Is prostitution legal in Laos?

Illegal

Prostitution is regarded as a criminal activity in Laos.

Laos is one of 101 countries classified “Illegal” for sex work — 46% of the 219 with data. (Also searched as prostitution.)

Source

Taken from
Wikipedia: Prostitution in Asia
Last checked
17 September 2026
How it was classified
Classified by a language model from the source text, then checked against hand-verified reference countries.

Nearby countries

Vietnam
Illegal Prostitution is a serious criminal offense in Vietnam.
Cambodia
Illegal Prostitution is illegal in Cambodia, though prevalent and subject to controversial laws.
Thailand
Decriminalized / unregulated Selling sex is legal in Thailand, but solicitation and pimping are illegal.
Myanmar
Illegal Prostitution is illegal in Myanmar.
Macau
Illegal Selling sex is legal, but procuring and operating brothels are criminal offenses.
Hong Kong
Legal & regulated Prostitution is legal, but organized prostitution, pimping, and public solicitation are illegal.

Other laws in Laos

Same-Sex Marriage
Not recognized
Same-Sex Activity
Legal
Age of Consent
14–15
Pornography
Illegal
Same-Sex Adoption
Not permitted
Incest Laws
Criminal offense
Marriage Age
18+

Every law in Laos → · Where is sex work legal? →

A visual reference compiled from Wikipedia’s law-by-country articles, not legal advice. Laws change and summaries simplify — check a primary source before relying on anything here.