Laos has a population of 7.77M (ranked 103/197), compared with 51.8M in South Korea (ranked 29/197). Laos' land area is 89,112 sq mi versus 37,684 sq mi for South Korea (ranked 79th vs. 105th).
By GDP, Laos ranks 139/197 ($16.5B) and South Korea ranks 12/197 ($1.88T). By GDP per capita, Laos ranks 155/197 ($2,124), while South Korea ranks 31/197 ($36,239).
Main facts and rankings
Laos
|
South Korea
|
|
|---|---|---|
| Population |
8004838
|
51649918
|
| Population rank | 103/197 | 31/197 |
| GDP |
$16.5B
2024 |
$1.88T
2024 |
| GDP rank | 139/197 | 12/197 |
| GDP per capita |
$2,124
2024 |
$36,239
2024 |
| GDP per capita rank | 155/197 | 31/197 |
| GDP per capita, PPP |
$9,776
2024 |
$61,051
2024 |
| Government debt |
$16.6B
2024 |
$934B
2024 |
| Debt-to-GDP ratio |
100.5%
2024 |
49.8%
2024 |
| Government debt per person |
$2,134
2024 |
$18,052
2024 |
| Government debt per person rank | 119/185 | 33/185 |
| Average annual personal income after taxes |
$2,096
2026 |
$27,215
2026 |
| Land area | 89,112 sq mi | 37,684 sq mi |
| Population density |
89.5 ppl/mi²
2026 |
1,371 ppl/mi²
2026 |
| Fertility rate |
2.42
2023 |
0.72
2023 |
| Median age |
25.6 years
2024 |
46.1 years
2024 |
| Life expectancy |
69.7 years
2026 |
84.6 years
2026 |
Laos and South Korea: Comparison Charts
Laos and South Korea economies compared
| Year | GDP | |
|---|---|---|
|
Laos
|
South Korea
|
|
| 2024 | $16,502,933,121 | $1,875,388,209,407 |
| 2023 | $15,843,155,731 | $1,844,800,934,392 |
| 2022 | $15,468,785,204 | $1,799,363,116,867 |
| 2021 | $18,827,148,531 | $1,942,313,560,966 |
| 2020 | $18,981,805,250 | $1,744,070,276,373 |
| 2019 | $18,740,561,513 | $1,751,045,752,055 |
| 2018 | $18,141,641,090 | $1,824,251,454,307 |
| 2017 | $17,071,155,481 | $1,710,196,756,713 |
| 2016 | $15,912,501,723 | $1,579,150,518,945 |
| 2015 | $14,426,380,126 | $1,539,212,301,136 |
| 2014 | $13,279,245,886 | $1,556,252,422,020 |
| 2013 | $11,983,252,627 | $1,434,669,686,502 |
| 2012 | $10,192,846,339 | $1,335,343,586,438 |
| 2011 | $8,750,104,617 | $1,307,103,477,219 |
| 2010 | $7,131,771,015 | $1,192,830,015,738 |
| 2009 | $5,836,137,330 | $983,065,242,417 |
| 2008 | $5,446,433,157 | $1,091,580,692,542 |
| 2007 | $4,223,152,739 | $1,220,911,904,593 |
| 2006 | $3,455,030,061 | $1,095,175,538,508 |
| 2005 | $2,735,558,735 | $971,740,329,984 |
| 2004 | $2,366,398,120 | $823,251,107,639 |
| 2003 | $2,023,324,407 | $728,516,494,684 |
| 2002 | $1,758,176,653 | $650,014,391,470 |
| 2001 | $1,768,619,058 | $567,564,806,235 |
| 2000 | $1,731,198,022 | $597,487,173,479 |
| 1999 | $1,454,430,642 | $515,697,079,289 |
| 1998 | $1,280,177,839 | $397,297,216,492 |
| 1997 | $1,747,011,857 | $589,202,526,424 |
| 1996 | $1,873,671,550 | $631,196,863,758 |
| 1995 | $1,763,536,305 | $586,286,469,401 |
| 1994 | $1,543,606,345 | $479,181,794,217 |
| 1993 | $1,327,748,690 | $405,705,302,846 |
| 1992 | $1,127,806,945 | $366,921,291,825 |
| 1991 | $1,028,087,972 | $340,851,946,804 |
| 1990 | $865,559,879 | $292,064,221,389 |
| 1989 | $714,046,821 | $254,236,243,100 |
| 1988 | $598,961,269 | $205,477,530,605 |
| 1987 | $1,087,273,104 | $152,240,393,646 |
| 1986 | $1,776,842,097 | $119,965,960,795 |
| 1985 | $2,366,666,616 | $103,764,281,281 |
| 1984 | $1,757,142,856 | $99,749,645,089 |
| 1983 | - | $89,621,208,322 |
| 1982 | - | $79,921,300,447 |
| 1981 | - | $74,287,368,087 |
| 1980 | - | $66,547,970,351 |
| 1979 | - | $68,083,884,298 |
| 1978 | - | $52,824,793,388 |
| 1977 | - | $39,064,462,810 |
| 1976 | - | $30,371,074,380 |
| 1975 | - | $22,126,033,058 |
| 1974 | - | $19,860,929,977 |
| 1973 | - | $14,067,523,813 |
| 1972 | - | $10,990,490,570 |
| 1971 | - | $10,005,257,131 |
| 1970 | - | $9,085,001,794 |
| 1969 | - | $7,743,940,189 |
| 1968 | - | $6,167,109,472 |
| 1967 | - | $4,895,076,718 |
| 1966 | - | $3,957,064,541 |
| 1965 | - | $3,141,131,708 |
| 1964 | - | $3,476,789,682 |
| 1963 | - | $4,007,692,308 |
| 1962 | - | $2,826,923,077 |
| 1961 | - | $2,427,244,761 |
| 1960 | - | $3,973,069,307 |
Data sources: World Bank | Economy & Growth (1960–2024, retrieved 2026-04-06).
GeoRank.org/facts/laos/south-korea | CC BY 
Laos and South Korea economies compared
| Year | GDP per capita | |
|---|---|---|
|
Laos
|
South Korea
|
|
| 2024 | $2,124 | $36,239 |
| 2023 | $2,067 | $35,674 |
| 2022 | $2,046 | $34,822 |
| 2021 | $2,526 | $37,518 |
| 2020 | $2,584 | $33,646 |
| 2019 | $2,589 | $33,827 |
| 2018 | $2,545 | $35,364 |
| 2017 | $2,432 | $33,297 |
| 2016 | $2,303 | $30,832 |
| 2015 | $2,121 | $30,172 |
| 2014 | $1,981 | $30,667 |
| 2013 | $1,813 | $28,449 |
| 2012 | $1,564 | $26,601 |
| 2011 | $1,362 | $26,175 |
| 2010 | $1,126 | $24,071 |
| 2009 | $935 | $19,937 |
| 2008 | $886 | $22,252 |
| 2007 | $697 | $25,078 |
| 2006 | $579 | $22,610 |
| 2005 | $466 | $20,167 |
| 2004 | $409 | $17,122 |
| 2003 | $355 | $15,212 |
| 2002 | $313 | $13,643 |
| 2001 | $320 | $11,981 |
| 2000 | $319 | $12,710 |
| 1999 | $272.3 | $11,063 |
| 1998 | $243.9 | $8,583 |
| 1997 | $339 | $12,822 |
| 1996 | $371 | $13,865 |
| 1995 | $358 | $13,002 |
| 1994 | $321 | $10,734 |
| 1993 | $283.4 | $9,180 |
| 1992 | $247.3 | $8,387 |
| 1991 | $231.8 | $7,873 |
| 1990 | $200.7 | $6,813 |
| 1989 | $170.4 | $5,989 |
| 1988 | $147.1 | $4,889 |
| 1987 | $274.7 | $3,658 |
| 1986 | $462 | $2,911 |
| 1985 | $633 | $2,543 |
| 1984 | $483 | $2,469 |
| 1983 | - | $2,246 |
| 1982 | - | $2,032 |
| 1981 | - | $1,918 |
| 1980 | - | $1,746 |
| 1979 | - | $1,814 |
| 1978 | - | $1,429 |
| 1977 | - | $1,073 |
| 1976 | - | $847 |
| 1975 | - | $627 |
| 1974 | - | $572 |
| 1973 | - | $412 |
| 1972 | - | $328 |
| 1971 | - | $304 |
| 1970 | - | $281.8 |
| 1969 | - | $245.5 |
| 1968 | - | $200 |
| 1967 | - | $162.5 |
| 1966 | - | $134.4 |
| 1965 | - | $109.4 |
| 1964 | - | $124.2 |
| 1963 | - | $147 |
| 1962 | - | $106.6 |
| 1961 | - | $94.2 |
| 1960 | - | $158.8 |
Data sources: World Bank | Economy & Growth (1960–2024, retrieved 2026-04-06).
GeoRank.org/facts/laos/south-korea | CC BY
Laos vs. South Korea life expectancy calculator
| Year | Life expectancy, years | |
|---|---|---|
|
Laos
|
South Korea
|
|
| 2026 | 69.7 | 84.6 |
| 2025 | 69.5 | 84.5 |
| 2024 | 69.2 | 84.4 |
| 2023 | 69 | 84.3 |
| 2022 | 68.7 | 82.7 |
| 2021 | 67.8 | 83.9 |
| 2020 | 68.3 | 83.7 |
| 2019 | 67.9 | 83.7 |
| 2018 | 67.6 | 83.3 |
| 2017 | 67.3 | 83.3 |
| 2016 | 67 | 82.9 |
| 2015 | 66.7 | 82.5 |
| 2014 | 66.3 | 82.4 |
| 2013 | 65.7 | 81.8 |
| 2012 | 65.1 | 81.3 |
| 2011 | 64.5 | 81.2 |
| 2010 | 63.7 | 80.7 |
| 2009 | 63 | 80.6 |
| 2008 | 62.2 | 80 |
| 2007 | 61.7 | 79.4 |
| 2006 | 61.1 | 79 |
| 2005 | 60.7 | 78.4 |
| 2004 | 60.1 | 78 |
| 2003 | 59.6 | 77.5 |
| 2002 | 59.3 | 77.2 |
| 2001 | 58.9 | 76.9 |
| 2000 | 58.3 | 76.2 |
| 1999 | 57.9 | 75.6 |
| 1998 | 57.5 | 75 |
| 1997 | 57.3 | 74.5 |
| 1996 | 56.8 | 74 |
| 1995 | 56.3 | 73.4 |
| 1994 | 55.8 | 72.9 |
| 1993 | 55.6 | 72.7 |
| 1992 | 55.1 | 72.2 |
| 1991 | 54.7 | 71.4 |
| 1990 | 54 | 71 |
| 1989 | 53.6 | 70.7 |
| 1988 | 53.1 | 70.2 |
| 1987 | 52.6 | 69.3 |
| 1986 | 52.1 | 69 |
| 1985 | 51.6 | 68.4 |
| 1984 | 51 | 68.1 |
| 1983 | 50.5 | 66.7 |
| 1982 | 49.9 | 67.1 |
| 1981 | 49.2 | 67.1 |
| 1980 | 48.6 | 64.8 |
| 1979 | 47.5 | 66.1 |
| 1978 | 46.8 | 65 |
| 1977 | 46.4 | 64.6 |
| 1976 | 46 | 65 |
| 1975 | 46.1 | 64.7 |
| 1974 | 45.9 | 64.2 |
| 1973 | 44.7 | 63.8 |
| 1972 | 44.4 | 63.2 |
| 1971 | 44.1 | 62.7 |
| 1970 | 43.8 | 62.2 |
| 1969 | 43.5 | 61.4 |
| 1968 | 43.2 | 60.9 |
| 1967 | 42.9 | 60.9 |
| 1966 | 42.3 | 55.4 |
| 1965 | 42.2 | 55.8 |
| 1964 | 41.9 | 55.3 |
| 1963 | 41.5 | 55 |
| 1962 | 42.3 | 55 |
| 1961 | 41.3 | 54.4 |
| 1960 | 41 | 53.8 |
| 1959 | 40.7 | 52.9 |
| 1958 | 41.2 | 51.8 |
| 1957 | 40.9 | 51.6 |
| 1956 | 40.6 | 50.2 |
| 1955 | 40.3 | 48.4 |
| 1954 | 40 | 46.1 |
| 1953 | 39.7 | 40.5 |
| 1952 | 39.4 | 36.6 |
| 1951 | 39.2 | 26.6 |
| 1950 | 38.9 | 22.2 |
Data sources: United Nations | World Population Prospects (1950–2026, retrieved 2026-03-10).
GeoRank.org/facts/laos/south-korea | CC BY
Laos and South Korea population clocks and comparison
| Year | Population | |
|---|---|---|
|
Laos
|
South Korea
|
|
| 2024 | 7,769,819 | 51,751,065 |
| 2023 | 7,664,993 | 51,712,619 |
| 2022 | 7,559,007 | 51,672,569 |
| 2021 | 7,453,194 | 51,769,539 |
| 2020 | 7,346,533 | 51,836,239 |
| 2019 | 7,237,636 | 51,764,822 |
| 2018 | 7,128,045 | 51,585,058 |
| 2017 | 7,018,147 | 51,361,911 |
| 2016 | 6,908,802 | 51,217,803 |
| 2015 | 6,801,645 | 51,014,947 |
| 2014 | 6,703,172 | 50,746,659 |
| 2013 | 6,611,385 | 50,428,893 |
| 2012 | 6,518,978 | 50,199,853 |
| 2011 | 6,426,590 | 49,936,638 |
| 2010 | 6,334,194 | 49,554,112 |
| 2009 | 6,241,642 | 49,307,835 |
| 2008 | 6,148,969 | 49,054,708 |
| 2007 | 6,056,236 | 48,683,638 |
| 2006 | 5,963,200 | 48,438,292 |
| 2005 | 5,869,523 | 48,184,561 |
| 2004 | 5,781,626 | 48,082,519 |
| 2003 | 5,697,945 | 47,892,330 |
| 2002 | 5,610,889 | 47,644,736 |
| 2001 | 5,521,482 | 47,370,164 |
| 2000 | 5,431,212 | 47,008,111 |
| 1999 | 5,340,784 | 46,616,677 |
| 1998 | 5,248,266 | 46,286,503 |
| 1997 | 5,152,011 | 45,953,580 |
| 1996 | 5,045,678 | 45,524,681 |
| 1995 | 4,929,409 | 45,092,991 |
| 1994 | 4,809,220 | 44,641,540 |
| 1993 | 4,685,060 | 44,194,628 |
| 1992 | 4,559,646 | 43,747,962 |
| 1991 | 4,435,118 | 43,295,704 |
| 1990 | 4,311,955 | 42,869,283 |
| 1989 | 4,190,974 | 42,449,038 |
| 1988 | 4,072,601 | 42,031,247 |
| 1987 | 3,957,612 | 41,621,690 |
| 1986 | 3,846,715 | 41,213,674 |
| 1985 | 3,739,985 | 40,805,744 |
| 1984 | 3,637,843 | 40,405,956 |
| 1983 | 3,541,001 | 39,910,403 |
| 1982 | 3,450,026 | 39,326,352 |
| 1981 | 3,366,631 | 38,723,248 |
| 1980 | 3,292,573 | 38,123,775 |
| 1979 | 3,228,202 | 37,534,236 |
| 1978 | 3,171,740 | 36,969,185 |
| 1977 | 3,118,923 | 36,411,795 |
| 1976 | 3,064,876 | 35,848,523 |
| 1975 | 3,005,521 | 35,280,725 |
| 1974 | 2,939,761 | 34,692,266 |
| 1973 | 2,870,573 | 34,103,149 |
| 1972 | 2,801,660 | 33,505,406 |
| 1971 | 2,734,628 | 32,882,704 |
| 1970 | 2,669,702 | 32,240,827 |
| 1969 | 2,606,959 | 31,544,266 |
| 1968 | 2,546,377 | 30,838,302 |
| 1967 | 2,487,715 | 30,130,983 |
| 1966 | 2,431,084 | 29,435,571 |
| 1965 | 2,376,200 | 28,704,674 |
| 1964 | 2,322,826 | 27,984,155 |
| 1963 | 2,271,061 | 27,261,747 |
| 1962 | 2,219,910 | 26,513,030 |
| 1961 | 2,169,796 | 25,765,673 |
| 1960 | 2,121,514 | 25,012,374 |
Data sources: World Bank | Health (1960–2024, retrieved 2026-04-06).
GeoRank.org/facts/laos/south-korea | CC BY
Fertility rates in Laos and South Korea
| Year | Fertility rate | |
|---|---|---|
|
Laos
|
South Korea
|
|
| 2023 | 2.42 | 0.72 |
| 2022 | 2.46 | 0.78 |
| 2021 | 2.49 | 0.81 |
| 2020 | 2.54 | 0.84 |
| 2019 | 2.59 | 0.92 |
| 2018 | 2.63 | 0.98 |
| 2017 | 2.69 | 1.05 |
| 2016 | 2.74 | 1.17 |
| 2015 | 2.8 | 1.24 |
| 2014 | 2.8 | 1.21 |
| 2013 | 2.87 | 1.19 |
| 2012 | 2.95 | 1.3 |
| 2011 | 3.05 | 1.24 |
| 2010 | 3.14 | 1.23 |
| 2009 | 3.23 | 1.15 |
| 2008 | 3.33 | 1.19 |
| 2007 | 3.44 | 1.26 |
| 2006 | 3.56 | 1.13 |
| 2005 | 3.69 | 1.09 |
| 2004 | 3.9 | 1.16 |
| 2003 | 4.02 | 1.19 |
| 2002 | 4.13 | 1.18 |
| 2001 | 4.29 | 1.31 |
| 2000 | 4.43 | 1.48 |
| 1999 | 4.64 | 1.43 |
| 1998 | 4.79 | 1.46 |
| 1997 | 4.96 | 1.54 |
| 1996 | 5.15 | 1.57 |
| 1995 | 5.36 | 1.63 |
| 1994 | 5.6 | 1.66 |
| 1993 | 5.8 | 1.65 |
| 1992 | 5.9 | 1.76 |
| 1991 | 5.99 | 1.71 |
| 1990 | 6.06 | 1.57 |
| 1989 | 6.1 | 1.56 |
| 1988 | 6.16 | 1.55 |
| 1987 | 6.21 | 1.53 |
| 1986 | 6.26 | 1.58 |
| 1985 | 6.33 | 1.66 |
| 1984 | 6.37 | 1.74 |
| 1983 | 6.38 | 2.06 |
| 1982 | 6.37 | 2.39 |
| 1981 | 6.35 | 2.57 |
| 1980 | 6.33 | 2.82 |
| 1979 | 6.31 | 2.9 |
| 1978 | 6.3 | 2.64 |
| 1977 | 6.29 | 2.99 |
| 1976 | 6.29 | 3 |
| 1975 | 6.29 | 3.43 |
| 1974 | 6.29 | 3.77 |
| 1973 | 6.28 | 4.07 |
| 1972 | 6.28 | 4.12 |
| 1971 | 6.3 | 4.54 |
| 1970 | 6.31 | 4.53 |
| 1969 | 6.3 | 4.45 |
| 1968 | 6.3 | 4.51 |
| 1967 | 6.31 | 4.62 |
| 1966 | 6.31 | 4.78 |
| 1965 | 6.32 | 4.89 |
| 1964 | 6.31 | 5.07 |
| 1963 | 6.32 | 5.33 |
| 1962 | 6.31 | 5.56 |
| 1961 | 6.31 | 5.8 |
| 1960 | 6.29 | 5.99 |
Data sources: World Bank | Health (1960–2023, retrieved 2026-04-06).
GeoRank.org/facts/laos/south-korea | CC BY
Laos and South Korea demographics compared
| Year | Median age, years | |
|---|---|---|
|
Laos
|
South Korea
|
|
| 2024 | 25.6 | 46.1 |
| 2023 | 25.3 | 45.5 |
| 2022 | 25 | 44.9 |
| 2021 | 24.7 | 44.4 |
| 2020 | 24.4 | 43.8 |
| 2019 | 24.1 | 43.1 |
| 2018 | 23.8 | 42.5 |
| 2017 | 23.6 | 41.9 |
| 2016 | 23.3 | 41.4 |
| 2015 | 23 | 40.8 |
| 2014 | 22.7 | 40.2 |
| 2013 | 22.3 | 39.5 |
| 2012 | 21.9 | 38.8 |
| 2011 | 21.4 | 38.2 |
| 2010 | 21 | 37.6 |
| 2009 | 20.5 | 37 |
| 2008 | 20 | 36.4 |
| 2007 | 19.6 | 35.8 |
| 2006 | 19.2 | 35.2 |
| 2005 | 18.9 | 34.5 |
| 2004 | 18.7 | 33.9 |
| 2003 | 18.5 | 33.4 |
| 2002 | 18.4 | 32.8 |
| 2001 | 18.2 | 32.3 |
| 2000 | 18.1 | 31.7 |
| 1999 | 18 | 31.2 |
| 1998 | 18 | 30.7 |
| 1997 | 18 | 30.2 |
| 1996 | 17.9 | 29.8 |
| 1995 | 17.9 | 29.4 |
| 1994 | 17.9 | 28.9 |
| 1993 | 17.9 | 28.3 |
| 1992 | 17.9 | 27.8 |
| 1991 | 17.9 | 27.2 |
| 1990 | 17.9 | 26.7 |
| 1989 | 17.9 | 26.3 |
| 1988 | 17.9 | 25.8 |
| 1987 | 17.8 | 25.3 |
| 1986 | 17.8 | 24.8 |
| 1985 | 17.8 | 24.2 |
| 1984 | 17.8 | 23.7 |
| 1983 | 17.8 | 23.3 |
| 1982 | 17.8 | 22.8 |
| 1981 | 17.9 | 22.5 |
| 1980 | 17.9 | 22.1 |
| 1979 | 18 | 21.6 |
| 1978 | 18.1 | 21.1 |
| 1977 | 18.3 | 20.7 |
| 1976 | 18.4 | 20.2 |
| 1975 | 18.5 | 19.9 |
| 1974 | 18.6 | 19.6 |
| 1973 | 18.7 | 19.3 |
| 1972 | 18.7 | 19.1 |
| 1971 | 18.7 | 19 |
| 1970 | 18.7 | 18.9 |
| 1969 | 18.8 | 18.8 |
| 1968 | 18.8 | 18.7 |
| 1967 | 18.9 | 18.6 |
| 1966 | 18.9 | 18.5 |
| 1965 | 18.9 | 18.6 |
| 1964 | 19 | 18.8 |
| 1963 | 19 | 19 |
| 1962 | 19.1 | 19.1 |
| 1961 | 19.2 | 19.2 |
| 1960 | 19.2 | 19.3 |
Data sources: World Bank | Health (1960–2024, retrieved 2026-04-06).
GeoRank.org/facts/laos/south-korea | CC BY
Interactive Maps
Use the buttons below to switch between world maps comparing statistics for Laos and South Korea.
National statistics comparison
Finance
|
Laos
|
South Korea
|
|
|---|---|---|
| GNI, Atlas method |
$15.5B
2024 |
$1.9T
2024 |
| Government expenditure, % of GDP |
15.7%
2024 |
22.5%
2024 |
| Education expenditure, % of GDP |
1.23%
2023 |
5.81%
2022 |
| Military expenditure, % of GDP |
0.19%
2013 |
2.56%
2024 |
| Armed forces personnel |
129,000
2020 |
569,000
2020 |
| Deficit/surplus, % of GDP |
+2.34%
2024 |
-0.78%
2024 |
| Unemployment rate |
1.21%
2022 |
2.78%
2024 |
| Services, % of GDP |
43.5%
2024 |
57.5%
2024 |
| Industry, % of GDP |
29%
2024 |
33.9%
2024 |
| Economic freedom index |
50.9
2026 |
73.7
2026 |
| Income share by richest 10% |
31.2%
2018 |
24.6%
2021 |
| Income share by poorest 10% |
3%
2018 |
2.9%
2021 |
| Number of millionaires | n/a |
1,301,000
2025 |
| Percentage of millionaires | n/a |
2.96%
2025 |
| Number of billionaires | n/a |
30
2025 |
| Percentage of billionaires | n/a |
0.00007%
2025 |
| Listed domestic companies | n/a |
2,599
2024 |
| Market capitalization of domestic companies | n/a |
$1.56T
2024 |
| Total reserves including gold |
$1.77B
2023 |
$418B
2024 |
| Personal remittances received |
$247M
2024 |
$7.45B
2024 |
| International tourist arrivals |
886,400
2020 |
2,519,000
2020 |
| International tourism as share of exports |
3.51%
2020 |
1.94%
2020 |
| Banked people share |
37.7%
2024 |
96.9%
2024 |
Energy
|
Laos
|
South Korea
|
|
|---|---|---|
| Energy use, kg of oil equivalent per capita |
815 kg
2022 |
5,337 kg
2023 |
| GDP PPP per kg equivalent of energy use |
$10.8
2022 |
$10.8
2023 |
| Carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions |
26.1 megatons
2024 |
588 megatons
2024 |
| CO2 emissions per capita |
3.35 tons
2024 |
11.4 tons
2024 |
| Fossil fuel energy use share |
0%
2022 |
79.1%
2023 |
| Renewable energy use share |
49.2%
2022 |
3.6%
2021 |
| Alternative and nuclear energy use share |
54.2%
2022 |
18.5%
2023 |
| Net energy imports use share |
-49%
2022 |
84.6%
2023 |
| Electric power consumption per capita |
1,264 kWh
2022 |
11,426 kWh
2023 |
| Renewable electricity output share |
63.3%
2021 |
6.59%
2021 |
| Hydroelectric share |
75.9%
2022 |
1.23%
2023 |
| Nuclear share |
0%
2021 |
29.6%
2023 |
| Electricity access |
96.5%
2023 |
100%
2023 |
Society
|
Laos
|
South Korea
|
|
|---|---|---|
| % of world population |
0.1%
2024 |
0.64%
2024 |
| Annual migration change |
-10,645
2025 |
+65,731
2025 |
| Urban population |
39.6%
2024 |
81.2%
2024 |
| Male:Female ratio |
50.2:49.8
2024 |
49.9:50.1
2024 |
| Average male height |
5.34 ft
2025 |
5.76 ft
2025 |
| Average female height |
5.02 ft
2025 |
5.35 ft
2025 |
| Quality of life index |
29.2
2026 |
87.4
2026 |
| Corruption Perceptions Index |
34
2025 |
63
2025 |
| Higher education index |
19
2026 |
86
2026 |
| Homicides per 100K people |
7.01
2015 |
0.48
2023 |
| Road traffic mortality per 100K people |
17.9
2019 |
8.6
2019 |
| Visa free countries |
61
2025 |
172
2025 |
| Adult literacy rate |
75.6%
2023 |
98.8%
2018 |
| English speaking |
6%
2025 |
20%
2025 |
| People using the Internet |
63.6%
2023 |
97.9%
2024 |
Health
|
Laos
|
South Korea
|
|
|---|---|---|
| Government health expenditure per capita |
$27.4
2023 |
$3,137
2024 |
| Out-of-pocket health expenditure per capita |
$12.3
2023 |
$1,058
2024 |
| Life expectancy |
69.7 years
2026 |
84.6 years
2026 |
| Foreign aid share of health expenditure |
15.4%
2023 |
0%
2023 |
| Physicians per 1,000 people |
0.33
2022 |
2.61
2022 |
| Age at first childbirth | n/a |
32.2 years
2025 |
| Maternal mortality per 100K births |
112
2023 |
4
2023 |
| Mortality rate before reaching 5 years of age |
39
2023 |
2.8
2023 |
| Obesity rate |
8.32%
2022 |
7.24%
2022 |
| Diabetes prevalence |
6.7%
2024 |
9.6%
2024 |
| Air quality index |
20
2026 |
46
2026 |
| Tobacco use prevalence |
27.2%
2022 |
20%
2022 |
| Pure alcohol consumption per capita |
10.8 liters
2020 |
7.79 liters
2020 |
Territory
|
Laos
|
South Korea
|
|
|---|---|---|
| % of world land |
0.15%
2026 |
0.07%
2026 |
| Land area per capita |
11,469 sq mi
2024 |
728 sq mi
2024 |
| Agricultural land area |
8,831 sq mi
2026 |
6,054 sq mi
2026 |
| Forest area |
63,676 sq mi
2026 |
24,158 sq mi
2026 |
| Roads length |
24,598 mi
2009 |
68,794 mi
2018 |
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) (2000–2025, 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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