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Photos of Laos

Wat Sisaket is the oldest temple in Vientiane, Laos, and the only one to survive the Thai sacking of the city in 1827. Over 2,000 silver and ceramic Buddha images are housed in the alcoves of the cloister wall.

Introduction

World Factbook Glyph

Visit the Definitions and Notes page to view a description of each topic.

Geography

Area

comparison ranking: total 84

Area - comparative

Area comparison map:
Area comparison map

People and Society

Languages

Lao audio sample:

Age structure

2024 population pyramid:
2024 population pyramid

Median age

comparison ranking: total 170

Population growth rate

comparison ranking: 75

Birth rate

comparison ranking: 69

Death rate

comparison ranking: 147

Net migration rate

comparison ranking: 145

Maternal mortality ratio

comparison ranking: 60

Infant mortality rate

comparison ranking: total 38

Total fertility rate

comparison ranking: 81

Tobacco use

comparison ranking: total 21

Education expenditures

comparison ranking: 179

Environment

Government

Economy

Real GDP growth rate

comparison ranking: 87

Real GDP per capita

comparison ranking: 154

Labor force

comparison ranking: 100

Unemployment rate

comparison ranking: 11

Public debt

comparison ranking: 70

Taxes and other revenues

comparison ranking: 162

Current account balance

comparison ranking: 69

Exports

comparison ranking: 117

Imports

comparison ranking: 128

Debt - external

comparison ranking: 51

Energy

Communications

Transportation

Airports

comparison ranking: 140

Merchant marine

comparison ranking: total 184

Military and Security

Transnational Issues