• 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%)

% Christian Adherent

3.6%

% Evangelical

2.47%

Evangelical Annual Growth Rate

6.8%
Map Notes
Click column headings for sorting ▲▼
Progress Scale: ●●●●●   
☀
 = Frontier peoples
Photo People Group ▲ Population
this Country		 Global
Population		 Indigenous Primary Language Primary Religion Progress
Scale		 % Christian
Adherent 		% 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 31,910,000 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 46,968,000 ● 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 66,000 878,504,000 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 14,000 715,000 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 21,399,000 Thai Buddhism ● 0.60 % 0.30 % 3
Thai, Isan 8,700 18,333,000 Thai, Northeastern Buddhism ☀ 0.00 % 0.00 % 1
Thai, Northern 37,000 7,379,000 ● Thai, Northern Buddhism ☀ 0.00 % 0.00 % 1
Tong 14,000 14,000 ● Ong Ethnic Religions ● 3.00 % 2.20 % -
Vietnamese 120,000 84,659,000 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) 289,167,000 4,072.8 % 97.4 % 0.0 % 1.1 % 0.0 % 0.0 % 1.5 %
 
 Other Backward Classes (OBC) 753,926,000 10,618.7 % 70.9 % 24.0 % 1.7 % 0.2 % 2.5 % 0.8 %
 
 Scheduled Caste (SC) 200,921,000 2,829.9 % 94.4 % 0.0 % 0.5 % 2.8 % 2.3 % 0.0 %
 
 Scheduled Tribe (ST) 116,285,000 1,637.8 % 81.8 % 1.5 % 9.2 % 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 Translation Needed
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 Started
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 Unspecified
Ta'oih, Upper tth 1 1 Bible Portions
Tai Daeng tyr 1 1 Translation Needed
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

MAJOR 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.
Peoples, Countries, Languages People Group
Lists Create
a List Global
Statistics Maps
 What's New