Lao PDR Population 2026
As of 2025, the population of Lao PDR stands at 7,769,819, reflecting a 1.37% increase over the previous year. The country ranks 102nd globally in population size and is classified as a lower-middle-income economy in the East Asia & Pacific region.
Population Trend (Lao PDR)
Population by Decade
Population milestones
How Lao PDR's population changed across key years (World Bank estimates).
Overview
Lao PDR, a landlocked country in Southeast Asia, has experienced steady demographic growth over the past decade. The 1-year growth rate of 1.37% in 2025 is slightly below the 10-year average of 1.49%, indicating a gradual slowdown in population expansion. With a total population of 7.77 million, Laos remains one of the smaller nations in the East Asia & Pacific region, which includes populous neighbors such as Vietnam, Thailand, and China.
The country's lower-middle-income status reflects ongoing economic development, though demographic pressures persist. The 10-year average growth rate of 1.49% suggests sustained natural increase, driven by relatively high fertility rates compared to regional peers. However, urbanization and improving access to family planning may be contributing to the modest decline in annual growth.
Regional context is important: East Asia & Pacific is home to some of the world's fastest-aging populations, but Laos retains a younger demographic profile. The country's population rank of #102 globally places it among medium-sized nations, with a growth trajectory that could see it surpass 8 million within the next decade if current trends continue.
Overall, Lao PDR's population dynamics reflect a transitional phase—moderating growth, a youthful age structure, and gradual integration into regional economic patterns. The data provided offers a snapshot of a nation that is neither rapidly expanding nor stagnating, but evolving at a measured pace.
Key Facts
- Latest population (2025): 7,769,819
- 1-year growth rate: 1.37%
- 10-year average growth rate: 1.49%
- Global population rank: #102
- Region: East Asia & Pacific
- Income group: Lower middle income