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Economy of Bolivia vs Laos compared: GDP & Debt

Updated on by Georank team

Bolivia has a GDP of $54.9B compared to $16.5B for Laos, ranking 88/197 and 139/197 by economy size, respectively.

Bolivia has $53.8B in government debt (98% of GDP), compared to $16.6B (100.5% of GDP) in Laos.

Bolivia vs Laos GDP by year

Bolivia
Laos
1x
Year GDP, current $
Bolivia Laos
2024 $54,881,327,453 $16,502,933,121
2023 $52,340,206,946 $15,843,155,731
2022 $50,959,081,954 $15,468,785,204
2021 $47,877,892,402 $18,827,148,531
2020 $42,313,784,081 $18,981,805,250
2019 $49,056,643,589 $18,740,561,513
2018 $48,414,038,842 $18,141,641,090
2017 $45,927,439,595 $17,071,155,481
2016 $33,941,126,194 $15,912,501,723
2015 $33,000,198,249 $14,426,380,126
2014 $32,996,188,017 $13,279,245,886
2013 $30,659,338,886 $11,983,252,627
2012 $27,084,497,482 $10,192,846,339
2011 $23,963,164,697 $8,750,104,617
2010 $19,649,723,722 $7,131,771,015
2009 $17,339,992,194 $5,836,137,330
2008 $16,674,276,286 $5,446,433,157
2007 $13,120,108,008 $4,223,152,739
2006 $11,451,844,902 $3,455,030,061
2005 $9,549,122,905 $2,735,558,735
2004 $8,773,451,752 $2,366,398,120
2003 $8,082,399,640 $2,023,324,407
2002 $7,905,485,146 $1,758,176,653
2001 $8,141,516,928 $1,768,619,058
2000 $8,397,855,485 $1,731,198,022
1999 $8,285,064,435 $1,454,430,642
1998 $8,497,494,652 $1,280,177,839
1997 $7,925,736,821 $1,747,011,857
1996 $7,396,949,126 $1,873,671,550
1995 $6,715,161,732 $1,763,536,305
1994 $5,981,222,859 $1,543,606,345
1993 $5,734,699,489 $1,327,748,690
1992 $5,643,868,749 $1,127,806,945
1991 $5,343,262,457 $1,028,087,972
1990 $4,867,582,598 $865,559,879
1989 $4,715,973,437 $714,046,821
1988 $4,597,612,362 $598,961,269
1987 $4,347,956,338 $1,087,273,104
1986 $3,959,382,833 $1,776,842,097
1985 $5,377,276,555 $2,366,666,616
1984 $6,169,483,225 $1,757,142,856
1983 $5,422,656,823 -
1982 $5,594,126,369 -
1981 $5,891,598,695 -
1980 $4,537,479,608 -
1979 $4,421,336,383 -
1978 $3,758,220,890 -
1977 $3,227,436,282 -
1976 $2,731,984,008 -
1975 $2,404,697,651 -
1974 $2,100,249,875 -
1973 $1,262,968,516 -
1972 $1,257,615,645 -
1971 $1,095,622,896 -
1970 $1,017,003,367 -
1969 $929,629,630 -
1968 $857,912,458 -
1967 $755,808,081 -
1966 $669,191,919 -
1965 $604,377,104 -
1964 $544,023,569 -
1963 $482,828,283 -
1962 $448,400,673 -
1961 $410,101,010 -
1960 $377,020,202 -

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

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

GDP per capita in Bolivia vs Laos by year

Bolivia
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
Laos
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
Bolivia Laos
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2024 $4,421 $12,878 $2,124 $9,776
2023 $4,275 $12,892 $2,067 $9,292
2022 $4,219 $12,307 $2,046 $8,766
2021 $4,011 $11,202 $2,526 $8,080
2020 $3,581 $9,581 $2,584 $7,913
2019 $4,203 $11,005 $2,589 $7,743
2018 $4,207 $10,758 $2,545 $7,487
2017 $4,048 $10,420 $2,432 $7,142
2016 $3,036 $9,242 $2,303 $6,743
2015 $2,996 $8,757 $2,121 $6,086
2014 $3,041 $8,629 $1,981 $5,799
2013 $2,870 $8,069 $1,813 $5,222
2012 $2,576 $7,184 $1,564 $4,781
2011 $2,316 $6,598 $1,362 $4,100
2010 $1,930 $6,245 $1,126 $3,772
2009 $1,731 $6,024 $935 $3,485
2008 $1,693 $5,890 $886 $3,271
2007 $1,355 $5,537 $697 $3,021
2006 $1,203 $5,244 $579 $2,777
2005 $1,020 $4,938 $466 $2,519
2004 $953 $4,663 $409 $2,315
2003 $893 $4,433 $355 $2,151
2002 $888 $4,304 $313 $2,020
2001 $930 $4,205 $320 $1,908
2000 $976 $4,113 $319 $1,794
1999 $979 $3,991 $272.3 $1,686
1998 $1,022 $3,988 $243.9 $1,577
1997 $970 $3,822 $339 $1,528
1996 $922 $3,645 $371 $1,435
1995 $853 $3,494 $358 $1,349
1994 $774 $3,331 $321 $1,265
1993 $757 $3,177 $283.4 $1,176
1992 $760 $3,036 $247.3 $1,114
1991 $734 $2,981 $231.8 $1,061
1990 $683 $2,797 $200.7 $1,012
1989 $675 - $170.4 -
1988 $673 - $147.1 -
1987 $650 - $274.7 -
1986 $604 - $462 -
1985 $838 - $633 -
1984 $982 - $483 -
1983 $882 - - -
1982 $930 - - -
1981 $1,001 - - -
1980 $788 - - -
1979 $785 - - -
1978 $683 - - -
1977 $600 - - -
1976 $520 - - -
1975 $468 - - -
1974 $418 - - -
1973 $257.2 - - -
1972 $261.9 - - -
1971 $233.4 - - -
1970 $221.6 - - -
1969 $207.1 - - -
1968 $195.5 - - -
1967 $176.1 - - -
1966 $159.3 - - -
1965 $147.1 - - -
1964 $135.2 - - -
1963 $122.6 - - -
1962 $116.2 - - -
1961 $108.5 - - -
1960 $101.8 - - -

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

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

Bolivia's GDP per capita is $4,421, ranking 125/197, compared to $2,124 in Laos, ranking 155/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), Bolivia ranks 122nd at $12,878, while Laos ranks 134th at $9,776.

Economic indicators

Bolivia Laos
Gross domestic product
$54.9B
2024
$16.5B
2024
GDP rank
88/197
2024
139/197
2024
GDP growth
-1.12%
2023-2024
4.13%
2023-2024
GDP per capita
$4,421
2024
$2,124
2024
GDP per capita rank
125/197
2024
155/197
2024
GDP per capita, PPP
$12,878
2024
$9,776
2024
GDP per capita PPP rank
122/197
2024
134/197
2024
Government debt
$53.8B
2024
$16.6B
2024
Debt-to-GDP ratio
98%
2024
100.5%
2024
Government debt per person
$4,331
2024
$2,134
2024
Government debt per person rank
88/185
2024
119/185
2024
Average annual personal income after taxes
$4,720
2026
$2,096
2026
Income share by richest 10%
31.3%
2023
31.2%
2018
Income share by poorest 10%
1.8%
2023
3%
2018
Government expenditure, % of GDP
39.8%
2024
15.7%
2024
Consumer prices inflation
5.1%
2023-2024
23.1%
2023-2024
Central bank interest rate
3.26%
2025
n/a
Unemployment rate
2.73%
2024
1.21%
2022
Population
12798112
8004838

Spending and national debt comparison by year

Bolivia
Spending

Debt
Laos
Spending

Debt
1x
Year % of GDP
Bolivia Laos
Government spending Government debt Government spending Government debt
2024 39.8% 98% 15.7% 100.5%
2023 38.7% 90.8% 16.4% 116.5%
2022 36% 80.1% 14.7% 130.7%
2021 34.8% 81.4% 15.7% 92.9%
2020 36.8% 78% 18.4% 76%
2019 36.1% 58.6% 18.6% 69.1%
2018 37.7% 53.1% 20.7% 60.6%
2017 38.6% 51.3% 21.8% 57.2%
2016 40% 46.5% 21.1% 54.5%
2015 44.5% 40.9% 25.8% 53.1%
2014 41.2% 37.6% 25% 53.5%
2013 35.4% 36.1% 24.2% 49.5%
2012 36% 35.4% 24.7% 46.1%
2011 35.4% 35.3% 20.2% 43%
2010 31.5% 37.6% 22.4% 49.3%
2009 33.2% 39.2% 20.1% 51.8%
2008 35.3% 36.8% 16.1% 51.7%
2007 32.7% 40% 15.1% 55.9%
2006 29.8% 54.4% 14.7% 60%
2005 33.2% 82.2% 15.3% 73.2%
2004 32.3% 89.8% 13.6% 80.7%
2003 32% 95.6% 16% 90.1%
2002 33.3% 86.7% 16.6% 95.3%
2001 32% 83% 18.8% 94.7%
2000 29.3% 74.3% 19.9% -
1999 29.4% 61.7% - -
1998 30% 61.2% - -
1997 28.3% 64.6% - -
1996 26% 72.4% - -
1995 25.8% 81.7% - -
1994 26.8% 87.6% - -
1993 27.2% 83.8% - -
1992 25.3% 92.4% - -
1991 24.2% 92.8% - -
1990 22.8% 102.9% - -
1989 24.4% 98% - -
1988 24% 115.9% - -
1987 24.4% 145.3% - -
1986 22.2% 149% - -
1985 21.8% 205.2% - -
1984 29% 166.5% - -
1983 32.1% 157.3% - -
1982 25% 155.4% - -
1981 16.6% 121.7% - -
1980 19.8% 100% - -
1979 18% 92% - -
1978 17.3% 82.5% - -
1977 18.6% 82.4% - -
1976 16.8% 68.9% - -
1975 14.4% 56.2% - -
1974 14.2% 52.7% - -
1973 14.1% 80.9% - -
1972 11.8% 77.7% - -
1971 11.3% 65.7% - -
1970 10% 63.9% - -
1969 12.3% - - -
1968 14.1% - - -
1967 13.1% - - -
1966 12.9% - - -
1965 12.9% - - -
1964 10.8% - - -
1963 10.8% - - -
1962 10.2% - - -
1961 10.7% - - -
1960 10.1% - - -

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1960–1999, retrieved 2026-02-20).

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

In 2024, Bolivia's government spending was $21.9B, accounting for 39.8% of its GDP, while Laos spent $2.58B, or 15.7% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 98% in Bolivia and 100.5% in Laos, ranking 26/185 and 24/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
Bolivia

Laos
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
Bolivia Laos
2024 -10.6% 2.34%
2023 -10.9% -0.01%
2022 -7.12% 0.06%
2021 -9.33% -0.67%
2020 -12.7% -5.37%
2019 -7.25% -3.2%
2018 -8.17% -4.46%
2017 -7.86% -5.51%
2016 -7.24% -5.06%
2015 -6.93% -5.57%
2014 -3.41% -3.13%
2013 0.6% -4.03%
2012 1.72% -2.34%
2011 0.83% -1.43%
2010 1.62% -1.47%
2009 2.63% -3.1%
2008 3.53% -1.86%
2007 -1.54% -1.12%
2006 4.47% -1.48%
2005 -2.24% -2.54%
2004 -5.54% -1.81%
2003 -7.88% -3.89%
2002 -8.79% -2.85%
2001 -6.82% -3.68%
2000 -3.73% -3.58%
1999 -3.84% -
1998 -5.1% -
1997 -3.28% -
1996 -1.9% -
1995 -1.82% -
1994 -3% -
1993 -6.1% -
1992 -4.4% -
1991 -4.2% -
1990 -4.4% -
1989 -5.5% -
1988 -6.5% -
1987 -7.7% -
1986 -2.7% -
1985 -9.8% -
1984 -25.4% -
1983 -19.8% -
1982 -15.9% -
1981 -12.3% -
1980 -15.3% -
1979 -11.2% -
1978 -9.97% -
1977 -11.2% -
1976 -1.15% -
1975 -2.33% -
1974 -1.87% -
1973 -3.72% -
1972 -3.69% -
1971 -3.67% -
1970 -1.92% -
1969 -4.16% -
1968 -5.67% -
1967 -4.29% -
1966 -3.55% -
1965 -4.12% -
1964 -2.68% -
1963 -3.02% -
1962 -2.8% -
1961 -2.81% -
1960 -3.35% -
1959 -4.32% -
1958 -2.95% -
1957 -1.11% -
1956 -0.11% -
1955 0.33% -
1954 0.006% -
1953 -0.48% -
1952 -0.94% -
1951 -0.42% -
1950 -1.17% -

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1950–1989, retrieved 2026-02-20).

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

In 2024, Bolivia's government deficit, the difference between spending and revenue, was $5.83B, equivalent to 10.6% of GDP. This compares to Laos' surplus of $386M, or 2.34% of GDP.

Over the past 25 years, Bolivia recorded a fiscal deficit in 18 of those years, while Laos ran a deficit in 23 years. On average, Bolivia posted an annual deficit equal to 4.51% of GDP, compared to deficit of 2.63% of GDP for Laos.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
Bolivia

Laos
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
Bolivia Laos
2024 5.1% 23.1%
2023 2.58% 31.2%
2022 1.75% 23%
2021 0.74% 3.8%
2020 0.94% 5.1%
2019 1.84% 3.3%
2018 2.27% 2%
2017 2.82% 0.8%
2016 3.62% 1.6%
2015 4.06% 1.3%
2014 5.77% 4.1%
2013 5.74% 6.4%
2012 4.52% 4.3%
2011 9.88% 7.6%
2010 2.5% 6%
2009 3.35% 0.1%
2008 14% 7.6%
2007 8.71% 4.7%
2006 4.28% 6.5%
2005 5.39% 7.2%
2004 4.44% 10.5%
2003 3.34% 15.5%
2002 0.93% 10.6%
2001 1.59% 7.8%
2000 4.61% 8.4%
1999 2.16% 128.4%
1998 7.67% 90.1%
1997 4.71% 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/bolivia/laos | CC BY

Over the past 28 years, Bolivia has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 4.26%, compared with 15.7% in Laos. In 2024, inflation was 5.1% in Bolivia and 23.1% in Laos.

Top exports between countries

Bolivia
Export category Export value
Laos
Export category Export value
Textiles & consumer goods $68K

Balance of trade

Bolivia Laos
Current account balance
-$1.41B
2024
$531M
2024
Current account balance ranking
132/190
2024
61/190
2024
Current account balance, % of GDP
-2.56%
2024
+3.22%
2024
Goods imports
$9.15B
2024
$8.66B
2024
Goods exports
$8.93B
2024
$9.39B
2024
Service imports
$2.35B
2024
$1.27B
2024
Service exports
$1.14B
2024
$1.73B
2024
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
25.5%
2024
41.9%
2016
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
21.4%
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.

Bolivia Laos
Economic freedom 42.4 50.9
Economic freedom ranking 184/197 157/197
Property rights 20.2 41.1
Government integrity 27.1 25.9
Judicial effectiveness 29.5 10.2
Tax burden 86.4 88.5
Government spending 56.3 92.7
Fiscal health 0.8 80
Business freedom 53.6 54.2
Labor freedom 52.2 40.7
Monetary freedom 67.1 53.3
Trade freedom 60.6 69
Investment freedom 15 35
Financial freedom 40 20

Economic freedom comparison by year

Bolivia
Laos
1x
Year Economic freedom index
Bolivia Laos
2026 42.4 50.9
2025 44.1 51.1
2024 43.5 50.6
2023 43.4 50.3
2022 43 49.2
2021 42.7 53.9
2020 42.8 55.5
2019 42.3 57.4
2018 44.1 53.6
2017 47.7 54
2016 47.4 49.8
2015 46.8 51.4
2014 48.4 51.2
2013 47.9 50.1
2012 50.2 50
2011 50 51.3
2010 49.4 51.1
2009 53.6 50.4
2008 53.1 50.3
2007 54.2 50.3
2006 57.8 47.5
2005 58.4 44.4
2004 64.5 42
2003 64.3 41
2002 65.1 36.8
2001 68 33.5
2000 65 36.8
1999 65.6 35.2
1998 68.8 35.2
1997 65.1 35.1
1996 65.2 38.5
1995 56.8 -

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

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

The Economic Freedom Index for Bolivia is 42.4, ranking 184/197, 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

Bolivia Laos
Services, % of GDP
53.4%
2024
43.5%
2024
Industry, % of GDP
31.3%
2024
29%
2024
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
8.83%
2024
16.8%
2024
GNI, Atlas method
$51.7B
2024
$15.5B
2024
GNI per capita, PPP
$12,620
2024
$9,160
2024
Total reserves including gold
$1.98B
2024
$1.77B
2023
Total reserves ranking
127/177
2024
129/177
2023
Net foreign direct investment
-$113M
2024
-$988M
2024
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
$387M
2024
$988M
2024
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
$133M
2024
$0
2024
Servicing debt to the IMF, % of GNI
3.41%
2024
13.8%
2024
Poverty at national poverty lines
36.5%
2023
22%
2020
Gross capital formation, % of GDP
17.9%
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/bolivia/laos | CC BY

Compare countries by 7 more topics

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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. International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1950–1999, retrieved 2026-02-20)
  4. The Heritage Foundation | Economic Freedom Index (1995–2026, retrieved 2026-03-09)
  5. U.S. Census Bureau (1985–2024, retrieved 2026-02-08)
  6. United Nations | World Population Prospects (2026, retrieved 2026-03-10)
  7. LivingCost (2026, retrieved 2025-10-14)
  8. Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) (2020, retrieved 2026-02-20)
  9. TradeMap (2021, 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.