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Laos vs. Cambodia

Introduction

LaosCambodia
BackgroundModern-day Laos has its roots in the ancient Lao kingdom of Lan Xang, established in the 14th century under King FA NGUM. For 300 years Lan Xang had influence reaching into present-day Cambodia and Thailand, as well as over all of what is now Laos. After centuries of gradual decline, Laos came under the domination of Siam (Thailand) from the late 18th century until the late 19th century, when it became part of French Indochina. The Franco-Siamese Treaty of 1907 defined the current Lao border with Thailand. In 1975, the communist Pathet Lao took control of the government, ending a six-century-old monarchy and instituting a strict socialist regime closely aligned to Vietnam. A gradual, limited return to private enterprise and the liberalization of foreign investment laws began in 1988. Laos became a member of ASEAN in 1997 and the WTO in 2013.

Most Cambodians consider themselves to be Khmers, descendants of the Angkor Empire that extended over much of Southeast Asia and reached its zenith between the 10th and 13th centuries. Attacks by the Thai and Cham (from present-day Vietnam) weakened the empire, ushering in a long period of decline. The king placed the country under French protection in 1863, and it became part of French Indochina in 1887. Following Japanese occupation in World War II, Cambodia gained full independence from France in 1953. In April 1975, after a seven-year struggle, communist Khmer Rouge forces captured Phnom Penh and evacuated all cities and towns. At least 1.5 million Cambodians died from execution, forced hardships, or starvation during the Khmer Rouge regime under POL POT. A December 1978 Vietnamese invasion drove the Khmer Rouge into the countryside, began a 10-year Vietnamese occupation, and touched off 20 years of civil war.

The 1991 Paris Peace Accords mandated democratic elections and a cease-fire, which was not fully respected by the Khmer Rouge. UN-sponsored elections in 1993 helped restore some semblance of normalcy under a coalition government. Factional fighting in 1997 ended the first coalition government, but a second round of national elections in 1998 led to the formation of another coalition government and renewed political stability. The remaining elements of the Khmer Rouge surrendered in early 1999. Some of the surviving Khmer Rouge leaders were tried for crimes against humanity by a hybrid UN-Cambodian tribunal supported by international assistance. In 2018, the tribunal heard its final cases, but it remains in operation to hear appeals. Elections in July 2003 were relatively peaceful, but it took one year of negotiations between contending political parties before a coalition government was formed. In October 2004, King Norodom SIHANOUK abdicated the throne and his son, Prince Norodom SIHAMONI, was selected to succeed him. Local (Commune Council) elections were held in Cambodia in 2012, with little of the violence that preceded prior elections. National elections in July 2013 were disputed, with the opposition - the Cambodia National Rescue Party (CNRP) - boycotting the National Assembly. The political impasse was ended nearly a year later, with the CNRP agreeing to enter parliament in exchange for commitments by the ruling Cambodian People's Party (CPP) to electoral and legislative reforms. The CNRP made further gains in local commune elections in June 2017, accelerating sitting Prime Minister Hun SEN's efforts to marginalize the CNRP before national elections in 2018. Hun Sen arrested CNRP President Kem SOKHA in September 2017. The Supreme Court dissolved the CNRP in November 2017 and banned its leaders from participating in politics for at least five years. The CNRP's seats in the National Assembly were redistributed to smaller, less influential opposition parties, while all of the CNRP's 5,007 seats in the commune councils throughout the country were reallocated to the CPP. With the CNRP banned, the CPP swept the 2018 national elections, winning all 125 National Assembly seats and effectively turning the country into a one-party state.

Geography

LaosCambodia
LocationSoutheastern Asia, northeast of Thailand, west of VietnamSoutheastern Asia, bordering the Gulf of Thailand, between Thailand, Vietnam, and Laos
Geographic coordinates18 00 N, 105 00 E13 00 N, 105 00 E
Map referencesSoutheast AsiaSoutheast Asia
Areatotal: 236,800 sq km

land: 230,800 sq km

water: 6,000 sq km
total: 181,035 sq km

land: 176,515 sq km

water: 4,520 sq km
Area - comparativeabout twice the size of Pennsylvania; slightly larger than Utahone and a half times the size of Pennsylvania; slightly smaller than Oklahoma
Land boundariestotal: 5,274 km

border countries (5): Burma 238 km, Cambodia 555 km, China 475 km, Thailand 1845 km, Vietnam 2161 km
total: 2,530 km

border countries (3): Laos 555 km, Thailand 817 km, Vietnam 1158 km
Coastline0 km (landlocked)443 km
Maritime claimsnone (landlocked)territorial sea: 12 nm

contiguous zone: 24 nm

exclusive economic zone: 200 nm

continental shelf: 200 nm
Climatetropical monsoon; rainy season (May to November); dry season (December to April)tropical; rainy, monsoon season (May to November); dry season (December to April); little seasonal temperature variation
Terrainmostly rugged mountains; some plains and plateausmostly low, flat plains; mountains in southwest and north
Elevation extremeshighest point: Phu Bia 2,817 m

lowest point: Mekong River 70 m

mean elevation: 710 m
highest point: Phnum Aoral 1,810 m

lowest point: Gulf of Thailand 0 m

mean elevation: 126 m
Natural resourcestimber, hydropower, gypsum, tin, gold, gemstonesoil and gas, timber, gemstones, iron ore, manganese, phosphates, hydropower potential, arable land
Land useagricultural land: 10.6% (2018 est.)

arable land: 6.2% (2018 est.)

permanent crops: 0.7% (2018 est.)

permanent pasture: 3.7% (2018 est.)

forest: 67.9% (2018 est.)

other: 21.5% (2018 est.)
agricultural land: 32.1% (2018 est.)

arable land: 22.7% (2018 est.)

permanent crops: 0.9% (2018 est.)

permanent pasture: 8.5% (2018 est.)

forest: 56.5% (2018 est.)

other: 11.4% (2018 est.)
Irrigated land3,100 sq km (2012)3,540 sq km (2012)
Natural hazardsfloods, droughtsmonsoonal rains (June to November); flooding; occasional droughts
Environment - current issuesunexploded ordnance; deforestation; soil erosion; loss of biodiversity; water pollution, most of the population does not have access to potable waterillegal logging activities throughout the country and strip mining for gems in the western region along the border with Thailand have resulted in habitat loss and declining biodiversity (in particular, destruction of mangrove swamps threatens natural fisheries); soil erosion; in rural areas, most of the population does not have access to potable water; declining fish stocks because of illegal fishing and overfishing; coastal ecosystems choked by sediment washed loose from deforested areas inland
Environment - international agreementsparty to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Climate Change-Paris Agreement, Comprehensive Nuclear Test Ban, Desertification, Endangered Species, Environmental Modification, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Nuclear Test Ban, Ozone Layer Protection, Wetlands, Whaling

signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements
party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Climate Change-Paris Agreement, Comprehensive Nuclear Test Ban, Desertification, Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes, Marine Life Conservation, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Tropical Timber 2006, Wetlands, Whaling

signed, but not ratified: Law of the Sea
Geography - notelandlocked; most of the country is mountainous and thickly forested; the Mekong River forms a large part of the western boundary with Thailanda land of paddies and forests dominated by the Mekong River and Tonle Sap (Southeast Asia's largest freshwater lake)
Total renewable water resources333.5 billion cubic meters (2017 est.)476.1 billion cubic meters (2017 est.)
Population distributionmost densely populated area is in and around the capital city of Vientiane; large communities are primarily found along the Mekong River along the southwestern border; overall density is considered one of the lowest in Southeast Asiapopulation concentrated in the southeast, particularly in and around the capital of Phnom Penh; further distribution is linked closely to the Tonle Sap and Mekong Rivers

Demographics

LaosCambodia
Population7,574,356 (July 2021 est.)17,304,363 (July 2021 est.)
Age structure0-14 years: 31.25% (male 1,177,297/female 1,149,727)

15-24 years: 20.6% (male 763,757/female 770,497)

25-54 years: 38.29% (male 1,407,823/female 1,443,774)

55-64 years: 5.73% (male 206,977/female 219,833)

65 years and over: 4.13% (male 139,665/female 168,046) (2020 est.)
0-14 years: 30.18% (male 2,582,427/female 2,525,619)

15-24 years: 17.28% (male 1,452,784/female 1,472,769)

25-54 years: 41.51% (male 3,442,051/female 3,584,592)

55-64 years: 6.44% (male 476,561/female 612,706)

65 years and over: 4.59% (male 287,021/female 490,454) (2020 est.)
Median agetotal: 24 years

male: 23.7 years

female: 24.4 years (2020 est.)
total: 26.4 years

male: 25.6 years

female: 27.2 years (2020 est.)
Population growth rate1.46% (2021 est.)1.34% (2021 est.)
Birth rate22.74 births/1,000 population (2021 est.)20.84 births/1,000 population (2021 est.)
Death rate7.12 deaths/1,000 population (2021 est.)7.15 deaths/1,000 population (2021 est.)
Net migration rate-0.99 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2021 est.)-0.29 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2021 est.)
Sex ratioat birth: 1.04 male(s)/female

0-14 years: 1.02 male(s)/female

15-24 years: 0.99 male(s)/female

25-54 years: 0.98 male(s)/female

55-64 years: 0.94 male(s)/female

65 years and over: 0.83 male(s)/female

total population: 0.99 male(s)/female (2020 est.)
at birth: 1.05 male(s)/female

0-14 years: 1.02 male(s)/female

15-24 years: 0.99 male(s)/female

25-54 years: 0.96 male(s)/female

55-64 years: 0.78 male(s)/female

65 years and over: 0.59 male(s)/female

total population: 0.95 male(s)/female (2020 est.)
Infant mortality ratetotal: 49.48 deaths/1,000 live births

male: 55.75 deaths/1,000 live births

female: 42.95 deaths/1,000 live births (2021 est.)
total: 45.62 deaths/1,000 live births

male: 52.46 deaths/1,000 live births

female: 38.47 deaths/1,000 live births (2021 est.)
Life expectancy at birthtotal population: 66 years

male: 63.83 years

female: 68.26 years (2021 est.)
total population: 66.27 years

male: 63.7 years

female: 68.95 years (2021 est.)
Total fertility rate2.57 children born/woman (2021 est.)2.36 children born/woman (2021 est.)
HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate0.3% (2020 est.)0.5% (2020 est.)
Nationalitynoun: Lao(s) or Laotian(s)

adjective: Lao or Laotian
noun: Cambodian(s)

adjective: Cambodian
Ethnic groupsLao 53.2%, Khmou 11%, Hmong 9.2%, Phouthay 3.4%, Tai 3.1%, Makong 2.5%, Katong 2.2%, Lue 2%, Akha 1.8%, other 11.6% (2015 est.)

note: the Laos Government officially recognizes 49 ethnic groups, but the total number of ethnic groups is estimated to be well over 200
Khmer 97.6%, Cham 1.2%, Chinese 0.1%, Vietnamese 0.1%, other 0.9% (2013 est.)
HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS15,000 (2020 est.)75,000 (2020 est.)
ReligionsBuddhist 64.7%, Christian 1.7%, none 31.4%, other/not stated 2.1% (2015 est.)Buddhist (official) 97.9%, Muslim 1.1%, Christian 0.5%, other 0.6% (2013 est.)
HIV/AIDS - deaths<500 (2020 est.)1,200 (2020 est.)
LanguagesLao (official), French, English, various ethnic languages

major-language sample(s):
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The World Factbook, the indispensable source for basic information.
Khmer (official) 95.8%, minority languages 2.9%, Chinese .6%, Vietnamese .5%, other .2% (2019 est.)

major-language sample(s):
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The World Factbook, the indispensable source for basic information.
Literacydefinition: age 15 and over can read and write

total population: 84.7%

male: 90%

female: 79.4% (2015)
definition: age 15 and over can read and write

total population: 80.5%

male: 86.5%

female: 75% (2015)
Major infectious diseasesdegree of risk: very high (2020)

food or waterborne diseases: bacterial and protozoal diarrhea, hepatitis A, and typhoid fever

vectorborne diseases: dengue fever and malaria
degree of risk: very high (2020)

food or waterborne diseases: bacterial diarrhea, hepatitis A, and typhoid fever

vectorborne diseases: dengue fever, Japanese encephalitis, and malaria
School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education)total: 11 years

male: 11 years

female: 10 years (2019)
total: 11 years

male: 11 years

female: 10 years (2008)
Education expenditures2.9% of GDP (2014)2.2% of GDP (2018)
Urbanizationurban population: 36.9% of total population (2021)

rate of urbanization: 2.99% annual rate of change (2020-25 est.)
urban population: 24.7% of total population (2021)

rate of urbanization: 3.06% annual rate of change (2020-25 est.)
Drinking water sourceimproved: urban: 94.4% of population

rural: 76.8% of population

total: 82.1% of population

unimproved: urban: 5.6% of population

rural: 23.2% of population

total: 17.9% of population (2017 est.)
improved: urban: 98.4% of population

rural: 77.8% of population

total: 80.3% of population

unimproved: urban: 1.6% of population

rural: 22.2% of population

total: 19.7% of population (2017 est.)
Sanitation facility accessimproved: urban: 98% of population

rural: 66.3% of population

total: 77.2% of population

unimproved: urban: 2% of population

rural: 33.7% of population

total: 22.8% of population (2017 est.)
improved: urban: 100% of population

rural: 55.5% of population

total: 65.7% of population

unimproved: urban: 0% of population

rural: 44.5% of population

total: 34.3% of population (2017 est.)
Major cities - population694,000 VIENTIANE (capital) (2021)2.144 million PHNOM PENH (capital) (2021)
Maternal mortality rate185 deaths/100,000 live births (2017 est.)160 deaths/100,000 live births (2017 est.)
Children under the age of 5 years underweight21.1% (2017)24.1% (2014)
Health expenditures2.3% (2018)6% (2018)
Physicians density0.37 physicians/1,000 population (2017)0.19 physicians/1,000 population (2014)
Hospital bed density1.5 beds/1,000 population (2012)1.9 beds/1,000 population (2016)
Obesity - adult prevalence rate5.3% (2016)3.9% (2016)
Demographic profile

Laos is a predominantly rural country with a youthful population - almost 55% of the population is under the age of 25.  Its progress on health and development issues has been uneven geographically, among ethnic groups, and socioeconomically.  Laos has made headway in poverty reduction, with the poverty rate almost halving from 46% in 1992/93 to 22% in 2012/13.  Nevertheless, pronounced rural-urban disparities persist, and income inequality is rising.  Poverty most affects populations in rural and highland areas, particularly ethnic minority groups. 

The total fertility rate (TFR) has decreased markedly from around 6 births per woman on average in 1990 to approximately 2.8 in 2016, but it is still one of the highest in Southeast Asia.  TFR is higher in rural and remote areas, among ethnic minority groups, the less-educated, and the poor; it is lower in urban areas and among the more educated and those with higher incomes.  Although Laos' mortality rates have improved substantially over the last few decades, the maternal mortality rate and childhood malnutrition remain at high levels.  As fertility and mortality rates continue to decline, the proportion of Laos' working-age population will increase, and its share of dependents will shrink.  The age structure shift will provide Laos with the potential to realize a demographic dividend during the next few decades, if it can improve educational access and quality and gainfully employ its growing working-age population in productive sectors.  Currently, Laos primary school enrollment is nearly universal, but the drop-out rate remains problematic.  Secondary school enrollment has also increased but remains low, especially for girls. 

Laos has historically been a country of emigration and internal displacement due to conflict and a weak economy. The Laos civil war (1953 - 1975) mainly caused internal displacement (numbering in the hundreds of thousands).  Following the end of the Vietnam War in 1975, indigenous people in remote, war-struck areas were resettled and more than 300,000 people fled to Thailand to escape the communist regime that took power.  The majority of those who sought refuge in Thailand ultimately were resettled in the US (mainly Hmong who fought with US forces), and lesser numbers went to France, Canada, and Australia. 

The Laos Government carried out resettlement programs between the mid-1980s and mid-1990s to relocate ethnic minority groups from the rural northern highlands to development areas in the lowlands ostensibly to alleviate poverty, make basic services more accessible, eliminate slash-and-burn agriculture and opium production, integrate ethnic minorities, and control rebel groups (including Hmong insurgents).  For many, however, resettlement has exacerbated poverty, led to the loss of livelihoods, and increased food insecurity and mortality rates.  As the resettlement programs started to wane in the second half of the 1990s, migration from the northern highlands to urban centers - chiefly the capital Vientiane - to pursue better jobs in the growing manufacturing and service sectors became the main type of relocation.  Migration of villagers from the south seeking work in neighboring Thailand also increased.  Thailand is the main international migration destination for Laotians because of the greater availability of jobs and higher pay than at home; nearly a million Laotian migrants were estimated to live in Thailand as of 2015.

Cambodia is a predominantly rural country with among the most ethnically and religiously homogenous populations in Southeast Asia: more than 95% of its inhabitants are Khmer and more than 95% are Buddhist.  The population's size and age structure shrank and then rebounded during the 20th century as a result of conflict and mass death.  During the Khmer Rouge regime between 1975 and 1979 as many as 1.5 to 2 million people are estimated to have been killed or died as a result of starvation, disease, or overwork - a loss of about 25% of the population.  At the same time, emigration was high, and the fertility rate sharply declined.  In the 1980s, after the overthrow of the Khmer Rouge, fertility nearly doubled and reached pre-Khmer Rouge levels of close to 7 children per woman, reflecting in part higher infant survival rates.  The baby boom was followed by a sustained fertility decline starting in the early 1990s, eventually decreasing from 3.8 in 2000 to 2.9 in 2010, although the rate varied by income, education, and rural versus urban location.  Despite continuing fertility reduction, Cambodia still has a youthful population that is likely to maintain population growth through population momentum. Improvements have also been made in mortality, life expectancy, and contraceptive prevalence, although reducing malnutrition among children remains stalled.  Differences in health indicators are pronounced between urban and rural areas, which experience greater poverty.

Cambodia is predominantly a country of migration, driven by the search for work, education, or marriage.  Internal migration is more prevalent than international migration, with rural to urban migration being the most common, followed by rural to rural migration.  Urban migration focuses on the pursuit of unskilled or semi-skilled jobs in Phnom Penh, with men working mainly in the construction industry and women working in garment factories.  Most Cambodians who migrate abroad do so illegally using brokers because it is cheaper and faster than through formal channels, but doing so puts them at risk of being trafficked for forced labor or sexual exploitation.  Young Cambodian men and women migrate short distances across the Thai border using temporary passes to work in agriculture, while others migrate long distances primarily into Thailand and Malaysia for work in agriculture, fishing, construction, manufacturing, and domestic service.  Cambodia was a refugee sending country in the 1970s and 1980s as a result of the brutality of the Khmer Rouge regime, its ousting by the Vietnamese invasion, and the resultant civil war.  Tens of thousands of Cambodians fled to Thailand; more than 100,000 were resettled in the US in the 1980s.  Cambodia signed a multi-million dollar agreement with Australia in 2014 to voluntarily resettle refugees seeking shelter in Australia.  However, the deal has proven to be a failure because of poor conditions and a lack of support services for the few refugees willing to accept the offer.

Contraceptive prevalence rate54.1% (2017)56.3% (2014)
Dependency ratiostotal dependency ratio: 56.8

youth dependency ratio: 50.1

elderly dependency ratio: 6.7

potential support ratio: 15 (2020 est.)
total dependency ratio: 55.7

youth dependency ratio: 48.2

elderly dependency ratio: 7.6

potential support ratio: 13.2 (2020 est.)

Government

LaosCambodia
Country nameconventional long form: Lao People's Democratic Republic

conventional short form: Laos

local long form: Sathalanalat Paxathipatai Paxaxon Lao

local short form: Mueang Lao (unofficial)

etymology: name means "Land of the Lao [people]"
conventional long form: Kingdom of Cambodia

conventional short form: Cambodia

local long form: Preahreacheanachakr Kampuchea (phonetic transliteration)

local short form: Kampuchea

former: Khmer Republic, Democratic Kampuchea, People's Republic of Kampuchea, State of Cambodia

etymology: the English name Cambodia is an anglicization of the French Cambodge, which is the French transliteration of the native name Kampuchea
Government typecommunist stateparliamentary constitutional monarchy
Capitalname: Vientiane (Viangchan)

geographic coordinates: 17 58 N, 102 36 E

time difference: UTC+7 (12 hours ahead of Washington, DC, during Standard Time)

etymology: the meaning in Pali, a Buddhist liturgical language, is "city of sandalwood"
name: Phnom Penh

geographic coordinates: 11 33 N, 104 55 E

time difference: UTC+7 (12 hours ahead of Washington, DC, during Standard Time)

etymology: Phnom Penh translates as "Penh's Hill" in Khmer; the city takes its name from the present Wat Phnom (Hill Temple), the tallest religious structure in the city, whose establishment, according to legend, was inspired in the 14th century by a pious nun, Daun PENH
Administrative divisions17 provinces (khoueng, singular and plural) and 1 prefecture* (kampheng nakhon); Attapu, Bokeo, Bolikhamxai, Champasak, Houaphan, Khammouan, Louangnamtha, Louangphabang, Oudomxai, Phongsali, Salavan, Savannakhet, Viangchan (Vientiane)*, Viangchan, Xaignabouli, Xaisomboun, Xekong, Xiangkhouang

24 provinces (khett, singular and plural) and 1 municipality (krong, singular and plural)

provinces: Banteay Meanchey, Battambang, Kampong Cham, Kampong Chhnang, Kampong Speu, Kampong Thom, Kampot, Kandal, Kep, Koh Kong, Kratie, Mondolkiri, Oddar Meanchey, Pailin, Preah Sihanouk, Preah Vihear, Prey Veng, Pursat, Ratanakiri, Siem Reap, Stung Treng, Svay Rieng, Takeo, Tbong Khmum

municipalities: Phnom Penh (Phnum Penh)

Independence19 July 1949 (from France by the Franco-Lao General Convention); 22 October 1953 (Franco-Lao Treaty recognizes full independence)9 November 1953 (from France)
National holidayRepublic Day (National Day), 2 December (1975)Independence Day, 9 November (1953)
Constitutionhistory: previous 1947 (preindependence); latest promulgated 13-15 August 1991

amendments: proposed by the National Assembly; passage requires at least two-thirds majority vote of the Assembly membership and promulgation by the president of the republic; amended 2003, 2015
history: previous 1947; latest promulgated 21 September 1993

amendments: proposed by the monarch, by the prime minister, or by the president of the National Assembly if supported by one fourth of the Assembly membership; passage requires two-thirds majority of the Assembly membership; constitutional articles on the multiparty democratic form of government and the monarchy cannot be amended; amended 1999, 2008, 2014, 2018
Legal systemcivil law system similar in form to the French systemcivil law system (influenced by the UN Transitional Authority in Cambodia) customary law, Communist legal theory, and common law
Suffrage18 years of age; universal18 years of age; universal
Executive branchchief of state: President THONGLOUN Sisoulit (since 22 March 2021); Vice President PANI Yathotou; Vice President BOUNTHONG Chitmani (since 22 March 2021)

head of government: Prime Minister PHANKHAM Viphavan (since 22 March 2021); Deputy Prime Ministers CHANSAMON Chan-gnalat, SONXAI Siphandon, KIKEO Khaikhamphithoun (since 22 March 2021)

cabinet: Council of Ministers appointed by the president, approved by the National Assembly

elections/appointments: president and vice president indirectly elected by the National Assembly for a 5-year term (no term limits); election last held on 22 March 2021; prime minister nominated by the president, elected by the National Assembly for 5-year term

election results: THONGLOUN Sisoulit (LPRP) elected president; National Assembly vote: 161-1; PANI Yathotou and BOUNTHONG Chitmani (LPRP) elected vice presidents; National Assembly vote NA; PHANKHAM Viphavan (LPRP) elected prime minister; National Assembly vote: 158-3
chief of state: King Norodom SIHAMONI (since 29 October 2004)

head of government: Prime Minister HUN SEN (since 14 January 1985); Permanent Deputy Prime Minister MEN SAM AN (since 25 September 2008); Deputy Prime Ministers SAR KHENG (since 3 February 1992), TEA BANH, Gen., HOR NAMHONG, (since 16 July 2004), BIN CHHIN (since 5 September 2007), YIM CHHAI LY (since 24 September 2008), KE KIMYAN (since 12 March 2009), AUN PORNMONIROTH (since 24 September 2012), Prak SOKONN, CHEA SOPHARA (since 5 April 2016)

cabinet: Council of Ministers named by the prime minister and appointed by the monarch

elections/appointments: monarch chosen by the 9-member Royal Council of the Throne from among all eligible males of royal descent; following legislative elections, a member of the majority party or majority coalition named prime minister by the Chairman of the National Assembly and appointed by the monarch
Legislative branchdescription: unicameral National Assembly or Sapha Heng Xat (164 seats; members directly elected in multi-seat constituencies by simple majority vote from candidate lists provided by the Lao People's Revolutionary Party; members serve 5-year terms)

elections: last held on 21 February 2021 (next to be held in 2026)

election results: percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - LPRP 158, independent 6; composition - men 128, women 36, percent of women 21.9%
description: bicameral Parliament of Cambodia consists of:
Senate (62 seats; 58 indirectly elected by parliamentarians and commune councils, 2 indirectly elected by the National Assembly, and 2 appointed by the monarch; members serve 6-year terms)
National Assembly (125 seats; members directly elected in multi-seat constituencies by proportional representation vote; members serve 5-year terms)

elections:
Senate - last held on 25 February 2018 (next to be held in 2024); National Assembly - last held on 29 July 2018 (next to be held in 2023)

election results:  
Senate - percent of vote by party - CPP 96%, FUNCINPEC 2.4%, KNUP 1.6%; seats by party - CPP 58; composition - men 53, women 9, percent of women 14.5%
National Assembly - percent of vote by party - CPP 76.9%, FUNCINPEC 5.9%, LDP 4.9%, Khmer Will Party 3.4%, other 8.9%; seats by party - CPP 125; composition - men 100, women 25, percent of women 20%; note - total Parliament of Cambodia percent of women 18.2%
Judicial branchhighest courts: People's Supreme Court (consists of the court president and organized into criminal, civil, administrative, commercial, family, and juvenile chambers, each with a vice president and several judges)

judge selection and term of office: president of People's Supreme Court appointed by the National Assembly upon the recommendation of the president of the republic for a 5-year term; vice presidents of the People's Supreme Court appointed by the president of the republic upon the recommendation of the National Assembly; appointment of chamber judges NA; tenure of court vice presidents and chamber judges NA

subordinate courts: appellate courts; provincial, municipal, district, and military courts
highest courts: Supreme Council (organized into 5- and 9-judge panels and includes a court chief and deputy chief); Constitutional Court (consists of 9 members); note - in 1997, the Cambodian Government requested UN assistance in establishing trials to prosecute former Khmer Rouge senior leaders for crimes against humanity committed during the 1975-1979 Khmer Rouge regime; the Extraordinary Chambers of the Courts of Cambodia (also called the Khmer Rouge Tribunal) was established in 2006 and began hearings for the first case in 2009; court proceedings remain ongoing in 2019

judge selection and term of office: Supreme Court and Constitutional Council judge candidates recommended by the Supreme Council of Magistracy, a 17-member body chaired by the monarch and includes other high-level judicial officers; judges of both courts appointed by the monarch; Supreme Court judges appointed for life; Constitutional Council judges appointed for 9-year terms with one-third of the court renewed every 3 years

subordinate courts: Appellate Court; provincial and municipal courts; Military Court
Political parties and leadersLao People's Revolutionary Party or LPRP [BOUNNYANG Vorachit]; Prime Minister THONGLOUN Sisoulit elected general secretary in mid-January 2021

note: other parties proscribed
Cambodia National Rescue Party or CNRP [KHEM SOKHA] (dissolved by the Cambodian Supreme Court in November 2017; formed from a 2012 merger of the Sam Rangsi Party or SRP and the former Human Rights Party or HRP [KHEM SOKHA, also spelled KEM SOKHA])
Cambodian Nationality Party or CNP [SENG SOKHENG]
Cambodian People's Party or CPP [HUN SEN]
Khmer Economic Development Party or KEDP [HUON REACH CHAMROEUN]
Khmer National Unity Party or KNUP [NHEK BUN CHHAY]
Khmer Will Party [KONG MONIKA]
League for Democracy Party or LDP [KHEM Veasna]
National United Front for an Independent, Neutral, Peaceful, and Cooperative Cambodia or FUNCINPEC [Prince NORODOM RANARIDDH]
International organization participationADB, ARF, ASEAN, CP, EAS, FAO, G-77, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, Interpol, IOC, IPU, ISO (subscriber), ITU, MIGA, NAM, OIF, OPCW, PCA, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UNWTO, UPU, WCO, WFTU (NGOs), WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTOADB, ARF, ASEAN, CICA, EAS, FAO, G-77, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, IPU, ISO (correspondent), ITU, MINUSMA, MIGA, NAM, OIF, OPCW, PCA, UN, UNAMID, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UNIFIL, UNISFA, UNMISS, UNWTO, UPU, WCO, WFTU (NGOs), WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO
Diplomatic representation in the USchief of mission: Ambassador KHAMPHAN Anlavan (since 21 July 2019)

chancery: 2222 S Street NW, Washington, DC 20008

telephone: [1] (202) 328-9148; [1] (202) 332-6416

FAX: [1] (202) 332-4923

email address and website:
embasslao@gmail.com; laoemb@verizon.net

https://laoembassy.com/

consulate(s): New York
chief of mission: Ambassador CHUM SOUNRY (since 17 September 2018)

chancery: 4530 16th Street NW, Washington, DC 20011

telephone: [1] (202) 726-7742

FAX: [1] (202) 726-8381

email address and website:
camemb.usa@mfaic.gov

https://www.embassyofcambodiadc.org/
Diplomatic representation from the USchief of mission: Ambassador Peter HAYMOND (since 7 February 2020)

embassy: Ban Somvang Tai, Thadeua Road, Km 9, Hatsayfong District, Vientiane

mailing address: 4350 Vientiane Place, Washington DC  20521-4350

telephone: [856] 21-48-7000

FAX: [856] 21-48-7040

email address and website:
CONSLAO@state.gov

https://la.usembassy.gov/
chief of mission: Ambassador W. Patrick MURPHY (since 23 October 2019)

embassy: #1, Street 96, Sangkat Wat Phnom, Khan Daun Penh, Phnom Penh

mailing address: 4540 Phnom Penh Place, Washington DC  20521-4540

telephone: [855] (23) 728-000

FAX: [855] (23) 728-700

email address and website:
ACSPhnomPenh@state.gov

https://kh.usembassy.gov/
Flag descriptionthree horizontal bands of red (top), blue (double width), and red with a large white disk centered in the blue band; the red bands recall the blood shed for liberation; the blue band represents the Mekong River and prosperity; the white disk symbolizes the full moon against the Mekong River, but also signifies the unity of the people under the Lao People's Revolutionary Party, as well as the country's bright futurethree horizontal bands of blue (top), red (double width), and blue with a white, three-towered temple, representing Angkor Wat, outlined in black in the center of the red band; red and blue are traditional Cambodian colors

note: only national flag to prominently incorporate an actual identifiable building into its design (a few other national flags - those of Afghanistan, San Marino, Portugal, and Spain - show small generic buildings as part of their coats of arms on the flag)
National anthemname: "Pheng Xat Lao" (Hymn of the Lao People)

lyrics/music: SISANA Sisane/THONGDY Sounthonevichit

note: music adopted 1945, lyrics adopted 1975; the anthem's lyrics were changed following the 1975 Communist revolution that overthrew the monarchy
name: "Nokoreach" (Royal Kingdom)

lyrics/music: CHUON NAT/F. PERRUCHOT and J. JEKYLL

note: adopted 1941, restored 1993; the anthem, based on a Cambodian folk tune, was restored after the defeat of the Communist regime
International law organization participationhas not submitted an ICJ jurisdiction declaration; non-party state to the ICCtaccepts compulsory ICJ jurisdiction with reservations; accepts ICCt jurisdiction
National symbol(s)elephant; national colors: red, white, blueAngkor Wat temple, kouprey (wild ox); national colors: red, blue
Citizenshipcitizenship by birth: no

citizenship by descent only: at least one parent must be a citizen of Laos

dual citizenship recognized: no

residency requirement for naturalization: 10 years
citizenship by birth: no

citizenship by descent only: at least one parent must be a citizen of Cambodia

dual citizenship recognized: yes

residency requirement for naturalization: 7 years

Economy

LaosCambodia
Economy - overview

The government of Laos, one of the few remaining one-party communist states, began decentralizing control and encouraging private enterprise in 1986. Economic growth averaged more than 6% per year in the period 1988-2008, and Laos' growth has more recently been amongst the fastest in Asia, averaging more than 7% per year for most of the last decade.

Nevertheless, Laos remains a country with an underdeveloped infrastructure, particularly in rural areas. It has a basic, but improving, road system, and limited external and internal land-line telecommunications. Electricity is available to 83% of the population. Agriculture, dominated by rice cultivation in lowland areas, accounts for about 20% of GDP and 73% of total employment. Recently, the country has faced a persistent current account deficit, falling foreign currency reserves, and growing public debt.

Laos' economy is heavily dependent on capital-intensive natural resource exports. The economy has benefited from high-profile foreign direct investment in hydropower dams along the Mekong River, copper and gold mining, logging, and construction, although some projects in these industries have drawn criticism for their environmental impacts.

Laos gained Normal Trade Relations status with the US in 2004 and applied for Generalized System of Preferences trade benefits in 2013 after being admitted to the World Trade Organization earlier in the year. Laos held the chairmanship of ASEAN in 2016. Laos is in the process of implementing a value-added tax system. The government appears committed to raising the country's profile among foreign investors and has developed special economic zones replete with generous tax incentives, but a limited labor pool, a small domestic market, and corruption remain impediments to investment. Laos also has ongoing problems with the business environment, including onerous registration requirements, a gap between legislation and implementation, and unclear or conflicting regulations.

Cambodia has experienced strong economic growth over the last decade; GDP grew at an average annual rate of over 8% between 2000 and 2010 and about 7% since 2011. The tourism, garment, construction and real estate, and agriculture sectors accounted for the bulk of growth. Around 700,000 people, the majority of whom are women, are employed in the garment and footwear sector. An additional 500,000 Cambodians are employed in the tourism sector, and a further 200,000 people in construction. Tourism has continued to grow rapidly with foreign arrivals exceeding 2 million per year in 2007 and reaching 5.6 million visitors in 2017. Mining also is attracting some investor interest and the government has touted opportunities for mining bauxite, gold, iron and gems.

 

Still, Cambodia remains one of the poorest countries in Asia, and long-term economic development remains a daunting challenge, inhibited by corruption, limited human resources, high income inequality, and poor job prospects. According to the Asian Development Bank (ADB), the percentage of the population living in poverty decreased to 13.5% in 2016. More than 50% of the population is less than 25 years old. The population lacks education and productive skills, particularly in the impoverished countryside, which also lacks basic infrastructure.

 

The World Bank in 2016 formally reclassified Cambodia as a lower middle-income country as a result of continued rapid economic growth over the past several years. Cambodia's graduation from a low-income country will reduce its eligibility for foreign assistance and will challenge the government to seek new sources of financing. The Cambodian Government has been working with bilateral and multilateral donors, including the Asian Development Bank, the World Bank and IMF, to address the country's many pressing needs; more than 20% of the government budget will come from donor assistance in 2018. A major economic challenge for Cambodia over the next decade will be fashioning an economic environment in which the private sector can create enough jobs to handle Cambodia's demographic imbalance.

 

Textile exports, which accounted for 68% of total exports in 2017, have driven much of Cambodia's growth over the past several years. The textile sector relies on exports to the United States and European Union, and Cambodia's dependence on its comparative advantage in textile production is a key vulnerability for the economy, especially because Cambodia has continued to run a current account deficit above 9% of GDP since 2014.

GDP (purchasing power parity)$56.11 billion (2019 est.)

$53.616 billion (2018 est.)

$50.463 billion (2017 est.)

note: data are in 2017 dollars
$72.356 billion (2019 est.)

$67.588 billion (2018 est.)

$62.89 billion (2017 est.)

note: data are in 2017 dollars
GDP - real growth rate6.9% (2017 est.)

7% (2016 est.)

7.3% (2015 est.)
6.9% (2017 est.)

7% (2016 est.)

7% (2015 est.)
GDP - per capita (PPP)$7,826 (2019 est.)

$7,593 (2018 est.)

$7,258 (2017 est.)

note: data are in 2017 dollars
$4,389 (2019 est.)

$4,159 (2018 est.)

$3,928 (2017 est.)

note: data are in 2017 dollars
GDP - composition by sectoragriculture: 20.9% (2017 est.)

industry: 33.2% (2017 est.)

services: 45.9% (2017 est.)
agriculture: 25.3% (2017 est.)

industry: 32.8% (2017 est.)

services: 41.9% (2017 est.)
Population below poverty line18.3% (2018 est.)16.5% (2016 est.)
Household income or consumption by percentage sharelowest 10%: 3.3%

highest 10%: 30.3% (2008)
lowest 10%: 2%

highest 10%: 28% (2013 est.)
Inflation rate (consumer prices)0.8% (2017 est.)

1.6% (2016 est.)
2.9% (2017 est.)

3% (2016 est.)
Labor force3.582 million (2017 est.)8.913 million (2017 est.)
Labor force - by occupationagriculture: 73.1%

industry: 6.1%

services: 20.6% (2012 est.)
agriculture: 48.7%

industry: 19.9%

services: 31.5% (2013 est.)
Unemployment rate0.7% (2017 est.)

0.7% (2016 est.)
0.3% (2017 est.)

0.2% (2016 est.)

note: high underemployment, according to official statistics
Distribution of family income - Gini index36.4 (2012 est.)

34.6 (2002)
37.9 (2008 est.)

41.9 (2004 est.)
Budgetrevenues: 3.099 billion (2017 est.)

expenditures: 4.038 billion (2017 est.)
revenues: 3.947 billion (2017 est.)

expenditures: 4.354 billion (2017 est.)
Industriesmining (copper, tin, gold, gypsum); timber, electric power, agricultural processing, rubber, construction, garments, cement, tourismtourism, garments, construction, rice milling, fishing, wood and wood products, rubber, cement, gem mining, textiles
Industrial production growth rate8% (2017 est.)10.6% (2017 est.)
Agriculture - productsrice, roots/tubers nes, cassava, sugar cane, vegetables, bananas, maize, watermelons, coffee, tarocassava, rice, maize, vegetables, sugar cane, soybeans, rubber, oil palm fruit, bananas, pork
Exports$3.654 billion (2017 est.)

$2.705 billion (2016 est.)
$11.42 billion (2017 est.)

$10.07 billion (2016 est.)
Exports - commoditieselectricity, copper, rubber, gold, flavored water (2019)clothing, precious metal scraps, trunks/cases, gold, leather footwear (2019)
Exports - partnersThailand 36%, China 28%, Vietnam 16% (2019)United States 21%, Singapore 8%, Thailand 8%, Germany 7%, Japan 6%, China 5%, Canada 5%, United Kingdom 5% (2019)
Imports$4.976 billion (2017 est.)

$4.739 billion (2016 est.)
$14.37 billion (2017 est.)

$12.65 billion (2016 est.)
Imports - commoditiesrefined petroleum, cars, cattle, iron structures, steel products (2019)refined petroleum, clothing, gold, cars, flavored water (2019)
Imports - partnersThailand 53%, China 26%, Vietnam 10% (2019)China 27%, Thailand 25%, Vietnam 15%, Singapore 8% (2019)
Debt - external$14.9 billion (31 December 2017 est.)

$12.9 billion (31 December 2016 est.)
$11.87 billion (31 December 2017 est.)

$10.3 billion (31 December 2016 est.)
Exchange rateskips (LAK) per US dollar -

8,231.1 (2017 est.)

8,129.1 (2016 est.)

8,129.1 (2015 est.)

8,147.9 (2014 est.)

8,049 (2013 est.)
riels (KHR) per US dollar -

4,055 (2017 est.)

4,058.7 (2016 est.)

4,058.7 (2015 est.)

4,067.8 (2014 est.)

4,037.5 (2013 est.)
Fiscal year1 October - 30 Septembercalendar year
Public debt63.6% of GDP (2017 est.)

58.4% of GDP (2016 est.)
30.4% of GDP (2017 est.)

29.1% of GDP (2016 est.)
Reserves of foreign exchange and gold$1.27 billion (31 December 2017 est.)

$940.1 million (31 December 2016 est.)
$12.2 billion (31 December 2017 est.)

$9.122 billion (31 December 2016 est.)
Current Account Balance-$2.057 billion (2017 est.)

-$2.07 billion (2016 est.)
-$1.871 billion (2017 est.)

-$1.731 billion (2016 est.)
GDP (official exchange rate)$16.97 billion (2017 est.)$22.09 billion (2017 est.)
Credit ratingsFitch rating: CCC (2020)

Moody's rating: Caa2 (2020)
Moody's rating: B2 (2007)

Standard & Poors rating: N/A (2014)
Ease of Doing Business Index scoresOverall score: 50.8 (2020)

Starting a Business score: 62.7 (2020)

Trading score: 78.1 (2020)

Enforcement score: 42 (2020)
Overall score: 53.8 (2020)

Starting a Business score: 52.4 (2020)

Trading score: 67.3 (2020)

Enforcement score: 31.7 (2020)
Taxes and other revenues18.3% (of GDP) (2017 est.)17.9% (of GDP) (2017 est.)
Budget surplus (+) or deficit (-)-5.5% (of GDP) (2017 est.)-1.8% (of GDP) (2017 est.)
Unemployment, youth ages 15-24total: 18.2%

male: 20.8%

female: 15.5% (2017 est.)
total: 1.1%

male: 1%

female: 1.2% (2016 est.)
GDP - composition, by end usehousehold consumption: 63.7% (2017 est.)

government consumption: 14.1% (2017 est.)

investment in fixed capital: 30.9% (2017 est.)

investment in inventories: 3.1% (2017 est.)

exports of goods and services: 34.6% (2017 est.)

imports of goods and services: -43.2% (2017 est.)
household consumption: 76% (2017 est.)

government consumption: 5.4% (2017 est.)

investment in fixed capital: 21.8% (2017 est.)

investment in inventories: 1.2% (2017 est.)

exports of goods and services: 68.6% (2017 est.)

imports of goods and services: -73% (2017 est.)
Gross national saving22.7% of GDP (2017 est.)

21.3% of GDP (2016 est.)

15.8% of GDP (2015 est.)
27.2% of GDP (2019 est.)

25.4% of GDP (2018 est.)

23.2% of GDP (2017 est.)

Energy

LaosCambodia
Electricity - production29.74 billion kWh (2016 est.)5.21 billion kWh (2016 est.)
Electricity - consumption5.471 billion kWh (2016 est.)5.857 billion kWh (2016 est.)
Electricity - exports8.469 billion kWh (2015 est.)0 kWh (2016 est.)
Electricity - imports2.5 billion kWh (2016 est.)1.583 billion kWh (2016 est.)
Oil - production0 bbl/day (2018 est.)0 bbl/day (2018 est.)
Oil - imports0 bbl/day (2015 est.)0 bbl/day (2015 est.)
Oil - exports0 bbl/day (2015 est.)0 bbl/day (2015 est.)
Oil - proved reserves0 bbl (1 January 2018 est.)0 bbl (1 January 2018 est.)
Natural gas - proved reserves0 cu m (1 January 2014 est.)0 cu m (1 January 2014 est.)
Natural gas - production0 cu m (2017 est.)0 cu m (2017 est.)
Natural gas - consumption0 cu m (2017 est.)0 cu m (2017 est.)
Natural gas - exports0 cu m (2017 est.)0 cu m (2017 est.)
Natural gas - imports0 cu m (2017 est.)0 cu m (2017 est.)
Electricity - installed generating capacity6.94 million kW (2016 est.)1.697 million kW (2016 est.)
Electricity - from fossil fuels28% of total installed capacity (2016 est.)35% of total installed capacity (2016 est.)
Electricity - from hydroelectric plants72% of total installed capacity (2017 est.)63% of total installed capacity (2017 est.)
Electricity - from nuclear fuels0% of total installed capacity (2017 est.)0% of total installed capacity (2017 est.)
Electricity - from other renewable sources1% of total installed capacity (2017 est.)2% of total installed capacity (2017 est.)
Refined petroleum products - production0 bbl/day (2015 est.)0 bbl/day (2015 est.)
Refined petroleum products - consumption18,000 bbl/day (2016 est.)45,000 bbl/day (2016 est.)
Refined petroleum products - exports0 bbl/day (2015 est.)0 bbl/day (2015 est.)
Refined petroleum products - imports17,460 bbl/day (2015 est.)43,030 bbl/day (2015 est.)
Electricity accesselectrification - total population: 95% (2019)

electrification - urban areas: 98% (2019)

electrification - rural areas: 93% (2019)
electrification - total population: 75% (2019)

electrification - urban areas: 100% (2019)

electrification - rural areas: 67% (2019)

Telecommunications

LaosCambodia
Telephones - main lines in usetotal subscriptions: 1,490,831

subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 20.28 (2019 est.)
total subscriptions: 56,445

subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: less than 1 (2019 est.)
Telephones - mobile cellulartotal subscriptions: 4,362,183

subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 59.33 (2019 est.)
total subscriptions: 21,418,681

subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 127.24 (2019 est.)
Internet country code.la.kh
Internet userstotal: 1,845,437

percent of population: 25.51% (July 2018 est.)
total: 6,579,808

percent of population: 40% (July 2018 est.)
Telecommunication systemsgeneral assessment:

reliance on radio network to communicate with remote areas; regulatory reform is below industry standards; government aims to strengthen infrastructure and attract foreign investment; low fixed-broadband penetration; dominance in mobile broadband with 4G and LTE, but low compared to other Asian markets; ASEAN Digital Hub investment provides international capacity; state owns almost all media, except for some entertainment outlets, and has suppressed some news; importer of broadcasting equipment and computers from China; providers examining m-payment platforms and 5G tests (2021)

(2020)

domestic: fixed-line 21 per 100 and 61 per 100 for mobile-cellular subscriptions (2019)

international: country code - 856; satellite earth station - 1 Intersputnik (Indian Ocean region) and a second to be developed by China

note: the COVID-19 pandemic continues to have a significant impact on production and supply chains globally; since 2020, some aspects of the telecom sector have experienced downturn, particularly in mobile device production; many network operators delayed upgrades to infrastructure; progress towards 5G implementation was postponed or slowed in some countries; consumer spending on telecom services and devices was affected by large-scale job losses and the consequent restriction on disposable incomes; the crucial nature of telecom services as a tool for work and school from home became evident, and received some support from governments

general assessment: Cambodia's telecom infrastructure struggles with poor infrastructure and power outages; improvement through competition and foreign investment; fixed-line and fixed/mobile broadband penetration is still low compared to other Asian nations; government and operators preparing for 5G services through Huawei's infrastructure that will drive mobile broadband through faster speeds; online Internet content subject to government restrictions (2021) (2020)

domestic: fixed-line connections stand at about 1 per 100 persons and declining; mobile-cellular usage, aided by competition among service providers, has increased to about 130 per 100 persons (2019)

international: country code - 855; landing points for MCT and AAE-1 via submarine cables providing communication to Asia, the Middle East, Europe and Africa; satellite earth station - 1 Intersputnik (Indian Ocean region) (2019)

note: the COVID-19 pandemic continues to have a significant impact on production and supply chains globally; since 2020, some aspects of the telecom sector have experienced downturn, particularly in mobile device production; many network operators delayed upgrades to infrastructure; progress towards 5G implementation was postponed or slowed in some countries; consumer spending on telecom services and devices was affected by large-scale job losses and the consequent restriction on disposable incomes; the crucial nature of telecom services as a tool for work and school from home became evident, and received some support from governments
Broadband - fixed subscriptionstotal: 45,379

subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 1 (2018 est.)
total: 184,379

subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 1.1 (2019 est.)
Broadcast media6 TV stations operating out of Vientiane - 3 government-operated and the others commercial; 17 provincial stations operating with nearly all programming relayed via satellite from the government-operated stations in Vientiane; Chinese and Vietnamese programming relayed via satellite from Lao National TV; broadcasts available from stations in Thailand and Vietnam in border areas; multi-channel satellite and cable TV systems provide access to a wide range of foreign stations; state-controlled radio with state-operated Lao National Radio (LNR) broadcasting on 5 frequencies - 1 AM, 1 SW, and 3 FM; LNR's AM and FM programs are relayed via satellite constituting a large part of the programming schedules of the provincial radio stations; Thai radio broadcasts available in border areas and transmissions of multiple international broadcasters are also accessiblemixture of state-owned, joint public-private, and privately owned broadcast media; 27 TV broadcast stations with most operating on multiple channels, including 1 state-operated station broadcasting from multiple locations, 11 stations either jointly operated or privately owned with some broadcasting from several locations; multi-channel cable and satellite systems are available (2019); 84 radio broadcast stations - 1 state-owned broadcaster with multiple stations and a large mixture of public and private broadcasters; one international broadcaster is available (2019) as well as one Chinese joint venture television station with the Ministry of Interior; several television and radio operators broadcast online only (often via Facebook) (2019)

Transportation

LaosCambodia
Roadwaystotal: 39,586 km (2009)

paved: 5,415 km (2009)

unpaved: 34,171 km (2009)
total: 47,263 km (2013)

paved: 12,239 km (2013)

unpaved: 35,024 km (2013)
Waterways4,600 km (primarily on the Mekong River and its tributaries; 2,900 additional km are intermittently navigable by craft drawing less than 0.5 m) (2012)3,700 km (mainly on Mekong River) (2012)
Merchant marinetotal: 1

by type: general cargo 1 (2020)
total: 257

by type: container ship 2, general cargo 170, oil tanker 19, other 66 (2020)
Airportstotal: 41 (2013)total: 16 (2013)
Airports - with paved runwaystotal: 8 (2017)

2,438 to 3,047 m: 3 (2017)

1,524 to 2,437 m: 4 (2017)

914 to 1,523 m: 1 (2017)
total: 6 (2019)

2,438 to 3,047 m: 3

1,524 to 2,437 m: 2

914 to 1,523 m: 1
Airports - with unpaved runwaystotal: 33 (2013)

1,524 to 2,437 m: 2 (2013)

914 to 1,523 m: 9 (2013)

under 914 m: 22 (2013)
total: 10 (2013)

1,524 to 2,437 m: 2 (2013)

914 to 1,523 m: 7 (2013)

under 914 m: 1 (2013)
National air transport systemnumber of registered air carriers: 1 (2020)

inventory of registered aircraft operated by air carriers: 12

annual passenger traffic on registered air carriers: 1,251,961 (2018)

annual freight traffic on registered air carriers: 1.53 million mt-km (2018)
number of registered air carriers: 6 (2020)

inventory of registered aircraft operated by air carriers: 25

annual passenger traffic on registered air carriers: 1,411,059 (2018)

annual freight traffic on registered air carriers: 680,000 mt-km (2018)
Civil aircraft registration country code prefixRDPLXU

Military

LaosCambodia
Military branchesLao People's Armed Forces (LPAF): Lao People's Army (LPA, includes Riverine Force), Air Force, Self-Defense Militia Forces (2021)Royal Cambodian Armed Forces: High Command Headquarters, Royal Cambodian Army, Royal Khmer Navy, Royal Cambodian Air Force, Royal Gendarmerie; the National Committee for Maritime Security (performs Coast Guard functions and has representation from military and civilian agencies) (2020)
Military service age and obligation18 years of age for compulsory or voluntary military service; conscript service obligation - minimum 18 months (2019)18 is the legal minimum age for compulsory and voluntary military service (2019)
Military expenditures - percent of GDP0.2% of GDP (2017 est.)

0.2% of GDP (2016 est.)

0.2% of GDP (2015 est.)

0.2% of GDP (2014 est.)

0.2% of GDP (2013 est.)
2.3% of GDP (2019 est.)

2.2% of GDP (2018)

2.1% of GDP (2017)

2% of GDP (2016)

1.8% of GDP (2015)
Military and security service personnel strengthsinformation is limited and estimates for the size of the Lao People's Armed Forces (LPAF) vary; approximately 30,000 active duty troops (26,000 Army; 4000 Air Force) (2020)information varies; approximately 100,000 total active troops including about 3,000 Navy and 1,000 Air Force; est. 10,000 Gendarmerie (2020)
Military equipment inventories and acquisitionsthe LPAF is armed largely with weapons from the former Soviet Union; since 2010, China and Russia are the leading suppliers of military equipment to Laos (2020)the Royal Cambodian Armed Forces are armed largely with older Chinese and Russian-origin equipment; it has received limited amounts of more modern (mostly second-hand) equipment since 2010 with China as the principal provider (2020)

Transnational Issues

LaosCambodia
Disputes - international

southeast Asian states have enhanced border surveillance to check the spread of avian flu; talks continue on completion of demarcation with Thailand but disputes remain over islands in the Mekong River; Cambodia and Laos have a longstanding border demarcation dispute; concern among Mekong River Commission members that China's construction of eight dams on the Upper Mekong River and construction of more dams on its tributaries will affect water levels, sediment flows, and fisheries; Cambodia and Vietnam are concerned about Laos' extensive plans for upstream dam construction for the same reasons

Cambodia is concerned about Laos' extensive upstream dam construction; Cambodia and Thailand dispute sections of boundary; in 2011 Thailand and Cambodia resorted to arms in the dispute over the location of the boundary on the precipice surmounted by Preah Vihear Temple ruins, awarded to Cambodia by an International Court of Justice decision in 1962 and part of a UN World Heritage site; Cambodia accuses Vietnam of a wide variety of illicit cross-border activities; progress on a joint development area with Vietnam is hampered by an unresolved dispute over sovereignty of offshore islands

Illicit drugsestimated opium poppy cultivation in 2015 was estimated to be 5,700 hectares, compared with 6,200 hectares in 2014; estimated potential production of between 84 and 176 mt of raw opium; unsubstantiated reports of domestic methamphetamine production; growing domestic methamphetamine problemnarcotics-related corruption reportedly involving some in the government, military, and police; limited methamphetamine production; vulnerable to money laundering due to its cash-based economy and porous borders
Trafficking in personscurrent situation: Laos is a source and, to a lesser extent, transit and destination country for men, women, and children subjected to forced labor and sex trafficking; Lao economic migrants may encounter conditions of forced labor or sexual exploitation in destination countries, most often Thailand; Lao women and girls are exploited in Thailand's commercial sex trade, domestic service, factories, and agriculture; a small, possibly growing, number of Lao women and girls are sold as brides in China and South Korea and subsequently sex trafficked; Lao men and boys are victims of forced labor in the Thai fishing, construction, and agriculture industries; some Lao children, as well as Vietnamese and Chinese women and girls, are subjected to sex trafficking in Laos; other Vietnamese and Chinese, and possibly Burmese, adults and girls transit Laos for sexual and labor exploitation in neighboring countries, particularly Thailand

tier rating: Tier 2 Watch List - Laos does not fully comply with the minimum standards for the elimination of trafficking; however, it is making significant efforts to do so; authorities sustained moderate efforts to investigate, prosecute, and convict trafficking offenders; the government failed to make progress in proactively identifying victims exploited within the country or among those deported from abroad; the government continues to rely almost entirely on local and international organizations to provide and fund services to trafficking victims; although Lao men and boys are trafficked, most protective services are only available to women and girls, and long-term support is lacking; modest prevention efforts include the promotion of anti-trafficking awareness on state-controlled media (2015)
current situation: human traffickers exploit Cambodian men, women, and children in forced labor and sex trafficking in Cambodia and abroad, and foreign nationals are trafficked in Cambodia; Cambodian adults and children migrate to other countries in the region or increasingly to the Middle East where traffickers force them to work in agriculture, fishing, construction, manufacturing, and domestic servitude; significant numbers of Cambodian men and boys are subject to forced labor on Thai ships in international waters and may experience physical abuse, nonpayment or underpayment of wages, and confinement at sea for years; brick kiln owners exploit thousands of Cambodians, including children, through debt-based coercion; children from poor families are vulnerable to forced labor, often with the complicity of their parents, in domestic servitude, forced begging, or street vending in Thailand and Vietnam; Cambodian and ethnic Vietnamese women and girls from rural areas move to cities and tourist areas where they are sex trafficked

tier rating: Tier 2 Watch List - Cambodia does not fully meet the minimum standards for the elimination of trafficking but is making significant efforts to do so; authorities continued to prosecute and convict traffickers and utilized new victim identification and data collection technologies; the government enacted a five-year national action plan to combat human trafficking; however, corruption continued to impede law enforcement efforts, criminal proceedings, and services to victims; some corrupt officials may have profited directly from sex and labor trafficking or accepted bribes to dismiss charges or reduce sentences; insufficient judicial monitoring systems enabled suspected traffickers to flee before trial; authorities failed to issue formal guidance allowing the use of undercover techniques in anti-trafficking investigations (2020)

Environment

LaosCambodia
Air pollutantsparticulate matter emissions: 24.49 micrograms per cubic meter (2016 est.)

carbon dioxide emissions: 17.76 megatons (2016 est.)

methane emissions: 9 megatons (2020 est.)
particulate matter emissions: 23.98 micrograms per cubic meter (2016 est.)

carbon dioxide emissions: 9.92 megatons (2016 est.)

methane emissions: 14.88 megatons (2020 est.)
Total water withdrawalmunicipal: 130 million cubic meters (2017 est.)

industrial: 170 million cubic meters (2017 est.)

agricultural: 7.02 billion cubic meters (2017 est.)
municipal: 98 million cubic meters (2017 est.)

industrial: 33 million cubic meters (2017 est.)

agricultural: 2.053 billion cubic meters (2017 est.)
Revenue from forest resourcesforest revenues: 1.48% of GDP (2018 est.)forest revenues: 0.84% of GDP (2018 est.)
Waste and recyclingmunicipal solid waste generated annually: 351,900 tons (2015 est.)

municipal solid waste recycled annually: 35,190 tons (2015 est.)

percent of municipal solid waste recycled: 10% (2015 est.)
municipal solid waste generated annually: 1.089 million tons (2014 est.)

Source: CIA Factbook