The estimated population growth
rate is 2.5 %. The average national density rate of 19
inhabitants per km2
is low compared with neighbouring
countries: 209 in Vietnam, 113 in Thailand or 57 in
Combodia. About 80 % of the Lao population live in rural
areas. In accordance with ethnic classification there are
five mains groups: Lao Loom (lowland) 68 %, Lao
Theung (upland) 22 %, Lao Sung (highland) including
the Hmong and the Yao 9 %, Vietnamese and Chinese
1 % . The life expectancy is about 51 years for men and
54 years for women which is quite low and similar to
other less developed countries.