Laos Population
East Asia & Pacific · 102nd most populous · Lower middle income
Population right now (estimate)
8,004,732
The population of Laos is about 8,004,732 as of 22 October 2026 (estimate), and 8.0 million for 2026 as a whole — 0.10% of the world's people.
Laos is ranked 102nd of 217 by population. The population is still growing, by about 1.28% a year. By 2050 it is projected to reach about 9.8 million. That is 3.8 times its 1960 population of 2.1 million. Population density is 35 people per square kilometre. 40% of people live in cities (2025).
Population 2026
8.0 million
Yearly change
+1.28%
World rank
102nd
Share of world
0.10%
Density
35/km²
Land area
230,800 km²
Life expectancy
69.2 yrs
Births per woman
2.40
GDP per capita
$2,325
GDP
$18.3B
Population of Laos, 1960–2050
Laos population by year
| Year | Population | Yearly change | Density (per km²) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1960 | 2,121,514 | — | 9 |
| 1970 | 2,669,702 | +2.41% | 12 |
| 1980 | 3,292,573 | +1.99% | 14 |
| 1990 | 4,311,955 | +2.89% | 19 |
| 2000 | 5,431,212 | +1.69% | 24 |
| 2010 | 6,334,194 | +1.48% | 27 |
| 2020 | 7,346,533 | +1.50% | 32 |
| 2024 | 7,769,819 | +1.37% | 34 |
| 2026proj. | 7,974,017 | +1.28% | 35 |
| 2030proj. | 8,357,023 | +1.12% | 36 |
| 2040proj. | 9,169,002 | +0.78% | 40 |
| 2050proj. | 9,757,285 | +0.49% | 42 |
Laos vs Bangladesh
Bangladesh (178 million) has 22.3 times as many people as Laos. Bangladesh is 39.5 times more densely populated.
Laos population: questions and answers
What is the population of Laos in 2026?
About 7,974,017 (8.0 million), based on World Bank projections.
Is Laos's population growing?
Yes, by about 1.28% a year (2026).
What is the population density of Laos?
About 35 people per km², with a land area of 230,800 km².
What will the population of Laos be in 2050?
About 9.8 million on World Bank projections.
What is the capital of Laos?
Vientiane.
What is the life expectancy in Laos?
69.2 years at birth (2024).
Sources: World Bank Open Data — World Development Indicators and Population Estimates and Projections (CC BY 4.0); Wikidata (CC0). Data retrieved 2026-10-22. Live figures are mathematical estimates interpolated between the World Bank's mid-year values, not real-time counts.