• Country: 

Country: Laos

Number of People Groups

128

People Groups Unreached

109 (85.2%)

Progress Level

Progress Gauge

Total
Population

7,100,000

Population in Unreached

5,587,000 (78.7%)

Largest Religion

Buddhism (60.1%)

% Professing Christian

3.6%

% Evangelical

2.47%

Evangelical Annual Growth Rate

6.8%
Map Notes
Click column headings for sorting ▲▼
Progress Scale: ●●●●●
Photo People Group ▲ Population
this Country		 Global
Population		 Indigenous Primary Language Progress
Scale		 Primary Religion % Professing
Christian 		%
Evangelical		 Est. Workers
Needed *
Aheu Luang 600 2,200 ● Aheu ● Ethnic Religions 0.00 % 0.00 % 1
Akeu 3,100 16,000 Akeu ● Ethnic Religions 0.09 % 0.05 % 1
Akha 114,000 674,000 ● Akha ● Ethnic Religions 3.00 % 2.00 % 2
Alak 26,000 26,000 ● Alak ● Ethnic Religions 0.04 % 0.02 % 1
Alu 7,100 15,000 Nisu, Eastern ● Ethnic Religions 0.00 % 0.00 % 1
Arem 800 900 ● Bru, Eastern ● Ethnic Religions 0.00 % 0.00 % 1
Bit 2,400 3,300 ● Bit ● Ethnic Religions 0.00 % 0.00 % 1
Bo 4,000 4,000 ● Bo ● Ethnic Religions 0.00 % 0.00 % 1
Brao 26,000 37,000 ● Lave ● Ethnic Religions 1.00 % 0.76 % 1
Bru, Eastern 22,000 114,000 ● Bru, Eastern ● Ethnic Religions 2.00 % 1.50 % 1
Bru, Western 84,000 108,000 ● Bru, Western ● Buddhism 12.00 % 8.00 % -
Burmese 600 32,010,000 Burmese ● Buddhism 0.00 % 0.00 % 1
Cham, Western 600 303,000 Cham, Western ● Islam 0.00 % 0.00 % 1
Chatong 800 800 ● Language unknown ● Ethnic Religions 0.00 % 0.00 % 1
Chepya 2,400 2,400 ● Chepya ● Buddhism 0.00 % 0.00 % 1
Chut-May 400 7,100 ● Chut ● Ethnic Religions 0.00 % 0.00 % 1
Chut-Ruc 200 200 ● Chut ● Ethnic Religions 0.00 % 0.00 % 1
Chut-Sach 200 200 ● Chut ● Ethnic Religions 0.00 % 0.00 % 1
Con 2,200 2,200 ● Con ● Ethnic Religions 0.00 % 0.00 % 1
Deaf 72,000 46,963,000 ● Laos Sign Language ● Buddhism 3.38 % 1
Giay 7,200 71,000 Bouyei ● Ethnic Religions 0.00 % 0.00 % 1
Halang 6,200 22,000 ● Halang ● Ethnic Religions 0.00 % 0.00 % 1
Halang Doan 3,100 6,600 ● Halang Doan ● Ethnic Religions 4.00 % 3.00 % -
Han Chinese, Cantonese 18,000 79,348,000 Chinese, Yue ● Non-Religious 8.00 % 5.00 % -
Han Chinese, Mandarin 66,000 878,417,000 Chinese, Mandarin ● Non-Religious 8.00 % 5.00 % -
Hani 700 788,000 Hani ● Ethnic Religions 0.00 % 0.00 % 1
Hmong Bua 1,800 95,000 ● Miao, Chuanqiandian Cluster ● Ethnic Religions 3.00 % 2.00 % 1
Hmong Daw 389,000 2,070,000 ● Hmong Daw ● Ethnic Religions 4.00 % 3.00 % -
Hmong Njua 211,000 757,000 ● Hmong Njua ● Ethnic Religions 1.00 % 0.80 % 4
Hung 3,700 4,600 ● Hung ● Ethnic Religions 3.00 % 2.50 % -
Hung-Tum Unknown Unknown ● Hung ● Ethnic Religions 0.00 % 0.00 % 0
Ir 6,100 6,100 ● Ir ● Ethnic Religions 0.00 % 0.00 % 1
Iu Mien 33,000 1,676,000 ● Iu Mien ● Ethnic Religions 8.00 % 7.90 % -
Jeh 12,000 30,000 ● Jeh ● Ethnic Religions 3.00 % 2.40 % -
Jeng 8,800 8,800 ● Oy ● Ethnic Religions 0.00 % 0.00 % 1
Kado 4,900 204,000 ● Kaduo ● Ethnic Religions 1.00 % 0.50 % 1
Kanay 900 900 ● Pacoh ● Ethnic Religions 9.00 % 7.00 % -
Kasseng 1,600 1,600 ● Talieng ● Ethnic Religions 0.00 % 0.00 % 1
Katang, Northern 67,000 67,000 ● Katang, Northern ● Ethnic Religions 0.08 % 0.08 % 1
Katang, Southern 41,000 41,000 ● Katang, Southern ● Ethnic Religions 0.08 % 0.08 % 1
Katu, Western 29,000 29,000 ● Katu, Western ● Ethnic Religions 1.00 % 0.80 % 1
Khlor 8,800 8,800 ● Kriang ● Ethnic Religions 0.50 % 0.40 % 1
Khmer 7,200 16,278,000 Khmer ● Buddhism 3.00 % 1.60 % 1
Khmu 714,000 826,000 ● Khmu ● Ethnic Religions 10.00 % 9.00 % -
Khua 4,400 9,700 ● Khua ● Ethnic Religions 0.00 % 0.00 % 1
Khuen 12,000 17,000 ● Khuen ● Buddhism 1.50 % 1.00 % 1
Kim Mun 6,900 554,000 Kim Mun ● Ethnic Religions 1.00 % 0.80 % 1
Kiorr 4,700 4,700 ● Kiorr ● Buddhism 1.00 % 0.60 % 1
Kongsat 100 100 ● Khmu ● Ethnic Religions 0.00 % 0.00 % 1
Kri 1,100 1,100 ● Language unknown ● Ethnic Religions 0.00 % 0.00 % 1
Kuan 900 900 ● Kuan ● Ethnic Religions 0.00 % 0.00 % 1
Kui 47,000 501,000 ● Kuay ● Buddhism 1.00 % 0.90 % 1
Kui Lung 4,900 4,900 ● Lahu ● Ethnic Religions 12.00 % 9.00 % -
Lahu Aga 9,200 9,200 ● Lahu ● Ethnic Religions 8.50 % 7.90 % -
Lahu Phu 3,700 584,000 Lahu ● Ethnic Religions 15.00 % 11.00 % -
Lahu Shi 3,600 215,000 ● Lahu Shi ● Ethnic Religions 12.00 % 10.00 % -
Lamet 23,000 23,000 ● Rmeet ● Ethnic Religions 1.00 % 0.80 % 1
Lanten 6,500 6,500 ● Language unknown ● Ethnic Religions 0.00 % 0.00 % 1
Lao 3,348,000 3,667,000 ● Lao ● Buddhism 3.50 % 2.00 % 67
Lao Phuan 145,000 355,000 ● Phuan ● Buddhism 1.00 % 0.80 % 3
Laopang 13,000 13,000 ● Laopang ● Ethnic Religions 14.00 % 11.00 % -
Laoseng 11,000 11,000 ● Tareng ● Ethnic Religions 1.00 % 0.80 % 1
Laven 57,000 93,000 ● Laven ● Ethnic Religions 0.00 % 0.00 % 1
Lawi 1,200 1,200 ● Lavi ● Ethnic Religions 0.00 % 0.00 % 1
Mal 36,000 41,000 ● Mal ● Ethnic Religions 2.00 % 1.80 % 1
Maleng 600 1,800 ● Maleng ● Ethnic Religions 0.00 % 0.00 % 1
Mlabri 600 1,000 ● Mlabri ● Ethnic Religions 0.00 % 0.00 % 1
Ngae 8,800 8,800 ● Kriang ● Ethnic Religions 4.00 % 3.50 % -
Nguan 20,000 20,000 ● Khmu ● Ethnic Religions 1.00 % 0.85 % 1
Nguon 800 3,100 ● Nguon ● Ethnic Religions 0.00 % 0.00 % 1
Nung 1,400 1,086,000 Nung ● Ethnic Religions 0.70 % 0.60 % 1
Nyahon 9,100 9,100 ● Nyaheun ● Ethnic Religions 0.00 % 0.00 % 1
Nyaw 17,000 98,000 Nyaw ● Buddhism 0.50 % 0.40 % 1
O-Du 600 1,000 ● O'du ● Ethnic Religions 0.00 % 0.00 % 1
Oy 24,000 24,000 ● Oy ● Buddhism 1.00 % 0.80 % 1
Pacoh 23,000 42,000 ● Pacoh ● Ethnic Religions 0.00 % 0.00 % 1
Pala 5,600 5,600 ● Akha ● Ethnic Religions 0.00 % 0.00 % 1
Phana 500 5,700 ● Phana' ● Ethnic Religions 0.00 % 0.00 % 1
Phu Thai 220,000 1,012,000 ● Phu Thai ● Buddhism 0.50 % 0.40 % 4
Phunoi 40,000 40,000 ● Phunoi ● Ethnic Religions 0.00 % 0.00 % 1
Pong 31,000 31,000 ● Phong-Kniang ● Ethnic Religions 0.00 % 0.00 % 1
Pouhoy 300 300 ● Language unknown ● Ethnic Religions 0.00 % 0.00 % 1
Poumong 1,400 1,400 ● Language unknown ● Ethnic Religions 0.00 % 0.00 % 1
Poussang 2,700 2,700 ● Language unknown ● Ethnic Religions 0.00 % 0.00 % 1
Prai 29,000 49,000 ● Prai ● Ethnic Religions 1.00 % 0.90 % 1
Puoc 10,000 38,000 Puoc ● Ethnic Religions 0.00 % 0.00 % 1
Saek 3,900 25,000 ● Saek ● Ethnic Religions 0.00 % 0.00 % 1
Samtao 3,400 15,000 Samtao ● Buddhism 0.00 % 0.00 % 1
Sapuan 5,300 5,300 ● Sapuan ● Ethnic Religions 0.00 % 0.00 % 1
Sedang 900 125,000 Sedang ● Ethnic Religions 0.00 % 0.00 % 1
Sila 3,200 4,000 ● Sila ● Ethnic Religions 0.00 % 0.00 % 1
So 84,000 157,000 ● So ● Buddhism 1.40 % 1.00 % 2
So Tri 11,000 11,000 ● Bru, Eastern ● Ethnic Religions 0.10 % 0.05 % 1
Sou 3,200 3,200 ● Sou ● Ethnic Religions 0.00 % 0.00 % 1
Ta Oi, Lower 22,000 22,000 ● Ta'oih, Lower ● Ethnic Religions 0.10 % 0.10 % 1
Ta Oi, Upper 48,000 70,000 ● Ta'oih, Upper ● Ethnic Religions 2.00 % 1.80 % 1
Tahang 400 400 ● Language unknown ● Ethnic Religions 0.00 % 0.00 % 1
Tai Daeng 25,000 191,000 ● Tai Daeng ● Ethnic Religions 0.00 % 0.00 % 1
Tai Dam 27,000 906,000 ● Tai Dam ● Ethnic Religions 0.20 % 0.18 % 1
Tai Do 3,600 4,000 ● Tai Yo ● Ethnic Religions 0.00 % 0.00 % 1
Tai Doi 300 5,400 ● Tai Loi ● Buddhism 0.00 % 0.00 % 1
Tai Gapong 500 2,700 ● Phu Thai ● Buddhism 0.00 % 0.00 % 1
Tai He 4,000 4,000 ● Language unknown ● Buddhism 0.00 % 0.00 % 1
Tai Kaleun 3,200 12,000 Thai, Northeastern ● Buddhism 0.00 % 0.00 % 1
Tai Kao 102,000 461,000 ● Tai Don ● Ethnic Religions 0.00 % 0.00 % 2
Tai Khang 25,000 68,000 ● Kang ● Buddhism 0.00 % 0.00 % 1
Tai Khun 800 137,000 ● Khun ● Buddhism 4.00 % 2.00 % 1
Tai Laan 700 700 ● Language unknown ● Buddhism 0.00 % 0.00 % 1
Tai Long 2,100 2,100 ● Tai Long ● Ethnic Religions 0.00 % 0.00 % 1
Tai Lue 127,000 1,098,000 ● Lu ● Buddhism 0.10 % 0.10 % 3
Tai Nua, Chinese Shan 14,000 712,000 Tai Nua ● Buddhism 0.00 % 0.00 % 1
Tai Pao 1,800 12,000 ● Tai Pao ● Ethnic Religions 0.00 % 0.00 % 1
Tai Peung 500 500 ● Language unknown ● Ethnic Religions 0.00 % 0.00 % 1
Tai Sam 400 400 ● Language unknown ● Ethnic Religions 0.00 % 0.00 % 1
Taket 600 600 ● Language unknown ● Ethnic Religions 0.00 % 0.00 % 1
Talieng 36,000 36,000 ● Talieng ● Ethnic Religions 0.20 % 0.12 % 1
Tamoy 700 700 ● Language unknown ● Ethnic Religions 0.00 % 0.00 % 1
Tay Khang 200 200 ● Tai Khang ● Ethnic Religions 0.00 % 0.00 % 1
Tay Pong Unknown Unknown ● Hung ● Ethnic Religions 0.00 % 0.00 % 0
Tayten 400 400 ● Lao ● Ethnic Religions 0.00 % 0.00 % 1
Tchaho 400 400 ● Language unknown ● Ethnic Religions 0.00 % 0.00 % 1
Thae 10,000 10,000 ● Oy ● Ethnic Religions 0.00 % 0.00 % 1
Thai 141,000 51,474,000 Thai ● Buddhism 0.60 % 0.30 % 3
Thai, Isan 8,700 120,000 Thai, Northeastern ● Buddhism 0.00 % 0.00 % 1
Thai, Northern 37,000 37,000 ● Thai, Northern ● Buddhism 0.00 % 0.00 % 1
Tong 14,000 14,000 ● Ong ● Ethnic Religions 3.00 % 2.20 % -
Vietnamese 120,000 84,556,000 Vietnamese ● Buddhism 9.00 % 1.80 % -
Yoy 12,000 20,000 ● Yoy ● Ethnic Religions 2.50 % 2.10 % -
  Totals:  128 7,100,000       109 ●   3.64 % 2.47 % 188 
  Unclassified / Other Individuals 69,000                
  UN Country Population (2019) 7,169,000                
Other minor groups:  2

Download Data Data Sources Definitions
Prayer Cards
Click column headings for sorting ▲▼
State ▲ Population People Groups Unreached
Groups		 % Unreached
Peoples		 Population
in Unreached		 % Population
Unreached		 Districts
Country:   7,100,000 128 109 85.2 % 5,587,000 78.7 % 0

Click column headings for sorting ▲▼
Class ▲ Population % Popl % Hindu % Muslim % Christian % Buddhist % Sikh % Other
 
 Forward Caste (FC) 288,797,000 4,067.6 % 97.4 % 0.0 % 1.1 % 0.0 % 0.0 % 1.5 %
 
 Other Backward Classes (OBC) 754,434,000 10,625.8 % 70.7 % 24.0 % 1.7 % 0.2 % 2.7 % 0.8 %
 
 Scheduled Caste (SC) 200,901,000 2,829.6 % 94.9 % 0.0 % 0.7 % 2.8 % 1.5 % 0.0 %
 
 Scheduled Tribe (ST) 116,167,000 1,636.2 % 81.8 % 1.5 % 9.3 % 0.8 % 0.0 % 6.7 %
7,100,000
Related Articles
Why Use Caste to Define Peoples?

South Asia Communities / Castes: An Overview

A History of South Asia People Group Lists

Why Include Religion When Defining South Asia Peoples?

Click column headings for sorting ▲▼
Language ▲ Code # Peoples
Primary
Language		 # Unreached
Primary
Language		 Scripture
Status		 NT Text
Online		 NT Audio
Online		 Jesus Film
Online		 Audio
Recordings
Online		 Gospel
Tract
Online
Aheu thm 1 1 Translation Needed
Akeu aeu 1 1 New Testament
Akha ahk 2 2 Complete Bible
Alak alk 1 1 Translation Needed
Bit bgk 1 1 Translation Needed
Bo bgl 1 1 Translation Needed
Bouyei pcc 1 1 Bible Portions
Bru, Eastern bru 3 3 Complete Bible
Bru, Western brv 1 0 Bible Portions
Burmese mya 1 1 Complete Bible
Cham, Western cja 1 1 Bible Portions
Chepya ycp 1 1 Unspecified
Chinese, Mandarin cmn 1 0 Complete Bible
Chinese, Yue yue 1 0 Complete Bible
Chut scb 3 3 Unspecified
Con cno 1 1 Translation Needed
Halang hal 1 1 New Testament
Halang Doan hld 1 0 Translation Needed
Hani hni 1 1 Bible Portions
Hmong Daw mww 1 0 Complete Bible
Hmong Njua hnj 1 1 Complete Bible
Hung hnu 3 2 Unspecified
Ir irr 1 1 Translation Needed
Iu Mien ium 1 0 Complete Bible
Jeh jeh 1 0 New Testament
Kaduo ktp 1 1 Bible Portions
Kang kyp 1 1 Translation Needed
Katang, Northern ncq 1 1 New Testament
Katang, Southern sct 1 1 New Testament
Katu, Western kuf 1 1 Translation Needed
Khmer khm 1 1 Complete Bible
Khmu kjg 3 2 Bible Portions
Khua xhv 1 1 Translation Needed
Khuen khf 1 1 Translation Needed
Khun kkh 1 1 Bible Portions
Kim Mun mji 1 1 Unspecified
Kiorr xko 1 1 Translation Needed
Kriang ngt 2 1 Bible Portions
Kuan uan 1 1 Translation Needed
Kuay kdt 1 1 Complete Bible
Lahu lhu 3 0 Complete Bible
Lahu Shi lhi 1 0 New Testament
Lao lao 2 2 Complete Bible
Laopang lbg 1 0 Translation Needed
Laos Sign Language lso 1 1 Translation Needed
Lave brb 1 1 Bible Portions
Laven lbo 1 1 Unspecified
Lavi lvi 1 1 Unspecified
Lu khb 1 1 New Testament
Mal mlf 1 1 New Testament
Maleng pkt 1 1 Translation Needed
Miao, Chuanqiandian Cluster cqd 1 1 Complete Bible
Mlabri mra 1 1 Translation Needed
Nguon nuo 1 1 Translation Needed
Nisu, Eastern nos 1 1 New Testament
Nung nut 1 1 Bible Portions
Nyaheun nev 1 1 Unspecified
Nyaw nyw 1 1 Translation Needed
O'du tyh 1 1 Unspecified
Ong oog 1 0 Unspecified
Oy oyb 3 3 Unspecified
Pacoh pac 2 1 New Testament
Phana' phq 1 1 Translation Needed
Phong-Kniang pnx 1 1 Translation Needed
Phu Thai pht 2 2 Translation Started
Phuan phu 1 1 Translation Needed
Phunoi pho 1 1 Translation Needed
Prai prt 1 1 Bible Portions
Puoc puo 1 1 Translation Needed
Rmeet lbn 1 1 Bible Portions
Saek skb 1 1 Translation Needed
Samtao stu 1 1 Translation Needed
Sapuan spu 1 1 Translation Needed
Sedang sed 1 1 Bible Portions
Sila slt 1 1 Translation Needed
So sss 1 1 Bible Portions
Sou sqq 1 1 Translation Needed
Ta'oih, Lower tto 1 1 Translation Started
Ta'oih, Upper tth 1 1 Bible Portions
Tai Daeng tyr 1 1 Unspecified
Tai Dam blt 1 1 New Testament
Tai Don twh 1 1 Bible Portions
Tai Khang tnu 1 1 Translation Needed
Tai Loi tlq 1 1 Translation Started
Tai Long thi 1 1 Translation Needed
Tai Nua tdd 1 1 Bible Portions
Tai Pao tpo 1 1 Translation Needed
Tai Yo tyj 1 1 Translation Needed
Talieng tdf 2 2 Unspecified
Tareng tgr 1 1 Translation Needed
Thai tha 1 1 Complete Bible
Thai, Northeastern tts 2 2 New Testament
Thai, Northern nod 1 1 New Testament
Unknown xxx 14 14 Unspecified
Vietnamese vie 1 0 Complete Bible
Yoy yoy 1 0 Translation Needed
Totals: 96 128 109   16 17 24 67 6

RELIGIONS ▲ Percent
Buddhism
60.1 %
Christianity  (Evangelical 2.5 %)
3.6 %
Ethnic Religions
31.9 %
Hinduism
0.0 %
Islam
0.0 %
Non-Religious
4.2 %
Other / Small Religions
0.1 %
Unknown
0.0 %

CHRISTIAN SEGMENTS ▲ Percent
Anglican
0.0 %
Independent
9.9 %
Orthodox
0.1 %
Other Christian
0.0 %
Protestant
64.6 %
Roman Catholic
19.5 %
Notes:

Major Religions: Religion percentages are derived from summing Joshua Project's data for all people groups who live in each country. The number of individuals who practice each religion, by people group, are summed. This number is divided by the country's total population to derive the religion's percentage.

Christianity Segments: Christian segment percentages are derived from summing Joshua Project's data for all the people groups who live in each country. The number of individuals who practice each segment of Christianity, by people group, are summed. This number is divided by the country's total number of Christians to derive the Christian segment's percentage.

Networking Possibilities

Search the Web
There are many agencies and churches looking for additional staff to help them in their mission and calling in Laos. Internet searches are probably the best way to find these organizations. The following are some example search topics you might try:

  • Church planting agencies in Laos
  • Christian ministry in Laos
  • Business as mission
  • Christian literature distribution
  • Evangelism agencies
  • Christian discipleship
  • Short term Christian missions
  • Long term Christian missions
  • Urban ministries
  • Christian media opportunities
  • Bible translation opportunities
  • Relief and development agencies
  • Clean water projects
  • Christian medical outreaches

Laos Statistics
People Groups 128
Unreached People Groups 109  (85.2%)
Population 7,100,000
Population Annual Growth Rate 1.7%
Population in Unreached 5,587,000  (78.7%)
Pioneer Workers Needed * 188
Primary Religion Buddhism
Percent Christian Adherent 3.6%
Percent Evangelical 2.5%
Evangelical Annual Growth Rate 6.8%
Country Progress Level 4 ●
Urbanization 35%
Continent Asia
Region Asia, Southeast
10/40 Window Yes
Country Code LA
Official Language(s) Lao
Literacy Rate 73%
Estimated Illiterate Population 1,917,000
Persecution Ranking 19 (1=High to 50=Low OD)
Laos Maps
Political Map (UN)
Language Map (Ethnologue)
Ethnolinguistic Map (Univ of Texas)
Perry-Castaneda Map Collection
Laos Prayer Cards

Laos prayer cards.

 All  Unreached
Laos Links
Operation World
Window International Country Profile
World Factbook
Ethnologue Language Listing
God Reports (stories from the field)
Religious Freedom Report
Laos Videos
More great prayer resources at Prayercast

* An estimate of the number of pioneer workers needed for initial church planting among unreached people groups. Estimates are calculated only for unreached people groups and are based on ratio of 1 worker for every 50,000 individuals living in an unreached people group. Some workers may already be onsite. The country estimate is a summation of the unreached people group estimates. Many more workers are needed beyond this initial estimate.

Disclaimers:
  1. Joshua Project data is drawn from many sources and of varying accuracy depending on source and editorial decisions. Populations are scaled to the current year. Other data may have varying ages. We welcome suggested updates.
  2. A displayed zero can mean true zero, a very small rounded number or sometimes unknown. Blanks mean an unknown value.
  3. The data is sometimes not as precise as it appears. Values for %Christian Adherent and %Evangelical (which determine unreached status) are often informed estimates, some more accurate than others. We recommend against using %Christian Adherent and %Evangelical to calculate absolute numbers.
  4. Joshua Project may be able to provide more information than what is published on this site. Please contact us.
  5. On-the-ground reality may vary from what is presented here. Before making travel plans based on data presented here, please confirm with other sources to the extent possible.
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