| Topic | Laos | Canada |
| Official name: | Lao People's Democratic Republic | Canada |
| Capital: | Vientiane | Ottawa |
| Area (Thousands of km2): | 237 | 9,985 |
| Population (millions): | 5.9 (2005) | 32.4 (2005) |
| Population density (per km2): | 25 (2005) | 3 (2005) |
| Urban population (%-2004): | 21 | 81 |
| Gross national income (GNI) (per capita): | US$390 (2004) | US$28,390 (2004) |
| GNI purchasing power parity (PPP) (per capita): | US$1,850 (2004) | US$30,660 (2004) |
| Structure of GDP (%-2004): |
|
Agriculture
Industry
Services | 49
26
25 | 2
32
66 |
| Ecological footprint (global hectares per person-2001): | 1.0 | 6.4 |
| Human development index (HDI) ranking: | 133rd of 177 countries (2003) | 5th (2003) |
| Gender-related development index (GDI) ranking: | 102nd of 140 countries (2003) | 5th (2003) |
| Life expectancy at birth: | 40 (1960), 55 (2004) | 71 (1960), 80 (2004) |
Mortality rate under 5 years old
(per 1,000): | 235 (1960), 83 (2004) | 33 (1960), 6 (2004) |
| Adult literacy rate (% 2000-2004): |
|
Total
Men
Women | 69
77
61 | 99
99
99 |
| Population using improved drinking water sources (%-2002): |
|
Total
Urban
Rural | 43
66
38 | 100
100
99 |