Bhutan has a GDP of $3.01B compared to $16.5B for Laos, ranking 170/197 and 139/197 by economy size, respectively.
Bhutan has $3.53B in government debt (110.4% of GDP), compared to $16.6B (100.5% of GDP) in Laos.
Bhutan vs Laos GDP by year
| Year | GDP, current $ | |
|---|---|---|
Bhutan
|
Laos
|
|
| 2024 | - | $16,502,933,121 |
| 2023 | $3,012,896,789 | $15,843,155,731 |
| 2022 | $2,898,227,744 | $15,468,785,204 |
| 2021 | $2,768,802,960 | $18,827,148,531 |
| 2020 | $2,457,604,334 | $18,981,805,250 |
| 2019 | $2,735,683,570 | $18,740,561,513 |
| 2018 | $2,583,335,722 | $18,141,641,090 |
| 2017 | $2,591,358,009 | $17,071,155,481 |
| 2016 | $2,357,504,761 | $15,912,501,723 |
| 2015 | $2,187,815,803 | $14,426,380,126 |
| 2014 | $2,089,079,571 | $13,279,245,886 |
| 2013 | $1,943,696,952 | $11,983,252,627 |
| 2012 | $1,973,387,228 | $10,192,846,339 |
| 2011 | $1,977,728,659 | $8,750,104,617 |
| 2010 | $1,708,880,730 | $7,131,771,015 |
| 2009 | $1,331,343,798 | $5,836,137,330 |
| 2008 | $1,317,517,835 | $5,446,433,157 |
| 2007 | $1,255,767,964 | $4,223,152,739 |
| 2006 | $942,879,879 | $3,455,030,061 |
| 2005 | $860,391,000 | $2,735,558,735 |
| 2004 | $735,348,490 | $2,366,398,120 |
| 2003 | $651,935,430 | $2,023,324,407 |
| 2002 | $559,345,264 | $1,758,176,653 |
| 2001 | $496,110,226 | $1,768,619,058 |
| 2000 | $460,733,418 | $1,731,198,022 |
| 1999 | $399,311,200 | $1,454,430,642 |
| 1998 | $363,458,381 | $1,280,177,839 |
| 1997 | $352,229,077 | $1,747,011,857 |
| 1996 | $303,408,346 | $1,873,671,550 |
| 1995 | $290,490,984 | $1,763,536,305 |
| 1994 | $258,954,708 | $1,543,606,345 |
| 1993 | $225,973,693 | $1,327,748,690 |
| 1992 | $240,233,531 | $1,127,806,945 |
| 1991 | $240,294,286 | $1,028,087,972 |
| 1990 | $287,765,007 | $865,559,879 |
| 1989 | $264,798,626 | $714,046,821 |
| 1988 | $272,298,067 | $598,961,269 |
| 1987 | $242,742,766 | $1,087,273,104 |
| 1986 | $191,218,115 | $1,776,842,097 |
| 1985 | $163,288,815 | $2,366,666,616 |
| 1984 | $160,423,494 | $1,757,142,856 |
| 1983 | $156,704,290 | - |
| 1982 | $141,439,317 | - |
| 1981 | $139,174,178 | - |
| 1980 | $128,669,201 | - |
| 1979 | $105,377,995 | - |
| 1978 | $94,086,228 | - |
| 1977 | $97,884,434 | - |
| 1976 | $88,461,263 | - |
| 1975 | $86,820,762 | - |
| 1974 | $92,901,784 | - |
| 1973 | $78,900,289 | - |
| 1972 | $70,139,867 | - |
| 1971 | $66,289,450 | - |
| 1970 | $61,812,113 | - |
Data sources: World Bank | Economy & Growth (1970–2024, retrieved 2026-04-06).
GeoRank.org/economy/bhutan/laos | CC BY 
GDP per capita in Bhutan vs Laos by year
| Year | Current $ | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Bhutan
|
Laos
|
|||
| GDP per capita | GDP per capita, PPP | GDP per capita | GDP per capita, PPP | |
| 2024 | - | - | $2,124 | $9,776 |
| 2023 | $3,831 | $16,215 | $2,067 | $9,292 |
| 2022 | $3,711 | $15,064 | $2,046 | $8,766 |
| 2021 | $3,571 | $13,459 | $2,526 | $8,080 |
| 2020 | $3,192 | $12,475 | $2,584 | $7,913 |
| 2019 | $3,577 | $12,909 | $2,589 | $7,743 |
| 2018 | $3,400 | $11,970 | $2,545 | $7,487 |
| 2017 | $3,435 | $11,677 | $2,432 | $7,142 |
| 2016 | $3,152 | $11,273 | $2,303 | $6,743 |
| 2015 | $2,954 | $10,214 | $2,121 | $6,086 |
| 2014 | $2,849 | $9,323 | $1,981 | $5,799 |
| 2013 | $2,680 | $8,667 | $1,813 | $5,222 |
| 2012 | $2,751 | $8,577 | $1,564 | $4,781 |
| 2011 | $2,788 | $7,935 | $1,362 | $4,100 |
| 2010 | $2,436 | $7,246 | $1,126 | $3,772 |
| 2009 | $1,918 | $6,466 | $935 | $3,485 |
| 2008 | $1,920 | $6,035 | $886 | $3,271 |
| 2007 | $1,850 | $5,729 | $697 | $3,021 |
| 2006 | $1,406 | $4,860 | $579 | $2,777 |
| 2005 | $1,300 | $4,523 | $466 | $2,519 |
| 2004 | $1,130 | $4,173 | $409 | $2,315 |
| 2003 | $1,022 | $3,942 | $355 | $2,151 |
| 2002 | $896 | $3,663 | $313 | $2,020 |
| 2001 | $812 | $3,338 | $320 | $1,908 |
| 2000 | $772 | $3,113 | $319 | $1,794 |
| 1999 | $685 | $3,017 | $272.3 | $1,686 |
| 1998 | $638 | $2,819 | $243.9 | $1,577 |
| 1997 | $630 | $2,683 | $339 | $1,528 |
| 1996 | $553 | $2,548 | $371 | $1,435 |
| 1995 | $530 | $2,374 | $358 | $1,349 |
| 1994 | $467 | $2,146 | $321 | $1,265 |
| 1993 | $407 | $2,001 | $283.4 | $1,176 |
| 1992 | $416 | $1,840 | $247.3 | $1,114 |
| 1991 | $401 | $1,657 | $231.8 | $1,061 |
| 1990 | $488 | $1,638 | $200.7 | $1,012 |
| 1989 | $462 | - | $170.4 | - |
| 1988 | $489 | - | $147.1 | - |
| 1987 | $449 | - | $274.7 | - |
| 1986 | $365 | - | $462 | - |
| 1985 | $321 | - | $633 | - |
| 1984 | $326 | - | $483 | - |
| 1983 | $328 | - | - | - |
| 1982 | $306 | - | - | - |
| 1981 | $311 | - | - | - |
| 1980 | $296.9 | - | - | - |
| 1979 | $251.4 | - | - | - |
| 1978 | $232.2 | - | - | - |
| 1977 | $249.9 | - | - | - |
| 1976 | $233.7 | - | - | - |
| 1975 | $237.4 | - | - | - |
| 1974 | $262.8 | - | - | - |
| 1973 | $230.9 | - | - | - |
| 1972 | $212.4 | - | - | - |
| 1971 | $207.7 | - | - | - |
| 1970 | $200.3 | - | - | - |
Data sources: World Bank | Economy & Growth (1970–2024, retrieved 2026-04-06).
GeoRank.org/economy/bhutan/laos | CC BY
Bhutan's GDP per capita is $3,831, ranking 132/197, compared to $2,124 in Laos, ranking 155/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), Bhutan ranks 109th at $16,215, while Laos ranks 134th at $9,776.
Economic indicators
|
Bhutan
|
Laos
|
|
|---|---|---|
| Gross domestic product |
$3.01B
2023 |
$16.5B
2024 |
| GDP rank |
170/197
2023 |
139/197
2024 |
| GDP growth |
4.63%
2022-2023 |
4.13%
2023-2024 |
| GDP per capita |
$3,831
2023 |
$2,124
2024 |
| GDP per capita rank |
132/197
2023 |
155/197
2024 |
| GDP per capita, PPP |
$16,215
2023 |
$9,776
2024 |
| GDP per capita PPP rank |
109/197
2023 |
134/197
2024 |
| Government debt |
$3.53B
2023 |
$16.6B
2024 |
| Debt-to-GDP ratio |
110.4%
2024 |
100.5%
2024 |
| Government debt per person |
$4,485
2023 |
$2,134
2024 |
| Government debt per person rank |
87/185
2023 |
119/185
2024 |
| Average annual personal income after taxes |
$5,506
2026 |
$2,096
2026 |
| Income share by richest 10% |
22.7%
2022 |
31.2%
2018 |
| Income share by poorest 10% |
3.6%
2022 |
3%
2018 |
| Government expenditure, % of GDP |
27.1%
2024 |
15.7%
2024 |
| Consumer prices inflation |
4.3%
2023-2024 |
23.1%
2023-2024 |
| Unemployment rate |
3.28%
2024 |
1.21%
2022 |
| Population |
803385
|
8004838
|
Spending and national debt comparison by year
| Year | % of GDP | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Bhutan
|
Laos
|
|||
| Government spending | Government debt | Government spending | Government debt | |
| 2024 | 27.1% | 110.4% | 15.7% | 100.5% |
| 2023 | 28.8% | 117.1% | 16.4% | 116.5% |
| 2022 | 32.1% | 119.9% | 14.7% | 130.7% |
| 2021 | 36.6% | 124.5% | 15.7% | 92.9% |
| 2020 | 30.9% | 116% | 18.4% | 76% |
| 2019 | 24.2% | 100.8% | 18.6% | 69.1% |
| 2018 | 31.7% | 103.4% | 20.7% | 60.6% |
| 2017 | 30.6% | 104.1% | 21.8% | 57.2% |
| 2016 | 30.5% | 103% | 21.1% | 54.5% |
| 2015 | 27.5% | 90.2% | 25.8% | 53.1% |
| 2014 | 28.9% | 89.8% | 25% | 53.5% |
| 2013 | 32.5% | 87.4% | 24.2% | 49.5% |
| 2012 | 35.1% | 71.5% | 24.7% | 46.1% |
| 2011 | 36.1% | 62.3% | 20.2% | 43% |
| 2010 | 41.5% | 55.8% | 22.4% | 49.3% |
| 2009 | 39.3% | 61% | 20.1% | 51.8% |
| 2008 | 36.1% | 60.6% | 16.1% | 51.7% |
| 2007 | 33.2% | 67.3% | 15.1% | 55.9% |
| 2006 | 33.4% | 80.1% | 14.7% | 60% |
| 2005 | 36.4% | 80.8% | 15.3% | 73.2% |
| 2004 | 31% | 76% | 13.6% | 80.7% |
| 2003 | 34.7% | 68.5% | 16% | 90.1% |
| 2002 | 39.3% | 57.7% | 16.6% | 95.3% |
| 2001 | 50.3% | 52.4% | 18.8% | 94.7% |
| 2000 | 43% | 44% | 19.9% | - |
| 1999 | 40.2% | 39.2% | - | - |
| 1998 | 31.1% | 36.4% | - | - |
| 1997 | 37.8% | 33% | - | - |
| 1996 | 37.9% | 36.8% | - | - |
| 1995 | 38.6% | 38.7% | - | - |
| 1994 | 37.9% | 53.2% | - | - |
| 1993 | 35.2% | 60.2% | - | - |
| 1992 | 34.5% | 35.6% | - | - |
| 1991 | 30.8% | 33.5% | - | - |
| 1990 | 35.8% | 27.4% | - | - |
| 1989 | 46.8% | 26.4% | - | - |
| 1988 | 45.3% | 24.7% | - | - |
| 1987 | 47.5% | 17.3% | - | - |
Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1987–1992, retrieved 2026-02-20).
GeoRank.org/economy/bhutan/laos | CC BY
In 2024, Bhutan's government spending was $869M, accounting for 27.1% of its GDP, while Laos spent $2.58B, or 15.7% of GDP.
Debt-to-GDP ratio is 110.4% in Bhutan and 100.5% in Laos, ranking 17/185 and 24/185, respectively.
Government deficit by year
| Year | Deficit/surplus, % of GDP | |
|---|---|---|
|
Bhutan
|
Laos
|
|
| 2024 | -0.17% | 2.34% |
| 2023 | -4.73% | -0.01% |
| 2022 | -6.95% | 0.06% |
| 2021 | -5.76% | -0.67% |
| 2020 | -1.81% | -5.37% |
| 2019 | -1.49% | -3.2% |
| 2018 | -1.52% | -4.46% |
| 2017 | -4.49% | -5.51% |
| 2016 | -2.31% | -5.06% |
| 2015 | -0.49% | -5.57% |
| 2014 | 2.46% | -3.13% |
| 2013 | -4.55% | -4.03% |
| 2012 | -2.1% | -2.34% |
| 2011 | -3.02% | -1.43% |
| 2010 | 1.92% | -1.47% |
| 2009 | -0.8% | -3.1% |
| 2008 | -2.57% | -1.86% |
| 2007 | 0.79% | -1.12% |
| 2006 | -0.07% | -1.48% |
| 2005 | -6.96% | -2.54% |
| 2004 | 1.8% | -1.81% |
| 2003 | -10.2% | -3.89% |
| 2002 | -4.33% | -2.85% |
| 2001 | -12.2% | -3.68% |
| 2000 | -3.39% | -3.58% |
| 1999 | -1.28% | - |
| 1998 | 1.28% | - |
| 1997 | -1.92% | - |
| 1996 | 2.55% | - |
| 1995 | -0.88% | - |
| 1994 | -0.13% | - |
| 1993 | 4.71% | - |
| 1992 | -3.47% | - |
| 1991 | -0.48% | - |
| 1990 | -7.21% | - |
| 1989 | -10.1% | - |
| 1988 | 1.33% | - |
| 1987 | -0.56% | - |
Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1987–1989, retrieved 2026-02-20).
GeoRank.org/economy/bhutan/laos | CC BY
In 2023, Bhutan's government deficit, the difference between spending and revenue, was $142M, equivalent to 4.73% of GDP. This compares to Laos' deficit of $1.94M, or 0.01% of GDP.
Over the past 24 years, Bhutan recorded a fiscal deficit in 20 of those years, while Laos ran a deficit in 23 years. On average, Bhutan posted an annual deficit equal to 3.03% of GDP, compared to deficit of 2.84% of GDP for Laos.
Inflation comparison by year
| Year | Consumer prices inflation | |
|---|---|---|
|
Bhutan
|
Laos
|
|
| 2024 | 4.3% | 23.1% |
| 2023 | 4.5% | 31.2% |
| 2022 | 5.9% | 23% |
| 2021 | 8.2% | 3.8% |
| 2020 | 3% | 5.1% |
| 2019 | 2.8% | 3.3% |
| 2018 | 3.6% | 2% |
| 2017 | 4.3% | 0.8% |
| 2016 | 3.3% | 1.6% |
| 2015 | 6.7% | 1.3% |
| 2014 | 9.6% | 4.1% |
| 2013 | 8.1% | 6.4% |
| 2012 | 10.1% | 4.3% |
| 2011 | 8.6% | 7.6% |
| 2010 | 4.8% | 6% |
| 2009 | 7.1% | 0.1% |
| 2008 | 6.3% | 7.6% |
| 2007 | 5.2% | 4.7% |
| 2006 | 4.9% | 6.5% |
| 2005 | 4.8% | 7.2% |
| 2004 | 3.3% | 10.5% |
| 2003 | 2.5% | 15.5% |
| 2002 | 2.9% | 10.6% |
| 2001 | 3.7% | 7.8% |
| 2000 | 7.2% | 8.4% |
| 1999 | 9.1% | 128.4% |
| 1998 | 7.6% | 90.1% |
| 1997 | 8.6% | 19.5% |
Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | World Economic Outlook (1997–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20).
GeoRank.org/economy/bhutan/laos | CC BY
Over the past 28 years, Bhutan has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 5.75%, compared with 15.7% in Laos. In 2024, inflation was 4.3% in Bhutan and 23.1% in Laos.
Top exports between countries
Balance of trade
|
Bhutan
|
Laos
|
|
|---|---|---|
|
Current account balance
|
-$670M
2024 |
$531M
2024 |
| Current account balance ranking |
114/190
2024 |
61/190
2024 |
| Current account balance, % of GDP |
-32%
2023 |
+3.22%
2024 |
| Goods imports |
$1.29B
2024 |
$8.66B
2024 |
| Goods exports |
$656M
2024 |
$9.39B
2024 |
| Service imports |
$228M
2024 |
$1.27B
2024 |
| Service exports |
$288M
2024 |
$1.73B
2024 |
| Imports of goods and services, % of GDP |
53.3%
2023 |
41.9%
2016 |
| Exports of goods and services, % of GDP |
28.4%
2023 |
33.2%
2016 |
Economic freedom indices
The indices of economic freedom below are issued by the Heritage Foundation. Higher scores indicate stronger economic health.
|
Bhutan
|
Laos
|
|
|---|---|---|
| Economic freedom | 57.5 | 50.9 |
| Economic freedom ranking | 115/197 | 157/197 |
| Property rights | 69.2 | 41.1 |
| Government integrity | 72.2 | 25.9 |
| Judicial effectiveness | 61.8 | 10.2 |
| Tax burden | 83.4 | 88.5 |
| Government spending | 74.1 | 92.7 |
| Fiscal health | 25.8 | 80 |
| Business freedom | 67.8 | 54.2 |
| Labor freedom | 60.1 | 40.7 |
| Monetary freedom | 71.6 | 53.3 |
| Trade freedom | 63.4 | 69 |
| Investment freedom | 20 | 35 |
| Financial freedom | 20 | 20 |
Economic freedom comparison by year
| Year | Economic freedom index | |
|---|---|---|
|
Bhutan
|
Laos
|
|
| 2026 | 57.5 | 50.9 |
| 2025 | 57.5 | 51.1 |
| 2024 | 55.4 | 50.6 |
| 2023 | 59 | 50.3 |
| 2022 | 59.3 | 49.2 |
| 2021 | 58.3 | 53.9 |
| 2020 | 62.1 | 55.5 |
| 2019 | 62.9 | 57.4 |
| 2018 | 61.8 | 53.6 |
| 2017 | 58.4 | 54 |
| 2016 | 59.5 | 49.8 |
| 2015 | 57.4 | 51.4 |
| 2014 | 56.7 | 51.2 |
| 2013 | 55 | 50.1 |
| 2012 | 56.6 | 50 |
| 2011 | 57.6 | 51.3 |
| 2010 | 57 | 51.1 |
| 2009 | 57.7 | 50.4 |
| 2008 | - | 50.3 |
| 2007 | - | 50.3 |
| 2006 | - | 47.5 |
| 2005 | - | 44.4 |
| 2004 | - | 42 |
| 2003 | - | 41 |
| 2002 | - | 36.8 |
| 2001 | - | 33.5 |
| 2000 | - | 36.8 |
| 1999 | - | 35.2 |
| 1998 | - | 35.2 |
| 1997 | - | 35.1 |
| 1996 | - | 38.5 |
Data sources: The Heritage Foundation | Economic Freedom Index (1996–2026, retrieved 2026-03-09).
GeoRank.org/economy/bhutan/laos | CC BY
The Economic Freedom Index for Bhutan is 57.5, ranking 115/197, 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
|
Bhutan
|
Laos
|
|
|---|---|---|
| Services, % of GDP |
52.8%
2023 |
43.5%
2024 |
| Industry, % of GDP |
29.4%
2023 |
29%
2024 |
| Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP |
15%
2023 |
16.8%
2024 |
|
GNI, Atlas method
|
$2.93B
2023 |
$15.5B
2024 |
| GNI per capita, PPP |
$15,320
2023 |
$9,160
2024 |
| Total reserves including gold |
$941M
2024 |
$1.77B
2023 |
| Total reserves ranking |
143/177
2024 |
129/177
2023 |
|
Net foreign direct investment
|
-$22.8M
2024 |
-$988M
2024 |
|
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
|
$2.82M
2024 |
$988M
2024 |
|
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
|
$0
2024 |
$0
2024 |
|
Servicing debt to the IMF, % of GNI
|
4.96%
2023 |
13.8%
2024 |
| Poverty at national poverty lines |
12.4%
2022 |
22%
2020 |
|
Gross capital formation, % of GDP
|
45.3%
2023 |
29%
2016 |
GDP per capita map
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/bhutan/laos | CC BY
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Data sources:
- World Bank | Economy & Growth (1970–2024, retrieved 2026-04-06)
- International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20)
- The Heritage Foundation | Economic Freedom Index (1996–2026, retrieved 2026-03-09)
- U.S. Census Bureau (1985–2024, retrieved 2026-02-08)
- International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1987–1992, retrieved 2026-02-20)
- United Nations | World Population Prospects (2026, retrieved 2026-03-10)
- LivingCost (2026, retrieved 2025-10-14)
- Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) (2020, retrieved 2026-02-20)
- TradeMap (2022, retrieved 2026-02-08)
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.