Laos

Laos Factbook

When communists came to power in 1975, Christians in Laos went through a time a severe persecution. Although the communists still rule, persecution has eased and Christians now have more freedom to share their faith with the vast majority who have never heard.

Laos is located in Southeast Asia. This landlocked country shares borders with Vietnam, China, Burma, Thailand, and Cambodia. The terrain consists of rugged mountains. The climate is tropical.

Approximately 5.6 million people live in Laos. There is a good deal of ethnic diversity with over 100 people groups speaking nearly 100 languages.

Subsistence agriculture accounts for 80% of the employment in Laos. The communist government experimented with free markets in the 1980's but pulled back in the 1990's. Centralized government control, civil unrest, and lack of infrastructure continue to restrict economic improvement. The majority of people live in poverty.

Laos gained independence from France in 1954. Communists took control of the government in 1975. Laos is one of the few remaining communist states. Christians suffered through a difficult time of government persecution under the first few years of communism. Many left the country or were killed. In recent years, there are fewer restrictions, but churches are closely monitored.

Nearly 60% of the population is Buddhist. Animist beliefs are also a pervasive influence in society.

Most of the people in Laos have never heard the gospel. Missionaries are not allowed, but expatriates and aid workers have considerable freedom to share their faith. The number of evangelicals is small, but it is growing.

Nearly all of the trained pastors left in the 1970's. Pray for more Laotians called to the ministry and adequately trained. Pray for an active witness by believers. Believers have liberty to share their faith that they did not have in the past.

Pray for literature ministries. Many languages lack a Bible translation. Pray for those seeking to start new translation works and for those who print and distribute Bibles.

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