Laos
Laos [the Lao Peoples' Democratic Republic] is one of the world’s poorest countries. It is spiritually hungry, but restrictions on Christian witness, persecution and a lack of mature church leadership hamper the spread of the gospel.
Population: 6.4 million; Density: 27.6 per square km;
Although there are over 100 ethno-linguistic groups, the people of Laos fall into three main groups.
¨ 66% Lao or Lao Loum (lowland Lao]. They live mainly in the lowlands along the Mekong.
¨ 22% Lao Theung [upland Lao]
¨ 9% people of Tibetan origin, such as the Hmong and Yao, known as Lao Soung [highland Lao] who inhabit the northern mountains.
¨ The remaining 1% are mostly ethnic Vietnamese and Chinese. Only 15% of the people live in towns. Over 80% live in rural hamlets.
Religions: Buddhist 61.05%; Animist 31.2%; Non-religious/other 4.3%; Christians 1.85%; Muslim 1.1%; Chinese religions 0.5%
The principal religion of Laos is Theravada Buddhism, though it is often little more than a veneer over deep-seated animism. Laotian life and culture is heavily influenced by Buddhism. There are temples in Lao villages, but most non-Lao villages have no Buddhist presence.
Laos country profile.pdf
