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Population in the Central African Republic compared to Laos: Trends, Charts, Rankings

Updated on by Georank

The latest officially reported population of the Central African Republic was 5,513,282 in 2025 vs 7,873,046 people in Laos in 2025. In 2026, based on the adjusted UN estimation, the current Central African Republic's population is 5,798,457 people compared to 8,027,464 in Laos.

Population statistics:

  • Laos' population is 1.38 times bigger than the Central African Republic's.
  • The Central African Republic is ranked the 117th most populous country in the world, while Laos is the 103rd.
  • The countries together account for 0.17% of the world: 0.07% for the Central African Republic vs 0.1% for Laos.
  • For the last 10 years, the Central African Republic has had an average growth rate of +1.62% per year vs +1.47% in Laos.
  • Since 2006, the population of the Central African Republic has increased from 4.38M people to 5.8M (32.5% growth), while Laos has grown from 5.96M to 8.03M (34.6% growth).

Central African Republic vs Laos: population by year and forecast

Central African Republic
Factual

Projection
Laos
Factual

Projection
1x
Year Population
CAR Laos
2100 19,061,127 9,340,510
2099 18,981,009 9,387,374
2098 18,896,319 9,433,309
2097 18,810,793 9,478,091
2096 18,719,993 9,521,914
2095 18,621,666 9,564,898
2094 18,521,650 9,607,314
2093 18,420,299 9,648,899
2092 18,311,751 9,689,414
2091 18,200,580 9,729,262
2090 18,083,097 9,767,923
2089 17,968,298 9,805,489
2088 17,844,377 9,841,933
2087 17,717,148 9,876,893
2086 17,581,447 9,910,678
2085 17,447,157 9,942,991
2084 17,306,435 9,973,375
2083 17,159,818 10,002,778
2082 17,010,036 10,030,306
2081 16,860,592 10,056,473
2080 16,704,486 10,080,959
2079 16,552,105 10,104,434
2078 16,392,201 10,126,099
2077 16,224,015 10,146,255
2076 16,051,483 10,163,547
2075 15,877,563 10,179,776
2074 15,706,759 10,194,216
2073 15,526,382 10,206,546
2072 15,346,626 10,216,287
2071 15,158,906 10,223,430
2070 14,964,276 10,229,612
2069 14,768,967 10,233,020
2068 14,572,130 10,233,371
2067 14,369,861 10,231,633
2066 14,167,129 10,226,448
2065 13,963,573 10,219,732
2064 13,758,257 10,210,382
2063 13,545,150 10,198,463
2062 13,332,625 10,184,239
2061 13,120,271 10,166,878
2060 12,903,195 10,146,829
2059 12,684,791 10,124,398
2058 12,464,271 10,098,721
2057 12,242,308 10,070,317
2056 12,020,446 10,039,482
2055 11,797,986 10,006,669
2054 11,575,058 9,970,363
2053 11,351,527 9,931,133
2052 11,128,939 9,889,162
2051 10,908,122 9,844,445
2050 10,686,324 9,797,566
2049 10,468,520 9,748,481
2048 10,249,810 9,695,755
2047 10,034,764 9,641,319
2046 9,819,986 9,584,097
2045 9,606,504 9,524,890
2044 9,394,614 9,462,921
2043 9,185,941 9,399,555
2042 8,980,018 9,332,795
2041 8,774,893 9,264,069
2040 8,567,893 9,193,691
2039 8,358,128 9,120,921
2038 8,149,514 9,044,658
2037 7,942,721 8,966,687
2036 7,734,436 8,886,908
2035 7,525,805 8,805,396
2034 7,314,741 8,721,979
2033 7,105,166 8,636,299
2032 6,897,152 8,548,097
2031 6,690,066 8,457,770
2030 6,486,667 8,365,427
2029 6,286,290 8,271,316
2028 6,085,426 8,174,975
2027 5,890,999 8,076,308
2026 5,700,718 7,975,876
2025 5,513,282 7,873,046
2024 5,330,690 7,769,819
2023 5,152,421 7,664,993
2022 5,098,039 7,559,007
2021 5,112,100 7,453,194
2020 5,026,628 7,346,533
2019 4,944,703 7,237,636
2018 4,878,657 7,128,045
2017 4,793,511 7,018,147
2016 4,713,663 6,908,802
2015 4,629,320 6,801,645
2014 4,623,182 6,703,172
2013 4,642,419 6,611,385
2012 4,610,848 6,518,978
2011 4,565,021 6,426,590
2010 4,492,995 6,334,194
2009 4,529,047 6,241,642
2008 4,558,984 6,148,969
2007 4,462,770 6,056,236
2006 4,377,579 5,963,200
2005 4,288,810 5,869,523
2004 4,192,826 5,781,626
2003 4,103,086 5,697,945
2002 4,006,077 5,610,889
2001 3,919,487 5,521,482
2000 3,833,416 5,431,212
1999 3,729,450 5,340,784
1998 3,628,827 5,248,266
1997 3,531,700 5,152,011
1996 3,435,965 5,045,678
1995 3,348,052 4,929,409
1994 3,257,954 4,809,220
1993 3,157,839 4,685,060
1992 3,058,831 4,559,646
1991 2,963,191 4,435,118
1990 2,871,910 4,311,955
1989 2,783,970 4,190,974
1988 2,713,965 4,072,601
1987 2,669,155 3,957,612
1986 2,634,258 3,846,715
1985 2,600,932 3,739,985
1984 2,568,610 3,637,843
1983 2,537,399 3,541,001
1982 2,507,375 3,450,026
1981 2,478,402 3,366,631
1980 2,450,535 3,292,573
1979 2,423,794 3,228,202
1978 2,397,961 3,171,740
1977 2,372,930 3,118,923
1976 2,348,566 3,064,876
1975 2,313,916 3,005,521
1974 2,269,338 2,939,761
1973 2,226,008 2,870,573
1972 2,183,769 2,801,660
1971 2,141,450 2,734,628
1970 2,097,505 2,669,702
1969 2,051,515 2,606,959
1968 2,005,100 2,546,377
1967 1,960,444 2,487,715
1966 1,918,082 2,431,084
1965 1,877,854 2,376,200
1964 1,839,583 2,322,826
1963 1,803,063 2,271,061
1962 1,768,115 2,219,910
1961 1,734,580 2,169,796
1960 1,702,346 2,121,514

Data sources: United Nations | World Population Prospects (2026–2100, retrieved 2026-07-08); World Bank | Health (1960–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08).

GeoRank.org/population/central-african-republic/laos | CC BY

From 2006 to 2016, the population of the Central African Republic increased by 336,084 people (a 7.68% growth), while Laos gained 945,602 people (a 15.9% growth).

For the next 10 years, from 2016 to 2026, the Central African Republic gained 1,084,794 people (a 23% growth), while Laos' population increased by 1,118,662 people (a 16.2% growth).

The Central African Republic was ranked 118th most populous country in 2006 and is 117th in 2026. Laos was ranked 104th in 2006 and ranked 103rd now.

The UN's World Population Prospects forecasts that in 24 years (in 2050) the Central African Republic's population will grow by 84.3% to 10,686,324 people with a rank change from 117th to 96th. The population of Laos will increase by 22.1% to 9,797,566 people and rank change from 103rd to 99th.

The Central African Republic is projected to reach its peak in 2100 at 19.1M people compared to the peak of 10.2M people in 2068 for Laos.

Population growth rate by year

Central African Republic
Factual

Projection
Laos
Factual

Projection
1x
Year Growth rate
CAR Laos
2100 0.42% -0.5%
2099 0.45% -0.49%
2098 0.45% -0.47%
2097 0.49% -0.46%
2096 0.53% -0.45%
2095 0.54% -0.44%
2094 0.55% -0.43%
2093 0.59% -0.42%
2092 0.61% -0.41%
2091 0.65% -0.4%
2090 0.64% -0.38%
2089 0.69% -0.37%
2088 0.72% -0.35%
2087 0.77% -0.34%
2086 0.77% -0.32%
2085 0.81% -0.3%
2084 0.85% -0.29%
2083 0.88% -0.27%
2082 0.89% -0.26%
2081 0.93% -0.24%
2080 0.92% -0.23%
2079 0.98% -0.21%
2078 1.04% -0.2%
2077 1.07% -0.17%
2076 1.1% -0.16%
2075 1.09% -0.14%
2074 1.16% -0.12%
2073 1.17% -0.1%
2072 1.24% -0.07%
2071 1.3% -0.06%
2070 1.32% -0.03%
2069 1.35% -0.003%
2068 1.41% 0.02%
2067 1.43% 0.05%
2066 1.46% 0.07%
2065 1.49% 0.09%
2064 1.57% 0.12%
2063 1.59% 0.14%
2062 1.62% 0.17%
2061 1.68% 0.2%
2060 1.72% 0.22%
2059 1.77% 0.25%
2058 1.81% 0.28%
2057 1.85% 0.31%
2056 1.89% 0.33%
2055 1.93% 0.36%
2054 1.97% 0.4%
2053 2% 0.42%
2052 2.02% 0.45%
2051 2.08% 0.48%
2050 2.08% 0.5%
2049 2.13% 0.54%
2048 2.14% 0.56%
2047 2.19% 0.6%
2046 2.22% 0.62%
2045 2.26% 0.65%
2044 2.27% 0.67%
2043 2.29% 0.72%
2042 2.34% 0.74%
2041 2.42% 0.77%
2040 2.51% 0.8%
2039 2.56% 0.84%
2038 2.6% 0.87%
2037 2.69% 0.9%
2036 2.77% 0.93%
2035 2.89% 0.96%
2034 2.95% 0.99%
2033 3.02% 1.03%
2032 3.1% 1.07%
2031 3.14% 1.1%
2030 3.19% 1.14%
2029 3.3% 1.18%
2028 3.3% 1.22%
2027 3.34% 1.26%
2026 3.4% 1.31%
2025 3.43% 1.33%
2024 3.46% 1.37%
2023 1.07% 1.4%
2022 -0.28% 1.42%
2021 1.7% 1.45%
2020 1.66% 1.5%
2019 1.35% 1.54%
2018 1.78% 1.57%
2017 1.69% 1.58%
2016 1.82% 1.58%
2015 0.13% 1.47%
2014 -0.41% 1.39%
2013 0.68% 1.42%
2012 1% 1.44%
2011 1.6% 1.46%
2010 -0.8% 1.48%
2009 -0.66% 1.51%
2008 2.16% 1.53%
2007 1.95% 1.56%
2006 2.07% 1.6%
2005 2.29% 1.52%
2004 2.19% 1.47%
2003 2.42% 1.55%
2002 2.21% 1.62%
2001 2.25% 1.66%
2000 2.79% 1.69%
1999 2.77% 1.76%
1998 2.75% 1.87%
1997 2.79% 2.11%
1996 2.63% 2.36%
1995 2.77% 2.5%
1994 3.17% 2.65%
1993 3.24% 2.75%
1992 3.23% 2.81%
1991 3.18% 2.86%
1990 3.16% 2.89%
1989 2.58% 2.91%
1988 1.68% 2.91%
1987 1.32% 2.88%
1986 1.28% 2.85%
1985 1.26% 2.81%
1984 1.23% 2.73%
1983 1.2% 2.64%
1982 1.17% 2.48%
1981 1.14% 2.25%
1980 1.1% 1.99%
1979 1.08% 1.78%
1978 1.05% 1.69%
1977 1.04% 1.76%
1976 1.5% 1.97%
1975 1.96% 2.24%
1974 1.95% 2.41%
1973 1.93% 2.46%
1972 1.98% 2.45%
1971 2.1% 2.43%
1970 2.24% 2.41%
1969 2.31% 2.38%
1968 2.28% 2.36%
1967 2.21% 2.33%
1966 2.14% 2.31%
1965 2.08% 2.3%
1964 2.03% 2.28%
1963 1.98% 2.3%
1962 1.93% 2.31%
1961 1.89% 2.28%

Data sources: United Nations | World Population Prospects (2026–2100, retrieved 2026-07-08); World Bank | Health (1961–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08).

GeoRank.org/population/central-african-republic/laos | CC BY

In 2025, the population of the Central African Republic grew by 3.43%, while Laos' population grew by 1.33%.

Live population counters

CAR Laos
Current population
5798457
8027464
Population rank 117/197 103/197
Percent of world population 0.07% 0.1%
One net population change
2.89 minutes
5.11 minutes
One birth every
2.13 minutes
3.23 minutes
One death every
10.5 minutes
10.9 minutes
Daily growth/decline +500 +283
Annual growth/decline +182,592 +103,227
Annual growth/decline rate +3.43% +1.33%
Population growth rate rank 7/197 76/197
One migration net change every
35.9 minutes
49.5 minutes
Annual migration change -14,693 -10,645
Net migration rank 143/196 134/196
Foreign-born residents 94,556 51,446
Foreign-born residents rank 132/195 149/195
Foreign-born share of population 1.8% 0.7%
Foreign-born share rank 135/195 166/195

Natural population change vs migration

Central African Republic
Natural

Migration
Laos
Natural

Migration
1x
Year Population change
CAR Laos
Natural Migration Natural Migration
2025 - -14,693 - -10,645
2024 196,244 -15,357 114,574 -10,284
2023 190,325 -14,682 115,359 -10,003
2022 -49,456 -17,430 116,620 -10,003
2021 124,408 -85,646 115,323 -10,305
2020 156,911 -24,745 118,609 -10,305
2019 68,523 -36,849 119,797 -10,305
2018 153,361 -52,954 119,986 -10,305
2017 128,461 -58,584 120,515 -10,400
2016 142,419 -52,607 119,978 -11,401
2015 141,912 -63,045 118,723 -12,991
2014 107,448 -174,051 118,103 -26,881
2013 140,489 -112,382 119,845 -27,492
2012 146,791 -111,764 121,324 -28,871
2011 142,913 -86,281 122,863 -30,538
2010 130,539 -43,126 122,516 -30,046
2009 -130,613 -28,899 122,174 -29,545
2008 128,627 -28,983 121,042 -28,318
2007 123,137 -30,352 119,980 -27,233
2006 118,882 -41,282 118,602 -25,286
2005 113,534 -13,604 118,165 -24,138
2004 108,548 -16,510 121,888 -40,120
2003 105,540 -18,097 122,158 -36,572
2002 100,588 5,992 122,110 -33,595
2001 99,598 -33,006 123,847 -33,552
2000 97,468 8,079 124,201 -33,965
1999 96,108 6,284 127,255 -36,632
1998 94,361 4,479 128,409 -33,997
1997 93,378 2,034 130,388 -32,288
1996 93,369 2,697 131,142 -16,574
1995 92,748 -12,986 132,241 -14,279
1994 90,943 9,496 134,201 -11,782
1993 89,873 9,930 135,295 -9,390
1992 88,939 9,269 132,417 -7,502
1991 88,688 4,381 129,523 -5,390
1990 87,507 1,995 125,297 -3,100
1989 85,969 409 121,044 -1,272
1988 84,654 -31,016 117,050 -80
1987 83,408 -47,428 113,005 0
1986 81,149 -47,332 109,266 -475
1985 79,266 -46,427 106,047 -1,376
1984 77,395 -45,591 102,318 -2,698
1983 75,399 -44,780 98,178 -4,108
1982 73,330 -43,908 94,058 -6,184
1981 71,391 -42,872 89,963 -11,061
1980 68,759 -41,539 86,548 -17,339
1979 66,104 -39,850 82,852 -23,317
1978 63,285 -37,874 80,604 -27,208
1977 60,436 -35,782 79,149 -26,908
1976 57,725 -33,645 77,575 -21,738
1975 55,106 -9,895 76,725 -13,858
1974 53,777 -9,838 74,652 -6,000
1973 52,525 -9,800 70,513 -774
1972 51,390 -9,634 68,095 0
1971 50,142 -7,259 65,959 0
1970 48,690 -3,693 63,896 0
1969 47,066 -80 61,595 0
1968 45,377 474 59,567 0
1967 42,979 474 57,763 0
1966 40,804 474 55,494 0
1965 38,710 474 54,268 0
1964 36,878 474 52,482 0
1963 35,218 474 51,056 0
1962 33,731 474 51,244 0
1961 32,383 474 48,992 0
1960 31,131 474 47,575 0

Data sources: World Bank | Health (1960–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08).

GeoRank.org/population/central-african-republic/laos | CC BY

Over the last 10 years, 74.8% of the population change in the Central African Republic is from natural causes (a gain of 1,253,108 people) and 25.2% is from migration (a loss of 421,899 people). In Laos 91.7% is from natural causes (a gain of 1,179,484 people) and 8.27% is from migration (a loss of 106,302 people).

As of 2024, 94,556 residents or 1.8% of the population were not native-born in the Central African Republic, compared to 51,446 people or 0.7% in Laos.

Biggest cities by population

CAR
City Population
Bangui 889K
Berberati 76.9K
Bria 35.2K
Laos
City Population
Vientiane 948K
Thakhek 90.8K
Luang Prabang 53.8K
Vang Vieng 25K

Compare countries by 7 more topics

Population map with other countries

1x

Data sources: World Bank | Health (1960–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08); United Nations | World Population Prospects (1960–2026, retrieved 2026-07-08); U.S. Census Bureau (1960–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08); Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) (2000–2019, retrieved 2026-07-08).

GeoRank.org/population/central-african-republic/laos | CC BY

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Data sources:

  1. World Bank | Health (1960–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  2. United Nations | World Population Prospects (1960–2100, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  3. U.S. Census Bureau (1960–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  4. Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) (2000–2019, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  5. Wikidata (2026, retrieved 2026-07-08)

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