Laos
At a glance
- Official language
- Lao
- Currency
- Lao kip (LAK)
- Government
- Communist dictatorship
- Legislature
- National Assembly
- Demonym
- Laotians
- Time zone
- UTC+07:00
- Driving side
- Right
- Calling code
- +856
- Internet TLD
- .la
- ISO 3166
- LA
- Established
- 1949
- Highest point
- Phou Bia (2,819 m (9,249 ft))
- National anthem
- Pheng Xat Lao
Facts via Wikidata.
Economy and developmentLower middle income
Ranks are among sovereign countries with data; ★ marks a top-5% finish. Sources: World Bank Open Data and Our World in Data (UNDP, UN, V-Dem; CC BY 4.0). Each figure is the most recent year available.
Alliances & Organisations2 full memberships
Full memberDashed border = Candidate / ApplicantItalic = Dialogue / Observer
Leadership History19 leaders · click to expand
Sonexay Siphandone✦ Current
2022–PresentPrime Minister
Phankham Viphavanh
2021–2022Prime Minister
Thongloun Sisoulith✦ Current
2021–PresentPresident
Thongloun Sisoulith
2016–2021Prime Minister
Bounnhang Vorachit
2016–2021President
Thongsing Thammavong
2010–2016Prime Minister
Bouasone Bouphavanh
2006–2010Prime Minister
Choummaly Sayasone
2006–2016President
Bounnhang Vorachit
2001–2006Prime Minister
Khamtai Siphandone
1998–2006President
Sisavath Keobounphanh
1998–2001Prime Minister
Nouhak Phoumsavanh
1992–1998President
Khamtai Siphandone
1991–1998Prime Minister
Kaysone Phomvihane
1991–1992President
Phoumi Vongvichit
1986–1991President
Kaysone Phomvihane
1975–1991Prime Minister
Souphanouvong
1975–1986President
👑 Sisavang Vatthana
1959–1975King
👑 Sisavang Vong
1953–1959King
| Name | Role | Years |
|---|---|---|
| Sonexay Siphandone✦ Current | Prime Minister | 2022–Present |
| Phankham Viphavanh | Prime Minister | 2021–2022 |
| Thongloun Sisoulith✦ Current | President | 2021–Present |
| Thongloun Sisoulith | Prime Minister | 2016–2021 |
| Bounnhang Vorachit | President | 2016–2021 |
| Thongsing Thammavong | Prime Minister | 2010–2016 |
| Bouasone Bouphavanh | Prime Minister | 2006–2010 |
| Choummaly Sayasone | President | 2006–2016 |
| Bounnhang Vorachit | Prime Minister | 2001–2006 |
| Khamtai Siphandone | President | 1998–2006 |
| Sisavath Keobounphanh | Prime Minister | 1998–2001 |
| Nouhak Phoumsavanh | President | 1992–1998 |
| Khamtai Siphandone | Prime Minister | 1991–1998 |
| Kaysone Phomvihane | President | 1991–1992 |
| Phoumi Vongvichit | President | 1986–1991 |
| Kaysone Phomvihane | Prime Minister | 1975–1991 |
| Souphanouvong | President | 1975–1986 |
| 👑 Sisavang Vatthana | King | 1959–1975 |
| 👑 Sisavang Vong | King | 1953–1959 |
Power over timeThe Power Atlas →
The powerline is the headline share of world power, running from the state’s first ranked year (benchmark estimates with wide error bars before 1816). Latent power is material mass a state could mobilise (population, manpower, heavy industry). Recognised power is what the system actually treats it as (military spending, productive economy, reach, and status such as a Security Council seat or nuclear arsenal). When latent runs above recognised, a power is rising or under-rated; when recognised runs higher, it is punching above its weight or coasting on prestige. Material sub-indices run 1816 through 2016.
Conflicts since 19451 interstate war · click to expand
| Conflict | Years | Against | Combat deaths |
|---|---|---|---|
| Vietnam War● | 1965–1973 | North Vietnam,FNL,Khmer Rouge,Khmer Issarak,Pathet Lao,China,North Korea,Soviet Union | 1,326,494–3,447,494 |
Bold = principal belligerent. Source: Wikipedia, “List of interstate wars since 1945.”
National Teams
Laos on the international stage. Click a card for the full record.
Administrative subdivisions
18 entries listed under Laos across 2 types. Click any to see its metros and footprint.
Provinces (17)
Prefectures (1)
Laos metro footprint
4 metrosPolygons shaded by composite tier. Hover for rank, click to open the metro page. Boundaries derived from Overture Maps administrative divisions; metros without source coverage are omitted.
4 tracked metros
| Rank | Metro | State | Population | Score | Tier |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| #851 | Luang Prabang | Khammuane [Khammouan] | 98K | 2.1 | Emerging Metro |
| #1014 | Vientiane★ Capital▲ Largest | Nakhon Luang Viengchan [Vientiane Capital City] | 948K | 1.6 | Emerging Metro |
| #2373 | Savannakhet | Savannakhet | 137K | 0.3 | Local Metro |
| #2552 | Pakse | Champasack [Champasak] | 81K | 0.3 | Local Metro |