Laos
Lao People's Democratic Republic
People: Laotian
Laos is located in South-Eastern Asia and has a population of around 7.6 million. Its capital city is Vientiane, and the most widely spoken official language is Lao. Laos is landlocked, sharing borders with 5 neighbouring countries.
By the numbers, Laos is the 103rd most populous of the 196 countries covered on this site, home to 0.10% of the world's population. By land area it ranks 82nd out of 196, with a population density of roughly 32 people per km².
Facts last checked 31 August 2026.
Laos — key facts at a glance
| Official Name | Lao People's Democratic Republic |
|---|---|
| Capital City | Vientiane |
| Continent | Asia |
| Region | South-Eastern Asia |
| Population | 7,647,000 |
| Area | 236,800 km² |
| Currency | Lao kip (LAK) ₭ |
| Official Language | Lao |
| Dialling Code | +856 |
| Internet TLD | .la |
| Timezone | UTC+07:00 |
| Drives on the | Right side |
| Emergency Number | 112 (works on most mobile networks worldwide) |
| ISO Code | LA / LAO |
| Borders | Myanmar, Cambodia, China, Thailand, Vietnam |
Travelling to Laos?
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Getting to and around Laos
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Frequently Asked Questions about Laos
What is the capital and currency of Laos?
The capital of Laos is Vientiane and the currency is the Lao kip (LAK), symbol ₭.
What is the capital of Laos?
The capital of Laos is Vientiane.
What currency does Laos use?
Laos uses the Lao kip (LAK, symbol: ₭).
What language do they speak in Laos?
The official language of Laos is Lao.
What is the dialling code for Laos?
The international dialling code for Laos is +856.
What side of the road does Laos drive on?
Laos drives on the right-hand side of the road.
Myanmar
Cambodia
China
Thailand
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