Population of the Mekong River Basin: ~255 Million People

Approximately 255 million people live in the Mekong River Basin, spanning six countries:

• China (Yunnan): ~5M (upper basin)
• Myanmar: ~2M
• Thailand: ~25M (Khorat Plateau)
• Laos: ~7M (majority of population)
• Cambodia: ~16M (Tonlé Sap floodplain)
• Vietnam: ~200M (Mekong Delta — 18M in delta alone)

Significance: The river provides:

• 80% of protein (fish) for basin residents.
• Water for rice (Vietnam = 50% national production; Thailand, Cambodia).
• Transport, irrigation, hydropower, sediment for delta maintenance.

Threats: Upstream dams (China, Laos) alter flow, block sediment, reduce fish migration. Climate change exacerbates drought/salinity. Cooperative management (MRC) is vital but challenged.