People group profile · PG009139
The Lao of Laos
The Lao of Laos, numbering about 3,975,000 people, are Engaged yet Unreached. They are a Tai-speaking ethnic group native to mainland Southeast Asia and form the dominant ethnic population of Laos.
They are an indigenous people in the Lao people cluster of the Southeast Asian Peoples. Their primary religion is Theravada Buddhism, and they primarily speak Lao.
Fast facts
- Country
- Laos
- Population
- 3,975,000
- Affinity group
- Asian Pacific Rim Peoples
- People cluster
- Lao
- Primary language
- Lao (lao)
- Primary religion
- Theravada Buddhism
- Strategic Progress Index
- Engaged yet Unreached
- Evangelical
- Less than 2%
- GSEC
- Less than 2% Evangelical, No Recent CP Activity
- Lostness priority
- Expanding Unreached People Group
- Region
- South-Eastern Asia, Asia
- Location
- Widespread throughout Mekong river valley, south to the Cambodia border
Where they live
Gospel status
The Lao are Engaged yet Unreached, which means fewer than 2% are evangelical Christians, but there are sustained efforts to establish self-sustaining churches consistent with evangelical faith and practice. In GSEC terms, this people group is less than 2% evangelical, some evangelical resources are available, but there has been no active church planting among them within the past two years.
- Congregations exist Yes
- Church planting in the last two years No Churches Planted
Next steps for the Lao
- Continue prayer and fasting for this group
- Continue gospel seed sowing and church planting among this group
- Begin training up local leaders to lead and develop strategies to reach their own people
Primary religion
Theravada Buddhism · Buddhism
93% adherents
Primary language
Lao · Tai-Kadai family
100% speak Lao
Gospel resources in Lao
- Bible available, published 2012
- JESUS Film available
- Radio programs not available
- Gospel recordings available
- Audio resources available
- Bible stories not available
Films
Bibles
- Revised Lao Version · audio, text
Find more at the JESUS Film Project, Bible.com and Faith Comes by Hearing.
Pray for the Lao
- Psalm 27:1. Pray that new believers will be strengthened in the face of persecution, with the Lord as their stronghold.
- Romans 12:4–5. Pray that believers from many cultures will work together as one body so that the church is built up.
- Revelation 7:9. Pray for the day when people from this group stand before the throne with every nation, tribe, people and language.
- John 17:3. Pray that many will come to know the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom he has sent.
Lao in other countries
The same people (ROP3 105643) is reported in 7 other countries.
| People group | Country | Population | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lao | United States | 236,000 | Engaged yet Unreached |
| Lao | Vietnam | 206,000 | Unengaged and Unreached |
| Lao | Cambodia | 41,000 | Engaged yet Unreached |
| Lao | Myanmar | 26,000 | No Longer Unreached |
| Lao | France | 19,500 | Engaged yet Unreached |
| Lao | Canada | 17,000 | Engaged yet Unreached |
| Lao | Argentina | 2,300 | Unengaged and Unreached |
Know something we don't? Submit updates to IMB Global Research.