+6
+3
People cluster
Lao
Unreached
1.8%
Evangelicals
Who they are
The Lao, also called Laotians, are the main people of Laos, a landlocked country in Southeast Asia, between Thailand and Vietnam. They speak Lao, a language similar to Thai, and live largely along the banks of the Mekong River, growing rice. About nine out of ten Lao live in Laos itself.
The great majority follow Buddhism, a religion that seeks liberation from suffering through the teachings of the Buddha, mixed with belief in the spirits of the home, the village and nature. Buddhist temples and monks are at the center of village life.
In Laos there is already a church among the Lao, and there they are no longer among the least reached peoples. Even so, counting all the Lao in the world, evangelicals are still less than 2%. The groups that most need to hear the gospel are outside Laos: in the United States, Thailand, Cambodia, Myanmar, France and Australia, where Lao communities live with very few Christians.
What sets the subgroups apart
Many Lao left Laos after 1975, when the war ended and the government of the country changed. They went as refugees to the United States, France, Canada and Australia, where their children and grandchildren now live and also speak the language of the new country. In those places, the Buddhist faith and life around the temple remain strong and there are few Christians among them.
In central Thailand live groups such as the Lao Krang and the Lao Wieng. They descend from Lao people taken there by force after a war in the early 19th century. They keep part of the Lao language and customs, but live as minorities within Thailand. Among them, followers of Jesus are very rare. There is also a very small group in Laos itself, the Kongsat, who follow traditional religions of spirit worship.
Where they are still unreached
8
Countries
532K
Population
| Country | Share of the people | Population |
|---|---|---|
United States
|
41.3%
|
220.000 |
Thailand
|
39.7%
|
211.300 |
Cambodia
|
4.7%
|
25.000 |
Myanmar (Burma)
|
4.7%
|
25.000 |
France
|
3.8%
|
20.000 |
Vietnam
|
3.4%
|
18.000 |
Australia
|
2.3%
|
12.000 |
Laos
|
0.2%
|
900 |
The 7 peoples in this cluster
What to pray for
Intercede for this people
For the Lao Christians of Laos, that they would carry the gospel to relatives living in other countries.
For the Lao communities in the United States, France and Australia, that they would meet Christians who welcome them.
For the Lao Krang, Lao Wieng and other Lao groups of Thailand, that they would hear of the love of Jesus.
May the Lao who seek protection in the spirits find peace and freedom in Jesus.
May young Lao born outside Laos discover in Jesus a firm identity and a family in the faith.
For the church in Laos, that it would grow with maturity, good leaders and unity.