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Economy of Bahamas vs Laos compared: GDP & Debt

Updated on by Georank team

The Bahamas has a GDP of $15.8B compared to $16.5B for Laos, ranking 140/197 and 139/197 by economy size, respectively.

The Bahamas has $11.5B in government debt (72.5% of GDP), compared to $16.6B (100.5% of GDP) in Laos.

Bahamas vs Laos GDP by year

Bahamas
Laos
1x
Year GDP, current $
Bahamas Laos
2024 $15,832,800,000 $16,502,933,121
2023 $15,271,300,000 $15,843,155,731
2022 $13,896,800,000 $15,468,785,204
2021 $12,037,000,000 $18,827,148,531
2020 $10,363,200,000 $18,981,805,250
2019 $13,277,000,000 $18,740,561,513
2018 $12,819,200,000 $18,141,641,090
2017 $12,446,900,000 $17,071,155,481
2016 $11,880,900,000 $15,912,501,723
2015 $11,837,600,000 $14,426,380,126
2014 $11,139,100,000 $13,279,245,886
2013 $10,475,300,000 $11,983,252,627
2012 $10,720,400,000 $10,192,846,339
2011 $10,070,450,000 $8,750,104,617
2010 $10,095,760,000 $7,131,771,015
2009 $9,981,960,000 $5,836,137,330
2008 $10,526,000,000 $5,446,433,157
2007 $10,618,340,000 $4,223,152,739
2006 $10,167,250,000 $3,455,030,061
2005 $9,836,200,000 $2,735,558,735
2004 $9,055,290,000 $2,366,398,120
2003 $8,870,090,000 $2,023,324,407
2002 $8,881,160,000 $1,758,176,653
2001 $8,317,830,000 $1,768,619,058
2000 $8,076,470,000 $1,731,198,022
1999 $7,683,870,000 $1,454,430,642
1998 $6,833,220,000 $1,280,177,839
1997 $6,332,360,000 $1,747,011,857
1996 $3,609,000,000 $1,873,671,550
1995 $3,429,000,000 $1,763,536,305
1994 $3,259,000,000 $1,543,606,345
1993 $3,092,000,000 $1,327,748,690
1992 $3,109,000,000 $1,127,806,945
1991 $3,111,160,000 $1,028,087,972
1990 $3,166,000,000 $865,559,879
1989 $3,062,000,000 $714,046,821
1988 $2,817,900,000 $598,961,269
1987 $2,713,999,900 $1,087,273,104
1986 $2,472,500,000 $1,776,842,097
1985 $2,320,699,900 $2,366,666,616
1984 $2,041,100,000 $1,757,142,856
1983 $1,732,800,000 -
1982 $1,578,300,000 -
1981 $1,426,500,000 -
1980 $1,335,300,000 -
1979 $1,139,800,100 -
1978 $832,400,000 -
1977 $713,000,000 -
1976 $642,100,000 -
1975 $596,200,000 -
1974 $632,400,000 -
1973 $670,900,000 -
1972 $590,900,000 -
1971 $573,400,000 -
1970 $539,500,000 -
1969 $538,700,000 -
1968 $453,800,000 -
1967 $398,000,000 -
1966 $346,800,000 -
1965 $300,272,048 -
1964 $266,560,043 -
1963 $237,650,038 -
1962 $212,170,034 -
1961 $190,022,030 -
1960 $169,736,027 -

Data sources: World Bank | Economy & Growth (1960–2024, retrieved 2026-04-06).

GeoRank.org/economy/bahamas/laos | CC BY

GDP per capita in Bahamas vs Laos by year

Bahamas
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
Laos
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
Bahamas Laos
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2024 $39,455 $41,198 $2,124 $9,776
2023 $38,232 $39,090 $2,067 $9,292
2022 $34,957 $36,791 $2,046 $8,766
2021 $30,368 $31,065 $2,526 $8,080
2020 $26,179 $27,205 $2,584 $7,913
2019 $33,640 $36,116 $2,589 $7,743
2018 $32,642 $35,228 $2,545 $7,487
2017 $31,875 $34,282 $2,432 $7,142
2016 $30,617 $32,285 $2,303 $6,743
2015 $30,719 $32,138 $2,121 $6,086
2014 $29,137 $31,726 $1,981 $5,799
2013 $27,643 $30,294 $1,813 $5,222
2012 $28,552 $31,036 $1,564 $4,781
2011 $27,091 $30,074 $1,362 $4,100
2010 $27,473 $29,625 $1,126 $3,772
2009 $27,513 $29,197 $935 $3,485
2008 $29,392 $30,679 $886 $3,271
2007 $30,052 $31,232 $697 $3,021
2006 $29,185 $30,402 $579 $2,777
2005 $28,602 $29,143 $466 $2,519
2004 $26,650 $27,660 $409 $2,315
2003 $26,429 $27,031 $355 $2,151
2002 $26,782 $27,171 $313 $2,020
2001 $25,372 $26,351 $320 $1,908
2000 $24,940 $25,422 $319 $1,794
1999 $24,041 $24,184 $272.3 $1,686
1998 $21,667 $22,556 $243.9 $1,577
1997 $20,368 $21,606 $339 $1,528
1996 $11,784 $21,287 $371 $1,435
1995 $11,375 $20,377 $358 $1,349
1994 $10,991 $19,441 $321 $1,265
1993 $10,613 $18,781 $283.4 $1,176
1992 $10,873 $18,636 $247.3 $1,114
1991 $11,082 $19,296 $231.8 $1,061
1990 $11,473 $19,817 $200.7 $1,012
1989 $11,291 - $170.4 -
1988 $10,576 - $147.1 -
1987 $10,361 - $274.7 -
1986 $9,601 - $462 -
1985 $9,167 - $633 -
1984 $8,202 - $483 -
1983 $7,081 - - -
1982 $6,559 - - -
1981 $6,029 - - -
1980 $5,743 - - -
1979 $4,994 - - -
1978 $3,720 - - -
1977 $3,253 - - -
1976 $2,993 - - -
1975 $2,841 - - -
1974 $3,080 - - -
1973 $3,341 - - -
1972 $3,014 - - -
1971 $3,004 - - -
1970 $2,916 - - -
1969 $3,027 - - -
1968 $2,668 - - -
1967 $2,453 - - -
1966 $2,239 - - -
1965 $2,030 - - -
1964 $1,883 - - -
1963 $1,759 - - -
1962 $1,651 - - -
1961 $1,555 - - -
1960 $1,459 - - -

Data sources: World Bank | Economy & Growth (1960–2024, retrieved 2026-04-06).

GeoRank.org/economy/bahamas/laos | CC BY

The Bahamas' GDP per capita is $39,455, ranking 30/197, compared to $2,124 in Laos, ranking 155/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), the Bahamas ranks 57th at $41,198, while Laos ranks 134th at $9,776.

Economic indicators

Bahamas Laos
Gross domestic product
$15.8B
2024
$16.5B
2024
GDP rank
140/197
2024
139/197
2024
GDP growth
3.38%
2023-2024
4.13%
2023-2024
GDP per capita
$39,455
2024
$2,124
2024
GDP per capita rank
30/197
2024
155/197
2024
GDP per capita, PPP
$41,198
2024
$9,776
2024
GDP per capita PPP rank
57/197
2024
134/197
2024
Government debt
$11.5B
2024
$16.6B
2024
Debt-to-GDP ratio
72.5%
2024
100.5%
2024
Government debt per person
$28,616
2024
$2,134
2024
Government debt per person rank
25/185
2024
119/185
2024
Average annual personal income after taxes
$29,535
2026
$2,096
2026
Income share by richest 10% n/a
31.2%
2018
Income share by poorest 10% n/a
3%
2018
Government expenditure, % of GDP
20.6%
2024
15.7%
2024
Consumer prices inflation
0.41%
2023-2024
23.1%
2023-2024
Central bank interest rate
4%
2016
n/a
Unemployment rate
8.65%
2023
1.21%
2022
Population
405203
8004838

Spending and national debt comparison by year

Bahamas
Spending

Debt
Laos
Spending

Debt
1x
Year % of GDP
Bahamas Laos
Government spending Government debt Government spending Government debt
2024 20.6% 72.5% 15.7% 100.5%
2023 22.2% 74.8% 16.4% 116.5%
2022 23.9% 79.1% 14.7% 130.7%
2021 26.9% 84.5% 15.7% 92.9%
2020 28.2% 81.9% 18.4% 76%
2019 19.9% 59.3% 18.6% 69.1%
2018 19.2% 60.6% 20.7% 60.6%
2017 22.5% 53.4% 21.8% 57.2%
2016 19.4% 51% 21.1% 54.5%
2015 17.9% 48.5% 25.8% 53.1%
2014 17.6% 46.3% 25% 53.5%
2013 18.4% 44.8% 24.2% 49.5%
2012 16.5% 36.4% 24.7% 46.1%
2011 17.1% 35.3% 20.2% 43%
2010 15.3% 33.7% 22.4% 49.3%
2009 15.6% 30.9% 20.1% 51.8%
2008 14.4% 25.5% 16.1% 51.7%
2007 13.3% 23% 15.1% 55.9%
2006 13% 22.8% 14.7% 60%
2005 12.3% 22% 15.3% 73.2%
2004 12.4% 21.4% 13.6% 80.7%
2003 11.8% 20.9% 16% 90.1%
2002 11.3% 18.8% 16.6% 95.3%
2001 11.2% 18.2% 18.8% 94.7%
2000 11.3% 18.7% 19.9% -
1999 8.78% 18.7% - -
1998 11.6% 20% - -
1997 12.5% 20.8% - -
1996 11.2% 20.2% - -
1995 11.2% 20.5% - -
1994 11.4% 20.4% - -
1993 11.5% 19.8% - -
1992 11.8% 17.9% - -
1991 12% 15.4% - -
1990 11.4% 13.2% - -

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20).

GeoRank.org/economy/bahamas/laos | CC BY

In 2024, the Bahamas' government spending was $3.26B, accounting for 20.6% of its GDP, while Laos spent $2.58B, or 15.7% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 72.5% in the Bahamas and 100.5% in Laos, ranking 53/185 and 24/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
Bahamas

Laos
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
Bahamas Laos
2024 -1.18% 2.34%
2023 -3.49% -0.01%
2022 -5.16% 0.06%
2021 -11.1% -0.67%
2020 -8.09% -5.37%
2019 -1.65% -3.2%
2018 -3.24% -4.46%
2017 -5.92% -5.51%
2016 -2.61% -5.06%
2015 -3.24% -5.57%
2014 -4.38% -3.13%
2013 -5.16% -4.03%
2012 -3.15% -2.34%
2011 -2.87% -1.43%
2010 -2.56% -1.47%
2009 -2.45% -3.1%
2008 -0.83% -1.86%
2007 -0.76% -1.12%
2006 -0.43% -1.48%
2005 -1.11% -2.54%
2004 -1.93% -1.81%
2003 -1.63% -3.89%
2002 -1.62% -2.85%
2001 0.3% -3.68%
2000 0.09% -3.58%
1999 1.68% -
1998 -0.41% -
1997 -1.56% -
1996 -0.15% -
1995 0.18% -
1994 -0.39% -
1993 -1.05% -
1992 -2.23% -
1991 -2.29% -
1990 -2.64% -

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20).

GeoRank.org/economy/bahamas/laos | CC BY

In 2024, the Bahamas' government deficit, the difference between spending and revenue, was $187M, equivalent to 1.18% of GDP. This compares to Laos' surplus of $386M, or 2.34% of GDP.

Over the past 25 years, the Bahamas recorded a fiscal deficit in 23 of those years, while Laos ran a deficit in 23 years. On average, the Bahamas posted an annual deficit equal to 2.97% of GDP, compared to deficit of 2.63% of GDP for Laos.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
Bahamas

Laos
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
Bahamas Laos
2024 0.41% 23.1%
2023 3.05% 31.2%
2022 5.61% 23%
2021 2.9% 3.8%
2020 0.04% 5.1%
2019 2.49% 3.3%
2018 2.27% 2%
2017 1.52% 0.8%
2016 -0.35% 1.6%
2015 1.86% 1.3%
2014 1.51% 4.1%
2013 0.72% 6.4%
2012 1.97% 4.3%
2011 3.2% 7.6%
2010 1.34% 6%
2009 2.06% 0.1%
2008 4.49% 7.6%
2007 2.49% 4.7%
2006 2.39% 6.5%
2005 1.59% 7.2%
2004 0.98% 10.5%
2003 3.03% 15.5%
2002 2.17% 10.6%
2001 2.04% 7.8%
2000 1.61% 8.4%
1999 1.25% 128.4%
1998 1.34% 90.1%
1997 0.54% 19.5%

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | World Economic Outlook (1997–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20); World Bank | Economy & Growth (1997–2024, retrieved 2026-04-06).

GeoRank.org/economy/bahamas/laos | CC BY

Over the past 28 years, the Bahamas has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 1.95%, compared with 15.7% in Laos. In 2024, inflation was 0.41% in the Bahamas and 23.1% in Laos.

Balance of trade

Bahamas Laos
Current account balance
-$1.05B
2024
$531M
2024
Current account balance ranking
127/190
2024
61/190
2024
Current account balance, % of GDP
-6.65%
2024
+3.22%
2024
Goods imports
$4.6B
2024
$8.66B
2024
Goods exports
$874M
2024
$9.39B
2024
Service imports
$2.47B
2024
$1.27B
2024
Service exports
$5.9B
2024
$1.73B
2024
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
41.5%
2024
41.9%
2016
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
37.8%
2024
33.2%
2016

Economic freedom indices

The indices of economic freedom below are issued by the Heritage Foundation. Higher scores indicate stronger economic health.

Bahamas Laos
Economic freedom 65.1 50.9
Economic freedom ranking 66/197 157/197
Property rights 62.7 41.1
Government integrity 67.1 25.9
Judicial effectiveness 79.8 10.2
Tax burden 96.1 88.5
Government spending 83.8 92.7
Fiscal health 9.1 80
Business freedom 69.4 54.2
Labor freedom 66.5 40.7
Monetary freedom 77.2 53.3
Trade freedom 59.4 69
Investment freedom 50 35
Financial freedom 60 20

Economic freedom comparison by year

Bahamas
Laos
1x
Year Economic freedom index
Bahamas Laos
2026 65.1 50.9
2025 63.2 51.1
2024 62.5 50.6
2023 62.6 50.3
2022 68.7 49.2
2021 64.6 53.9
2020 64.5 55.5
2019 62.9 57.4
2018 63.3 53.6
2017 61.1 54
2016 70.9 49.8
2015 68.7 51.4
2014 69.8 51.2
2013 70.1 50.1
2012 68 50
2011 68 51.3
2010 67.3 51.1
2009 70.3 50.4
2008 71.1 50.3
2007 72 50.3
2006 72.3 47.5
2005 72.6 44.4
2004 72.1 42
2003 73.5 41
2002 74.4 36.8
2001 74.8 33.5
2000 73.9 36.8
1999 74.7 35.2
1998 74.5 35.2
1997 74.5 35.1
1996 74 38.5
1995 71.8 -

Data sources: The Heritage Foundation | Economic Freedom Index (1995–2026, retrieved 2026-03-09).

GeoRank.org/economy/bahamas/laos | CC BY

The Economic Freedom Index for the Bahamas is 65.1, ranking 66/197, compared to 50.9 for Laos, ranking 157/197. The chart above displays a comparison of annual changes in economic freedom indexes.

Other economic metrics

Bahamas Laos
Services, % of GDP
77.2%
2024
43.5%
2024
Industry, % of GDP
9.63%
2024
29%
2024
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
0.51%
2024
16.8%
2024
GNI, Atlas method
$14.9B
2024
$15.5B
2024
GNI per capita, PPP
$39,550
2024
$9,160
2024
Total reserves including gold
$2.51B
2023
$1.77B
2023
Total reserves ranking
122/177
2023
129/177
2023
Net foreign direct investment
-$77.6M
2024
-$988M
2024
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
$241M
2024
$988M
2024
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
$163M
2024
$0
2024
Servicing debt to the IMF, % of GNI n/a
13.8%
2024
Poverty at national poverty lines
9.3%
2020
22%
2020
Gross capital formation, % of GDP
26.8%
2024
29%
2016

GDP per capita map

1x

Data sources: World Bank | Economy & Growth (1985–2024, retrieved 2026-04-06); U.S. Census Bureau (1985–2024, retrieved 2026-02-08).

GeoRank.org/economy/bahamas/laos | CC BY

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Data sources:

  1. World Bank | Economy & Growth (1960–2024, retrieved 2026-04-06)
  2. International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20)
  3. The Heritage Foundation | Economic Freedom Index (1995–2026, retrieved 2026-03-09)
  4. U.S. Census Bureau (1985–2024, retrieved 2026-02-08)
  5. Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) (2020, retrieved 2026-02-20)
  6. United Nations | World Population Prospects (2026, retrieved 2026-03-10)
  7. LivingCost (2026, retrieved 2025-10-14)

Creative Commons Attribution (CC BY) — you’re free to copy, share, remix, adapt, and use even commercially as long as you give appropriate credit and clearly indicate if you made changes. Other sources may be subject to different license terms.

The current account balance is the sum of net trade in goods and services, net earnings from cross-border investments, and net transfer payments. It reflects a country's economic transactions with the rest of the world and is a fundamental component of the balance of payments. A surplus indicates that a country exports more than it imports, while a deficit shows the opposite.

Gross National Income (GNI) measures a country's total income. It encompasses income earned by residents, businesses, and foreign sources, defined as employee compensation and investment profits. GNI adds product taxes not included elsewhere and subtracts subsidies. It accounts for income from residents working abroad but excludes earnings from foreigners within the country.

A negative value for Net Foreign Direct Investment indicates a country is a net receiver of investments, as foreign inflows exceed outflows after Balance of Payments adjustments. A positive value indicates a net provider, with outflows exceeding inflows. Inflows are credits (increasing foreign claims on domestic assets), while outflows are debits (increasing domestic assets abroad).

Foreign direct investment (FDI, net inflows) shows how much capital foreign investors bring into a country after accounting for any funds that flow back in the opposite direction. It represents the net value of overseas companies establishing, expanding, or financing businesses in the reporting country. A positive number means more capital entered the country than was withdrawn, while a negative number means foreign investors pulled out more than they invested.

Foreign direct investment (FDI, net outflows) shows how much capital residents of a country invest abroad after accounting for any funds that flow back in the opposite direction. It represents the net value of domestic companies establishing, expanding, or financing businesses in other countries. A positive number means more capital was invested abroad than withdrawn, while a negative number means residents pulled back more than they invested.

Principal and interest payments to the IMF in currency, goods, or services on long-term debt expressed as a share of GNI.

Formerly gross domestic investment, gross capital formation measures the share of a country’s economic output invested in fixed assets, including buildings, machinery, and infrastructure. It indicates how much of the economy is devoted to building productive capacity.