Urban area over the long-term in Laos
Laos: Urban area over the long-term was 201.75 km² per grid cell in 2025. ◆ Volatile
Latest (2025)
201.75 km² per grid cell
Change on year
up 2.9%
World rank
154th
of 202 countries
All-time high
201.75 km² per grid cell
in 2025
All-time low
0.0001 km² per grid cell
in 1000
Years of data
108
1000–2025
Urban area over the long-term in Laos, 1000–2025
Source: HYDE (2025) – with minor processing by Our World in Data. Measured in km² per grid cell.
Analysis
The most recent figure for urban area over the long-term in Laos is 201.75 km² per grid cell, measured in 2025. That is the highest value across all 108 years on record.
Compared with earlier readings it is up 2.9% on the previous year and up 36.5% over ten years.
Over the whole period, urban area over the long-term in Laos peaked at 201.75 km² per grid cell in 2025 and was at its lowest, 0.0001 km² per grid cell, in 1000.
Laos ranks 154th of 202 countries on this measure, in the bottom quarter.
The series is highly variable year to year, so single readings are best treated with caution.
Urban area over the long-term in Laos, year by year
| Year | km² per grid cell | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 1000 | 0.0001 km² per grid cell | — |
| 1100 | 0.0002 km² per grid cell | +238.8% |
| 1200 | 0.0008 km² per grid cell | +234.4% |
| 1300 | 0.0025 km² per grid cell | +230.8% |
| 1400 | 0.0082 km² per grid cell | +228.0% |
| 1500 | 0.0267 km² per grid cell | +225.6% |
| 1600 | 0.1001 km² per grid cell | +275.0% |
| 1700 | 0.3603 km² per grid cell | +260.0% |
| 1710 | 0.3551 km² per grid cell | -1.5% |
| 1720 | 0.4124 km² per grid cell | +16.2% |
| 1730 | 0.479 km² per grid cell | +16.1% |
| 1740 | 0.5561 km² per grid cell | +16.1% |
| 1750 | 0.6454 km² per grid cell | +16.1% |
| 1760 | 0.749 km² per grid cell | +16.0% |
| 1770 | 0.8689 km² per grid cell | +16.0% |
| 1780 | 1.01 km² per grid cell | +16.0% |
| 1790 | 1.17 km² per grid cell | +16.0% |
| 1800 | 1.36 km² per grid cell | +15.9% |
| 1810 | 1.73 km² per grid cell | +27.3% |
| 1820 | 2.17 km² per grid cell | +26.0% |
| 1830 | 2.72 km² per grid cell | +24.9% |
| 1840 | 3.37 km² per grid cell | +24.0% |
| 1850 | 4.15 km² per grid cell | +23.2% |
| 1860 | 5.09 km² per grid cell | +22.6% |
| 1870 | 6.21 km² per grid cell | +22.0% |
| 1880 | 7.55 km² per grid cell | +21.5% |
| 1890 | 9.14 km² per grid cell | +21.0% |
| 1900 | 11.01 km² per grid cell | +20.5% |
| 1910 | 12.26 km² per grid cell | +11.3% |
| 1920 | 14.27 km² per grid cell | +16.4% |
| 1930 | 16.26 km² per grid cell | +13.9% |
| 1940 | 17.82 km² per grid cell | +9.6% |
| 1950 | 18.5 km² per grid cell | +3.8% |
| 1951 | 18.86 km² per grid cell | +2.0% |
| 1952 | 19.21 km² per grid cell | +1.8% |
| 1953 | 19.54 km² per grid cell | +1.7% |
| 1954 | 19.86 km² per grid cell | +1.6% |
| 1955 | 20.16 km² per grid cell | +1.5% |
| 1956 | 20.45 km² per grid cell | +1.5% |
| 1957 | 20.74 km² per grid cell | +1.4% |
| 1958 | 21.01 km² per grid cell | +1.3% |
| 1959 | 21.28 km² per grid cell | +1.3% |
| 1960 | 21.55 km² per grid cell | +1.2% |
| 1961 | 21.81 km² per grid cell | +1.2% |
| 1962 | 22.06 km² per grid cell | +1.2% |
| 1963 | 22.32 km² per grid cell | +1.2% |
| 1964 | 22.57 km² per grid cell | +1.1% |
| 1965 | 22.83 km² per grid cell | +1.1% |
| 1966 | 23.08 km² per grid cell | +1.1% |
| 1967 | 23.91 km² per grid cell | +3.6% |
| 1968 | 24.78 km² per grid cell | +3.6% |
| 1969 | 25.7 km² per grid cell | +3.7% |
| 1970 | 26.68 km² per grid cell | +3.8% |
| 1971 | 27.73 km² per grid cell | +3.9% |
| 1972 | 28.84 km² per grid cell | +4.0% |
| 1973 | 29.84 km² per grid cell | +3.5% |
| 1974 | 30.58 km² per grid cell | +2.5% |
| 1975 | 31.21 km² per grid cell | +2.0% |
| 1976 | 31.7 km² per grid cell | +1.6% |
| 1977 | 32.07 km² per grid cell | +1.2% |
| 1978 | 32.41 km² per grid cell | +1.1% |
| 1979 | 32.82 km² per grid cell | +1.3% |
| 1980 | 33.38 km² per grid cell | +1.7% |
| 1981 | 34.1 km² per grid cell | +2.2% |
| 1982 | 34.98 km² per grid cell | +2.6% |
| 1983 | 35.98 km² per grid cell | +2.9% |
| 1984 | 37.09 km² per grid cell | +3.1% |
| 1985 | 38.28 km² per grid cell | +3.2% |
| 1986 | 39.55 km² per grid cell | +3.3% |
| 1987 | 40.91 km² per grid cell | +3.4% |
| 1988 | 42.35 km² per grid cell | +3.5% |
| 1989 | 43.86 km² per grid cell | +3.6% |
| 1990 | 45.43 km² per grid cell | +3.6% |
| 1991 | 47.07 km² per grid cell | +3.6% |
| 1992 | 48.77 km² per grid cell | +3.6% |
| 1993 | 50.54 km² per grid cell | +3.6% |
| 1994 | 52.37 km² per grid cell | +3.6% |
| 1995 | 54.76 km² per grid cell | +4.6% |
| 1996 | 58.28 km² per grid cell | +6.4% |
| 1997 | 62 km² per grid cell | +6.4% |
| 1998 | 65.91 km² per grid cell | +6.3% |
| 1999 | 69.97 km² per grid cell | +6.2% |
| 2000 | 74.16 km² per grid cell | +6.0% |
| 2001 | 78.46 km² per grid cell | +5.8% |
| 2002 | 82.87 km² per grid cell | +5.6% |
| 2003 | 87.4 km² per grid cell | +5.5% |
| 2004 | 92.06 km² per grid cell | +5.3% |
| 2005 | 96.86 km² per grid cell | +5.2% |
| 2006 | 101.85 km² per grid cell | +5.2% |
| 2007 | 107 km² per grid cell | +5.1% |
| 2008 | 112.33 km² per grid cell | +5.0% |
| 2009 | 117.85 km² per grid cell | +4.9% |
| 2010 | 123.57 km² per grid cell | +4.9% |
| 2011 | 128.22 km² per grid cell | +3.8% |
| 2012 | 132.97 km² per grid cell | +3.7% |
| 2013 | 137.82 km² per grid cell | +3.6% |
| 2014 | 142.78 km² per grid cell | +3.6% |
| 2015 | 147.85 km² per grid cell | +3.5% |
| 2016 | 153.03 km² per grid cell | +3.5% |
| 2017 | 158.31 km² per grid cell | +3.5% |
| 2018 | 163.72 km² per grid cell | +3.4% |
| 2019 | 169.24 km² per grid cell | +3.4% |
| 2020 | 174.88 km² per grid cell | +3.3% |
| 2021 | 180.04 km² per grid cell | +3.0% |
| 2022 | 185.3 km² per grid cell | +2.9% |
| 2023 | 190.68 km² per grid cell | +2.9% |
| 2024 | 196.16 km² per grid cell | +2.9% |
| 2025 | 201.75 km² per grid cell | +2.9% |
Laos compared with similar countries
- Laos's 201.75 km² per grid cell is below the median for lower middle income countries, which is 837.49 km² per grid cell, 24% of the median. (45 countries reporting)
- Laos's 201.75 km² per grid cell is below the median for East Asia & Pacific, which is 954.94 km² per grid cell, 21% of the median. (27 countries reporting)
Biggest year-on-year movements
Years where Urban area over the long-term in Laos changed far more than this series normally does. A large move can be a real event or a change in how the figure was measured — the source note below says who published it.
| Year | Change | From | To |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1600 | +275.0% | 0.0267 km² per grid cell | 0.1001 km² per grid cell |
| 1700 | +260.0% | 0.1001 km² per grid cell | 0.3603 km² per grid cell |
| 1100 | +238.8% | 0.0001 km² per grid cell | 0.0002 km² per grid cell |
| 1200 | +234.4% | 0.0002 km² per grid cell | 0.0008 km² per grid cell |
| 1300 | +230.8% | 0.0008 km² per grid cell | 0.0025 km² per grid cell |
| 1400 | +228.0% | 0.0025 km² per grid cell | 0.0082 km² per grid cell |
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1000s | 0.0001 km² per grid cell | 0.0001 km² per grid cell | 0.0001 km² per grid cell | 1 |
| 1100s | 0.0002 km² per grid cell | 0.0002 km² per grid cell | 0.0002 km² per grid cell | 1 |
| 1200s | 0.0008 km² per grid cell | 0.0008 km² per grid cell | 0.0008 km² per grid cell | 1 |
| 1300s | 0.0025 km² per grid cell | 0.0025 km² per grid cell | 0.0025 km² per grid cell | 1 |
| 1400s | 0.0082 km² per grid cell | 0.0082 km² per grid cell | 0.0082 km² per grid cell | 1 |
| 1500s | 0.0267 km² per grid cell | 0.0267 km² per grid cell | 0.0267 km² per grid cell | 1 |
| 1600s | 0.1001 km² per grid cell | 0.1001 km² per grid cell | 0.1001 km² per grid cell | 1 |
| 1700s | 0.3603 km² per grid cell | 0.3603 km² per grid cell | 0.3603 km² per grid cell | 1 |
| 1710s | 0.3551 km² per grid cell | 0.3551 km² per grid cell | 0.3551 km² per grid cell | 1 |
| 1720s | 0.4124 km² per grid cell | 0.4124 km² per grid cell | 0.4124 km² per grid cell | 1 |
| 1730s | 0.479 km² per grid cell | 0.479 km² per grid cell | 0.479 km² per grid cell | 1 |
| 1740s | 0.5561 km² per grid cell | 0.5561 km² per grid cell | 0.5561 km² per grid cell | 1 |
| 1750s | 0.6454 km² per grid cell | 0.6454 km² per grid cell | 0.6454 km² per grid cell | 1 |
| 1760s | 0.749 km² per grid cell | 0.749 km² per grid cell | 0.749 km² per grid cell | 1 |
| 1770s | 0.8689 km² per grid cell | 0.8689 km² per grid cell | 0.8689 km² per grid cell | 1 |
| 1780s | 1.01 km² per grid cell | 1.01 km² per grid cell | 1.01 km² per grid cell | 1 |
| 1790s | 1.17 km² per grid cell | 1.17 km² per grid cell | 1.17 km² per grid cell | 1 |
| 1800s | 1.36 km² per grid cell | 1.36 km² per grid cell | 1.36 km² per grid cell | 1 |
| 1810s | 1.73 km² per grid cell | 1.73 km² per grid cell | 1.73 km² per grid cell | 1 |
| 1820s | 2.17 km² per grid cell | 2.17 km² per grid cell | 2.17 km² per grid cell | 1 |
| 1830s | 2.72 km² per grid cell | 2.72 km² per grid cell | 2.72 km² per grid cell | 1 |
| 1840s | 3.37 km² per grid cell | 3.37 km² per grid cell | 3.37 km² per grid cell | 1 |
| 1850s | 4.15 km² per grid cell | 4.15 km² per grid cell | 4.15 km² per grid cell | 1 |
| 1860s | 5.09 km² per grid cell | 5.09 km² per grid cell | 5.09 km² per grid cell | 1 |
| 1870s | 6.21 km² per grid cell | 6.21 km² per grid cell | 6.21 km² per grid cell | 1 |
| 1880s | 7.55 km² per grid cell | 7.55 km² per grid cell | 7.55 km² per grid cell | 1 |
| 1890s | 9.14 km² per grid cell | 9.14 km² per grid cell | 9.14 km² per grid cell | 1 |
| 1900s | 11.01 km² per grid cell | 11.01 km² per grid cell | 11.01 km² per grid cell | 1 |
| 1910s | 12.26 km² per grid cell | 12.26 km² per grid cell | 12.26 km² per grid cell | 1 |
| 1920s | 14.27 km² per grid cell | 14.27 km² per grid cell | 14.27 km² per grid cell | 1 |
| 1930s | 16.26 km² per grid cell | 16.26 km² per grid cell | 16.26 km² per grid cell | 1 |
| 1940s | 17.82 km² per grid cell | 17.82 km² per grid cell | 17.82 km² per grid cell | 1 |
| 1950s | 19.96 km² per grid cell | 18.5 km² per grid cell | 21.28 km² per grid cell | 10 |
| 1960s | 23.06 km² per grid cell | 21.55 km² per grid cell | 25.7 km² per grid cell | 10 |
| 1970s | 30.39 km² per grid cell | 26.68 km² per grid cell | 32.82 km² per grid cell | 10 |
| 1980s | 38.05 km² per grid cell | 33.38 km² per grid cell | 43.86 km² per grid cell | 10 |
| 1990s | 55.51 km² per grid cell | 45.43 km² per grid cell | 69.97 km² per grid cell | 10 |
| 2000s | 95.09 km² per grid cell | 74.16 km² per grid cell | 117.85 km² per grid cell | 10 |
| 2010s | 145.75 km² per grid cell | 123.57 km² per grid cell | 169.24 km² per grid cell | 10 |
| 2020s | 188.14 km² per grid cell | 174.88 km² per grid cell | 201.75 km² per grid cell | 6 |
Countries ranked near Laos
More reference data data for Laos
- Emission Totals - Indirect emissions (N2O) - Manure applied to Soils 0.6615 (2050)
- Emission Totals - Indirect emissions (N2O) - Manure left on Pasture 0.913 (2050)
- Emission Totals - Indirect emissions (N2O) - IPCC Agriculture 1.88 (2050)
- Emission Totals - Indirect emissions (N2O) - Crop Residues 0.3021 (2050)
- Emission Totals - Indirect emissions (N2O) - Agricultural Soils 1.88 (2050)
- Emission Totals - Emissions (N2O) - Manure applied to Soils 2.22 (2050)
- Emission Totals - Emissions (N2O) - Manure Management 3.96 (2050)
- Emission Totals - Emissions (N2O) - Manure left on Pasture 5.07 (2050)
- Emission Totals - Emissions (N2O) - IPCC Agriculture 12.95 (2050)
- Emission Totals - Emissions (N2O) - Crop Residues 1.64 (2050)
Frequently asked questions
- What is urban area over the long-term in Laos?
- Urban area over the long-term in Laos was 201.75 km² per grid cell in 2025, according to HYDE (2025) – with minor processing by Our World in Data.
- What is the highest urban area over the long-term recorded in Laos?
- The highest recorded value was 201.75 km² per grid cell in 2025.
- What is the lowest urban area over the long-term recorded in Laos?
- The lowest recorded value was 0.0001 km² per grid cell in 1000.
- How does Laos rank for urban area over the long-term?
- Laos ranks 154th out of 202 countries with data for 2025.
- Is urban area over the long-term rising or falling in Laos?
- Over the last ten years it is up 36.5%. The long-run trend across the full record is volatile.
- Where does this Laos data come from?
- The figures come from HYDE (2025) – with minor processing by Our World in Data, published as part of Urban area over the long-term. Statizoid updates them automatically from the source API.
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About this data
Total built-up area of a country over time.