Laos (LAO)

Laos is a country in Asia with a population of 8,351,685. Laos, a landlocked country in Southeast Asia, is famous for its misty mountains, Buddhist temples, and the slow flow of the Mekong River. Laotians value simplicity, family, and a gentle approach to life. Theravada Buddhism shapes spiritual life, with monks, pagodas, and festivals like Pi Mai (Lao New Year) central to community events. Many people also honor ancestral spirits, blending ancient beliefs with Buddhist practice.

People Groups of Laos:

Laos Fast Facts:

158 People Groups · 8.4M People

EngagementGroupsPopulation
Unengaged and Unreached1081.1M
Engaged yet Unreached296.1M
No Longer Unreached211.1M

Laos Realities:

Weighted GSEC
1
Dying Daily
139
Dying Daily Without Christ
(98.6%) 137
Birth Rate per 1,000
21.0
Death Rate per 1,000
6.2

People Groups of Laos

Strategic Progress Index
All

158 people groups

PhotoPeople Group ID ▼NameCountryPopulationStrategic Progress IndexLanguageReligion
YangYangLaos6,800Unengaged and UnreachedBouyeiPolytheism
Oy SokOy SokLaos2,900Engaged yet UnreachedOyAnimism
Thai ToumThai ToumLaos2,600Unengaged and UnreachedHungAnimism
Thai TengThai TengLaos1,300Engaged yet UnreachedTai DaengAnimism
Thai AeThai AeLaos950Unengaged and UnreachedTai DoAnimism
Ta-Oy YinTa-Oy YinLaos8,600No Longer UnreachedUpper Ta'oihAnimism
Ta-Oy TamlaTa-Oy TamlaLaos1,600Unengaged and UnreachedUpper Ta'oihAnimism
Ta-Oy RalokTa-Oy RalokLaos850Unengaged and UnreachedUpper Ta'oihAnimism
Ta-Oy PrasTa-Oy PrasLaos1,300Unengaged and UnreachedUpper Ta'oihAnimism
Ta-Oy HaangTa-Oy HaangLaos300No Longer UnreachedUpper Ta'oihAnimism
Tai MoeyTai MoeyLaos3,400Engaged yet UnreachedTai DamFolk Buddhism
Xingmoun KorXingmoun KorLaos750Unengaged and UnreachedPuocAnimism
SidaSidaLaos2,800Unengaged and UnreachedSilaAnimism
SinSinLaos300No Longer UnreachedLaoAnimism
Sadang DuanSadang DuanLaos1,000No Longer UnreachedSedangAnimism
Pong SengPong SengLaos1,000Unengaged and UnreachedPhong-KniangFolk Buddhism
Pong PuangPong PuangLaos3,900Unengaged and UnreachedPhong-KniangFolk Buddhism
Pong PoongPong PoongLaos1,100Unengaged and UnreachedPhong-KniangFolk Buddhism
Pong PhenPong PhenLaos3,900Unengaged and UnreachedPhong-KniangFolk Buddhism
Pong JaviengPong JaviengLaos375No Longer UnreachedPhong-KniangAnimism
Phutai SilurPhutai SilurLaos5,600Engaged yet UnreachedPhu ThaiAnimism
Phutai KataPhutai KataLaos1,400Unengaged and UnreachedPhu ThaiAnimism
Phutai JoyPhutai JoyLaos4,400Engaged yet UnreachedPhu ThaiFolk Buddhism
Phuthai AngkhamPhuthai AngkhamLaos1,700Unengaged and UnreachedPhu ThaiFolk Buddhism
PhongsetPhongsetLaos1,100Unengaged and UnreachedPhunoiFolk Buddhism
PhongkuPhongkuLaos1,900Unengaged and UnreachedPhunoiFolk Buddhism
Pako KanaiPako KanaiLaos2,100No Longer UnreachedPacohAnimism
Pako KadoPako KadoLaos9,300No Longer UnreachedPacohAnimism
Oy LayaoOy LayaoLaos5,600Engaged yet UnreachedOyAnimism
Oy KamsangOy KamsangLaos1,400Unengaged and UnreachedOyAnimism
Akha MutuenAkha MutuenLaos1,500Engaged yet UnreachedAkhaAnimism
Akha MujiAkha MujiLaos5,400Unengaged and UnreachedAkhaAnimism
Makong TruiMakong TruiLaos2,600Engaged yet UnreachedSôAnimism
Makong PuaMakong PuaLaos1,600No Longer UnreachedSôAnimism
Makong MaroyMakong MaroyLaos1,300No Longer UnreachedSôAnimism
Xingmoun LaomaiXingmoun LaomaiLaos6,200Unengaged and UnreachedPuocAnimism
Lahu KuisoongLahu KuisoongLaos1,600No Longer UnreachedLahu ShiAnimism
Khom KheaKhom KheaLaos13,500Engaged yet UnreachedKhmerAnimism
KhatavuengKhatavuengLaos1,000Unengaged and UnreachedLaoAnimism
Katu TriewKatu TriewLaos2,600Unengaged and UnreachedWestern KatuAnimism
Katu HannaKatu HannaLaos750Unengaged and UnreachedWestern KatuAnimism
Katu Dak KangKatu Dak KangLaos2,100Unengaged and UnreachedWestern KatuAnimism
Katu AdekKatu AdekLaos500Unengaged and UnreachedWestern KatuAnimism
KathongluengKathongluengLaos1,400Engaged yet UnreachedLaoAnimism
Alak SanakAlak SanakLaos5,100Engaged yet UnreachedAlakAnimism
Akha PisoAkha PisoLaos5,600Unengaged and UnreachedAkhaAnimism
Akha PalaAkha PalaLaos6,600Unengaged and UnreachedAkhaAnimism
Akha NuverAkha NuverLaos6,500Unengaged and UnreachedAkhaAnimism
Akha KerAkha KerLaos3,300Unengaged and UnreachedAkhaAnimism
Akha JowhoiAkha JowhoiLaos550Unengaged and UnreachedAkhaAnimism
Akha JipeaAkha JipeaLaos9,800Unengaged and UnreachedAkhaFolk Buddhism
Akha JijorAkha JijorLaos5,200Unengaged and UnreachedAkhaAnimism
Akha JaweuyAkha JaweuyLaos4,900Engaged yet UnreachedAkhaAnimism
Akha EurbaAkha EurbaLaos6,000Unengaged and UnreachedAkhaAnimism
KatongKatongLaos1,000Unengaged and UnreachedEastern BruTheravada Buddhism
Deaf LaotiansDeaf LaotiansLaos68,000Unengaged and UnreachedLaos Sign LanguageEthnoreligion
Tai KaleunTai KaleunLaos12,500Unengaged and UnreachedNortheastern ThaiEthnoreligion
Tai HeTai HeLaos15,500Unengaged and UnreachedUndeterminedEthnoreligion
Red ThaiRed ThaiLaos47,500Unengaged and UnreachedTai DaengAnimism
KuiKuiLaos46,500Engaged yet UnreachedKuyEthnoreligion
SedangSedangLaos1,300Unengaged and UnreachedSedangAnimism
SamtaoSamtaoLaos3,400Unengaged and UnreachedSamtaoEthnoreligion
SalaoSalaoLaos1,300Unengaged and UnreachedLaoEthnoreligion
PuocPuocLaos9,900Unengaged and UnreachedPuocAnimism
PoussangPoussangLaos3,600Unengaged and UnreachedLaoEthnoreligion
PoumongPoumongLaos1,700Unengaged and UnreachedLaoEthnoreligion
PouhoyPouhoyLaos375Unengaged and UnreachedOyEthnoreligion
PongPongLaos35,000Unengaged and UnreachedPhong-KniangEthnoreligion
PhaiPhaiLaos28,500Unengaged and UnreachedPhaiAnimism
PanaPanaLaos600Unengaged and UnreachedPhana'Animism
MalengMalengLaos1,100Unengaged and UnreachedMalengAnimism
KhuenKhuenLaos15,500Unengaged and UnreachedKhuenAnimism
Iu MienIu MienLaos32,500Engaged yet UnreachedIu MienEthnoreligion
Ta OiTa OiLaos32,000No Longer UnreachedUpper Ta'oihAnimism
VietnameseVietnameseLaos139,000No Longer UnreachedVietnameseEthnoreligion
TongTongLaos17,500Unengaged and UnreachedOngEthnoreligion
TchahoTchahoLaos475Unengaged and UnreachedLaoEthnoreligion
TaytenTaytenLaos550Unengaged and UnreachedT'enEthnoreligion
TamoyTamoyLaos950Unengaged and UnreachedLaoEthnoreligion
TaliengTaliengLaos47,000Engaged yet UnreachedTaliengAnimism
Northern ThaiNorthern ThaiLaos45,000Unengaged and UnreachedNorthern ThaiAnimism
Tai SamTai SamLaos1,300Unengaged and UnreachedShanEthnoreligion
Tai PeungTai PeungLaos1,900Unengaged and UnreachedLaoEthnoreligion
Tai NyoTai NyoLaos21,500Unengaged and UnreachedNyawEthnoreligion
Tai NuaTai NuaLaos15,000Unengaged and UnreachedTai NüaAnimism
Tai MenTai MenLaos12,500Unengaged and UnreachedTai DoAnimism
Tai LaanTai LaanLaos750Unengaged and UnreachedUndeterminedEthnoreligion
Tai KhangTai KhangLaos83,500Unengaged and UnreachedKangAnimism
White ThaiWhite ThaiLaos327,000Engaged yet UnreachedTai DónEthnoreligion
Black ThaiBlack ThaiLaos65,000Engaged yet UnreachedTai DamAnimism
TahangTahangLaos600Unengaged and UnreachedLaoEthnoreligion
NyahonNyahonLaos11,000Unengaged and UnreachedNyaheunAnimism
NguanNguanLaos46,000Unengaged and UnreachedKhmuAnimism
NgaeNgaeLaos17,500No Longer UnreachedKriangAnimism
SingmoonSingmoonLaos9,600Unengaged and UnreachedPuocEthnoreligion
ChutChutLaos500Unengaged and UnreachedChutAnimism
PhunoiPhunoiLaos48,500Unengaged and UnreachedPhunoiAnimism
PhuanPhuanLaos175,000Engaged yet UnreachedPhuanTheravada Buddhism
MyenMyenLaos800Unengaged and UnreachedBurmeseEthnoreligion
MonMonLaos400Unengaged and UnreachedThoAnimism
MlabriMlabriLaos60Unengaged and UnreachedMlabriAnimism
LawiLawiLaos1,000Unengaged and UnreachedLaoEthnoreligion
LaosengLaosengLaos11,500Unengaged and UnreachedTarengAnimism
LantenLantenLaos6,300No Longer UnreachedKim MunEthnoreligion
LahuLahuLaos15,000No Longer UnreachedLahuAnimism
Lahu ShiLahu ShiLaos3,600No Longer UnreachedLahu ShiAnimism
KuanKuanLaos4,400Unengaged and UnreachedKuanAnimism
KriKriLaos1,400Unengaged and UnreachedHalangEthnoreligion
KongsatKongsatLaos850Unengaged and UnreachedAkhaAnimism
Ou KhmuOu KhmuLaos822,000No Longer UnreachedKhmuAnimism
KhmerKhmerLaos5,800Unengaged and UnreachedKhmerTheravada Buddhism
KateKateLaos950Unengaged and UnreachedLaoEthnoreligion
HungHungLaos4,500Unengaged and UnreachedHungAnimism
Hmong NjuaHmong NjuaLaos253,000Engaged yet UnreachedHmong NjuaAnimism
Hmong DawHmong DawLaos294,000Engaged yet UnreachedHmong DawChinese Folk Religion
GiayGiayLaos8,800Unengaged and UnreachedBouyeiAnimism
Western ChamsWestern ChamsLaos250Unengaged and UnreachedWestern ChamSunni Islam
CaliCaliLaos23,000Unengaged and UnreachedSôAnimism
Eastern BruEastern BruLaos37,500Engaged yet UnreachedEastern BruAnimism
AluAluLaos8,200Unengaged and UnreachedEastern NisuChinese Folk Religion
AkhaAkhaLaos113,000Unengaged and UnreachedAkhaAnimism
Akha LumaAkha LumaLaos6,800Unengaged and UnreachedAkhaAnimism
AkeuAkeuLaos3,200Unengaged and UnreachedBiyoEthnoreligion
AheuAheuLaos2,700Unengaged and UnreachedAheuAnimism
LaopangLaopangLaos9,600No Longer UnreachedLaopangEthnoreligion
YoyYoyLaos1,800Unengaged and UnreachedYoyAnimism
Tai LoiTai LoiLaos600Unengaged and UnreachedTai LoiEthnoreligion
SouSouLaos3,600Unengaged and UnreachedSouAnimism
SoSoLaos182,000Engaged yet UnreachedSôEthnoreligion
SilaSilaLaos3,700Unengaged and UnreachedSilaAnimism
SapuanSapuanLaos6,000Unengaged and UnreachedSapuanAnimism
SaekSaekLaos7,000Engaged yet UnreachedLaoAnimism
Phu ThaiPhu ThaiLaos264,000Engaged yet UnreachedPhu ThaiTheravada Buddhism
PacohPacohLaos26,500Engaged yet UnreachedPacohAnimism
OyOyLaos23,500No Longer UnreachedOyAnimism
O'duO'duLaos400Unengaged and UnreachedO'duAnimism
NguonNguonLaos2,400Unengaged and UnreachedNguônAnimism
Tai LuTai LuLaos209,000Engaged yet UnreachedLüEthnoreligion
LavenLavenLaos56,500Unengaged and UnreachedLavenAnimism
LaoLaoLaos3,980,000Engaged yet UnreachedLaoTheravada Buddhism
LametLametLaos28,000Unengaged and UnreachedRmeetAnimism
KhuaKhuaLaos4,600Unengaged and UnreachedKhuaAnimism
KhlorKhlorLaos15,000Unengaged and UnreachedKriangAnimism
KatuKatuLaos30,500Engaged yet UnreachedEastern KatuAnimism
KatangKatangLaos118,000Engaged yet UnreachedSouthern KatangAnimism
KassengKassengLaos1,200Unengaged and UnreachedTaliengAnimism
JengJengLaos8,700Unengaged and UnreachedOyAnimism
JehJehLaos11,500No Longer UnreachedJehAnimism
IrIrLaos7,400Unengaged and UnreachedIrAnimism
HaniHaniLaos750Unengaged and UnreachedHaniEthnoreligion
Han ChineseHan ChineseLaos36,500No Longer UnreachedYue ChineseChinese Folk Religion
Halang DoanHalang DoanLaos2,300Unengaged and UnreachedHalang DoanAnimism
SalangSalangLaos1,000Unengaged and UnreachedHalangAnimism
BraoBraoLaos26,000Unengaged and UnreachedBraoAnimism
BoBoLaos5,000Unengaged and UnreachedBo (Laos)Animism
BitBitLaos2,000Unengaged and UnreachedBitAnimism
AremAremLaos900Unengaged and UnreachedLaoAnimism
AlakAlakLaos25,500Unengaged and UnreachedAlakAnimism

To download a comprehensive people group list in spreadsheet form, visit our Research Data page.

Peoplegroups.org relies on updates from the field and other organizations for much of our data, so if you have any updates, please contact us. We use various international naming standards. For a list of these standards and fields, visit our Data Standards section.

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