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Laos Population and religion percentage

Laos, officially the Lao People’s Democratic Republic, is a socialist state and the only landlocked country in Southeast Asia. It is bordered by Myanmar and China to the northwest, Vietnam to the east, Cambodia to the southeast, and Thailand to the west and southwest. 

As per the UN World Population Prospects report, the estimated population of Laos in 2024 is 7,736,681 (7.7 Million or 77 lakh)

Laos Location on Map

Table of Contents

Demographics
Laos2024 Population
Total Population7,736,681
Growth rate1.37%
Land Area 311,888 sq. km (120,421 sq. mi)
Area Rank82
Pop. Density32 people/sq. km
Capital CityVientiane
Fertility Rate2.70
Infant mortality rate 33
Median Age 24.4 Years
Life Expectancy68.89 years
Urban Population 35.7 %

Source: UN World Population Prospects 

Religion in Laos

Buddhism is the majority religion in Laos and its practiced by 66% of the population. Most Buddhists in Laos adhere to Theravada Buddhism. Next comes folk religions, 30.7%% of Lao’s population follows folk religions including (Taoism, and Confucianism or Irreligious).

Christianity is the third largest religion and is followed by around 1.5% of the population. Other religions are at a very less percentage and include Islan, Jews, and Baha’i Faiths.

Religion percentage in Laos

Religion Percentage
Buddhism 66.00%
Folk religions 30.70%
Christianity 1.50%
Islam 0.10%
Jewish 0.10%
other/not stated 1.60%

Source: Pew Research cenetr

Ethnic Groups in Laos

Laos is a country in which more than half of the population is made up of ethnic Lao people. The Lao are the principal lowland inhabitants and are considered the dominant people of Laos from a cultural and political perspective. They belong to the Tai linguistic group and began migrating south from China in the first millennium CE. 

In the central and southern mountains, there are Mon-Khmer-speaking groups known as Lao Theung or mid-slope Laotians. These groups are predominantly Khmu, Khamu (Kammu), or Kha, which indicates their Austroasiatic language affiliation. There are also minorities such as Vietnamese, Laotian Chinese, and Thai people who reside in the towns. Other small numbers include the Hill people and minority cultures of Laos, such as the Hmong, Yao (Mien) (Hmong-Mien), Dao, Shan, and several Tibeto-Burman-speaking peoples.

Ethnic Percentage

  • Lao – 53.2%
  • Khmu – 11%
  • Hmong – 9.2%
  • Puthai – 3.4%
  • Thai – 3.1%
  • Makong – 2.5%
  • Katang – 2.2%
  • Tai  Lu – 2%
  • Akha – 1.8%
  • Others – 11.6% 

Source: Census 2015

Top Cities in Laos by Population
#CityPopulation
1Vientiane8,20,940
2Savannakhet1,20,000
3Pakxe1,19,848
4Thakhek85,000
5Luang Prabang55,027
6Xam Neua46,800
7Phonsavan37,507
8Muang Pakxan27,404
9Vang Vieng25,000
10Muang Xai25,000
Population of Laos 2024 | Religion in Laos

Rajeev Rana

Rajeev Rana loves reading about history and demography and has been writing on these topics for five years. While not a certified expert, he has a deep understanding of demography in India. Rajeev contributes to several websites and has extensive knowledge of the Delhi NCR area.