The latest officially reported population of Laos was 7,769,819 in 2024 vs 71,668,011 people in Thailand in 2024. In 2026, based on the adjusted UN estimation, the current Laos' population is 8,004,838 people compared to 71,571,743 in Thailand.
Population statistics:
- Thailand's population is 8.94 times bigger than Laos'.
- Laos is ranked the 103rd most populous country in the world, while Thailand is the 21st.
- The countries together account for 0.96% of the world: 0.1% for Laos vs 0.86% for Thailand.
- For the last 10 years, Laos has had an average growth rate of +1.48% per year vs +0.23% in Thailand.
- Since 2006, the population of Laos has increased from 5.96M people to 8M (34.2% growth), while Thailand has grown from 66.6M to 71.6M (7.52% growth).
Laos vs Thailand: population by year and forecast
| Year | Population | |
|---|---|---|
Laos
|
Thailand
|
|
| 2100 | 9,342,607 | 45,712,111 |
| 2099 | 9,389,481 | 46,056,854 |
| 2098 | 9,435,427 | 46,406,925 |
| 2097 | 9,480,219 | 46,761,683 |
| 2096 | 9,524,052 | 47,122,446 |
| 2095 | 9,567,045 | 47,487,866 |
| 2094 | 9,609,471 | 47,857,414 |
| 2093 | 9,651,065 | 48,230,566 |
| 2092 | 9,691,590 | 48,609,149 |
| 2091 | 9,731,446 | 48,988,448 |
| 2090 | 9,770,116 | 49,372,024 |
| 2089 | 9,807,690 | 49,760,635 |
| 2088 | 9,844,143 | 50,146,313 |
| 2087 | 9,879,110 | 50,536,233 |
| 2086 | 9,912,903 | 50,929,394 |
| 2085 | 9,945,223 | 51,326,092 |
| 2084 | 9,975,614 | 51,728,619 |
| 2083 | 10,005,023 | 52,131,789 |
| 2082 | 10,032,558 | 52,537,598 |
| 2081 | 10,058,731 | 52,942,608 |
| 2080 | 10,083,222 | 53,352,029 |
| 2079 | 10,106,703 | 53,766,821 |
| 2078 | 10,128,372 | 54,181,891 |
| 2077 | 10,148,533 | 54,599,508 |
| 2076 | 10,165,829 | 55,019,721 |
| 2075 | 10,182,062 | 55,442,571 |
| 2074 | 10,196,505 | 55,872,412 |
| 2073 | 10,208,837 | 56,304,891 |
| 2072 | 10,218,581 | 56,739,842 |
| 2071 | 10,225,726 | 57,177,118 |
| 2070 | 10,231,909 | 57,621,370 |
| 2069 | 10,235,317 | 58,066,637 |
| 2068 | 10,235,668 | 58,516,959 |
| 2067 | 10,233,930 | 58,967,738 |
| 2066 | 10,228,744 | 59,418,676 |
| 2065 | 10,222,027 | 59,878,082 |
| 2064 | 10,212,674 | 60,336,709 |
| 2063 | 10,200,753 | 60,797,201 |
| 2062 | 10,186,526 | 61,262,000 |
| 2061 | 10,169,161 | 61,724,999 |
| 2060 | 10,149,107 | 62,192,387 |
| 2059 | 10,126,671 | 62,656,203 |
| 2058 | 10,100,989 | 63,118,413 |
| 2057 | 10,072,578 | 63,577,864 |
| 2056 | 10,041,736 | 64,032,675 |
| 2055 | 10,008,916 | 64,478,337 |
| 2054 | 9,972,602 | 64,917,436 |
| 2053 | 9,933,363 | 65,343,383 |
| 2052 | 9,891,383 | 65,763,356 |
| 2051 | 9,846,656 | 66,167,939 |
| 2050 | 9,799,766 | 66,558,274 |
| 2049 | 9,750,669 | 66,936,876 |
| 2048 | 9,697,931 | 67,296,897 |
| 2047 | 9,643,484 | 67,641,907 |
| 2046 | 9,586,249 | 67,972,603 |
| 2045 | 9,527,029 | 68,287,399 |
| 2044 | 9,465,046 | 68,585,177 |
| 2043 | 9,401,665 | 68,870,333 |
| 2042 | 9,334,890 | 69,139,548 |
| 2041 | 9,266,149 | 69,396,419 |
| 2040 | 9,195,755 | 69,632,464 |
| 2039 | 9,122,969 | 69,854,146 |
| 2038 | 9,046,689 | 70,062,543 |
| 2037 | 8,968,700 | 70,256,027 |
| 2036 | 8,888,903 | 70,435,348 |
| 2035 | 8,807,373 | 70,604,705 |
| 2034 | 8,723,937 | 70,756,791 |
| 2033 | 8,638,238 | 70,897,217 |
| 2032 | 8,550,017 | 71,025,384 |
| 2031 | 8,459,669 | 71,140,609 |
| 2030 | 8,367,305 | 71,247,320 |
| 2029 | 8,273,173 | 71,342,891 |
| 2028 | 8,176,811 | 71,428,869 |
| 2027 | 8,078,122 | 71,505,168 |
| 2026 | 7,977,666 | 71,571,743 |
| 2025 | 7,874,813 | 71,625,629 |
| 2024 | 7,769,819 | 71,668,011 |
| 2023 | 7,664,993 | 71,702,435 |
| 2022 | 7,559,007 | 71,735,329 |
| 2021 | 7,453,194 | 71,727,332 |
| 2020 | 7,346,533 | 71,641,484 |
| 2019 | 7,237,636 | 71,522,271 |
| 2018 | 7,128,045 | 71,376,079 |
| 2017 | 7,018,147 | 71,160,187 |
| 2016 | 6,908,802 | 70,859,841 |
| 2015 | 6,801,645 | 70,540,795 |
| 2014 | 6,703,172 | 70,216,367 |
| 2013 | 6,611,385 | 69,845,114 |
| 2012 | 6,518,978 | 69,436,098 |
| 2011 | 6,426,590 | 69,007,208 |
| 2010 | 6,334,194 | 68,579,447 |
| 2009 | 6,241,642 | 68,121,080 |
| 2008 | 6,148,969 | 67,619,830 |
| 2007 | 6,056,236 | 67,102,394 |
| 2006 | 5,963,200 | 66,567,687 |
| 2005 | 5,869,523 | 66,017,420 |
| 2004 | 5,781,626 | 65,452,047 |
| 2003 | 5,697,945 | 64,868,166 |
| 2002 | 5,610,889 | 64,266,437 |
| 2001 | 5,521,482 | 63,651,141 |
| 2000 | 5,431,212 | 63,007,815 |
| 1999 | 5,340,784 | 62,299,043 |
| 1998 | 5,248,266 | 61,522,630 |
| 1997 | 5,152,011 | 60,724,584 |
| 1996 | 5,045,678 | 59,920,064 |
| 1995 | 4,929,409 | 59,098,232 |
| 1994 | 4,809,220 | 58,260,854 |
| 1993 | 4,685,060 | 57,408,198 |
| 1992 | 4,559,646 | 56,528,834 |
| 1991 | 4,435,118 | 55,637,434 |
| 1990 | 4,311,955 | 54,738,329 |
| 1989 | 4,190,974 | 53,848,956 |
| 1988 | 4,072,601 | 52,969,595 |
| 1987 | 3,957,612 | 52,074,105 |
| 1986 | 3,846,715 | 51,177,834 |
| 1985 | 3,739,985 | 50,270,753 |
| 1984 | 3,637,843 | 49,351,708 |
| 1983 | 3,541,001 | 48,423,309 |
| 1982 | 3,450,026 | 47,494,577 |
| 1981 | 3,366,631 | 46,575,855 |
| 1980 | 3,292,573 | 45,650,022 |
| 1979 | 3,228,202 | 44,718,434 |
| 1978 | 3,171,740 | 43,788,976 |
| 1977 | 3,118,923 | 42,843,974 |
| 1976 | 3,064,876 | 41,896,504 |
| 1975 | 3,005,521 | 40,940,005 |
| 1974 | 2,939,761 | 39,952,891 |
| 1973 | 2,870,573 | 38,947,787 |
| 1972 | 2,801,660 | 37,933,929 |
| 1971 | 2,734,628 | 36,937,387 |
| 1970 | 2,669,702 | 35,954,408 |
| 1969 | 2,606,959 | 34,973,782 |
| 1968 | 2,546,377 | 34,002,560 |
| 1967 | 2,487,715 | 33,037,801 |
| 1966 | 2,431,084 | 32,086,071 |
| 1965 | 2,376,200 | 31,149,337 |
| 1964 | 2,322,826 | 30,232,141 |
| 1963 | 2,271,061 | 29,342,322 |
| 1962 | 2,219,910 | 28,481,040 |
| 1961 | 2,169,796 | 27,650,334 |
| 1960 | 2,121,514 | 26,851,747 |
Data sources: United Nations | World Population Prospects (2025–2100, retrieved 2026-03-10); World Bank | Health (1960–2024, retrieved 2026-04-06).
GeoRank.org/population/laos/thailand | CC BY 
From 2006 to 2016, the population of Laos increased by 945,602 people (a 15.9% growth), while Thailand gained 4,292,154 people (a 6.45% growth).
For the next 10 years, from 2016 to 2026, Laos gained 1,096,036 people (a 15.9% growth), while Thailand's population increased by 711,902 people (a 1% growth).
Laos was ranked 105th most populous country in 2006 and is 103rd in 2026. Thailand was ranked 19th in 2006 and ranked 21st now.
The UN's World Population Prospects forecasts that in 24 years (in 2050) Laos' population will grow by 22.4% to 9,799,766 people with a rank change from 103rd to 99th. The population of Thailand will decrease by 7% to 66,558,274 people and rank change from 21st to 31st.
Laos is projected to reach its peak in 2068 at 10.2M people, while Thailand's population already peaked in 2022 at 71.7M people and is projected to decrease to 45.7M people by 2100.
Population growth rate by year
| Year | Growth rate | |
|---|---|---|
|
Laos
|
Thailand
|
|
| 2100 | -0.5% | -0.75% |
| 2099 | -0.49% | -0.75% |
| 2098 | -0.47% | -0.76% |
| 2097 | -0.46% | -0.77% |
| 2096 | -0.45% | -0.77% |
| 2095 | -0.44% | -0.77% |
| 2094 | -0.43% | -0.77% |
| 2093 | -0.42% | -0.78% |
| 2092 | -0.41% | -0.77% |
| 2091 | -0.4% | -0.78% |
| 2090 | -0.38% | -0.78% |
| 2089 | -0.37% | -0.77% |
| 2088 | -0.35% | -0.77% |
| 2087 | -0.34% | -0.77% |
| 2086 | -0.32% | -0.77% |
| 2085 | -0.3% | -0.78% |
| 2084 | -0.29% | -0.77% |
| 2083 | -0.27% | -0.77% |
| 2082 | -0.26% | -0.76% |
| 2081 | -0.24% | -0.77% |
| 2080 | -0.23% | -0.77% |
| 2079 | -0.21% | -0.77% |
| 2078 | -0.2% | -0.76% |
| 2077 | -0.17% | -0.76% |
| 2076 | -0.16% | -0.76% |
| 2075 | -0.14% | -0.77% |
| 2074 | -0.12% | -0.77% |
| 2073 | -0.1% | -0.77% |
| 2072 | -0.07% | -0.76% |
| 2071 | -0.06% | -0.77% |
| 2070 | -0.03% | -0.77% |
| 2069 | -0.003% | -0.77% |
| 2068 | 0.02% | -0.76% |
| 2067 | 0.05% | -0.76% |
| 2066 | 0.07% | -0.77% |
| 2065 | 0.09% | -0.76% |
| 2064 | 0.12% | -0.76% |
| 2063 | 0.14% | -0.76% |
| 2062 | 0.17% | -0.75% |
| 2061 | 0.2% | -0.75% |
| 2060 | 0.22% | -0.74% |
| 2059 | 0.25% | -0.73% |
| 2058 | 0.28% | -0.72% |
| 2057 | 0.31% | -0.71% |
| 2056 | 0.33% | -0.69% |
| 2055 | 0.36% | -0.68% |
| 2054 | 0.4% | -0.65% |
| 2053 | 0.42% | -0.64% |
| 2052 | 0.45% | -0.61% |
| 2051 | 0.48% | -0.59% |
| 2050 | 0.5% | -0.57% |
| 2049 | 0.54% | -0.53% |
| 2048 | 0.56% | -0.51% |
| 2047 | 0.6% | -0.49% |
| 2046 | 0.62% | -0.46% |
| 2045 | 0.65% | -0.43% |
| 2044 | 0.67% | -0.41% |
| 2043 | 0.72% | -0.39% |
| 2042 | 0.74% | -0.37% |
| 2041 | 0.77% | -0.34% |
| 2040 | 0.8% | -0.32% |
| 2039 | 0.84% | -0.3% |
| 2038 | 0.87% | -0.28% |
| 2037 | 0.9% | -0.25% |
| 2036 | 0.93% | -0.24% |
| 2035 | 0.96% | -0.21% |
| 2034 | 0.99% | -0.2% |
| 2033 | 1.03% | -0.18% |
| 2032 | 1.07% | -0.16% |
| 2031 | 1.1% | -0.15% |
| 2030 | 1.14% | -0.13% |
| 2029 | 1.18% | -0.12% |
| 2028 | 1.22% | -0.11% |
| 2027 | 1.26% | -0.09% |
| 2026 | 1.31% | -0.08% |
| 2025 | 1.35% | -0.06% |
| 2024 | 1.37% | -0.05% |
| 2023 | 1.4% | -0.05% |
| 2022 | 1.42% | 0.01% |
| 2021 | 1.45% | 0.12% |
| 2020 | 1.5% | 0.17% |
| 2019 | 1.54% | 0.2% |
| 2018 | 1.57% | 0.3% |
| 2017 | 1.58% | 0.42% |
| 2016 | 1.58% | 0.45% |
| 2015 | 1.47% | 0.46% |
| 2014 | 1.39% | 0.53% |
| 2013 | 1.42% | 0.59% |
| 2012 | 1.44% | 0.62% |
| 2011 | 1.46% | 0.62% |
| 2010 | 1.48% | 0.67% |
| 2009 | 1.51% | 0.74% |
| 2008 | 1.53% | 0.77% |
| 2007 | 1.56% | 0.8% |
| 2006 | 1.6% | 0.83% |
| 2005 | 1.52% | 0.86% |
| 2004 | 1.47% | 0.9% |
| 2003 | 1.55% | 0.94% |
| 2002 | 1.62% | 0.97% |
| 2001 | 1.66% | 1.02% |
| 2000 | 1.69% | 1.14% |
| 1999 | 1.76% | 1.26% |
| 1998 | 1.87% | 1.31% |
| 1997 | 2.11% | 1.34% |
| 1996 | 2.36% | 1.39% |
| 1995 | 2.5% | 1.44% |
| 1994 | 2.65% | 1.49% |
| 1993 | 2.75% | 1.56% |
| 1992 | 2.81% | 1.6% |
| 1991 | 2.86% | 1.64% |
| 1990 | 2.89% | 1.65% |
| 1989 | 2.91% | 1.66% |
| 1988 | 2.91% | 1.72% |
| 1987 | 2.88% | 1.75% |
| 1986 | 2.85% | 1.8% |
| 1985 | 2.81% | 1.86% |
| 1984 | 2.73% | 1.92% |
| 1983 | 2.64% | 1.96% |
| 1982 | 2.48% | 1.97% |
| 1981 | 2.25% | 2.03% |
| 1980 | 1.99% | 2.08% |
| 1979 | 1.78% | 2.12% |
| 1978 | 1.69% | 2.21% |
| 1977 | 1.76% | 2.26% |
| 1976 | 1.97% | 2.34% |
| 1975 | 2.24% | 2.47% |
| 1974 | 2.41% | 2.58% |
| 1973 | 2.46% | 2.67% |
| 1972 | 2.45% | 2.7% |
| 1971 | 2.43% | 2.73% |
| 1970 | 2.41% | 2.8% |
| 1969 | 2.38% | 2.86% |
| 1968 | 2.36% | 2.92% |
| 1967 | 2.33% | 2.97% |
| 1966 | 2.31% | 3.01% |
| 1965 | 2.3% | 3.03% |
| 1964 | 2.28% | 3.03% |
| 1963 | 2.3% | 3.02% |
| 1962 | 2.31% | 3% |
| 1961 | 2.28% | 2.97% |
Data sources: United Nations | World Population Prospects (2025–2100, retrieved 2026-03-10); World Bank | Health (1961–2024, retrieved 2026-04-06).
GeoRank.org/population/laos/thailand | CC BY
In 2024, the population of Laos grew by 1.37%, while Thailand's population declined by 0.05%.
Live population counters
|
Laos
|
Thailand
|
|
|---|---|---|
| Current population |
8004838
|
71571743
|
| Population rank | 103/197 | 21/197 |
| Percent of world population | 0.1% | 0.86% |
| One net population change |
5.01 minutes
|
15.3 minutes
|
| One birth every |
3.22 minutes
|
53.3 seconds
|
| One death every |
11 minutes
|
49.5 seconds
|
| Daily growth/decline | +287 | -94 |
| Annual growth/decline | +104,826 | -34,424 |
| Annual growth/decline rate | +1.37% | -0.05% |
| Population growth rate rank | 77/197 | 168/197 |
| One migration net change every |
49.5 minutes
|
19.2 minutes
|
| Annual migration change | -10,645 | +27,509 |
| Net migration rank | 134/196 | 30/196 |
| Foreign-born residents | 51,446 | 3,179,399 |
| Foreign-born residents rank | 149/195 | 21/195 |
| Foreign-born share of population | 0.7% | 4.4% |
| Foreign-born share rank | 166/195 | 100/195 |
Natural population change vs migration
| Year | Population change | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Laos
|
Thailand
|
|||
| Natural | Migration | Natural | Migration | |
| 2025 | - | -10,645 | - | 27,509 |
| 2024 | - | -10,284 | - | 23,321 |
| 2023 | 115,359 | -10,003 | -46,105 | 19,648 |
| 2022 | 116,620 | -10,003 | -61,046 | 21,683 |
| 2021 | 115,323 | -10,305 | 57,382 | -2,093 |
| 2020 | 118,609 | -10,305 | 84,107 | 32,277 |
| 2019 | 119,797 | -10,305 | 116,867 | 5,221 |
| 2018 | 119,986 | -10,305 | 159,383 | 10,984 |
| 2017 | 120,515 | -10,400 | 194,695 | 66,805 |
| 2016 | 119,978 | -11,401 | 226,255 | 112,978 |
| 2015 | 118,723 | -12,991 | 266,362 | 32,500 |
| 2014 | 118,103 | -26,881 | 294,628 | 55,358 |
| 2013 | 119,845 | -27,492 | 325,059 | 67,452 |
| 2012 | 121,324 | -28,871 | 351,485 | 74,033 |
| 2011 | 122,863 | -30,538 | 365,670 | 66,607 |
| 2010 | 122,516 | -30,046 | 370,466 | 52,791 |
| 2009 | 122,174 | -29,545 | 382,636 | 110,883 |
| 2008 | 121,042 | -28,318 | 401,730 | 107,333 |
| 2007 | 119,980 | -27,233 | 425,362 | 100,486 |
| 2006 | 118,602 | -25,286 | 441,211 | 102,362 |
| 2005 | 118,165 | -24,138 | 456,378 | 100,542 |
| 2004 | 121,888 | -40,120 | 466,542 | 107,199 |
| 2003 | 122,158 | -36,572 | 488,003 | 105,917 |
| 2002 | 122,110 | -33,595 | 504,299 | 105,215 |
| 2001 | 123,847 | -33,552 | 524,230 | 96,817 |
| 2000 | 124,201 | -33,965 | 543,884 | 121,640 |
| 1999 | 127,255 | -36,632 | 578,073 | 173,924 |
| 1998 | 128,409 | -33,997 | 617,318 | 183,471 |
| 1997 | 130,388 | -32,288 | 644,834 | 150,411 |
| 1996 | 131,142 | -16,574 | 661,397 | 152,397 |
| 1995 | 132,241 | -14,279 | 682,703 | 147,226 |
| 1994 | 134,201 | -11,782 | 712,589 | 132,271 |
| 1993 | 135,295 | -9,390 | 737,696 | 122,746 |
| 1992 | 132,417 | -7,502 | 754,999 | 143,318 |
| 1991 | 129,523 | -5,390 | 760,508 | 124,034 |
| 1990 | 125,297 | -3,100 | 760,808 | 152,916 |
| 1989 | 121,044 | -1,272 | 774,563 | 90,497 |
| 1988 | 117,050 | -80 | 765,252 | 128,469 |
| 1987 | 113,005 | 0 | 774,498 | 122,791 |
| 1986 | 109,266 | -475 | 783,430 | 111,820 |
| 1985 | 106,047 | -1,376 | 776,935 | 141,963 |
| 1984 | 102,318 | -2,698 | 779,856 | 139,345 |
| 1983 | 98,178 | -4,108 | 794,239 | 143,393 |
| 1982 | 94,058 | -6,184 | 817,951 | 101,885 |
| 1981 | 89,963 | -11,061 | 839,297 | 78,337 |
| 1980 | 86,548 | -17,339 | 845,575 | 88,478 |
| 1979 | 82,852 | -23,317 | 843,434 | 85,693 |
| 1978 | 80,604 | -27,208 | 847,799 | 82,011 |
| 1977 | 79,149 | -26,908 | 871,232 | 88,937 |
| 1976 | 77,575 | -21,738 | 894,072 | 40,656 |
| 1975 | 76,725 | -13,858 | 911,980 | 66,306 |
| 1974 | 74,652 | -6,000 | 923,151 | 72,801 |
| 1973 | 70,513 | -774 | 933,540 | 80,704 |
| 1972 | 68,095 | 0 | 940,420 | 73,082 |
| 1971 | 65,959 | 0 | 936,215 | 43,400 |
| 1970 | 63,896 | 0 | 937,116 | 49,221 |
| 1969 | 61,595 | 0 | 948,314 | 26,551 |
| 1968 | 59,567 | 0 | 953,806 | 13,718 |
| 1967 | 57,763 | 0 | 944,980 | 17,005 |
| 1966 | 55,494 | 0 | 929,469 | 12,016 |
| 1965 | 54,268 | 0 | 909,000 | 22,995 |
| 1964 | 52,482 | 0 | 885,137 | 17,249 |
| 1963 | 51,056 | 0 | 860,728 | 16,494 |
| 1962 | 51,244 | 0 | 828,741 | 16,605 |
| 1961 | 48,992 | 0 | 801,140 | 14,968 |
| 1960 | 47,575 | 0 | 774,190 | 6,886 |
Data sources: World Bank | Health (1960–2025, retrieved 2026-04-06).
GeoRank.org/population/laos/thailand | CC BY
Over the last 10 years, 90.6% of the population change in Laos is from natural causes (a gain of 1,183,013 people) and 9.41% is from migration (a loss of 122,899 people). In Thailand 78.4% is from natural causes (a gain of 1,292,528 people) and 21.6% is from migration (a gain of 355,361 people).
As of 2024, 51,446 residents or 0.7% of the population were not native-born in Laos, compared to 3,179,399 people or 4.4% in Thailand.
Biggest cities by population
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Population differences between Laos and Thailand
|
Laos
|
Thailand
|
|
|---|---|---|
| Life expectancy | 69.7 years | 77.1 years |
| Average age | 28.3 years | 40.8 years |
| Median age | 25.6 years | 41.1 years |
| Male:Female ratio | 50.2:49.8 | 48.7:51.3 |
| Fertility rate | 2.42 births per woman | 1.21 births per woman |
| Population density | 89.5 ppl/mi² | 363 ppl/mi² |
Population map with other countries
Data sources: World Bank | Health (1960–2024, retrieved 2026-04-06); United Nations | World Population Prospects (1960–2026, retrieved 2026-03-10); U.S. Census Bureau (1960–2025, retrieved 2026-02-08); Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) (2000–2019, retrieved 2026-02-20).
GeoRank.org/population/laos/thailand | CC BY
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Data sources:
- World Bank | Health (1960–2025, retrieved 2026-04-06)
- United Nations | World Population Prospects (1960–2100, retrieved 2026-03-10)
- U.S. Census Bureau (1960–2025, retrieved 2026-02-08)
- Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) (2000–2019, retrieved 2026-02-20)
- Wikidata (2026, retrieved 2026-02-08)
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