Laos Rate of Natural Increase

Laos has a relatively high rate of natural increase (RNI) in population growth compared to some of its neighboring countries. As of recent estimates, Laos’s RNI is around 1.5% per year, reflecting a higher birth rate and a lower death rate, typical of a country in the earlier stages of demographic transition. By contrast, neighboring Thailand has a much lower RNI, close to 0.1%, due to its aging population and declining fertility rates. Vietnam’s RNI is also lower than Laos, at about 0.8%, as it too experiences lower birth rates and increased life expectancy. Cambodia, however, has an RNI similar to Laos, at approximately 1.4%, while Myanmar’s RNI is slightly lower, at around 0.8%. These differences highlight varying stages of demographic transition and socio-economic development in the region, with Laos and Cambodia experiencing relatively faster natural population growth than their more developed neighbors, Thailand and Vietnam.

Data from US Census International Database