Photo: Tango7174 · CC BY-SA 4.0 · via Wikimedia Commons, shown in greyscale
Topic 16 of 18 · Country Index 2026
Laos: Energy
Where does a country’s electricity come from, and who can get it?
Laos is placed 30th of 165 countries on energy in the Country Index 2026, from 2 of its 3 key statistics. Readings behind it: Carbon Intensity of Electricity 232.08 (2024); Renewable Share of Electricity Generation 76.72 (2024).
Share
Energy
30th
of 165 countries placed
Placed from 2 of 3 key statistics
01The evidence
The 3 key statistics that decide it
Only these place Laos on energy — one vote each. Every value is the publisher’s own, read at the edition the Country Index 2026 used; the grey ticks are every other country it was compared with, lowest on the left.
232.08
Carbon intensity (gCO₂e per kWh generated)
Lower is better
Laos: 232.08. Across the 165 countries in this edition, values run from 23.73 (Bhutan) to 1,306 (Turkmenistan); the world median is 433.75.
- World median
- 433.75
- Best in South-eastern Asia
- 232.08 Laos
- Land neighbours
- China 558.97 · Cambodia 538.7 · Myanmar 502.3
76.72
Renewables (% of electricity generated)
Higher is better
Laos: 76.72. Across the 165 countries in this edition, values run from 0 (Gambia) to 100 (Paraguay); the world median is 32.06.
- World median
- 32.06
- Best in South-eastern Asia
- 76.72 Laos
- Land neighbours
- China 33.16 · Cambodia 35.66 · Myanmar 47.86
Key 3 of 3
World Energy Trilemma Index
World Energy Council
2023 edition · data for 2023 · Express reuse grant (no Creative Commons licence named)
No reading
Trilemma score (0–100)
Higher is better
World Energy Council publishes no 2023 figure for Laos, so the standing rests on the other keys.
Across the 126 countries in this edition, values run from 27.7 (Niger) to 83.2 (Denmark); the world median is 63.8.
- World median
- 63.8
- Best in South-eastern Asia
- 70.1 Singapore
- Land neighbours
- China 64.4 · Cambodia 47.7 · Myanmar 46.5 · Thailand 60.1 · Vietnam 61.9
02Over time
Which way Laos is moving
Each key’s published value, edition by edition, beside the world median. The Country Index 2026 is the first edition of the standing, so the standing itself has no history to chart yet.
Carbon Intensity of Electricity
Carbon intensity (gCO₂e per kWh generated) · lower is better
LaosWorld median
Laos rose from 87.94 in 2000 to 232.08 in 2024; the world median went from 540.34 to 433.75.
Every year’s figures
Year Laos World median 2024 232.078 433.7 2023 232.103 452.7 2022 237.265 476.3 2021 260.512 469.0 2020 277.953 482.0 2019 350.576 488.2 2018 336.200 500.4 2017 338.397 506.3 2016 302.903 521.9 2015 148.762 524.8 2014 23.743 522.3 2013 23.893 508.8 2012 23.743 525.4 2011 23.754 521.4 2010 23.804 515.5 2009 23.739 533.6 2008 23.656 517.2 2007 23.739 535.3 2006 23.889 537.5 2005 23.647 521.4 2004 23.667 523.1 2003 88.254 543.1 2002 87.675 551.3 2001 87.738 559.3 2000 87.945 540.3 Renewable Share of Electricity Generation
Renewables (% of electricity generated) · higher is better
LaosWorld median
Laos fell from 89.86 in 2000 to 76.72 in 2024; the world median went from 15.61 to 32.06.
Every year’s figures
Year Laos World median 2024 76.716 32.062 2023 76.711 28.000 2022 76.136 28.881 2021 73.541 28.286 2020 71.597 27.125 2019 63.476 26.296 2018 65.078 25.505 2017 64.821 24.023 2016 68.772 22.218 2015 86.015 21.915 2014 100.000 21.151 2013 100.000 21.593 2012 100.000 19.869 2011 100.000 18.584 2010 100.000 18.572 2009 100.000 17.886 2008 100.000 15.923 2007 100.000 15.586 2006 100.000 15.392 2005 100.000 16.438 2004 100.000 16.445 2003 89.841 16.339 2002 89.916 13.826 2001 89.918 14.023 2000 89.863 15.612
03In context
Laos beside its neighbours
A position reads best beside the countries around it. Every position below is a place among all 165 countries on energy, never a place within the region.
Laos and the countries it borders
Standing among all 165; the key columns are the publishers’ own values.
| Country | Standing | Carbon Intensity of ElectricityCarbon intensity (gCO₂e per kWh generated) | Renewable Share of Electricity GenerationRenewables (% of electricity generated) | World Energy Trilemma IndexTrilemma score (0–100) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Laos | 30th | 232.08 | 76.72 | — |
 China | =87th | 558.97 | 33.16 | 64.4 |
 Myanmar | 94th | 502.3 | 47.86 | 46.5 |
 Cambodia | 104th | 538.7 | 35.66 | 47.7 |
 Thailand | not placed | — | — | 60.1 |
 Vietnam | not placed | — | — | 61.9 |
“—”: no published reading in that edition. What a standing is
Across South-eastern Asia
Every country in the sub-region, by its place among all 165.
Placed either side on energy
The countries immediately above and below Laos in the topic’s list.
04Context, no vote
Where Laos is ahead of the world, and behind
27 more statistics filed under energy, published in full and deliberately given no vote in the standing. Select a row for the publisher, the rank and the links.
Ahead of the world median4
Statistics on which Laos does better than the middle country measured.
Firms Owning or Sharing a GeneratorWorld Bank Group · 2026 · world median 24.856.92324.85No earlier reading
Laos: 6.923 · world median 24.85 · Firms owning or sharing a generator (%). World Bank Group, 2026 edition, data for 2026.
Published values in that edition run from 0.158 to 90.51; lower is better.
RISE Clean Cooking Policy ScoreESMAP · 2023 · world median 29.7260.9729.72▲ Improved since 2013
Laos: 60.97 · world median 29.72 · Clean cooking policy score (0–100). World Bank Group (ESMAP), 2023 edition, data for 2023.
Published values in that edition run from 0 to 80.69; higher is better.
Low-Carbon Share of Electricity GenerationEmber · 2024 · world median 37.3276.7237.32▼ Worsened since 2014
Laos: 76.72 · world median 37.32 · Low-carbon sources (% of electricity generated). Ember, 2024 edition, data for 2024.
Published values in that edition run from 0 to 100; higher is better.
Position 38th of 162 · derived.
CO₂ Emissions per CapitaGlobal Carbon Project · 2024 · world median 3.213.143.21▼ Worsened since 2014
Laos: 3.14 · world median 3.21 · Fossil CO₂ (tonnes per person). Global Carbon Project, 2024 edition, data for 2024.
Published values in that edition run from 0.054 to 41.27; lower is better.
Position 107th of 210 · derived, 1st = worst.
Behind the world median10
Statistics on which Laos does worse than the middle country measured.
Firms Identifying Electricity as a Major ConstraintWorld Bank Group · 2026 · world median 25.7726.3825.77No earlier reading
Laos: 26.38 · world median 25.77 · Firms rating electricity a major or very severe constraint (%). World Bank Group, 2026 edition, data for 2026.
Published values in that edition run from 0 to 84.77; lower is better.
Position 88th of 179 · derived, 1st = worst.
Access to Electricity, RuralWorld Bank Group · 2024 · world median 10094.2100▲ Improved since 2014
Laos: 94.2 · world median 100 · Rural population with electricity access (%). World Bank Group, 2024 edition, data for 2024.
Published values in that edition run from 0.7 to 100; higher is better.
RISE Renewable Energy Policy ScoreESMAP · 2023 · world median 33.2623.8933.26▼ Worsened since 2013
Laos: 23.89 · world median 33.26 · Renewable energy policy score (0–100). World Bank Group (ESMAP), 2023 edition, data for 2023.
Published values in that edition run from 3.056 to 89.52; higher is better.
Access to ElectricityWorld Bank Group · 2024 · world median 10096.5100▲ Improved since 2014
Laos: 96.5 · world median 100 · Population with electricity access (%). World Bank Group, 2024 edition, data for 2024.
Published values in that edition run from 5.4 to 100; higher is better.
Energy Intensity of GDP (PPP)EIA · 2024 · world median 2.7384.3542.738▼ Worsened since 2014
Laos: 4.354 · world median 2.738 · Energy use per dollar of GDP (thousand Btu per US$ at PPP). U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA), 2024 edition, data for 2024.
Published values in that edition run from 0.666 to 17.45; lower is better.
RISE Electricity Access Policy ScoreESMAP · 2023 · world median 65.6742.6365.67▼ Worsened since 2013
Laos: 42.63 · world median 65.67 · Electricity access policy score (0–100). World Bank Group (ESMAP), 2023 edition, data for 2023.
Published values in that edition run from 9.471 to 90.47; higher is better.
Position 47th of 56 · derived.
RISE Energy Efficiency Policy ScoreESMAP · 2023 · world median 48.2315.3848.23▼ Worsened since 2013
Laos: 15.38 · world median 48.23 · Energy efficiency policy score (0–100). World Bank Group (ESMAP), 2023 edition, data for 2023.
Published values in that edition run from 1.975 to 95.93; higher is better.
Wind and Solar Share of Electricity GenerationEmber · 2024 · world median 5.2790.1725.279▼ Worsened since 2014
Laos: 0.172 · world median 5.279 · Wind and solar (% of electricity generated). Ember, 2024 edition, data for 2024.
Published values in that edition run from 0 to 69.12; higher is better.
Primary Schools with ElectricityUIS · 2024 · world median 10064.57100▼ Worsened since 2016
Laos: 64.57 · world median 100 · Primary schools with access to electricity (%). UNESCO Institute for Statistics (UIS), 2024 edition, data for 2024.
Published values in that edition run from 1.246 to 100; higher is better.
Coal Share of Electricity GenerationEmber · 2024 · world median 023.280▼ Worsened since 2014
Laos: 23.28 · world median 0 · Coal (% of electricity generated). Ember, 2024 edition, data for 2024.
Published values in that edition run from 0 to 98.25; lower is better.
No better end13
These describe the shape of a country — more is not better or worse, only different — so they are never ahead or behind.
Hydro Share of Electricity GenerationEmber · 2024 · world median 12.8576.4712.85Moved since 2014
Laos: 76.47 · world median 12.85 · Hydropower (% of electricity generated). Ember, 2024 edition, data for 2024.
Published values in that edition run from 0 to 100.
Operating Wind Power CapacityGlobal Energy Monitor · 2026 · world median 100850100No earlier reading
Laos: 850 · world median 100 · Wind farm capacity in operation (megawatts). Global Energy Monitor, 2026 edition, data for 2026.
Published values in that edition run from 0 to 542,758.
Primary Energy ProductionEIA · 2024 · world median 0.0770.3760.077Moved since 2014
Laos: 0.376 · world median 0.077 · Primary energy produced (quadrillion Btu). U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA), 2024 edition, data for 2024.
Published values in that edition run from 0 to 130.76.
Operating Coal Power CapacityGlobal Energy Monitor · 2026 · world median 5251,878525No earlier reading
Laos: 1,878 · world median 525 · Coal-fired capacity in operation (megawatts). Global Energy Monitor, 2026 edition, data for 2026.
Published values in that edition run from 0 to 1,263,101.
Nuclear Share of Electricity GenerationEmber · 2024 · world median 000No real change since 2014
Laos: 0 · world median 0 · Nuclear (% of electricity generated). Ember, 2024 edition, data for 2024.
Published values in that edition run from 0 to 67.4.
Primary Energy Consumption per CapitaEIA · 2024 · world median 49.537.1549.5Moved since 2014
Laos: 37.15 · world median 49.5 · Energy use per person (million Btu). U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA), 2024 edition, data for 2024.
Published values in that edition run from 0.95 to 766.07.
Solar Electricity Installed CapacityEIA · 2024 · world median 0.1440.0580.144Moved since 2014
Laos: 0.058 · world median 0.144 · Solar generating capacity installed (gigawatts). U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA), 2024 edition, data for 2024.
Published values in that edition run from 0 to 886.66.
Natural Gas ProductionEIA · 2024 · world median 000No real change since 2014
Laos: 0 · world median 0 · Dry natural gas produced (billion cubic metres). U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA), 2024 edition, data for 2024.
Published values in that edition run from 0 to 1,069.
Photovoltaic Power Potential (PVOUT)World Bank Group (ESMAP), data by Solargis · 2020 · world median 4.2733.8714.273No earlier reading
Laos: 3.871 · world median 4.273 · Practical solar power potential (kWh per kWp per day, long-term average). World Bank Group (ESMAP), data by Solargis, 2020 edition, data for 2020.
Published values in that edition run from 2.513 to 5.379.
Crude Oil ProductionEIA · 2025 · world median 000No real change since 2015
Laos: 0 · world median 0 · Crude oil produced (thousand barrels per day). U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA), 2025 edition, data for 2025.
Published values in that edition run from 0 to 13,586.
Gas Share of Electricity GenerationEmber · 2024 · world median 2.58502.585Moved since 2014
Laos: 0 · world median 2.585 · Natural gas (% of electricity generated). Ember, 2024 edition, data for 2024.
Published values in that edition run from 0 to 99.97.
Solar Share of Electricity GenerationEmber · 2024 · world median 3.0490.1723.049Moved since 2014
Laos: 0.172 · world median 3.049 · Solar (% of electricity generated). Ember, 2024 edition, data for 2024.
Published values in that edition run from 0 to 50.
Net Electricity Imports (share of generation)Ember · 2024 · world median 0-70.160No real change since 2014
Laos: -70.16 · world median 0 · Net electricity imports (% of domestic generation). Ember, 2024 edition, data for 2024.
Published values in that edition run from -70.16 to 707.07.
No current reading for Laos
World Energy Trilemma Index. Listed rather than hidden, so the page can be checked against it.
“Position · derived” is this site’s ordering of the published values, 1st = best unless the row says otherwise; the publisher ranks no country on it. Rank, position and standing
05Country Index 2026
Energy among Laos’s 15 topics
Energy is Laos’s best-placed topic of 15. Strongest first, each marker at its share of that topic’s field.
- Energy30th of 1652/3 keys
- Work & Labour52nd of 1824/4 keys
- Environment & Sustainability57th of 1864/4 keys
- Peace & Security82nd of 1773/4 keys
- Gender & Equality90th of 1834/4 keys
- Food & Agriculture99th of 1843/4 keys
- Risk & Resiliencejoint 104th of 1934/4 keys
- Governance & Institutions134th of 1944/4 keys
- Health & Wellbeing146th of 2004/4 keys
- Poverty & Inequalityjoint 119th of 1593/3 keys
- Development & Human Capitaljoint 147th of 1963/3 keys
- Digital & Technology153rd of 1984/4 keys
- Economy & Innovationjoint 138th of 1764/4 keys
- Education & Knowledge170th of 1984/4 keys
- Democracy & Civil Liberties176th of 1984/4 keys
No standing on Mobility & Trade: too few of those topics’ key statistics are published for this country.
06The top of the list
Who leads on energy
The three countries placed highest of 165, and the leaders Laos can most readily be measured against.
1
BhutanSouthern Asia
1st of 165 · 2 of 3 keys
Photo: VIkramjit Kakati derivative work: ויקיג'אנקי · CC BY-SA 3.0, greyscale
2
NorwayNorthern Europe
2nd of 165 · 3 of 3 keys
Photo: Ximonic , Simo Räsänen · CC BY-SA 3.0, greyscale
3
UgandaEastern Africa
3rd of 165 · 2 of 3 keys
Photo: Rod Waddington from Kergunyah, Australia · CC BY-SA 2.0, greyscale
Placed highest nearby
Highest in Asia
Bhutan1st2/3 keysHighest in South-eastern Asia
Laos30th2/3 keys
Positions out of 165 placed on the topic. A country needs readings on enough keys to be placed, and the top of the list is often held on fewer of them.
07Questions
Laos on energy: questions answered
Every answer is built from the numbers on this page, so none can say something the page does not.
How does Laos rank on energy?
Laos is placed 30th of 165 countries on Energy in the Country Index 2026, from 2 of its 3 key statistics (Carbon Intensity of Electricity and Renewable Share of Electricity Generation). The position is this site’s ordering of published statistics, not a rank any publisher printed.
What is the latest Carbon Intensity of Electricity figure for Laos?
232.08 in 2024 (carbon intensity (gCO₂e per kWh generated)), according to Ember. The world median in the same edition was 433.75.
What is the latest Renewable Share of Electricity Generation figure for Laos?
76.72 in 2024 (renewables (% of electricity generated)), according to Ember. The world median in the same edition was 32.06.
How does Laos compare with China on energy?
China is placed joint 87th of 165, and Laos 30th. Carbon Intensity of Electricity: China 558.97, Laos 232.08; Renewable Share of Electricity Generation: China 33.16, Laos 76.72.
How have Laos’s energy figures changed?
Carbon Intensity of Electricity rose from 87.94 in 2000 to 232.08 in 2024; Renewable Share of Electricity Generation fell from 89.86 in 2000 to 76.72 in 2024.
Which energy statistics are missing for Laos?
No current reading is published for Laos on World Energy Trilemma Index. They are listed rather than hidden, so the evidence on the page can be checked against it.
08Method
Method, sources and how to cite
What this topic does not measure
This is deliberately the electricity and energy-system subject, not an infrastructure one: roads, railways, ports, water and telecommunications would each need a global series this site does not hold. Emissions are under Environment & Sustainability. Access to electricity is published here in full but takes no part in any ranking — more than half the world’s countries now report 100%, and a position derived from that would read “1, 1, 1 … 123”, which is noise rather than information.
How the Energy standing is decided
A standing is this site’s ordering, named with its edition — never a publisher’s rank. 3 key statistics vote, one vote each; every country’s published value becomes a place within that key’s own field, the places are averaged, and the average is never published. A country needs 2 of the 3 keys to be placed.
The energy method, step by stepHow every standing on this site is built
The key statistics and their licences
- Carbon Intensity of Electricity — Ember, CC BY 4.0
- Renewable Share of Electricity Generation — Ember, CC BY 4.0
- World Energy Trilemma Index — World Energy Council, Express reuse grant (no Creative Commons licence named)
The other 27 statistics on this page come from 8 publishers, each named beside its numbers, with every edition and licence on the datasets pages.
The standing itself is part of the Country Index 2026, published under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Photographs
Laos’s banner and the countries placed highest, from their profiles: Wikimedia Commons, shown in greyscale, each used under the licence named.
- Laos (banner) — Tango7174, CC BY-SA 4.0
- Bhutan — VIkramjit Kakati derivative work: ויקיג'אנקי, CC BY-SA 3.0
- Norway — Ximonic , Simo Räsänen, CC BY-SA 3.0
- Uganda — Rod Waddington from Kergunyah, Australia, CC BY-SA 2.0
Cite this page
Nations Inquiry (2026). Laos: Energy — standing and statistics, Country Index 2026. https://nationsinquiry.com/countries/laos/energy