Regions of Laos: population and official figures
Laos is divided into 18 regions. The largest by population is Savannakhet with 1,021,000 people (14.8% of the total); the smallest is Xaysomboun with 99,000. Population, area and rice figures are from the Lao Statistics Bureau Statistical Yearbook 2018 (provincial extracts republished by the World Bank). Health, schooling, wealth, water, sanitation and technology figures are from the Lao Social Indicator Survey II, run in 2017 by the Lao Statistics Bureau with the Ministry of Health and the Ministry of Education and Sports. Poverty figures are from the Lao Statistics Bureau and World Bank poverty maps. Laos last published census results for 2015.
Who governs Laos's regions?
Provinces (17) and Vientiane Capital: Provincial administrative committee with a chairperson (formerly the governor, who was nominated by the President); provincial People's Assembly elected with the National Assembly. Runs political, economic and social affairs and natural resources in the province.
How local power works in Laos · Level 5: devolved and state governments worldwide
All 18 regions, largest first
| # | Region | Population | Year | Growth (1 yr) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Savannakhet | 1,021,000 | 2018 | – |
| 2 | Vientiane Capital | 886,000 | 2018 | – |
| 3 | Champasak | 724,000 | 2018 | – |
| 4 | Luang Prabang | 455,000 | 2018 | – |
| 5 | Vientiane | 444,000 | 2018 | – |
| 6 | Salavan | 419,000 | 2018 | – |
| 7 | Khammouane | 414,000 | 2018 | – |
| 8 | Xayaboury | 406,000 | 2018 | – |
| 9 | Oudomxay | 329,000 | 2018 | – |
| 10 | Houaphan | 304,000 | 2018 | – |
| 11 | Bolikhamxay | 298,000 | 2018 | – |
| 12 | Xiengkhuang | 259,000 | 2018 | – |
| 13 | Bokeo | 193,000 | 2018 | – |
| 14 | Luang Namtha | 189,000 | 2018 | – |
| 15 | Phongsaly | 188,000 | 2018 | – |
| 16 | Attapeu | 150,000 | 2018 | – |
| 17 | Sekong | 122,000 | 2018 | – |
| 18 | Xaysomboun | 99,000 | 2018 | – |
More on Laos: official statistics · government and power · local power
Sources
- World Bank (data: Lao Statistics Bureau): Lao PDR Population 2018, table extract: population, area and density by province (from the Lao Statistics Bureau Statistical Yearbook 2018), read 23 October 2026 · saved copy (SHA-256 e7cd19f6a53f…)
- World Bank (data: Lao Statistics Bureau): Lao PDR Rice Production 2018, table extract: paddy area and production by province (from the Lao Statistics Bureau Statistical Yearbook 2018), read 23 October 2026 · saved copy (SHA-256 f498a6990a37…)
- Lao Statistics Bureau, with the Ministry of Health and the Ministry of Education and Sports: Lao Social Indicator Survey II 2017 (MICS/DHS), Survey Findings Report: provincial tables, read 23 October 2026 · saved copy (SHA-256 e06617c29d2b…)
- Lao Statistics Bureau and World Bank: Where Are the Poor in Lao PDR? District-level poverty maps from LECS 6 (2018-19) and the 2015 census: Table 1 and Appendix 3 (poverty rate and number of poor by district), read 23 October 2026 · saved copy (SHA-256 ecabcecadf27…)
- Lao Statistics Bureau, Centre for Development and Environment and World Bank: Lao PDR Poverty 2015, table extract: share of population below the poverty line by province (2015 census-based poverty map), read 23 October 2026 · saved copy (SHA-256 21f37c7aa915…)
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