Laos: housing

How many households are there in the Lao PDR?

The Lao PDR had 1,394,383 households in 8,413 villages in 2025, according to the Lao Statistics Bureau, which gives a population of 7,745,000, including 3,866,000 women. The country has 18 provinces and 148 districts.

That works out at about 5.6 people per household. The fifth Population and Housing Census began on 3 November 2025, and the Bureau's census website said in July 2026 that it had moved on to processing and analysis. Its results will give new counts of the population and of housing.

Official sources: Lao Statistics Bureau · census website

How many people in the Lao PDR have electricity?

96.5% of people in the Lao PDR had access to electricity in 2024, according to the World Bank. The figure was 98.4% in 2019 and reported as 100% in 2021 and 2022.

Access counts people with electricity from the grid or from off-grid sources such as solar systems, and the figures come from household surveys and modelling. Renewable sources, including hydropower and wood, supplied 49.2% of final energy consumption in 2022.

Official sources: World Bank · 49.2% of final energy consumption

How many people in the Lao PDR have safe water and sanitation?

35.2% of people in the Lao PDR used safely managed drinking water in 2024, according to World Bank data from the WHO and UNICEF monitoring programme, up from 21.5% in 2019. 71.4% used safely managed sanitation.

Safely managed water must come from an improved source on the premises, be available when needed and be free from contamination. Safely managed sanitation means a private improved toilet whose waste is safely disposed of or treated.

Official sources: World Bank data · safely managed sanitation

What share of Laos is urban?

40.3%: that is the share of people living in urban areas in Laos for 2025, according to the UN Population Division. It is the top of the series, which starts in 2005. East Asia & Pacific median: 63.1%; Laos is 21st highest of 30. World rank, highest first: 150th of 193.

What share of Laos' city dwellers live in slums?

The latest figure from UN-Habitat, for 2022, is 54.8%. It is the top of the series, which starts in 2006. East Asia & Pacific median: 17.9%; Laos is 2nd highest of 27. World rank, highest first: 26th of 170.

How many people in Laos have electricity?

In 2024, the share of people with access to electricity in Laos was 96.5%, according to the World Bank. The peak was 100.0% in 2021 and the low 55.0% in 2007. It is 21st highest of 30 in East Asia & Pacific, where the median is 100.0%. Worldwide: 125th of 193.

What is access to safe water in Laos?

WHO and UNICEF puts the share of people using safely managed drinking water in Laos at 35.2% in 2024. No year since 2005 has been higher. East Asia & Pacific median: 45.9%; Laos is 13th highest of 20. World rank, highest first: 108th of 134.

What share of people in Laos have safe sanitation?

71.4%: that is the share of people using safely managed sanitation in Laos for 2024, according to WHO and UNICEF. It is the top of the series, which starts in 2005. It is 7th highest of 21 in East Asia & Pacific, where the median is 60.5%. Worldwide: 58th of 134.

How many people in Laos cook with wood or charcoal?

The latest figure from the WHO, for 2024, is 10.0%. That is the highest since at least 2005. East Asia & Pacific median: 82.0%; Laos is 30th highest of 30. World rank, highest first: 170th of 192.