ABSTRACT
In terms of per capita income, Laos is one of the ten poorest countries in the world and in World Bank terms is classified as an LDC—a Least Developed Country (see Table 7.1). Yet, from an environmental perspective, it could be argued that Laos is far richer than its more prosperous neighbours, and in particular Thailand. Laos covers a land area of 237,000 km2 of which approximately 50 per cent is thought to be forested; by contrast, only 3 per cent of the country is cultivated (see Figure 7.1). With a population density of just 19 people/km2, pressures on land and environmental resources would seem to be limited. Laos: economic and social indicators
Economic indicators |
|
---|---|
Labour force in agriculture |
76% |
GDP: average annual growth, 1980–1993 |
4.5%/yr |
GDP, 1993 |
US$1.334 billion |
GNP/cap, 1993 |
US$280 |
GDP/cap (PPP[S]), 1991 |
$1,760 |
Exports, 1992 |
US$92 million |
Exports, 1993 |
US$108 million |
Imports, 1993 |
US$250 million |
Social indicators |
|
---|---|
Population, 1993 |
4.6 million |
Population in absolute poverty |
67 % |
Life expectancy |
52 ycars |
Children aged <5 underweight, 1988–93 |
41 % |
Per cent of population with safe water |
37 % |
Telephones per 100 population |
0.2 |