some to classify the non-Lao ethnic groups, while the term indigenous peoples is not used by the Lao PDR. [8] These 160 ethnic groups speak a total of 82 living languages. [9]

Lao 53.2%, Khmu 11%, Hmong 9.2%, and other (over 100 minor ethnic groups) 26.6% (2015 census). [10]

Population of Laos according to ethnic group in 1985, 1995, 2005, and 2015
Ethnic
group
Language
family
census 1985 [11] census 1995 [12] census 2005 [12] census 2015 [10]
Number %Number %Number %Number %
Lao Tai-Kadai 1,804,1012,403,89152.53,067,00554.63,427,66553.2
Khmu (Keummeu) Mon-Khmer 389,694500,95711.0613,89310.9708,41211.0
Hmong (Mong) Hmong–Mien 231,168315,4656.9415,9468.0595,0289.2
Thai (Tai) Tai-Kadai 1,459215,2543.8201,5763.1
Tai Nuea Tai-Kadai 14,79911,6220.2
Puthai (Phuthai or Phouthay) Tai-Kadai 441,497472,45810.3187,3913.3218,1083.4
(Lue or Leu) Tai-Kadai 102,760119,1912.6123,0542.2126,2292.0
Katang Mon-Khmer 72,39195,4402.1118,2762.1144,2552.2
Makong (So) (Bru) Mon-Khmer 70,38292,3212.0117,8722.1163,2852.5
Akha (Kor) Sino-Tibetan 57,50066,1081.490,6981.6112,9791.8
Yrou (Laven, Loven, Jru', Yuroo) Mon-Khmer 28,05740,5190.947,1750.856,4110.9
Xuay (Juk, Suai, Kui, Kuy, Suay, or Shuay) Mon-Khmer 49,05945,4981.042,8340.846,5920.7
Singsily (Phounoy) (Singsiri) Sino-Tibetan 23,61835,6350.837,4470.739,1920.6
Duon (Nhuon, Nghieu, San33,240
Taoey (Ta-oy) Mon-Khmer 24,57730,8760.732,1770.645,9910.7
Nguan (Nguồn, Ngoaun, Nguane, Nguan or Nguane) Mon-Khmer 98829,4420.527,7790.4
Iewmien (Yao, Ewmien, Mien, Ilmearn) Hmong–Mien 18,09122,6650.527,4490.532,4000.5
Phong Mon-Khmer 18,16521,3950.526,3140.530,6960.5
Brao (Larvae) Mon-Khmer 16,43417,5440.422,7720.426,0100.4
Katu Mon-Khmer 14,67617,0240.422,7590.428,3780.4
Oey (Oy or Oi) Mon-Khmer 11,19414,9470.322,4580.423,5130.4
Pray (Prai) Mon-Khmer 15,000 [9] 0.321,9220.428,7320.4
Lamed (Lamet) Mon-Khmer 14,35516,7400.319,8270.422,3830.3
Lahu (Musir, Mussor, Lahoo, or Lahou) Sino-Tibetan 9,2008,7020.215,2380.319,1870.3
Kriang (Griang, Grieng, Ngae, or Ngeh) Mon-Khmer 8,91712,1890.312,8790.216,8070.2
Hor (Haw, Ho, Hoa, Chin Haw, Yunnanese, Yunnanese Chinese, or Panthay) Sino-Tibetan 6,3618,9000.210,4370.212,0980.2
Xingmoon (Puoc, Sing Mun, Xinhmun, or Xingmoun) Mon-Khmer 2,1645,8340.18,5650.29,8740.2
Jeng (Cheng, Ceng, Chieng, Chenh, Jeng) Mon-Khmer 4,5406,5110.17,5590.18,6880.1
Nhaheun (Nyaheun, Nahoen, Nha Heun, Nha Hon, Nya Hoen, Ngahearn, Nhahem) Mon-Khmer 3,9605,1520.16,7850.18,9760.1
Kmer (Khmer, Kamer, Khome) Mon-Khmer 1693,9020.15,8250.17,1410.1
Toum (Tum, Hung) Mon-Khmer 2,0422,5100.054,4580.083,6320.05
Xaek (Saek or Sairk) Tai-Kadai 2,4592,7450.063,7330.073,8410.05
Samtao (Sam Tao) Mon-Khmer 2,3592,2130.053,5330.063,4170.05
Sila (Sida or Syla) Sino-Tibetan 1,5381,7720.042,9390.053,1510.05
Tri (Chali, Cali, or So Tri) Mon-Khmer 20,90220,9060.526,6800.0537,4460.6
Harak (Alak, Alack, Hahak) Mon-Khmer 13,21716,5940.421,2800.0425,4300.4
Bid (Bit) Mon-Khmer 1,5301,5090.031,6910.032,3720.04
Lolo (Alu) Sino-Tibetan 8421,4070.031,6910.032,2030.03
Pako (Pacoh) Mon-Khmer 12,92313,2240.316,7500.0322,6400.4
Lavy (Lavi) Mon-Khmer 5845380.011,1930.021,2150.02
Yae (Jeh, Gie, Yerh) Mon-Khmer 3,3768,0130.210,5700.0211,4520.2
Sadang (Sedang, Sdang, Gayong) Mon-Khmer 5207860.029380.028980.01
Hanyi (Hayi or Hayee) Sino-Tibetan 7271,1220.028480.027410.01
Guan (Kuan or Tai Guan) Tai-Kadai 7220.018860.01
Oedou (Ơ Đu, Adoo) Mon-Khmer 6490.016020.01
Yang (Giáy, Nhang, Dang, or Niang) Tai-Kadai 4,6300.16160.015,8430.1
Moy 5340.017890.01
Thin (Mal, Htin, or Thein) Mon-Khmer 13,97723,1930.515140.01
Kree (Kri) Mon-Khmer 1107390.024950.011,0670.02
Trieng (Talieng, Tariang, Caliang, or Treang) Mon-Khmer 23,66523,0910.529,1340.538,4070.6
Kui (Yellow Lahu) Sino-Tibetan 6,4936,2680.1
Khir 1,6390.04
Numbri (Yumbri, Mlabri, or Yhumbri) Mon-Khmer 67
Yung6,160
Thaen8280.01
Mone (Meuang or Mon)2,0222170.00
Vietnamese12,086
Chinese2,624
Thai1,459
Cambodian274
Burmese185
Indian44
French13
Others & not stated11,27719,2850.467,1751.2
Total3,584,8034,574,8485,621,9826,446,690

References

  1. 1 2 "LAOSIS" (in Lao). Lao Statistics Bureau. Retrieved 8 June 2025.
  2. "Demographic and Social Statistics". Unstats.un.org. Archived from the original on 25 December 2018. Retrieved 6 November 2011.
  3. "UNSD — Demographic and Social Statistics". Archived from the original on 14 April 2022. Retrieved 19 June 2022.
  4. "World Population Prospects - Population Division - United Nations". population.un.org. Archived from the original on 17 October 2020. Retrieved 17 December 2024.
  5. "Lao Social Indicator Survey 2011–12". Lao Statistics Bureau. 1 December 2012. Archived from the original on 20 December 2014. Retrieved 20 December 2014.
  6. "Lao People's Democratic Republic Special, 2011–12 – Lao Social Indicator Survey (MICS/DHS) Final Report (English)" (PDF). Archived (PDF) from the original on 3 March 2024. Retrieved 17 December 2024.
  7. "World Population Prospects – Population Division – United Nations". Archived from the original on 19 September 2016. Retrieved 15 July 2017.
  8. 1 2 3 4 "Indigenous Peoples Development Planning Document" (PDF). Archived (PDF) from the original on 30 September 2011. Retrieved 4 November 2011.
  9. 1 2 "Browse the Countries of the World". www.ethnologue.com. Archived from the original on 16 December 2024. Retrieved 8 June 2025.
  10. 1 2 "Results of Population and Housing Census 2015" (PDF). Lao Statistics Bureau. Archived (PDF) from the original on 8 March 2021. Retrieved 1 May 2020.
  11. Schliesinger, Joachim. White Lotus Press. Bangkok. 2003
  12. 1 2 "UN Demographic Yearbooks". Archived from the original on 25 December 2018. Retrieved 6 November 2011.

Sources