Laos has a population of 7.77M (ranked 103/197), compared with 64M in South Africa (ranked 24/197). Laos' land area is 89,112 sq mi versus 468,377 sq mi for South Africa (ranked 79th vs. 24th).
By GDP, Laos ranks 139/197 ($16.5B) and South Africa ranks 40/197 ($401B). By GDP per capita, Laos ranks 155/197 ($2,124), while South Africa ranks 111/197 ($6,267).
Main facts and rankings
Laos
|
South Africa
|
|
|---|---|---|
| Population |
8004838
|
65683993
|
| Population rank | 103/197 | 24/197 |
| GDP |
$16.5B
2024 |
$401B
2024 |
| GDP rank | 139/197 | 40/197 |
| GDP per capita |
$2,124
2024 |
$6,267
2024 |
| GDP per capita rank | 155/197 | 111/197 |
| GDP per capita, PPP |
$9,776
2024 |
$15,456
2024 |
| Government debt |
$16.6B
2024 |
$305B
2024 |
| Debt-to-GDP ratio |
100.5%
2024 |
76%
2024 |
| Government debt per person |
$2,134
2024 |
$4,761
2024 |
| Government debt per person rank | 119/185 | 83/185 |
| Average annual personal income after taxes |
$2,096
2026 |
$15,431
2026 |
| Land area | 89,112 sq mi | 468,377 sq mi |
| Population density |
89.5 ppl/mi²
2026 |
139.8 ppl/mi²
2026 |
| Fertility rate |
2.42
2023 |
2.22
2023 |
| Median age |
25.6 years
2024 |
29.5 years
2024 |
| Life expectancy |
69.7 years
2026 |
66.7 years
2026 |
Laos and South Africa: Comparison Charts
Laos and South Africa economies compared
| Year | GDP | |
|---|---|---|
|
Laos
|
South Africa
|
|
| 2024 | $16,502,933,121 | $401,144,998,374 |
| 2023 | $15,843,155,731 | $381,440,724,491 |
| 2022 | $15,468,785,204 | $407,596,043,068 |
| 2021 | $18,827,148,531 | $419,986,284,375 |
| 2020 | $18,981,805,250 | $337,974,655,408 |
| 2019 | $18,740,561,513 | $389,330,032,224 |
| 2018 | $18,141,641,090 | $405,260,723,893 |
| 2017 | $17,071,155,481 | $381,448,814,653 |
| 2016 | $15,912,501,723 | $323,585,509,674 |
| 2015 | $14,426,380,126 | $346,709,790,459 |
| 2014 | $13,279,245,886 | $381,198,869,776 |
| 2013 | $11,983,252,627 | $400,886,013,596 |
| 2012 | $10,192,846,339 | $434,400,545,086 |
| 2011 | $8,750,104,617 | $458,199,494,831 |
| 2010 | $7,131,771,015 | $417,363,822,802 |
| 2009 | $5,836,137,330 | $329,754,060,647 |
| 2008 | $5,446,433,157 | $316,131,258,616 |
| 2007 | $4,223,152,739 | $333,077,117,254 |
| 2006 | $3,455,030,061 | $303,858,675,364 |
| 2005 | $2,735,558,735 | $288,867,217,197 |
| 2004 | $2,366,398,120 | $255,806,908,595 |
| 2003 | $2,023,324,407 | $197,018,965,309 |
| 2002 | $1,758,176,653 | $129,087,556,612 |
| 2001 | $1,768,619,058 | $135,429,905,923 |
| 2000 | $1,731,198,022 | $151,752,757,215 |
| 1999 | $1,454,430,642 | $151,516,957,079 |
| 1998 | $1,280,177,839 | $152,982,984,557 |
| 1997 | $1,747,011,857 | $168,978,057,328 |
| 1996 | $1,873,671,550 | $163,234,925,381 |
| 1995 | $1,763,536,305 | $171,735,933,897 |
| 1994 | $1,543,606,345 | $153,512,712,382 |
| 1993 | $1,327,748,690 | $147,194,747,566 |
| 1992 | $1,127,806,945 | $146,956,150,987 |
| 1991 | $1,028,087,972 | $135,203,698,238 |
| 1990 | $865,559,879 | $126,048,140,142 |
| 1989 | $714,046,821 | $108,055,624,082 |
| 1988 | $598,961,269 | $103,976,831,871 |
| 1987 | $1,087,273,104 | $96,535,763,418 |
| 1986 | $1,776,842,097 | $73,354,771,399 |
| 1985 | $2,366,666,616 | $64,459,376,087 |
| 1984 | $1,757,142,856 | $84,870,163,366 |
| 1983 | - | $96,204,110,942 |
| 1982 | - | $85,904,057,409 |
| 1981 | - | $93,141,472,164 |
| 1980 | - | $89,411,864,402 |
| 1979 | - | $63,038,658,089 |
| 1978 | - | $51,607,412,902 |
| 1977 | - | $45,328,411,332 |
| 1976 | - | $41,150,460,288 |
| 1975 | - | $42,906,905,672 |
| 1974 | - | $41,389,186,095 |
| 1973 | - | $33,262,772,008 |
| 1972 | - | $24,515,919,217 |
| 1971 | - | $23,411,076,638 |
| 1970 | - | $21,218,391,513 |
| 1969 | - | $19,256,992,297 |
| 1968 | - | $17,124,793,150 |
| 1967 | - | $15,821,393,671 |
| 1966 | - | $14,211,394,315 |
| 1965 | - | $13,068,994,772 |
| 1964 | - | $11,955,995,218 |
| 1963 | - | $10,854,195,658 |
| 1962 | - | $9,813,996,074 |
| 1961 | - | $9,225,996,310 |
| 1960 | - | $8,748,596,501 |
Data sources: World Bank | Economy & Growth (1960–2024, retrieved 2026-04-06).
GeoRank.org/facts/laos/south-africa | CC BY 
Laos and South Africa economies compared
| Year | GDP per capita | |
|---|---|---|
|
Laos
|
South Africa
|
|
| 2024 | $2,124 | $6,267 |
| 2023 | $2,067 | $6,034 |
| 2022 | $2,046 | $6,534 |
| 2021 | $2,526 | $6,829 |
| 2020 | $2,584 | $5,581 |
| 2019 | $2,589 | $6,534 |
| 2018 | $2,545 | $6,914 |
| 2017 | $2,432 | $6,618 |
| 2016 | $2,303 | $5,651 |
| 2015 | $2,121 | $6,112 |
| 2014 | $1,981 | $6,857 |
| 2013 | $1,813 | $7,332 |
| 2012 | $1,564 | $8,077 |
| 2011 | $1,362 | $8,646 |
| 2010 | $1,126 | $7,973 |
| 2009 | $935 | $6,375 |
| 2008 | $886 | $6,185 |
| 2007 | $697 | $6,592 |
| 2006 | $579 | $6,077 |
| 2005 | $466 | $5,837 |
| 2004 | $409 | $5,221 |
| 2003 | $355 | $4,062 |
| 2002 | $313 | $2,688 |
| 2001 | $320 | $2,847 |
| 2000 | $319 | $3,218 |
| 1999 | $272.3 | $3,242 |
| 1998 | $243.9 | $3,310 |
| 1997 | $339 | $3,700 |
| 1996 | $371 | $3,618 |
| 1995 | $358 | $3,856 |
| 1994 | $321 | $3,489 |
| 1993 | $283.4 | $3,400 |
| 1992 | $247.3 | $3,462 |
| 1991 | $231.8 | $3,243 |
| 1990 | $200.7 | $3,093 |
| 1989 | $170.4 | $2,727 |
| 1988 | $147.1 | $2,702 |
| 1987 | $274.7 | $2,586 |
| 1986 | $462 | $2,027 |
| 1985 | $633 | $1,839 |
| 1984 | $483 | $2,504 |
| 1983 | - | $2,938 |
| 1982 | - | $2,717 |
| 1981 | - | $3,050 |
| 1980 | - | $3,029 |
| 1979 | - | $2,202 |
| 1978 | - | $1,852 |
| 1977 | - | $1,671 |
| 1976 | - | $1,559 |
| 1975 | - | $1,670 |
| 1974 | - | $1,656 |
| 1973 | - | $1,369 |
| 1972 | - | $1,038 |
| 1971 | - | $1,020 |
| 1970 | - | $952 |
| 1969 | - | $891 |
| 1968 | - | $817 |
| 1967 | - | $779 |
| 1966 | - | $722 |
| 1965 | - | $685 |
| 1964 | - | $646 |
| 1963 | - | $605 |
| 1962 | - | $563 |
| 1961 | - | $546 |
| 1960 | - | $532 |
Data sources: World Bank | Economy & Growth (1960–2024, retrieved 2026-04-06).
GeoRank.org/facts/laos/south-africa | CC BY
Laos vs. South Africa life expectancy calculator
| Year | Life expectancy, years | |
|---|---|---|
|
Laos
|
South Africa
|
|
| 2026 | 69.7 | 66.7 |
| 2025 | 69.5 | 66.5 |
| 2024 | 69.2 | 66.3 |
| 2023 | 69 | 66.1 |
| 2022 | 68.7 | 65.5 |
| 2021 | 67.8 | 62 |
| 2020 | 68.3 | 65.2 |
| 2019 | 67.9 | 66.1 |
| 2018 | 67.6 | 65.7 |
| 2017 | 67.3 | 65.4 |
| 2016 | 67 | 64.7 |
| 2015 | 66.7 | 64.1 |
| 2014 | 66.3 | 63.2 |
| 2013 | 65.7 | 62.4 |
| 2012 | 65.1 | 61.7 |
| 2011 | 64.5 | 60.6 |
| 2010 | 63.7 | 58.9 |
| 2009 | 63 | 57.4 |
| 2008 | 62.2 | 56 |
| 2007 | 61.7 | 54.9 |
| 2006 | 61.1 | 54.2 |
| 2005 | 60.7 | 53.9 |
| 2004 | 60.1 | 54 |
| 2003 | 59.6 | 54.2 |
| 2002 | 59.3 | 55.6 |
| 2001 | 58.9 | 57.2 |
| 2000 | 58.3 | 58.4 |
| 1999 | 57.9 | 59.2 |
| 1998 | 57.5 | 59.9 |
| 1997 | 57.3 | 60.5 |
| 1996 | 56.8 | 61.1 |
| 1995 | 56.3 | 61.6 |
| 1994 | 55.8 | 62.1 |
| 1993 | 55.6 | 62.6 |
| 1992 | 55.1 | 62.8 |
| 1991 | 54.7 | 63 |
| 1990 | 54 | 62.9 |
| 1989 | 53.6 | 63 |
| 1988 | 53.1 | 62.9 |
| 1987 | 52.6 | 62.7 |
| 1986 | 52.1 | 62.4 |
| 1985 | 51.6 | 62.2 |
| 1984 | 51 | 61.8 |
| 1983 | 50.5 | 61.4 |
| 1982 | 49.9 | 60.9 |
| 1981 | 49.2 | 60.4 |
| 1980 | 48.6 | 60 |
| 1979 | 47.5 | 59.5 |
| 1978 | 46.8 | 59 |
| 1977 | 46.4 | 58.5 |
| 1976 | 46 | 58 |
| 1975 | 46.1 | 57.6 |
| 1974 | 45.9 | 57.1 |
| 1973 | 44.7 | 56.7 |
| 1972 | 44.4 | 56.4 |
| 1971 | 44.1 | 56 |
| 1970 | 43.8 | 55.7 |
| 1969 | 43.5 | 55.4 |
| 1968 | 43.2 | 55.2 |
| 1967 | 42.9 | 55 |
| 1966 | 42.3 | 54.7 |
| 1965 | 42.2 | 54.4 |
| 1964 | 41.9 | 54.2 |
| 1963 | 41.5 | 53.9 |
| 1962 | 42.3 | 53.6 |
| 1961 | 41.3 | 53.1 |
| 1960 | 41 | 52.6 |
| 1959 | 40.7 | 51.9 |
| 1958 | 41.2 | 51.1 |
| 1957 | 40.9 | 50.2 |
| 1956 | 40.6 | 49.2 |
| 1955 | 40.3 | 48.2 |
| 1954 | 40 | 47.1 |
| 1953 | 39.7 | 46.1 |
| 1952 | 39.4 | 45 |
| 1951 | 39.2 | 44.1 |
| 1950 | 38.9 | 43.1 |
Data sources: United Nations | World Population Prospects (1950–2026, retrieved 2026-03-10).
GeoRank.org/facts/laos/south-africa | CC BY
Laos and South Africa population clocks and comparison
| Year | Population | |
|---|---|---|
|
Laos
|
South Africa
|
|
| 2024 | 7,769,819 | 64,007,187 |
| 2023 | 7,664,993 | 63,212,384 |
| 2022 | 7,559,007 | 62,378,410 |
| 2021 | 7,453,194 | 61,502,603 |
| 2020 | 7,346,533 | 60,562,381 |
| 2019 | 7,237,636 | 59,587,885 |
| 2018 | 7,128,045 | 58,613,001 |
| 2017 | 7,018,147 | 57,635,162 |
| 2016 | 6,908,802 | 57,259,551 |
| 2015 | 6,801,645 | 56,723,537 |
| 2014 | 6,703,172 | 55,594,838 |
| 2013 | 6,611,385 | 54,678,791 |
| 2012 | 6,518,978 | 53,782,567 |
| 2011 | 6,426,590 | 52,995,205 |
| 2010 | 6,334,194 | 52,344,051 |
| 2009 | 6,241,642 | 51,728,516 |
| 2008 | 6,148,969 | 51,114,599 |
| 2007 | 6,056,236 | 50,528,584 |
| 2006 | 5,963,200 | 49,998,277 |
| 2005 | 5,869,523 | 49,490,033 |
| 2004 | 5,781,626 | 48,991,421 |
| 2003 | 5,697,945 | 48,500,348 |
| 2002 | 5,610,889 | 48,019,415 |
| 2001 | 5,521,482 | 47,566,800 |
| 2000 | 5,431,212 | 47,159,719 |
| 1999 | 5,340,784 | 46,730,335 |
| 1998 | 5,248,266 | 46,223,880 |
| 1997 | 5,152,011 | 45,666,838 |
| 1996 | 5,045,678 | 45,123,018 |
| 1995 | 4,929,409 | 44,541,554 |
| 1994 | 4,809,220 | 44,004,139 |
| 1993 | 4,685,060 | 43,297,156 |
| 1992 | 4,559,646 | 42,443,509 |
| 1991 | 4,435,118 | 41,687,898 |
| 1990 | 4,311,955 | 40,746,268 |
| 1989 | 4,190,974 | 39,628,575 |
| 1988 | 4,072,601 | 38,480,649 |
| 1987 | 3,957,612 | 37,326,190 |
| 1986 | 3,846,715 | 36,180,515 |
| 1985 | 3,739,985 | 35,042,093 |
| 1984 | 3,637,843 | 33,892,788 |
| 1983 | 3,541,001 | 32,739,304 |
| 1982 | 3,450,026 | 31,615,339 |
| 1981 | 3,366,631 | 30,541,044 |
| 1980 | 3,292,573 | 29,518,857 |
| 1979 | 3,228,202 | 28,634,162 |
| 1978 | 3,171,740 | 27,869,507 |
| 1977 | 3,118,923 | 27,118,952 |
| 1976 | 3,064,876 | 26,395,450 |
| 1975 | 3,005,521 | 25,690,940 |
| 1974 | 2,939,761 | 24,989,108 |
| 1973 | 2,870,573 | 24,294,263 |
| 1972 | 2,801,660 | 23,609,456 |
| 1971 | 2,734,628 | 22,942,143 |
| 1970 | 2,669,702 | 22,279,984 |
| 1969 | 2,606,959 | 21,614,676 |
| 1968 | 2,546,377 | 20,957,287 |
| 1967 | 2,487,715 | 20,314,066 |
| 1966 | 2,431,084 | 19,690,087 |
| 1965 | 2,376,200 | 19,089,380 |
| 1964 | 2,322,826 | 18,511,361 |
| 1963 | 2,271,061 | 17,954,564 |
| 1962 | 2,219,910 | 17,418,522 |
| 1961 | 2,169,796 | 16,908,035 |
| 1960 | 2,121,514 | 16,440,172 |
Data sources: World Bank | Health (1960–2024, retrieved 2026-04-06).
GeoRank.org/facts/laos/south-africa | CC BY
Fertility rates in Laos and South Africa
| Year | Fertility rate | |
|---|---|---|
|
Laos
|
South Africa
|
|
| 2023 | 2.42 | 2.22 |
| 2022 | 2.46 | 2.23 |
| 2021 | 2.49 | 2.25 |
| 2020 | 2.54 | 2.26 |
| 2019 | 2.59 | 2.26 |
| 2018 | 2.63 | 2.27 |
| 2017 | 2.69 | 2.28 |
| 2016 | 2.74 | 2.26 |
| 2015 | 2.8 | 2.36 |
| 2014 | 2.8 | 2.42 |
| 2013 | 2.87 | 2.43 |
| 2012 | 2.95 | 2.45 |
| 2011 | 3.05 | 2.44 |
| 2010 | 3.14 | 2.44 |
| 2009 | 3.23 | 2.5 |
| 2008 | 3.33 | 2.68 |
| 2007 | 3.44 | 2.55 |
| 2006 | 3.56 | 2.55 |
| 2005 | 3.69 | 2.51 |
| 2004 | 3.9 | 2.44 |
| 2003 | 4.02 | 2.36 |
| 2002 | 4.13 | 2.32 |
| 2001 | 4.29 | 2.37 |
| 2000 | 4.43 | 2.41 |
| 1999 | 4.64 | 2.56 |
| 1998 | 4.79 | 2.63 |
| 1997 | 4.96 | 2.73 |
| 1996 | 5.15 | 2.99 |
| 1995 | 5.36 | 3.17 |
| 1994 | 5.6 | 3.26 |
| 1993 | 5.8 | 3.37 |
| 1992 | 5.9 | 3.48 |
| 1991 | 5.99 | 3.62 |
| 1990 | 6.06 | 3.72 |
| 1989 | 6.1 | 3.98 |
| 1988 | 6.16 | 4.18 |
| 1987 | 6.21 | 4.35 |
| 1986 | 6.26 | 4.41 |
| 1985 | 6.33 | 4.5 |
| 1984 | 6.37 | 4.57 |
| 1983 | 6.38 | 4.63 |
| 1982 | 6.37 | 4.7 |
| 1981 | 6.35 | 4.71 |
| 1980 | 6.33 | 4.78 |
| 1979 | 6.31 | 4.82 |
| 1978 | 6.3 | 4.85 |
| 1977 | 6.29 | 4.94 |
| 1976 | 6.29 | 5.07 |
| 1975 | 6.29 | 5.19 |
| 1974 | 6.29 | 5.3 |
| 1973 | 6.28 | 5.41 |
| 1972 | 6.28 | 5.49 |
| 1971 | 6.3 | 5.57 |
| 1970 | 6.31 | 5.63 |
| 1969 | 6.3 | 5.72 |
| 1968 | 6.3 | 5.78 |
| 1967 | 6.31 | 5.85 |
| 1966 | 6.31 | 5.91 |
| 1965 | 6.32 | 5.89 |
| 1964 | 6.31 | 5.96 |
| 1963 | 6.32 | 6.01 |
| 1962 | 6.31 | 6.05 |
| 1961 | 6.31 | 6.08 |
| 1960 | 6.29 | 6.11 |
Data sources: World Bank | Health (1960–2023, retrieved 2026-04-06).
GeoRank.org/facts/laos/south-africa | CC BY
Laos and South Africa demographics compared
| Year | Median age, years | |
|---|---|---|
|
Laos
|
South Africa
|
|
| 2024 | 25.6 | 29.5 |
| 2023 | 25.3 | 29.2 |
| 2022 | 25 | 28.9 |
| 2021 | 24.7 | 28.6 |
| 2020 | 24.4 | 28.3 |
| 2019 | 24.1 | 27.9 |
| 2018 | 23.8 | 27.5 |
| 2017 | 23.6 | 27 |
| 2016 | 23.3 | 26.7 |
| 2015 | 23 | 26.4 |
| 2014 | 22.7 | 26 |
| 2013 | 22.3 | 25.7 |
| 2012 | 21.9 | 25.3 |
| 2011 | 21.4 | 25 |
| 2010 | 21 | 24.6 |
| 2009 | 20.5 | 24.3 |
| 2008 | 20 | 24 |
| 2007 | 19.6 | 23.8 |
| 2006 | 19.2 | 23.5 |
| 2005 | 18.9 | 23.3 |
| 2004 | 18.7 | 23.1 |
| 2003 | 18.5 | 22.8 |
| 2002 | 18.4 | 22.4 |
| 2001 | 18.2 | 22.2 |
| 2000 | 18.1 | 21.9 |
| 1999 | 18 | 21.6 |
| 1998 | 18 | 21.4 |
| 1997 | 18 | 21.2 |
| 1996 | 17.9 | 21.2 |
| 1995 | 17.9 | 21.5 |
| 1994 | 17.9 | 22 |
| 1993 | 17.9 | 21.9 |
| 1992 | 17.9 | 21.5 |
| 1991 | 17.9 | 21.5 |
| 1990 | 17.9 | 21.3 |
| 1989 | 17.9 | 21.1 |
| 1988 | 17.9 | 20.9 |
| 1987 | 17.8 | 20.7 |
| 1986 | 17.8 | 20.5 |
| 1985 | 17.8 | 20.4 |
| 1984 | 17.8 | 20.2 |
| 1983 | 17.8 | 20 |
| 1982 | 17.8 | 19.8 |
| 1981 | 17.9 | 19.6 |
| 1980 | 17.9 | 19.4 |
| 1979 | 18 | 19.3 |
| 1978 | 18.1 | 19.2 |
| 1977 | 18.3 | 19.1 |
| 1976 | 18.4 | 19 |
| 1975 | 18.5 | 18.9 |
| 1974 | 18.6 | 18.9 |
| 1973 | 18.7 | 18.8 |
| 1972 | 18.7 | 18.8 |
| 1971 | 18.7 | 18.8 |
| 1970 | 18.7 | 18.8 |
| 1969 | 18.8 | 18.8 |
| 1968 | 18.8 | 18.8 |
| 1967 | 18.9 | 18.8 |
| 1966 | 18.9 | 18.8 |
| 1965 | 18.9 | 18.8 |
| 1964 | 19 | 18.9 |
| 1963 | 19 | 18.9 |
| 1962 | 19.1 | 18.9 |
| 1961 | 19.2 | 19 |
| 1960 | 19.2 | 19 |
Data sources: World Bank | Health (1960–2024, retrieved 2026-04-06).
GeoRank.org/facts/laos/south-africa | CC BY
Interactive Maps
Use the buttons below to switch between world maps comparing statistics for Laos and South Africa.
National statistics comparison
Finance
|
Laos
|
South Africa
|
|
|---|---|---|
| GNI, Atlas method |
$15.5B
2024 |
$391B
2024 |
| Government expenditure, % of GDP |
15.7%
2024 |
33%
2024 |
| Education expenditure, % of GDP |
1.23%
2023 |
6.02%
2024 |
| Military expenditure, % of GDP |
0.19%
2013 |
0.7%
2024 |
| Armed forces personnel |
129,000
2020 |
89,000
2020 |
| Deficit/surplus, % of GDP |
+2.34%
2024 |
-5.79%
2024 |
| Unemployment rate |
1.21%
2022 |
32.3%
2024 |
| Services, % of GDP |
43.5%
2024 |
63%
2024 |
| Industry, % of GDP |
29%
2024 |
24.3%
2024 |
| Economic freedom index |
50.9
2026 |
58.6
2026 |
| Income share by richest 10% |
31.2%
2018 |
50.5%
2014 |
| Income share by poorest 10% |
3%
2018 |
0.9%
2014 |
| Number of millionaires | n/a |
90,595
2025 |
| Percentage of millionaires | n/a |
0.22%
2025 |
| Number of billionaires | n/a |
7
2025 |
| Percentage of billionaires | n/a |
0.00002%
2025 |
| Listed domestic companies | n/a |
220
2024 |
| Market capitalization of domestic companies | n/a |
$986B
2024 |
| Total reserves including gold |
$1.77B
2023 |
$65.4B
2024 |
| Personal remittances received |
$247M
2024 |
$855M
2024 |
| International tourist arrivals |
886,400
2020 |
3,886,600
2020 |
| International tourism as share of exports |
3.51%
2020 |
2.89%
2020 |
| Banked people share |
37.7%
2024 |
81.1%
2024 |
Energy
|
Laos
|
South Africa
|
|
|---|---|---|
| Energy use, kg of oil equivalent per capita |
815 kg
2022 |
1,939 kg
2023 |
| GDP PPP per kg equivalent of energy use |
$10.8
2022 |
$7.84
2023 |
| Carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions |
26.1 megatons
2024 |
440 megatons
2024 |
| CO2 emissions per capita |
3.35 tons
2024 |
6.88 tons
2024 |
| Fossil fuel energy use share |
0%
2022 |
93.3%
2022 |
| Renewable energy use share |
49.2%
2022 |
9.7%
2021 |
| Alternative and nuclear energy use share |
54.2%
2022 |
3.58%
2023 |
| Net energy imports use share |
-49%
2022 |
-12.5%
2023 |
| Electric power consumption per capita |
1,264 kWh
2022 |
3,247 kWh
2023 |
| Renewable electricity output share |
63.3%
2021 |
6.45%
2021 |
| Hydroelectric share |
75.9%
2022 |
2.91%
2023 |
| Nuclear share |
0%
2021 |
3.73%
2023 |
| Electricity access |
96.5%
2023 |
87.7%
2023 |
Society
|
Laos
|
South Africa
|
|
|---|---|---|
| % of world population |
0.1%
2024 |
0.79%
2024 |
| Annual migration change |
-10,645
2025 |
+146,370
2025 |
| Urban population |
39.6%
2024 |
63.7%
2024 |
| Male:Female ratio |
50.2:49.8
2024 |
48.7:51.3
2024 |
| Average male height |
5.34 ft
2025 |
5.56 ft
2025 |
| Average female height |
5.02 ft
2025 |
5.2 ft
2025 |
| Quality of life index |
29.2
2026 |
42.1
2026 |
| Corruption Perceptions Index |
34
2025 |
41
2025 |
| Higher education index |
19
2026 |
81
2026 |
| Homicides per 100K people |
7.01
2015 |
45.5
2022 |
| Road traffic mortality per 100K people |
17.9
2019 |
22.2
2019 |
| Visa free countries |
61
2025 |
109
2025 |
| Adult literacy rate |
75.6%
2023 |
91.2%
2024 |
| English speaking |
6%
2025 |
31%
2023 |
| People using the Internet |
63.6%
2023 |
75.7%
2023 |
Health
|
Laos
|
South Africa
|
|
|---|---|---|
| Government health expenditure per capita |
$27.4
2023 |
$537
2023 |
| Out-of-pocket health expenditure per capita |
$12.3
2023 |
$35.9
2023 |
| Life expectancy |
69.7 years
2026 |
66.7 years
2026 |
| Foreign aid share of health expenditure |
15.4%
2023 |
2.06%
2023 |
| Physicians per 1,000 people |
0.33
2022 |
0.79
2022 |
| Maternal mortality per 100K births |
112
2023 |
118
2023 |
| Mortality rate before reaching 5 years of age |
39
2023 |
34.7
2023 |
| Obesity rate |
8.32%
2022 |
31.4%
2022 |
| Diabetes prevalence |
6.7%
2024 |
7.2%
2024 |
| Air quality index |
20
2026 |
39
2026 |
| Tobacco use prevalence |
27.2%
2022 |
20.7%
2022 |
| Pure alcohol consumption per capita |
10.8 liters
2020 |
7.13 liters
2020 |
Territory
|
Laos
|
South Africa
|
|
|---|---|---|
| % of world land |
0.15%
2026 |
0.81%
2026 |
| Land area per capita |
11,469 sq mi
2024 |
7,318 sq mi
2024 |
| Agricultural land area |
8,831 sq mi
2026 |
371,975 sq mi
2026 |
| Forest area |
63,676 sq mi
2026 |
65,409 sq mi
2026 |
| Roads length |
24,598 mi
2009 |
466,028 mi
2016 |
In-depth comparisons
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Data sources:
- World Bank | Health (1960–2025, retrieved 2026-04-06)
- United Nations | World Population Prospects (1950–2026, retrieved 2026-03-10)
- U.S. Census Bureau (1960–2025, retrieved 2026-02-08)
- Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) (2000–2019, retrieved 2026-02-20)
- International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (2024, retrieved 2026-02-20)
- LivingCost (2026, retrieved 2025-10-14)
- World Obesity Federation (2022, retrieved 2026-02-08)
- Passport Index (2025, retrieved 2026-02-08)
- Transparency International (2025, retrieved 2026-02-10)
- The Heritage Foundation | Economic Freedom Index (2026, retrieved 2026-03-09)
- EduRank (2026, retrieved 2025-10-13)
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