Bangladesh vs Laos
Population, economy and geography side by side
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Bangladesh has 22.3 times as many people as Laos (178 million vs 8.0 million in 2026). Laos is 1.8 times larger by land area. GDP per capita is higher in Bangladesh ($2,597 vs $2,325). People live longer on average in Bangladesh (74.9 vs 69.2 years).
| Bangladesh | Laos | |
|---|---|---|
| Population (2026) | 177,818,044 | 7,974,017 |
| Yearly population change | +1.21% | +1.28% |
| Population 2050 (projected) | 215 million | 9.8 million |
| Land area | 130,170 km² | 230,800 km² |
| Density | 1,366/km² | 35/km² |
| GDP | $456 billion (2025) | $18.3 billion (2025) |
| GDP per capita | $2,597 (2025) | $2,325 (2025) |
| Life expectancy | 74.9 years | 69.2 years |
| Births per woman | 2.14 | 2.40 |
| Urban population | 33% | 40% |
| Capital | Dhaka | Vientiane |
| Currency | Bangladeshi taka (BDT) | Lao kip (LAK) |
| Calling code | +880 | +856 |
Share of world population: Bangladesh 2.15%, Laos 0.10%.
Frequently asked questions
Which has a bigger population, Bangladesh or Laos?
Bangladesh: about 178 million people versus 8.0 million in Laos (2026).
Is Bangladesh bigger than Laos?
By land area, Laos is larger: 230,800 km² versus 130,170 km².
Which economy is bigger, Bangladesh or Laos?
Bangladesh, with a GDP of $456 billion versus $18.3 billion (World Bank, current US$).
Sources: World Bank Open Data — World Development Indicators and Population Estimates and Projections (CC BY 4.0); Wikidata (CC0). Retrieved 2026-10-22. GDP in current US dollars (World Bank, latest available year).