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Economy of Bulgaria vs Laos compared: GDP & Debt

Updated on by Georank team

Bulgaria has a GDP of $113B compared to $16.5B for Laos, ranking 67/197 and 139/197 by economy size, respectively.

Bulgaria has $27.3B in government debt (24.1% of GDP), compared to $16.6B (100.5% of GDP) in Laos.

Bulgaria vs Laos GDP by year

Bulgaria
Laos
1x
Year GDP, current $
Bulgaria Laos
2024 $113,343,355,780 $16,502,933,121
2023 $102,199,231,385 $15,843,155,731
2022 $90,506,153,294 $15,468,785,204
2021 $84,374,613,233 $18,827,148,531
2020 $70,486,877,546 $18,981,805,250
2019 $68,507,731,354 $18,740,561,513
2018 $66,097,226,262 $18,141,641,090
2017 $59,167,647,388 $17,071,155,481
2016 $53,929,397,039 $15,912,501,723
2015 $50,765,918,159 $14,426,380,126
2014 $57,080,897,012 $13,279,245,886
2013 $55,819,262,375 $11,983,252,627
2012 $54,297,052,002 $10,192,846,339
2011 $57,681,293,007 $8,750,104,617
2010 $50,689,051,382 $7,131,771,015
2009 $52,023,801,230 $5,836,137,330
2008 $54,480,684,188 $5,446,433,157
2007 $44,431,257,129 $4,223,152,739
2006 $34,380,536,496 $3,455,030,061
2005 $29,868,657,858 $2,735,558,735
2004 $26,157,743,369 $2,366,398,120
2003 $21,144,957,990 $2,023,324,407
2002 $16,403,043,850 $1,758,176,653
2001 $14,183,446,026 $1,768,619,058
2000 $13,245,990,274 $1,731,198,022
1999 $13,637,098,579 $1,454,430,642
1998 $15,031,055,047 $1,280,177,839
1997 $11,316,127,379 $1,747,011,857
1996 $12,294,964,838 $1,873,671,550
1995 $18,991,484,420 $1,763,536,305
1994 $9,709,240,034 $1,543,606,345
1993 $10,832,064,942 $1,327,748,690
1992 $8,602,887,623 $1,127,806,945
1991 $7,628,738,475 $1,028,087,972
1990 $20,632,090,909 $865,559,879
1989 $21,988,444,444 $714,046,821
1988 $22,555,941,176 $598,961,269
1987 $28,101,000,000 $1,087,273,104
1986 $20,249,294,118 $1,776,842,097
1985 $17,155,421,053 $2,366,666,616
1984 $17,594,944,444 $1,757,142,856
1983 $16,563,666,667 -
1982 $19,342,000,000 -
1981 $19,870,000,000 -
1980 $19,839,230,769 -

Data sources: World Bank | Economy & Growth (1980–2024, retrieved 2026-04-06).

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

GDP per capita in Bulgaria vs Laos by year

Bulgaria
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
Laos
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
Bulgaria Laos
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2024 $17,596 $41,969 $2,124 $9,776
2023 $15,853 $38,829 $2,067 $9,292
2022 $13,999 $36,320 $2,046 $8,766
2021 $12,966 $30,959 $2,526 $8,080
2020 $10,760 $27,352 $2,584 $7,913
2019 $10,354 $26,766 $2,589 $7,743
2018 $9,849 $23,998 $2,545 $7,487
2017 $8,697 $22,317 $2,432 $7,142
2016 $7,822 $20,746 $2,303 $6,743
2015 $7,269 $18,896 $2,121 $6,086
2014 $8,070 $17,991 $1,981 $5,799
2013 $7,796 $16,894 $1,813 $5,222
2012 $7,432 $16,327 $1,564 $4,781
2011 $7,850 $15,747 $1,362 $4,100
2010 $6,854 $14,954 $1,126 $3,772
2009 $6,988 $14,188 $935 $3,485
2008 $7,271 $14,347 $886 $3,271
2007 $5,889 $12,822 $697 $3,021
2006 $4,523 $11,406 $579 $2,777
2005 $3,900 $10,291 $466 $2,519
2004 $3,390 $9,200 $409 $2,315
2003 $2,719 $8,416 $355 $2,151
2002 $2,093 $7,786 $313 $2,020
2001 $1,771 $6,960 $320 $1,908
2000 $1,621 $6,424 $319 $1,794
1999 $1,661 $5,808 $272.3 $1,686
1998 $1,820 $6,178 $243.9 $1,577
1997 $1,361 $5,751 $339 $1,528
1996 $1,470 $6,849 $371 $1,435
1995 $2,259 $7,743 $358 $1,349
1994 $1,150 $7,338 $321 $1,265
1993 $1,279 $7,032 $283.4 $1,176
1992 $1,007 $6,917 $247.3 $1,114
1991 $884 $7,215 $231.8 $1,061
1990 $2,367 $7,548 $200.7 $1,012
1989 $2,477 - $170.4 -
1988 $2,511 - $147.1 -
1987 $3,132 - $274.7 -
1986 $2,260 - $462 -
1985 $1,915 - $633 -
1984 $1,964 - $483 -
1983 $1,853 - - -
1982 $2,169 - - -
1981 $2,235 - - -
1980 $2,239 - - -

Data sources: World Bank | Economy & Growth (1980–2024, retrieved 2026-04-06).

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

Bulgaria's GDP per capita is $17,596, ranking 64/197, compared to $2,124 in Laos, ranking 155/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), Bulgaria ranks 54th at $41,969, while Laos ranks 134th at $9,776.

Economic indicators

Bulgaria Laos
Gross domestic product
$113B
2024
$16.5B
2024
GDP rank
67/197
2024
139/197
2024
GDP growth
3.39%
2023-2024
4.13%
2023-2024
GDP per capita
$17,596
2024
$2,124
2024
GDP per capita rank
64/197
2024
155/197
2024
GDP per capita, PPP
$41,969
2024
$9,776
2024
GDP per capita PPP rank
54/197
2024
134/197
2024
Government debt
$27.3B
2024
$16.6B
2024
Debt-to-GDP ratio
24.1%
2024
100.5%
2024
Government debt per person
$4,237
2024
$2,134
2024
Government debt per person rank
90/185
2024
119/185
2024
Average annual personal income after taxes
$14,263
2026
$2,096
2026
Market capitalization of domestic companies
$8.41B
2024
n/a
Number of billionaires
2
2025
n/a
Income share by richest 10%
31.1%
2023
31.2%
2018
Income share by poorest 10%
2.1%
2023
3%
2018
Government expenditure, % of GDP
36.7%
2024
15.7%
2024
Consumer prices inflation
2.6%
2023-2024
23.1%
2023-2024
Central bank interest rate
1.81%
2025
n/a
Unemployment rate
4.17%
2024
1.21%
2022
Population
6359449
8004838

Spending and national debt comparison by year

Bulgaria
Spending

Debt
Laos
Spending

Debt
1x
Year % of GDP
Bulgaria Laos
Government spending Government debt Government spending Government debt
2024 36.7% 24.1% 15.7% 100.5%
2023 37.4% 22.9% 16.4% 116.5%
2022 37.6% 22.5% 14.7% 130.7%
2021 38.4% 23.8% 15.7% 92.9%
2020 37.6% 22.7% 18.4% 76%
2019 36% 18.4% 18.6% 69.1%
2018 34.4% 20.1% 20.7% 60.6%
2017 32% 22.9% 21.8% 57.2%
2016 32.7% 27% 21.1% 54.5%
2015 37.3% 25.4% 25.8% 53.1%
2014 37.1% 26.3% 25% 53.5%
2013 35.5% 17.2% 24.2% 49.5%
2012 32.5% 16.5% 24.7% 46.1%
2011 32% 14.3% 20.2% 43%
2010 34.6% 14.1% 22.4% 49.3%
2009 33.8% 14.5% 20.1% 51.8%
2008 33.5% 14.7% 16.1% 51.7%
2007 33.1% 17.6% 15.1% 55.9%
2006 32.5% 22.6% 14.7% 60%
2005 34% 28.5% 15.3% 73.2%
2004 34.6% 37.8% 13.6% 80.7%
2003 35.8% 45.4% 16% 90.1%
2002 35.1% 53.4% 16.6% 95.3%
2001 36.5% 67.1% 18.8% 94.7%
2000 37.1% 73.3% 19.9% -
1999 36.2% 78.7% - -
1998 30.6% 67.3% - -
1997 32.9% 88.4% - -
1996 44% 113.8% - -
1995 45.4% 72% - -

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1998–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1995–1997, retrieved 2026-02-20).

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

In 2024, Bulgaria's government spending was $41.5B, accounting for 36.7% of its GDP, while Laos spent $2.58B, or 15.7% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 24.1% in Bulgaria and 100.5% in Laos, ranking 169/185 and 24/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
Bulgaria

Laos
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
Bulgaria Laos
2024 -3.04% 2.34%
2023 -3.03% -0.01%
2022 -0.8% 0.06%
2021 -2.8% -0.67%
2020 -2.92% -5.37%
2019 -0.96% -3.2%
2018 0.12% -4.46%
2017 0.82% -5.51%
2016 1.54% -5.06%
2015 -2.77% -5.57%
2014 -3.65% -3.13%
2013 -1.75% -4.03%
2012 -0.43% -2.34%
2011 -1.83% -1.43%
2010 -3.77% -1.47%
2009 -0.86% -3.1%
2008 2.73% -1.86%
2007 3.09% -1.12%
2006 3.22% -1.48%
2005 2.19% -2.54%
2004 1.59% -1.81%
2003 0.003% -3.89%
2002 -0.61% -2.85%
2001 -0.58% -3.68%
2000 -0.6% -3.58%
1999 0.15% -
1998 1.08% -
1997 0.83% -
1996 -10.1% -
1995 -7.98% -
1994 - -
1993 - -
1992 - -
1991 - -
1990 - -
1989 - -
1988 - -
1987 - -
1986 - -
1985 - -
1984 - -
1983 - -
1982 - -
1981 - -
1980 - -
1979 - -
1978 - -
1977 - -
1976 - -
1975 - -
1974 - -
1973 - -
1972 - -
1971 - -
1970 - -
1969 - -
1968 - -
1967 - -
1966 - -
1965 - -
1964 - -
1963 - -
1962 - -
1961 - -
1960 - -
1959 - -
1958 - -
1957 - -
1956 - -
1955 - -
1954 - -
1953 - -
1952 - -
1951 - -
1950 - -
1949 - -
1948 - -
1947 - -
1946 - -
1945 - -
1944 0% -
1943 0% -
1942 -0.3% -
1941 3.96% -
1940 0.75% -
1939 0.72% -
1938 1% -
1937 1.41% -
1936 1.17% -
1935 1.34% -
1934 -0.12% -
1933 -0.56% -
1932 -2.14% -
1931 -3.07% -
1930 -5.48% -
1929 -6.67% -
1928 -1.09% -
1927 -0.02% -
1926 -0.25% -
1925 -0.97% -
1924 1.26% -

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1998–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1924–1997, retrieved 2026-02-20).

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

In 2024, Bulgaria's government deficit, the difference between spending and revenue, was $3.44B, equivalent to 3.04% of GDP. This compares to Laos' surplus of $386M, or 2.34% of GDP.

Over the past 25 years, Bulgaria recorded a fiscal deficit in 16 of those years, while Laos ran a deficit in 23 years. On average, Bulgaria posted an annual deficit equal to 0.6% of GDP, compared to deficit of 2.63% of GDP for Laos.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
Bulgaria

Laos
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
Bulgaria Laos
2024 2.6% 23.1%
2023 8.6% 31.2%
2022 13% 23%
2021 2.8% 3.8%
2020 1.2% 5.1%
2019 2.5% 3.3%
2018 2.6% 2%
2017 1.2% 0.8%
2016 -1.3% 1.6%
2015 -1.1% 1.3%
2014 -1.6% 4.1%
2013 0.4% 6.4%
2012 2.4% 4.3%
2011 3.4% 7.6%
2010 3% 6%
2009 2.5% 0.1%
2008 12% 7.6%
2007 7.6% 4.7%
2006 7.4% 6.5%
2005 6% 7.2%
2004 6.1% 10.5%
2003 2.3% 15.5%
2002 5.8% 10.6%
2001 7.4% 7.8%
2000 10.3% 8.4%
1999 2.6% 128.4%
1998 18.7% 90.1%
1997 1,061% 19.5%

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | World Economic Outlook (1997–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20).

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

Over the past 28 years, Bulgaria has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 42.5%, compared with 15.7% in Laos. In 2024, inflation was 2.6% in Bulgaria and 23.1% in Laos.

Top exports between countries

Bulgaria
Export category Export value
Chemicals & pharma $3K
Machinery & equipment $3K
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $3K
Textiles & consumer goods $3K
Laos
Export category Export value
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $2.27M
Textiles & consumer goods $5K

Balance of trade

Bulgaria Laos
Current account balance
-$1.74B
2024
$531M
2024
Current account balance ranking
138/190
2024
61/190
2024
Current account balance, % of GDP
-1.54%
2024
+3.22%
2024
Goods imports
$52.8B
2024
$8.66B
2024
Goods exports
$47.3B
2024
$9.39B
2024
Service imports
$8.26B
2024
$1.27B
2024
Service exports
$16.6B
2024
$1.73B
2024
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
53.9%
2024
41.9%
2016
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
56.4%
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.

Bulgaria Laos
Economic freedom 68.9 50.9
Economic freedom ranking 44/197 157/197
Property rights 75.8 41.1
Government integrity 48.4 25.9
Judicial effectiveness 58.5 10.2
Tax burden 89.1 88.5
Government spending 58.4 92.7
Fiscal health 90.4 80
Business freedom 78.2 54.2
Labor freedom 62.4 40.7
Monetary freedom 75.8 53.3
Trade freedom 79.4 69
Investment freedom 60 35
Financial freedom 50 20

Economic freedom comparison by year

Bulgaria
Laos
1x
Year Economic freedom index
Bulgaria Laos
2026 68.9 50.9
2025 68.8 51.1
2024 68.5 50.6
2023 69.3 50.3
2022 71 49.2
2021 70.4 53.9
2020 70.2 55.5
2019 69 57.4
2018 68.3 53.6
2017 67.9 54
2016 65.9 49.8
2015 66.8 51.4
2014 65.7 51.2
2013 65 50.1
2012 64.7 50
2011 64.9 51.3
2010 62.3 51.1
2009 64.6 50.4
2008 63.7 50.3
2007 62.7 50.3
2006 64.1 47.5
2005 62.3 44.4
2004 59.2 42
2003 57 41
2002 57.1 36.8
2001 51.9 33.5
2000 47.3 36.8
1999 46.2 35.2
1998 45.7 35.2
1997 47.6 35.1
1996 48.6 38.5
1995 50 -

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

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

The Economic Freedom Index for Bulgaria is 68.9, ranking 44/197, 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

Bulgaria Laos
Services, % of GDP
63.8%
2024
43.5%
2024
Industry, % of GDP
21.1%
2024
29%
2024
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
2.35%
2024
16.8%
2024
GNI, Atlas method
$99B
2024
$15.5B
2024
GNI per capita, PPP
$39,850
2024
$9,160
2024
Total reserves including gold
$43.7B
2024
$1.77B
2023
Total reserves ranking
47/177
2024
129/177
2023
Net foreign direct investment
-$2.22B
2024
-$988M
2024
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
$3.55B
2024
$988M
2024
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
$1.13B
2024
$0
2024
Servicing debt to the IMF, % of GNI
6.8%
2024
13.8%
2024
Poverty at national poverty lines
21.7%
2023
22%
2020
Gross capital formation, % of GDP
20.4%
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/bulgaria/laos | CC BY

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Data sources:

  1. World Bank | Economy & Growth (1980–2024, retrieved 2026-04-06)
  2. International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1998–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20)
  3. The Heritage Foundation | Economic Freedom Index (1995–2026, retrieved 2026-03-09)
  4. International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1924–1997, retrieved 2026-02-20)
  5. U.S. Census Bureau (1985–2024, retrieved 2026-02-08)
  6. TradeMap (2021–2024, retrieved 2026-02-08)
  7. United Nations | World Population Prospects (2026, retrieved 2026-03-10)
  8. LivingCost (2026, retrieved 2025-10-14)
  9. Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) (2020, retrieved 2026-02-20)

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.