MigrantoImmigrants in Laos
47.6K foreigners live in Laos — 1% of the country's population
Immigrants in Laos by country
The 3 largest groups make up 85% of all immigrants
| Country | Immigrants |
|---|---|
| Vietnam | 21400 |
| China | 15137 |
| Cambodia | 3871 |
| Thailand | 3718 |
| Myanmar | 3201 |
| Australia | 230 |
By region of origin
100% of immigrants come from Asia
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Key facts
Immigrants in Laos in numbers
Vietnamese are the largest group by a wide margin
45% of all immigrants were born in Vietnam, while the next group accounts for just 32%.
Immigrants come from a wider range of countries than in 1990
The largest group's share fell from 63% to 45%.
Immigrant population in Laos over time
Foreigners living in Laos, by year
| Year | Immigrants |
|---|---|
| 1990 | 22074 |
| 1995 | 20911 |
| 2000 | 17760 |
| 2005 | 16455 |
| 2010 | 29275 |
| 2015 | 42099 |
| 2020 | 45047 |
| 2024 | 47557 |
Largest groups over time
The 5 largest groups in Laos, by year
| Year | Vietnamese | Chinese | Cambodians | Thais | Burmese |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1990 | 13852 | 4125 | 1398 | 2277 | 404 |
| 1995 | 13368 | 3743 | 1362 | 2060 | 360 |
| 2000 | 11611 | 3005 | 1197 | 1648 | 282 |
| 2005 | 10717 | 2820 | 1119 | 1538 | 245 |
| 2010 | 14827 | 8110 | 2273 | 2415 | 1540 |
| 2015 | 18938 | 13400 | 3428 | 3293 | 2835 |
| 2020 | 20270 | 14338 | 3667 | 3522 | 3032 |
| 2024 | 21400 | 15137 | 3871 | 3718 | 3201 |
Fastest-changing groups
How each group's numbers have changed since the selected year
Share of each diaspora living in Laos
Of each group's emigrants worldwide, the share who live in Laos
Data source: International Migrant Stock 2024 (UN DESA, Population Division)
Frequently asked questions
How many foreigners live in Laos?
Around 47.6K immigrants live in Laos — the world's #161 largest immigrant population.
What percentage of the population of Laos are immigrants?
Immigrants make up around 1% of the population of Laos — that's 47.6K out of a total population of 7.8M.
Where do most immigrants in Laos come from?
Most immigrants in Laos come from Vietnam, China and Cambodia — these three countries account for about 85% of all immigrants.
How many Vietnamese live in Laos?
Around 21.4K Vietnamese live in Laos — about 45% of all immigrants, the largest group.
Is the immigrant population in Laos growing?
Yes — over the past decade, the number of immigrants in Laos has grown from 42.1K to 47.6K, about 13%.
Where does the data on immigrants in Laos come from?
The source is International Migrant Stock 2024 (UN DESA, Population Division). It counts people born abroad who now live in Laos. Their children born in Laos are not included.
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Living in Laos
See the full country overview