• Country: 

Country: Laos

Number of People Groups

134

People Groups Unreached

112 (83.6%)

Official
Language

Lao

Total
Population

6,969,000

Population in Unreached

5,669,000 (81.3%)

Literacy Rate

79 %

Largest Religion

Buddhism (60.5%)

% Professing Christian

3.4%

% Evangelical

2.33%
Map Notes
Click column headings for sorting ▲▼
Progress Scale: ●●●●●
Photo People Group ▲ Population
this Country		 Global
Population		 Indigenous Primary Language Progress
Scale		 Primary Religion % Christian
Adherent		 %
Evangelical
Aheu Luang 300 1,800 ● Aheu ● Ethnic Religions 0.00 % 0.00 %
Akeu 3,100 16,000 Akeu ● Ethnic Religions 0.10 % 0.05 %
Akha 77,000 77,000 ● Akha ● Ethnic Religions 3.00 % 2.00 %
Alak 4,800 4,800 ● Alak ● Ethnic Religions 0.00 % 0.00 %
Alu 7,000 15,000 ● Nisu, Eastern ● Ethnic Religions 0.00 % 0.00 %
Arem 800 900 ● Arem ● Ethnic Religions 0.00 % 0.00 %
Bit 2,400 3,200 ● Bit ● Ethnic Religions 0.00 % 0.00 %
Bo 4,000 4,000 ● Bo ● Ethnic Religions 0.00 % 0.00 %
Brao 26,000 37,000 ● Lave ● Ethnic Religions 1.00 % 0.76 %
Bru, Eastern 22,000 88,000 ● Bru, Eastern ● Ethnic Religions 2.00 % 1.50 %
Burmese 600 32,283,000 Burmese ● Buddhism 0.00 % 0.00 %
Cham, Western 900 298,000 Cham, Western ● Islam 0.00 % 0.00 %
Chatong 800 800 ● Language unknown ● Ethnic Religions 0.00 % 0.00 %
Chepya 2,400 2,400 ● Chepya ● Buddhism 0.00 % 0.00 %
Chut-May 400 7,000 ● Chut ● Ethnic Religions 0.00 % 0.00 %
Chut-Ruc 200 200 ● Chut ● Ethnic Religions 0.00 % 0.00 %
Chut-Sach 200 200 ● Chut ● Ethnic Religions 0.00 % 0.00 %
Con 2,200 2,200 ● Con ● Ethnic Religions 0.00 % 0.00 %
Deaf Unknown Unknown ● Laos Sign Language ● Buddhism 3.00 % 2.60 %
Giay 7,100 405,000 Bouyei ● Ethnic Religions 0.00 % 0.00 %
Gie Trieng 13,000 31,000 ● Jeh ● Ethnic Religions 3.00 % 2.40 %
Halang 6,100 22,000 ● Halang ● Ethnic Religions 0.00 % 0.00 %
Halang Doan 3,100 6,600 ● Halang Doan ● Ethnic Religions 4.00 % 3.00 %
Han Chinese, Cantonese 18,000 77,696,000 Chinese, Yue ● Non-Religious 8.00 % 5.00 %
Han Chinese, Mandarin 65,000 858,190,000 Chinese, Mandarin ● Non-Religious 8.00 % 5.00 %
Hani 1,700 768,000 ● Hani ● Ethnic Religions 0.00 % 0.00 %
Hmong Bua 1,800 93,000 ● Miao, Chuanqiandian Cluster ● Ethnic Religions 3.00 % 2.00 %
Hmong Daw 250,000 1,046,000 ● Hmong Daw ● Ethnic Religions 4.00 % 3.00 %
Hmong Njua 134,000 675,000 ● Hmong Njua ● Ethnic Religions 1.00 % 0.80 %
Hung 2,000 2,500 ● Hung ● Ethnic Religions 3.00 % 2.50 %
Hung-Tum 900 900 ● Hung ● Ethnic Religions 0.00 % 0.00 %
Ir 6,000 6,000 ● Ir ● Ethnic Religions 0.00 % 0.00 %
Iu Mien 18,000 1,624,000 ● Iu Mien ● Ethnic Religions 8.00 % 7.90 %
Jeng 5,500 5,500 ● Oy ● Ethnic Religions 0.00 % 0.00 %
Kado 4,900 198,000 ● Kaduo ● Ethnic Religions 1.00 % 0.50 %
Kanay 900 900 ● Language unknown ● Ethnic Religions 9.00 % 7.00 %
Kasseng 1,600 1,600 ● Talieng ● Ethnic Religions 0.00 % 0.00 %
Katang, Northern 66,000 66,000 ● Katang, Northern ● Ethnic Religions 0.08 % 0.08 %
Katang, Southern 41,000 41,000 ● Katang, Southern ● Ethnic Religions 0.08 % 0.08 %
Katu, Eastern Unknown 62,000 ● Katu, Eastern ● Ethnic Religions 0.00 % 0.00 %
Katu, Western 28,000 28,000 ● Katu, Western ● Ethnic Religions 1.00 % 0.80 %
Khlor 13,000 13,000 ● Khlor ● Ethnic Religions 0.50 % 0.40 %
Khmer 5,900 15,966,000 Khmer ● Buddhism 3.00 % 1.60 %
Khmu 745,000 875,000 ● Khmu ● Ethnic Religions 10.00 % 9.00 %
Khmu, Keun Unknown Unknown ● Khmu ● Ethnic Religions 0.00 % 0.00 %
Khmu, Khong Unknown Unknown ● Khmu ● Ethnic Religions 4.00 % 3.57 %
Khmu, Lu Unknown Unknown ● Khmu ● Ethnic Religions 1.00 % 0.89 %
Khmu, Me Unknown Unknown ● Khmu ● Ethnic Religions 4.00 % 3.00 %
Khmu, Rok Unknown Unknown ● Khmu ● Ethnic Religions 2.00 % 1.70 %
Khua 4,400 9,700 ● Khua ● Ethnic Religions 0.00 % 0.00 %
Khuen 12,000 16,000 ● Khuen ● Buddhism 1.50 % 1.00 %
Kim Mun 6,900 544,000 ● Kim Mun ● Ethnic Religions 1.00 % 0.80 %
Kiorr 4,700 4,700 ● Kiorr ● Buddhism 1.00 % 0.60 %
Kongsat 100 100 ● Language unknown ● Ethnic Religions 0.00 % 0.00 %
Kri 1,100 1,100 ● Language unknown ● Ethnic Religions 0.00 % 0.00 %
Kuan 3,800 3,800 ● Kuan ● Ethnic Religions 0.00 % 0.00 %
Kui 53,000 501,000 ● Kuay ● Buddhism 1.00 % 0.90 %
Kui Lung 4,800 4,800 ● Language unknown ● Ethnic Religions 12.00 % 9.00 %
Lahu Aga 9,100 9,100 ● Lahu ● Ethnic Religions 8.50 % 7.90 %
Lahu Phu 3,700 581,000 ● Lahu ● Ethnic Religions 15.00 % 11.00 %
Lahu Shi 3,600 212,000 ● Lahu Shi ● Ethnic Religions 12.00 % 10.00 %
Lamet 25,000 25,000 ● Rmeet ● Ethnic Religions 1.00 % 0.80 %
Lanten 6,500 6,500 ● Language unknown ● Ethnic Religions 0.00 % 0.00 %
Lao 3,199,000 3,516,000 ● Lao ● Buddhism 3.50 % 2.00 %
Lao Phuan 144,000 351,000 ● Phuan ● Buddhism 1.00 % 0.80 %
Laopang 13,000 13,000 ● Laopang ● Ethnic Religions 14.00 % 11.00 %
Laoseng 11,000 11,000 ● Tareng ● Ethnic Religions 1.00 % 0.80 %
Laven 32,000 68,000 ● Laven ● Ethnic Religions 0.00 % 0.00 %
Lawi 800 800 ● Language unknown ● Ethnic Religions 0.00 % 0.00 %
Mal 35,000 40,000 ● Mal ● Ethnic Religions 2.00 % 1.80 %
Maleng 600 900 ● Maleng ● Ethnic Religions 0.00 % 0.00 %
Mlabri 600 700 ● Mlabri ● Ethnic Religions 0.00 % 0.00 %
Ngae 16,000 16,000 ● Kriang ● Ethnic Religions 4.00 % 3.50 %
Nguan 36,000 36,000 ● Khmu ● Ethnic Religions 1.00 % 0.85 %
Nguon 2,100 4,300 ● Nguon ● Ethnic Religions 0.00 % 0.00 %
Nung 1,400 1,082,000 ● Nung ● Ethnic Religions 0.70 % 0.60 %
Nyahon 4,800 4,800 ● Nyaheun ● Ethnic Religions 0.00 % 0.00 %
Nyaw 17,000 77,000 ● Nyaw ● Buddhism 0.50 % 0.40 %
O-Du 800 1,200 ● O'du ● Ethnic Religions 0.00 % 0.00 %
Oy 13,000 13,000 ● Oy ● Ethnic Religions 1.00 % 0.80 %
Pacoh 20,000 39,000 ● Pacoh ● Ethnic Religions 0.00 % 0.00 %
Pala 5,600 5,600 ● Akha ● Ethnic Religions 0.00 % 0.00 %
Phana 500 5,600 ● Phana' ● Ethnic Religions 0.00 % 0.00 %
Phu Thai 232,000 1,017,000 ● Phu Thai ● Buddhism 0.50 % 0.40 %
Phunoi 55,000 58,000 ● Phunoi ● Ethnic Religions 0.00 % 0.00 %
Pong 2,200 2,200 ● Phong-Kniang ● Ethnic Religions 0.00 % 0.00 %
Pouhoy 300 300 ● Language unknown ● Ethnic Religions 0.00 % 0.00 %
Poumong 1,300 1,300 ● Language unknown ● Ethnic Religions 0.00 % 0.00 %
Poussang 2,700 2,700 ● Language unknown ● Ethnic Religions 0.00 % 0.00 %
Prai 27,000 47,000 ● Prai ● Ethnic Religions 1.00 % 0.70 %
Pu Ko 200 200 ● Language unknown ● Ethnic Religions 3.00 % 2.30 %
Puoc 11,000 39,000 ● Puoc ● Ethnic Religions 0.00 % 0.00 %
Saek 4,600 25,000 ● Saek ● Ethnic Religions 0.00 % 0.00 %
Samtao 4,400 16,000 ● Samtao ● Buddhism 0.00 % 0.00 %
Sapuan 5,300 5,300 ● Sapuan ● Ethnic Religions 0.00 % 0.00 %
Sedang 600 125,000 Sedang ● Ethnic Religions 0.00 % 0.00 %
Sila 2,700 3,500 ● Sila ● Ethnic Religions 0.00 % 0.00 %
So 143,000 215,000 ● So ● Buddhism 1.40 % 1.00 %
So Tri 11,000 11,000 ● Bru, Eastern ● Ethnic Religions 0.10 % 0.05 %
Sou 3,200 3,200 ● Sou ● Ethnic Religions 0.00 % 0.00 %
Ta Oi, Lower 22,000 22,000 ● Ta'oih, Lower ● Ethnic Religions 0.10 % 0.10 %
Ta Oi, Upper 47,000 69,000 ● Ta'oih, Upper ● Ethnic Religions 2.00 % 1.80 %
Tahang 400 400 ● Language unknown ● Ethnic Religions 0.00 % 0.00 %
Tai Daeng 42,000 207,000 ● Tai Daeng ● Ethnic Religions 0.00 % 0.00 %
Tai Dam 76,000 951,000 ● Tai Dam ● Ethnic Religions 0.20 % 0.18 %
Tai Do 10,000 10,000 Tai Yo ● Ethnic Religions 0.00 % 0.00 %
Tai Doi 800 6,000 ● Tai Loi ● Buddhism 0.00 % 0.00 %
Tai Gapong 1,500 3,700 ● Phu Thai ● Buddhism 0.00 % 0.00 %
Tai He 11,000 11,000 ● Language unknown ● Buddhism 0.00 % 0.00 %
Tai Kaleun 9,300 18,000 Thai, Northeastern ● Buddhism 0.00 % 0.00 %
Tai Kao 288,000 646,000 ● Tai Don ● Ethnic Religions 0.00 % 0.00 %
Tai Khang 73,000 114,000 ● Kang ● Buddhism 0.00 % 0.00 %
Tai Khun 800 140,000 Khun ● Buddhism 2.30 % 1.90 %
Tai Laan 600 600 ● Language unknown ● Buddhism 0.00 % 0.00 %
Tai Long 5,900 5,900 ● Tai Long ● Ethnic Religions 0.00 % 0.00 %
Tai Lue 153,000 1,104,000 ● Lu ● Buddhism 0.10 % 0.10 %
Tai Nua, Chinese Shan 54,000 742,000 ● Tai Nua ● Buddhism 0.00 % 0.00 %
Tai Pao 5,000 15,000 ● Tai Pao ● Ethnic Religions 0.00 % 0.00 %
Tai Peung 1,400 1,400 ● Language unknown ● Ethnic Religions 0.00 % 0.00 %
Tai Sam 1,100 1,100 ● Language unknown ● Ethnic Religions 0.00 % 0.00 %
Taket 600 600 ● Language unknown ● Ethnic Religions 0.00 % 0.00 %
Talieng 36,000 36,000 ● Talieng ● Ethnic Religions 0.20 % 0.12 %
Tamoy 700 700 ● Language unknown ● Ethnic Religions 0.00 % 0.00 %
Tay Khang 200 200 ● Tay Khang ● Ethnic Religions 0.00 % 0.00 %
Tay Pong 3,000 3,000 ● Hung ● Ethnic Religions 0.00 % 0.00 %
Tayten 400 400 ● Language unknown ● Ethnic Religions 0.00 % 0.00 %
Tchaho 400 400 ● Language unknown ● Ethnic Religions 0.00 % 0.00 %
Thae 10,000 10,000 ● Oy ● Ethnic Religions 0.00 % 0.00 %
Thai, Central 140,000 20,359,000 Thai ● Buddhism 0.60 % 0.30 %
Thai, Isan 8,700 18,144,000 Thai, Northeastern ● Buddhism 0.00 % 0.00 %
Thai, Northern 37,000 7,276,000 Thai, Northern ● Buddhism 0.00 % 0.00 %
Tong 14,000 14,000 ● Ong ● Ethnic Religions 3.00 % 2.20 %
Vietnamese 119,000 84,970,000 Vietnamese ● Buddhism 9.00 % 1.80 %
Yoy 1,500 7,500 ● Yoy ● Ethnic Religions 2.50 % 2.10 %
  Totals:  134 6,969,000       112 ●   3.38 % 2.33 %
  Unclassified / Other Individuals 69,000              
  UN Country Population (2017) 7,038,000              
Other minor groups:  1
Download Data   Data Sources   Definitions  
Prayer Cards
Click column headings for sorting ▲▼
Language ▲ Code # Peoples
Primary
Language		 # Unreached
Primary
Language		 Bible
Status		 NT Text
Online		 NT Audio
Online		 Jesus Film
Online		 Audio
Recordings
Online		 Gospel
Tract
Online
Aheu thm 1 1
Akeu aeu 1 1 NT
Akha ahk 2 2 Complete
Alak alk 1 1
Arem aem 1 1
Bit bgk 1 1
Bo bgl 1 1
Bouyei pcc 1 1
Bru, Eastern bru 2 2 Complete
Burmese mya 1 1 Complete
Cham, Western cja 1 1
Chepya ycp 1 1
Chinese, Mandarin cmn 1 0 Complete
Chinese, Yue yue 1 0 Complete
Chut scb 3 3
Con cno 1 1
Halang hal 1 1 Portions
Halang Doan hld 1 0
Hani hni 1 1
Hmong Daw mww 1 0 Complete
Hmong Njua hnj 1 1 Complete
Hung hnu 3 2
Ir irr 1 1
Iu Mien ium 1 0 Complete
Jeh jeh 1 0 NT
Kaduo ktp 1 1
Kang kyp 1 1
Katang, Northern ncq 1 1
Katang, Southern sct 1 1
Katu, Eastern ktv 1 1 NT
Katu, Western kuf 1 1
Khlor llo 1 1
Khmer khm 1 1 Complete
Khmu kjg 7 4 Portions
Khua xhv 1 1
Khuen khf 1 1
Khun kkh 1 1 Portions
Kim Mun mji 1 1
Kiorr xko 1 1
Kriang ngt 1 0
Kuan uan 1 1
Kuay kdt 1 1 NT
Lahu lhu 2 0 Complete
Lahu Shi lhi 1 0 NT
Lao lao 1 1 Complete
Laopang lbg 1 0
Laos Sign Language lso 1 0
Lave brb 1 1 Portions
Laven lbo 1 1
Lu khb 1 1 NT
Mal mlf 1 1 NT
Maleng pkt 1 1
Miao, Chuanqiandian Cluster cqd 1 1
Mlabri mra 1 1
Nguon nuo 1 1
Nisu, Eastern nos 1 1
Nung nut 1 1 Portions
Nyaheun nev 1 1
Nyaw nyw 1 1
O'du tyh 1 1
Ong oog 1 0
Oy oyb 3 3
Pacoh pac 1 1 Portions
Phana' phq 1 1
Phong-Kniang pnx 1 1
Phu Thai pht 2 2
Phuan phu 1 1
Phunoi pho 1 1
Prai prt 1 1
Puoc puo 1 1
Rmeet lbn 1 1
Saek skb 1 1
Samtao stu 1 1
Sapuan spu 1 1
Sedang sed 1 1
Sila slt 1 1
So sss 1 1 Portions
Sou sqq 1 1
Ta'oih, Lower tto 1 1
Ta'oih, Upper tth 1 1
Tai Daeng tyr 1 1
Tai Dam blt 1 1 NT
Tai Don twh 1 1 Portions
Tai Loi tlq 1 1
Tai Long thi 1 1
Tai Nua tdd 1 1 Portions
Tai Pao tpo 1 1
Tai Yo tyj 1 1
Talieng tdf 2 2
Tareng tgr 1 1
Tay Khang tnu 1 1
Thai tha 1 1 Complete
Thai, Northeastern tts 2 2 NT
Thai, Northern nod 1 1 NT
Unknown xxx 20 17
Vietnamese vie 1 0 Complete
Yoy yoy 1 0
Totals: 97 134 112   11 16 23 63 6

RELIGIONS ▲ Percent
Buddhism
60.5 %
Christianity  (Evangelical 2.3 %)
3.4 %
Ethnic Religions
31.9 %
Hinduism
0.0 %
Islam
0.0 %
Non-Religious
4.1 %
Other / Small Religions
0.1 %
Unknown
0.0 %

CHRISTIAN SEGMENTS ▲ Percent
Anglican
0.0 %
Independent
10.9 %
Orthodox
0.1 %
Other Christian
0.0 %
Protestant
67.8 %
Roman Catholic
20.1 %
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 134
Unreached People Groups 112  (83.6%)
Population 6,969,000
Population in Unreached 5,669,000  (81.3%)
Pioneer Workers Needed * 202 to 319
Urbanization 38%
Continent Asia
Region Southeast Asia
10/40 Window Yes
Country Code LA
Official National Language Lao
Literacy Rate 79%
Estimated Illiterate Population 1,463,000
Primary Religion Buddhism
Percent Christian Adherent 3.4%
Percent Evangelical 2.3%
Country Progress Level 4 ●
Persecution Ranking 24 (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
World Factbook
Ethnologue Language Listing
God Reports (Stories from the field)
Religious Freedom Report
Window International Country Profile
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.

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