Laos

Internet country code

.la

Internet hosts

1,108 (2006)

Internet users

25,000 (2005)

Radio broadcast stations

AM 7, FM 13, shortwave 2 (2006)

Telephone system

general assessment: service to general public is poor but improving; the government relies on a radiotelephone network to communicate with remote areas domestic: radiotelephone communications international: country code - 856; satellite earth station - 1 Intersputnik (Indian Ocean region)

Telephones - main lines in use

90,067 (2006)

Telephones - mobile cellular

520,546 (2006)

Television broadcast stations

7; note - including one station relaying Vietnam Television from Hanoi (2006)

Agriculture - products

sweet potatoes, vegetables, corn, coffee, sugarcane, tobacco, cotton, tea, peanuts, rice; water buffalo, pigs, cattle, poultry

Budget

revenues: $319.3 million expenditures: $434.6 million; including capital expenditures of $NA (2005 est.)

Currency (code)

kip (LAK)

Current account balance

$-134 million (2005 est.)

Debt - external

$2.49 billion (2001)

Distribution of family income - Gini index

37 (1997)

Economic aid - recipient

$243 million (2001 est.)

Economy - overview

The government of Laos, one of the few remaining official Communist states, began decentralizing control and encouraging private enterprise in 1986. The results, starting from an extremely low base, were striking - growth averaged 6% in 1988-2004 except during the short-lived drop caused by the Asian financial crisis beginning in 1997. Despite this high growth rate, Laos remains a country with a primitive infrastructure. It has no railroads, a rudimentary road system, and limited external and internal telecommunications, though the government is sponsoring major improvements in the road system with possible support from Japan. Electricity is available in only a few urban areas. Subsistence agriculture, dominated by rice, accounts for about half of GDP and provides 80% of total employment. The economy will continue to benefit from aid by the IMF and other international sources and from new foreign investment in food processing and mining. Construction will be another strong economic driver, especially as hydroelectric dam and road projects gain steam. In late 2004, Laos gained Normal Trade Relations status with the US, allowing Laos-based producers to face lower tariffs on exports. This new status may help spur growth. In addition, the European Union has agreed to provide $1 million to the Lao Government for technical assistance in preparations for WTO membership. If the avian flu worsens and spreads in the region, however, prospects for tourism could dim.

Electricity - consumption

3.298 billion kWh (2003)

Electricity - exports

435 million kWh (2003)

Electricity - imports

230 million kWh (2003)

Electricity - production

3.767 billion kWh (2003)

Exchange rates

kips per US dollar - 10,820 (2005), 10,585.5 (2004), 10,569 (2003), 10,056.3 (2002), 8,954.6 (2001)

Exports

$379 million (2005 est.)

Exports - commodities

garments, wood products, coffee, electricity, tin

Exports - partners

Thailand 29.6%, Vietnam 12%, France 6.1%, Germany 4.6% (2005)

Fiscal year

1 October - 30 September

GDP (official exchange rate)

$2.523 billion (2005 est.)

GDP (purchasing power parity)

$12.29 billion (2005 est.)

GDP - composition by sector

agriculture: 45.5% industry: 28.7% services: 25.8% (2005 est.)

GDP - per capita (PPP)

$2,000 (2005 est.)

GDP - real growth rate

7.3% (2005 est.)

Household income or consumption by percentage share

lowest 10%: 3.2% highest 10%: 30.6% (1997)

Imports

$541 million f.o.b. (2005 est.)

Imports - commodities

machinery and equipment, vehicles, fuel, consumer goods

Imports - partners

Thailand 66.1%, China 9%, Vietnam 6.7% (2005)

Industrial production growth rate

13% (2005 est.)

Industries

copper, tin, and gypsum mining; timber, electric power, agricultural processing, construction, garments, tourism, cement

Inflation rate (consumer prices)

7% (2005 est.)

Labor force

2.8 million (2002 est.)

Labor force - by occupation

agriculture: 80% industry and services: 20% (1997 est.)

Natural gas - consumption

0 cu m (2003 est.)

Natural gas - production

0 cu m (2003 est.)

Oil - consumption

2,950 bbl/day (2003 est.)

Oil - exports

NA bbl/day

Oil - imports

NA bbl/day

Oil - production

0 bbl/day (2003 est.)

Population below poverty line

34% (2005 est.)

Reserves of foreign exchange and gold

$249 million (2005 est.)

Unemployment rate

2.4% (2005 est.)

Area

total: 236,800 sq km land: 230,800 sq km water: 6,000 sq km

Area - comparative

slightly larger than Utah

Climate

tropical monsoon; rainy season (May to November); dry season (December to April)

Coastline

0 km (landlocked)

Elevation extremes

lowest point: Mekong River 70 m highest point: Phou Bia 2,817 m

Environment - current issues

unexploded ordnance; deforestation; soil erosion; most of the population does not have access to potable water

Environment - international agreements

party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species, Environmental Modification, Law of the Sea, Ozone Layer Protection signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements

Geographic coordinates

18 00 N, 105 00 E

Geography - note

landlocked; most of the country is mountainous and thickly forested; the Mekong River forms a large part of the western boundary with Thailand

Irrigated land

1,750 sq km (2003)

Land boundaries

total: 5,083 km border countries: Burma 235 km, Cambodia 541 km, China 423 km, Thailand 1,754 km, Vietnam 2,130 km

Land use

arable land: 4.01% permanent crops: 0.34% other: 95.65% (2005)

Location

Southeastern Asia, northeast of Thailand, west of Vietnam

Map references

Southeast Asia

Maritime claims

none (landlocked)

Natural hazards

floods, droughts

Natural resources

timber, hydropower, gypsum, tin, gold, gemstones

Terrain

mostly rugged mountains; some plains and plateaus

Administrative divisions

16 provinces (khoueng, singular and plural), 1 municipality* (kampheng nakhon, singular and plural), and 1 special zone** (khetphiset, singular and plural); Attapu, Bokeo, Bolikhamxai, Champasak, Houaphan, Khammouan, Louangnamtha, Louangphrabang, Oudomxai, Phongsali, Salavan, Savannakhet, Viangchan (Vientiane)*, Viangchan, Xaignabouli, Xaisomboun**, Xekong, Xiangkhoang

Capital

name: Vientiane geographic coordinates: 17 58 N, 102 36 E time difference: UTC+7 (12 hours ahead of Washington, DC during Standard Time)

Constitution

promulgated 14 August 1991

Country name

conventional long form: Lao People's Democratic Republic conventional short form: Laos PDR or Laos local long form: Sathalanalat Paxathipatai Paxaxon Lao local short form: none

Diplomatic representation from the US

chief of mission: Ambassador Patricia M. HASLACH embassy: 19 Rue Bartholonie, That Dam Road, Vientiane mailing address: American Embassy Vientiane, Box V, APO AP 96546 telephone: [856] 21-26 7000 FAX: [856] 21-26 7074

Diplomatic representation in the US

chief of mission: Ambassador PHANTHONG Phommahaxay chancery: 2222 S Street NW, Washington, DC 20008 telephone: [1] (202) 332-6416 FAX: [1] (202) 332-4923

Executive branch

chief of state: President Lt. Gen. CHOUMMALI Saignason (since 8 June 2006) and Vice President BOUN-GNANG Volachit (since 8 June 2006) head of government: Prime Minister BOUASONE Bouphavanh (since 8 June 2006); Deputy Prime Minister Maj. Gen. ASANG Laoli (since May 2002), Deputy Prime Minister Maj. Gen. DOUANGCHAI Phichit [since 8 June 2006], Deputy Prime Minister SOMSAVAT Lengsavat (since 26 February 1998), and Deputy Prime Minister THONGLOUN Sisolit (since 27 March 2001) cabinet: Council of Ministers appointed by the president, approved by the National Assembly elections: president and vice president elected by the National Assembly for five-year terms; election last held 8 June 2006 (next to be held in 2011); prime minister nominated by the president and elected by the National Assembly for a five-year term election results: CHOUMMALI Saignason elected president; BOUN-GNANG Volachit elected vice president; percent of National Assembly vote - 100%; BOUASONE Bouphavanh elected prime minister; percent of National Assembly vote - 97%

Flag description

three horizontal bands of red (top), blue (double width), and red with a large white disk centered in the blue band

Government type

Communist state

Independence

19 July 1949 (from France)

International organization participation

ACCT, APT, ARF, AsDB, ASEAN, CP, EAS, FAO, G-77, IBRD, ICAO, ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, Interpol, IOC, IPU, ITU, MIGA, NAM, OIF, OPCW, PCA, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UPU, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WToO, WTO (observer)

Judicial branch

People's Supreme Court (the president of the People's Supreme Court is elected by the National Assembly on the recommendation of the National Assembly Standing Committee; the vice president of the People's Supreme Court and the judges are appointed by the National Assembly Standing Committee)

Legal system

based on traditional customs, French legal norms and procedures, and socialist practice

Legislative branch

unicameral National Assembly (115 seats; members elected by popular vote to serve five-year terms) elections: last held 30 April 2006 (next to be held in 2011) election results: percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - LPRP 113, independents 2

National holiday

Republic Day, 2 December (1975)

Political parties and leaders

Lao People's Revolutionary Party or LPRP [CHOUMMALY Sayasone]; other parties proscribed

Political pressure groups and leaders

noncommunist political groups proscribed; most opposition leaders fled the country in 1975

Suffrage

18 years of age; universal

Background

Modern-day Laos has its roots in the ancient Lao kingdom of Lan Xang, established in the 14th Century under King FA NGUM. For three hundred years Lan Xang included large parts of present-day Cambodia and Thailand, as well as all of what is now Laos. After centuries of gradual decline, Laos came under the control of Siam (Thailand) from the late 18th century until the late 19th century when it became part of French Indochina. The Franco-Siamese Treaty of 1907 defined the current Lao border with Thailand. In 1975, the Communist Pathet Lao took control of the government ending a six-century-old monarchy and instituting a strict socialist regime closely aligned to Vietnam. A gradual return to private enterprise and the liberalization of foreign investment laws began in 1986. Laos became a member of ASEAN in 1997.

Manpower available for military service

males age 15-49: 1,500,625 females age 15-49: 1,521,116 (2005 est.)

Manpower fit for military service

males age 15-49: 954,816 females age 15-49: 1,006,082 (2005 est.)

Manpower reaching military service age annually

males age 18-49: 73,167 females age 15-49: 71,432 (2005 est.)

Military - note

Laos is one of the world's least developed countries; the Lao People's Armed Forces are small, poorly funded, and ineffectively resourced; there is little political will to allocate sparse funding to the military, and the armed forces' gradual degradation is likely to continue; the massive drug production and trafficking industry centered in the Golden Triangle makes Laos an important narcotics transit country, and armed Wa and Chinese smugglers are active on the Lao-Burma border (2005)

Military branches

Lao People's Army (LPA; includes Riverine Force), Air Force

Military expenditures - percent of GDP

0.4% (2005 est.)

Military service age and obligation

15 years of age for compulsory military service; conscript service obligation - minimum 18 months (2004)

Age structure

0-14 years: 41.4% (male 1,324,207/female 1,313,454) 15-64 years: 55.4% (male 1,744,206/female 1,786,139) 65 years and over: 3.1% (male 89,451/female 111,024) (2006 est.)

Birth rate

35.49 births/1,000 population (2006 est.)

Death rate

11.55 deaths/1,000 population (2006 est.)

Ethnic groups

Lao Loum (lowland) 68%, Lao Theung (upland) 22%, Lao Soung (highland) including the Hmong and the Yao 9%, ethnic Vietnamese/Chinese 1%

HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate

0.1% (2003 est.)

HIV/AIDS - deaths

less than 200 (2003 est.)

HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS

1,700 (2003 est.)

Infant mortality rate

total: 83.31 deaths/1,000 live births male: 92.95 deaths/1,000 live births female: 73.26 deaths/1,000 live births (2006 est.)

Languages

Lao (official), French, English, and various ethnic languages

Life expectancy at birth

total population: 55.49 years male: 53.45 years female: 57.61 years (2006 est.)

Literacy

definition: age 15 and over can read and write total population: 66.4% male: 77.4% female: 55.5% (2002)

Median age

total: 18.9 years male: 18.6 years female: 19.2 years (2006 est.)

Nationality

noun: Lao(s) or Laotian(s) adjective: Lao or Laotian

Net migration rate

0 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2006 est.)

Population

6,368,481 (July 2006 est.)

Population growth rate

2.39% (2006 est.)

Religions

Buddhist 60%, animist and other 40% (including various Christian denominations 1.5%)

Sex ratio

at birth: 1.04 male(s)/female under 15 years: 1.01 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 0.98 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.81 male(s)/female total population: 0.98 male(s)/female (2006 est.)

Total fertility rate

4.68 children born/woman (2006 est.)

Disputes - international

Southeast Asian states have enhanced border surveillance to check the spread of avian flu; talks continue on completion of demarcation with Thailand but disputes remain over several areas along Mekong River and Thai squatters; concern among Mekong Commission members that China's construction of dams on the Mekong River will affect water levels

Illicit drugs

estimated cultivation in 2004 - 10,000 hectares, a 45% decrease from 2003; estimated potential production in 2004 - 49 metric tons, a significant decrease from 200 metric tons in 2003 (2005)

Trafficking in persons

current situation: Laos is a source country for men and women trafficked for the purposes of forced labor and sexual exploitation; a significant number are economic migrants who are subjected to commercial sexual exploitation or conditions of forced or bonded labor in Thailand; to a lesser extent, Laos is a transit and destination country for women who are trafficked for sexual exploitation including a small number of victims from China and Vietnam trafficked to work as street vendors and for sexual exploitation in prostitution tier rating: Tier 3 - Laos does not fully comply with the minimum standards for the elimination of trafficking and is not making significant efforts to do so

Airports

44 (2006)

Airports - with paved runways

total: 9 2,438 to 3,047 m: 2 1,524 to 2,437 m: 4 914 to 1,523 m: 3 (2006)

Airports - with unpaved runways

total: 35 1,524 to 2,437 m: 1 914 to 1,523 m: 13 under 914 m: 21 (2006)

Merchant marine

total: 1 ship (1000 GRT or over) 2,370 GRT/3,110 DWT by type: cargo 1 (2006)

Pipelines

refined products 540 km (2006)

Roadways

total: 32,620 km paved: 4,590 km unpaved: 28,030 km (2002)

Waterways

4,600 km note: primarily Mekong and tributaries; 2,897 additional km are intermittently navigable by craft drawing less than 0.5 m (2005)