Changes

Laos' population was estimated at 6.5 million in mid-2007, dispersed unevenly across the country. Most people live in valleys of the Mekong River and its tributaries. Vientiane prefecture, the capital and largest city, had about 711,919 residents in 2006. The country's population density was 27/km².  

Laos' population was estimated at 6.5 million in mid-2007, dispersed unevenly across the country. Most people live in valleys of the Mekong River and its tributaries. Vientiane prefecture, the capital and largest city, had about 711,919 residents in 2006. The country's population density was 27/km².  

About half the country's people are ethnic Lao, the principal lowland inhabitants as well as the politically and culturally dominant group. The Lao are descended from the Tai people who began migrating southward from China in the first millennium A.D. Mountain tribes of Hmong-Yao, and Tibeto-Burman (Kor and Phounoy) as well as Tai ethno-linguistic heritage are found in northern Laos. Until recently, they were known as Lao Sung or highland Lao. In the central and southern mountains, Austro Asiatic (Mon-Khmer and Viet-Muong) tribes, formerly known as Lao Theung or mid-slope Lao, predominate. Some Vietnamese and Chinese minorities remain, particularly in the towns, but many left in two waves-after partial independence in the late 1940s and again after 1975.  

About half the country's people are ethnic Lao, the principal lowland inhabitants as well as the politically and culturally dominant group. The Lao are descended from the Tai people who began migrating southward from China in the first millennium A.D. Mountain tribes of Hmong-Yao and Tibeto-Burman (Kor and Phounoy), as well as Tai ethno-linguistic groups, are found in northern Laos. Until recently, they were known as Lao Sung or highland Lao. In the central and southern mountains, Austro-Asiatic (Mon-Khmer and Viet-Muong) tribes, formerly known as Lao Theung or mid-slope Lao, predominate. Some Vietnamese and Chinese minorities remain, particularly in the towns, but many left in two waves — after partial independence in the late 1940s and again after 1975.  

The predominant religion is [[Theravada Buddhism]]. Animism is common among the mountain tribes. [[Buddhism]] and spirit worship coexist easily. There also are a small numbers of [[Christians]] and [[Muslim]]s.  

The predominant religion is [[Theravada Buddhism]]. Animism is common among the mountain tribes. [[Buddhism]] and spirit worship coexist easily. There also are a small number of [[Christians]] and [[Muslims]].  

The official and dominant language is Lao, a tonal language of the Tai linguistic group. Minorities speak an assortment of Mon-Khmer, Hmong-Yao, and Tibeto-Burman languages. French, once common in government and commerce, has declined in usage, while knowledge of English—the language of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN)--has increased in recent years. The government is encouraging officials and students to learn English. High school students are required to take either French or English; the majority today choose English. The government plans to introduce English at the primary school level by 2010.  

The official and dominant language is Lao, a tonal language of the Tai linguistic group. Minorities speak an assortment of Mon-Khmer, Hmong-Yao, and Tibeto-Burman languages. French, once common in government and commerce, has declined in usage, while knowledge of English—the language of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN)—has increased in recent years. The government is encouraging officials and students to learn English. High school students are required to take either French or English; the majority today choose English. The government plans to introduce English at the primary school level by 2010.  

*Population (2007 est.): 6.5 million.

*Population (2007 est.): 6.5 million.

*Annual growth rate (2007): 2.4%.

*Annual growth rate (2007): 2.4%.

*Ethnic groups: Tai-Kadai language family (6 ethnic groups)--66.2%; Austro-Asiatic (Mon-Khmer and Viet-Muong) language family (30 ethnic groups)--22.8%; Hmong-Yao (2 ethnic groups)--7.4%; Tibeto-Burman (8 ethnic groups)--2.7%; other ethnic groups (including Vietnamese and Chinese)--0.9%.

*Ethnic groups: Tai-Kadai language family (6 ethnic groups)--66.2%; Austro-Asiatic (Mon-Khmer and Viet-Muong) language family (30 ethnic groups)--22.8%; Hmong-Yao (2 ethnic groups)--7.4%; Tibeto-Burman (8 ethnic groups)--2.7%; other ethnic groups (including Vietnamese and Chinese)--0.9%.

*Religions: Buddhism—65%; Christianity—1.3%; others (including animism, Ba'hai, and Islam)-33.7%.

*Religions: Buddhism—65%; Christianity—1.3%; others (including animism, Baha'i, and Islam)—33.7%.

*Languages: Lao (official), French, English, and various ethnic languages.

*Languages: Lao (official), French, English, and various ethnic languages.

*Education: Literacy—69%.

*Education: Literacy—69%.

*Health (2007): Infant mortality rate-81.4/1,000. Life expectancy—56 years.  

*Health (2007): Infant mortality rate—81.4/1,000. Life expectancy—56 years.  

*Work force (2.1 million, 2006): Agriculture—78.5%; industry and services—21.5% (2006).  

*Workforce (2.1 million, 2006): Agriculture—78.5%; industry and services—21.5% (2006).  

==Government and Political Conditions==

==Government and Political Conditions==

*President—Choummaly Sayasone

*President—Choummaly Sayasone

*Prime Minister—Thongsing Thammavong

*Prime Minister—Thongsing Thammavong

*Ambassador to the U.S.--Phiane Philakone  

*Ambassador to the U.S.—Phiane Philakone

*Permanent Representative to the UN—Kanika Phommachanh  

*Permanent Representative to the UN—Kanika Phommachanh  

*Industrial growth rate (2006 est.): 13%.

*Industrial growth rate (2006 est.): 13%.

*Services (2006 est.): 26% of GDP.

*Services (2006 est.): 26% of GDP.

*Trade: Exports (2006 est.)--$593.6 million: garments, gold and copper, electricity, wood and wood products, coffee and other agricultural products, rattan, and tin. Major markets—Thailand, Vietnam, France, and Germany. Imports (2006 est.)--$1.092 billion. Major imports—fuel, food, consumer, goods, machinery and equipment, vehicles and spare parts. Major suppliers—Thailand, China, Vietnam, Singapore.  

*Trade: Exports (2006 est.)--$593.6 million: garments, gold and copper, electricity, wood and wood products, coffee and other agricultural products, rattan, and tin. Major markets—Thailand, Vietnam, France, and Germany. Imports (2006 est.)--$1.092 billion. Major imports—fuel, food, consumer goods, machinery and equipment, vehicles and spare parts. Major suppliers—Thailand, China, Vietnam, Singapore.  

==History==

==History==

In 1972, the communist People's Party renamed itself the Lao People's Revolutionary Party (LPRP). It joined a new coalition government in Laos soon after the Vientiane cease-fire agreement in 1973. Nonetheless, the political struggle among communists, neutralists, and rightists continued. The fall of Saigon and Phnom Penh to communist forces in April 1975 hastened the decline of the coalition in Laos. Several months after these communist victories, the Pathet Lao entered Vientiane. On December 2, 1975, the king abdicated his throne and the communist Lao People's Democratic Republic (LPDR) was established.  

In 1972, the communist People's Party renamed itself the Lao People's Revolutionary Party (LPRP). It joined a new coalition government in Laos soon after the Vientiane cease-fire agreement in 1973. Nonetheless, the political struggle among communists, neutralists, and rightists continued. The fall of Saigon and Phnom Penh to communist forces in April 1975 hastened the decline of the coalition in Laos. Several months after these communist victories, the Pathet Lao entered Vientiane. On December 2, 1975, the king abdicated his throne and the communist Lao People's Democratic Republic (LPDR) was established.  

The new communist government imposed centralized economic decision-making and broad security measures, including control of the media and the arrest and incarceration of many members of the previous government and military in "re-education camps." These draconian policies and deteriorating economic conditions, along with government efforts to enforce political control, prompted an exodus of lowland Lao and ethnic Hmong from Laos. About 10% of the Lao population sought refugee status after 1975, many of whom resettled in third countries, including the United States. From 1975 to 1996, the U.S. resettled some 250,000 Lao refugees from Thailand, including 130,000 Hmong. The last major resettlement to the United States of about 15,000 Hmong from the Wat Tham Krabok camp was in 2004.  

The new communist government imposed centralized economic decision-making and broad security measures, including control of the media and the arrest and incarceration of many members of the previous government and military in "re-education camps.". These draconian policies and deteriorating economic conditions, along with government efforts to enforce political control, prompted an exodus of lowland Lao and ethnic Hmong from Laos. About 10% of the Lao population sought refugee status after 1975, many of whom resettled in third countries, including the United States. From 1975 to 1996, the U.S. resettled some 250,000 Lao refugees from Thailand, including 130,000 Hmong. The last major resettlement to the United States of about 15,000 Hmong from the Wat Tham Krabok camp was in 2004.  

Over time, the Lao Government closed the re-education camps and released most political prisoners. By the end of 1999, more than 28,900 Hmong and lowland Lao had voluntarily repatriated to Laos—3,500 from China and the rest from Thailand. The Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) monitored returnees for a number of years and reported no evidence of systemic persecution or discrimination against returnees per se. UNHCR closed its Laos office at the end of 2001.

Over time, the Lao Government closed the re-education camps and released most political prisoners. By the end of 1999, more than 28,900 Hmong and lowland Lao had voluntarily repatriated to Laos—3,500 from China and the rest from Thailand. The Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) monitored returnees for a number of years and reported no evidence of systemic persecution or discrimination against returnees per se. UNHCR closed its Laos office at the end of 2001.