Kuang Si Falls

Laos

Name: World Residence Index 2026 scores for Laos
Published: 2026

Region: Southeast Asia
Capital: Vientiane
Currency: Lao Kip (LAK)
Density: 31 / km²

WRI Score 2026

66.28

scale 1–100 · higher is better

Global rank: 91st
In Asia: 12th
Ranked: 211

Parameter Breakdown · 2026

The nine components behind the score.

Every parameter is scored 1–100, higher is better, equally weighted; their sum normalises to the 0–100 WRI Score.

Personal Income Tax · 100 = no income tax Top rate 25%· KPMG / EY
50.5
Above-average top marginal rate.
Population Density · 100 = uncrowded 31 / km²· UN WPP
98.9
Sparsely populated, well below global norms.
GDP per Capita · 100 = highest output per resident $2,254· IMF WEO 2026
4.0
Among the lowest per-capita output levels on this list.
Life Expectancy · 100 = longest life expectancy 69 years· WHO / UN
36.6
Below-average life expectancy.
Tourism & Lifestyle · 100 = strongest lifestyle appeal 0.4 arrivals per capita· UNWTO
60.6
Moderate tourism activity relative to population.
Unemployment · 100 = lowest unemployment 1%· ILO / SECO
100.0
Among the lowest unemployment rates globally.
Warmongering · 100 = least militarised 0.2% of GDP· SIPRI
100.0
Minimal defence spending relative to output.
Safety & Rule of Law · 100 = safest Composite· UNODC · WJP · TI
52.9
Below-average safety and judicial quality.
Ideological Neutrality · 100 = most ideologically neutral WRI rubric composite· WRI rubric
96.0
Among the highest ideological-neutrality scores on this list.

Where it sits

Among the world's elite tier.

Laos holds 92nd of 211 with a WRI Score of 66.28 — sits in the upper-middle of the field. Its profile is defined by near-perfect unemployment (100) and military posture (100), offset by GDP per capita, its clearest structural constraint.