Calming landscape view of Vang Vieng, Laos, showcasing huts, mountains, and misty scenery.

Sculpture park featuring Buddha statues amidst greenery and under a bright blue sky.

Drone view of picturesque valley with village located near mountain range against blue sky with fluffy clouds on sunny summer day

A picturesque bridge spans the Mekong River in a tranquil Laotian landscape.

Laos

Asia · South-Eastern Asia

High PeaceMedium Development

Population7.8M102nd

GDP / Capita$2KLower-mid

PPP / Capita$10KLow

Gender Inequality0.467High

Life Expectancy69 yrsLow

Slow-paced Mekong life — one of SE Asia's cheapest, limited development.

At a Glance

LowChild Survival

Very AffordablePrice Level Index

HighWater Access

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Laos

Laos is a small, landlocked Southeast Asian country with a pace of life that feels deliberately slow, where Buddhist temples, wooden villages on the Mekong River, and jungle-covered mountains create an atmosphere of quiet that is becoming increasingly rare in the region. The culture is gentle and understated, shaped by Theravada Buddhism and a Lao sensibility that prizes harmony and humour. Those seeking frantic activity will find it too quiet, but those who need to decompress will find it perfect.

Most heavily bombed country per capita in history — 270 million US cluster bombs, 1964–73.
One of the few remaining single-party communist states in the world.
Over 30% of bombs dropped never exploded and still kill civilians today.

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