Urban Population: Lao P.D.R.
Lao P.D.R.'s urban population is currently 39.6% as of 2024. # Lao P.
Current (2024)
39.6%
+1.9% y/y
Peak (2024)
39.6%
Low (1960)
7.8%
Source
World Bank World Development Indicators
1960–2024 · 65 pts
Urban Population — Lao P.D.R.
1960 — 2024
Urban Population — Lao P.D.R.
Analysis# Lao P.D.R. Urban Population
Lao P.D.R.'s urban population reached 39.555% in 2024, marking the highest level in recorded history. This represents a dramatic transformation from 1960, when just 7.848% of the population lived in urban areas—a 404% increase over six decades. The country remains predominantly rural, yet the urbanization trend has accelerated significantly in recent years.
The period from 2015 to 2024 reveals consistent year-over-year growth, with urban population share climbing from 33.124% to 39.555%. Annual increases have averaged roughly 0.7 percentage points, reflecting sustained rural-to-urban migration and urban expansion. If this trajectory continues, Lao P.D.R. could approach 45% urban population within the next decade, signaling continued demographic shifts toward cities and growing infrastructure demands.
Historical Data
65 Rows| Year | Value | Change % |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 39.6% | +1.93% |
| 2023 | 38.8% | +1.94% |
| 2022 | 38.1% | +1.95% |
| 2021 | 37.3% | +1.97% |
| 2020 | 36.6% | +1.98% |
| 2019 | 35.9% | +1.99% |
| 2018 | 35.2% | +2.01% |
| 2017 | 34.5% | +2.03% |
| 2016 | 33.8% | +2.12% |
| 2015 | 33.1% | +1.41% |
| 2014 | 32.7% | +1.36% |
| 2013 | 32.2% | +1.52% |
| 2012 | 31.7% | +1.69% |
| 2011 | 31.2% | +1.85% |
| 2010 | 30.6% | +2.01% |
| 2009 | 30.0% | +2.17% |
| 2008 | 29.4% | +2.33% |
| 2007 | 28.7% | +2.48% |
| 2006 | 28.0% | +2.62% |
| 2005 | 27.3% | +2.96% |
Show all 65 rows
| Year | Value | Change % |
|---|---|---|
| 2004 | 26.5% | +3.68% |
| 2003 | 25.6% | +4.36% |
| 2002 | 24.5% | +4.93% |
| 2001 | 23.4% | +5.36% |
| 2000 | 22.2% | +5.62% |
| 1999 | 21.0% | +5.67% |
| 1998 | 19.9% | +5.46% |
| 1997 | 18.8% | +4.92% |
| 1996 | 18.0% | +3.96% |
| 1995 | 17.3% | +3.08% |
| 1994 | 16.8% | +2.70% |
| 1993 | 16.3% | +2.48% |
| 1992 | 15.9% | +2.29% |
| 1991 | 15.6% | +2.13% |
| 1990 | 15.2% | +2.03% |
| 1989 | 14.9% | +1.97% |
| 1988 | 14.7% | +1.96% |
| 1987 | 14.4% | +2.00% |
| 1986 | 14.1% | +2.12% |
| 1985 | 13.8% | +2.21% |
| 1984 | 13.5% | +2.20% |
| 1983 | 13.2% | +2.17% |
| 1982 | 12.9% | +2.17% |
| 1981 | 12.7% | +2.16% |
| 1980 | 12.4% | +2.19% |
| 1979 | 12.1% | +2.22% |
| 1978 | 11.9% | +2.28% |
| 1977 | 11.6% | +2.34% |
| 1976 | 11.3% | +2.44% |
| 1975 | 11.1% | +2.55% |
| 1974 | 10.8% | +2.70% |
| 1973 | 10.5% | +3.07% |
| 1972 | 10.2% | +3.53% |
| 1971 | 9.8% | +3.79% |
| 1970 | 9.5% | +3.80% |
| 1969 | 9.1% | +3.52% |
| 1968 | 8.8% | +2.95% |
| 1967 | 8.6% | +2.02% |
| 1966 | 8.4% | +1.44% |
| 1965 | 8.3% | +1.37% |
| 1964 | 8.2% | +1.25% |
| 1963 | 8.1% | +1.13% |
| 1962 | 8.0% | +0.94% |
| 1961 | 7.9% | +0.71% |
| 1960 | 7.8% | — |
Related Data
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For Lao P.D.R.
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Demographics
People & population data
No demographic data available.