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Economy of Colombia vs Laos compared: GDP & Debt

Updated on by Georank team

Colombia has a GDP of $419B compared to $16.5B for Laos, ranking 39/197 and 139/197 by economy size, respectively.

Colombia has $256B in government debt (61.2% of GDP), compared to $16.6B (100.5% of GDP) in Laos.

Colombia vs Laos GDP by year

Colombia
Laos
1x
Year GDP, current $
Colombia Laos
2024 $418,818,154,879 $16,502,933,121
2023 $366,291,836,138 $15,843,155,731
2022 $345,632,492,851 $15,468,785,204
2021 $318,524,633,225 $18,827,148,531
2020 $270,348,342,541 $18,981,805,250
2019 $323,031,701,193 $18,740,561,513
2018 $334,198,218,098 $18,141,641,090
2017 $311,866,875,157 $17,071,155,481
2016 $282,720,100,286 $15,912,501,723
2015 $293,492,370,193 $14,426,380,126
2014 $381,240,864,422 $13,279,245,886
2013 $382,093,697,078 $11,983,252,627
2012 $370,691,143,018 $10,192,846,339
2011 $334,966,134,805 $8,750,104,617
2010 $286,498,534,095 $7,131,771,015
2009 $232,468,663,110 $5,836,137,330
2008 $242,504,150,473 $5,446,433,157
2007 $206,229,540,926 $4,223,152,739
2006 $161,792,958,905 $3,455,030,061
2005 $145,600,529,606 $2,735,558,735
2004 $117,092,416,666 $2,366,398,120
2003 $94,644,969,157 $2,023,324,407
2002 $97,945,812,803 $1,758,176,653
2001 $98,200,641,203 $1,768,619,058
2000 $99,875,074,951 $1,731,198,022
1999 $86,186,158,685 $1,454,430,642
1998 $98,443,739,941 $1,280,177,839
1997 $106,659,508,271 $1,747,011,857
1996 $97,160,109,278 $1,873,671,550
1995 $92,507,279,383 $1,763,536,305
1994 $81,703,500,846 $1,543,606,345
1993 $66,446,804,803 $1,327,748,690
1992 $58,418,985,443 $1,127,806,945
1991 $49,175,565,911 $1,028,087,972
1990 $47,844,090,710 $865,559,879
1989 $39,540,080,200 $714,046,821
1988 $39,212,550,050 $598,961,269
1987 $36,373,307,085 $1,087,273,104
1986 $34,942,489,684 $1,776,842,097
1985 $34,894,411,352 $2,366,666,616
1984 $38,253,120,738 $1,757,142,856
1983 $38,729,822,782 -
1982 $38,968,039,722 -
1981 $36,388,366,869 -
1980 $33,400,735,644 -
1979 $27,940,411,250 -
1978 $23,263,511,958 -
1977 $19,470,960,619 -
1976 $15,341,403,660 -
1975 $13,098,633,902 -
1974 $12,370,029,584 -
1973 $10,315,760,000 -
1972 $8,671,358,733 -
1971 $7,820,380,971 -
1970 $7,198,360,460 -
1969 $6,450,175,214 -
1968 $5,960,212,869 -
1967 $5,825,170,438 -
1966 $5,428,518,519 -
1965 $5,760,761,905 -
1964 $5,973,366,667 -
1963 $4,836,166,667 -
1962 $4,955,543,963 -
1961 $4,540,447,761 -
1960 $4,031,152,977 -

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

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

GDP per capita in Colombia vs Laos by year

Colombia
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
Laos
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
Colombia Laos
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2024 $7,919 $22,349 $2,124 $9,776
2023 $7,001 $21,246 $2,067 $9,292
2022 $6,680 $20,854 $2,046 $8,766
2021 $6,223 $17,383 $2,526 $8,080
2020 $5,340 $15,519 $2,584 $7,913
2019 $6,473 $16,182 $2,589 $7,743
2018 $6,817 $15,239 $2,545 $7,487
2017 $6,480 $14,401 $2,432 $7,142
2016 $5,960 $14,027 $2,303 $6,743
2015 $6,249 $13,332 $2,121 $6,086
2014 $8,187 $13,355 $1,981 $5,799
2013 $8,279 $12,780 $1,813 $5,222
2012 $8,109 $12,093 $1,564 $4,781
2011 $7,401 $11,707 $1,362 $4,100
2010 $6,398 $10,841 $1,126 $3,772
2009 $5,251 $10,367 $935 $3,485
2008 $5,542 $10,307 $886 $3,271
2007 $4,770 $9,909 $697 $3,021
2006 $3,790 $9,154 $579 $2,777
2005 $3,456 $8,432 $466 $2,519
2004 $2,819 $7,909 $409 $2,315
2003 $2,312 $7,420 $355 $2,151
2002 $2,429 $7,109 $313 $2,020
2001 $2,473 $6,935 $320 $1,908
2000 $2,555 $6,776 $319 $1,794
1999 $2,241 $6,544 $272.3 $1,686
1998 $2,605 $6,854 $243.9 $1,577
1997 $2,873 $6,861 $339 $1,528
1996 $2,665 $6,639 $371 $1,435
1995 $2,584 $6,506 $358 $1,349
1994 $2,326 $6,174 $321 $1,265
1993 $1,929 $5,826 $283.4 $1,176
1992 $1,730 $5,509 $247.3 $1,114
1991 $1,486 $5,281 $231.8 $1,061
1990 $1,475 $5,109 $200.7 $1,012
1989 $1,244 - $170.4 -
1988 $1,260 - $147.1 -
1987 $1,193 - $274.7 -
1986 $1,169 - $462 -
1985 $1,192 - $633 -
1984 $1,336 - $483 -
1983 $1,384 - - -
1982 $1,425 - - -
1981 $1,362 - - -
1980 $1,280 - - -
1979 $1,095 - - -
1978 $932 - - -
1977 $798 - - -
1976 $643 - - -
1975 $561 - - -
1974 $542 - - -
1973 $462 - - -
1972 $397 - - -
1971 $367 - - -
1970 $346 - - -
1969 $318 - - -
1968 $302 - - -
1967 $303 - - -
1966 $290.3 - - -
1965 $317 - - -
1964 $339 - - -
1963 $282.6 - - -
1962 $298.5 - - -
1961 $282.1 - - -
1960 $258.3 - - -

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

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

Colombia's GDP per capita is $7,919, ranking 94/197, compared to $2,124 in Laos, ranking 155/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), Colombia ranks 87th at $22,349, while Laos ranks 134th at $9,776.

Economic indicators

Colombia Laos
Gross domestic product
$419B
2024
$16.5B
2024
GDP rank
39/197
2024
139/197
2024
GDP growth
1.6%
2023-2024
4.13%
2023-2024
GDP per capita
$7,919
2024
$2,124
2024
GDP per capita rank
94/197
2024
155/197
2024
GDP per capita, PPP
$22,349
2024
$9,776
2024
GDP per capita PPP rank
87/197
2024
134/197
2024
Government debt
$256B
2024
$16.6B
2024
Debt-to-GDP ratio
61.2%
2024
100.5%
2024
Government debt per person
$4,849
2024
$2,134
2024
Government debt per person rank
82/185
2024
119/185
2024
Average annual personal income after taxes
$5,722
2026
$2,096
2026
Market capitalization of domestic companies
$72.6B
2024
n/a
Number of billionaires
4
2025
n/a
Income share by richest 10%
42.7%
2023
31.2%
2018
Income share by poorest 10%
1.1%
2023
3%
2018
Government expenditure, % of GDP
34.6%
2024
15.7%
2024
Consumer prices inflation
6.61%
2023-2024
23.1%
2023-2024
Central bank interest rate
9.25%
2025
n/a
Unemployment rate
9.62%
2024
1.21%
2022
Population
54105437
8004838

Spending and national debt comparison by year

Colombia
Spending

Debt
Laos
Spending

Debt
1x
Year % of GDP
Colombia Laos
Government spending Government debt Government spending Government debt
2024 34.6% 61.2% 15.7% 100.5%
2023 35.1% 55.5% 16.4% 116.5%
2022 34.1% 61.3% 14.7% 130.7%
2021 34.5% 64.4% 15.7% 92.9%
2020 33.7% 65.3% 18.4% 76%
2019 32.9% 51% 18.6% 69.1%
2018 34.7% 51.8% 20.7% 60.6%
2017 29.3% 49.4% 21.8% 57.2%
2016 30% 49.9% 21.1% 54.5%
2015 31.3% 50.4% 25.8% 53.1%
2014 31.3% 43.3% 25% 53.5%
2013 30% 37.6% 24.2% 49.5%
2012 29.1% 34% 24.7% 46.1%
2011 30.2% 35.8% 20.2% 43%
2010 30.4% 36.5% 22.4% 49.3%
2009 30.9% 35.4% 20.1% 51.8%
2008 28.4% 32.4% 16.1% 51.7%
2007 28.2% 32.7% 15.1% 55.9%
2006 28.4% 36% 14.7% 60%
2005 25.9% 38.5% 15.3% 73.2%
2004 26.6% 41.5% 13.6% 80.7%
2003 28% 45% 16% 90.1%
2002 28.1% 47.5% 16.6% 95.3%
2001 27.5% 41.1% 18.8% 94.7%
2000 26.6% 38% 19.9% -
1999 28.2% 34% - -
1998 26.3% 27.4% - -
1997 26.2% 25.3% - -
1996 25.1% 23.3% - -
1995 22.2% 13.8% - -
1994 20.6% 12.5% - -
1993 20% 14.2% - -
1992 18.4% 16.1% - -
1991 17.7% 14.5% - -
1990 17.4% 16.7% - -
1989 10.3% 17.3% - -
1988 10.3% 17.9% - -
1987 9.7% 18.9% - -
1986 9.8% 20.2% - -
1985 10.5% 19.3% - -
1984 10.3% 15.5% - -
1983 10.2% 10.8% - -
1982 10.6% 8.8% - -
1981 9.9% 8.5% - -
1980 9.6% 8% - -
1979 8.6% 7.7% - -
1978 8.1% 7.6% - -
1977 7.7% 9.2% - -
1976 8% 12.2% - -
1975 9.4% 14.6% - -
1974 8.8% 15.9% - -
1973 9.4% 16.3% - -
1972 10.3% 16.9% - -
1971 10.3% 16.2% - -
1970 10% 16.7% - -
1969 9.2% 17% - -
1968 8.9% 16.2% - -
1967 8.2% 15.8% - -
1966 8% 15.3% - -
1965 7% 15.2% - -
1964 8.1% 13.1% - -
1963 8.6% 13.9% - -
1962 7.8% 14.8% - -
1961 8.6% 8.7% - -
1960 6.7% 7.2% - -

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1960–1995, retrieved 2026-02-20).

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

In 2024, Colombia's government spending was $145B, accounting for 34.6% of its GDP, while Laos spent $2.58B, or 15.7% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 61.2% in Colombia and 100.5% in Laos, ranking 75/185 and 24/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
Colombia

Laos
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
Colombia Laos
2024 -6.25% 2.34%
2023 -2.92% -0.01%
2022 -6.34% 0.06%
2021 -7.26% -0.67%
2020 -7.12% -5.37%
2019 -3.48% -3.2%
2018 -4.67% -4.46%
2017 -2.5% -5.51%
2016 -2.27% -5.06%
2015 -3.52% -5.57%
2014 -1.74% -3.13%
2013 -1.02% -4.03%
2012 0.15% -2.34%
2011 -1.99% -1.43%
2010 -3.3% -1.47%
2009 -2.67% -3.1%
2008 0.04% -1.86%
2007 -0.82% -1.12%
2006 -0.99% -1.48%
2005 -0.02% -2.54%
2004 -1.31% -1.81%
2003 -2.7% -3.89%
2002 -3.45% -2.85%
2001 -2.71% -3.68%
2000 -2.94% -3.58%
1999 -5.37% -
1998 -3.86% -
1997 -3.23% -
1996 -2.49% -
1995 -1% -
1994 -0.14% -
1993 -0.24% -
1992 -0.07% -
1991 0.35% -
1990 -0.41% -
1989 -1.4% -
1988 -1.3% -
1987 -0.4% -
1986 -1.4% -
1985 -2.4% -
1984 -3.3% -
1983 -3.1% -
1982 -3.6% -
1981 -2.8% -
1980 -2.2% -
1979 -0.7% -
1978 0.3% -
1977 0.5% -
1976 0.6% -
1975 -0.5% -
1974 -1.2% -
1973 -1.1% -
1972 -1.7% -
1971 -1% -
1970 -0.7% -
1969 -0.5% -
1968 0% -
1967 -0.2% -
1966 0.1% -
1965 -0.6% -
1964 -1.1% -
1963 -1.7% -
1962 -1.6% -
1961 -1.5% -
1960 1.2% -
1959 2% -
1958 1.7% -
1957 1.4% -
1956 -0.2% -
1955 0.7% -
1954 1.3% -
1953 1.3% -
1952 1.6% -
1951 2.1% -
1950 0.9% -
1949 0.5% -
1948 -0.1% -
1947 0.2% -
1946 -0.5% -
1945 0.1% -
1944 -0.2% -
1943 -0.7% -
1942 -1.5% -
1941 0% -
1940 -1.5% -
1939 0.8% -
1938 0.5% -
1937 1.4% -
1936 1.1% -
1935 1.3% -
1934 0.2% -
1933 -0.4% -
1932 -0.8% -
1931 -0.2% -
1930 0.3% -
1929 0.4% -
1928 -0.4% -
1927 -0.6% -
1926 0% -
1925 1% -
1924 0.5% -
1923 0.3% -
1922 -0.7% -
1921 -1.6% -
1920 0.4% -
1919 -0.8% -
1918 -2.1% -
1917 -0.5% -
1916 0.2% -
1915 -0.2% -
1914 -0.5% -
1913 0.5% -
1912 -0.3% -
1911 -0.1% -
1910 -0.3% -
1909 -3.3% -
1908 -2.7% -
1907 -2.7% -
1906 0.2% -
1905 -0.9% -

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1905–1989, retrieved 2026-02-20); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20).

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

In 2024, Colombia's government deficit, the difference between spending and revenue, was $26.2B, equivalent to 6.25% of GDP. This compares to Laos' surplus of $386M, or 2.34% of GDP.

Over the past 25 years, Colombia recorded a fiscal deficit in 23 of those years, while Laos ran a deficit in 23 years. On average, Colombia posted an annual deficit equal to 2.87% of GDP, compared to deficit of 2.63% of GDP for Laos.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
Colombia

Laos
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
Colombia Laos
2024 6.61% 23.1%
2023 11.7% 31.2%
2022 10.2% 23%
2021 3.5% 3.8%
2020 2.53% 5.1%
2019 3.52% 3.3%
2018 3.24% 2%
2017 4.31% 0.8%
2016 7.51% 1.6%
2015 4.99% 1.3%
2014 2.9% 4.1%
2013 2.02% 6.4%
2012 3.17% 4.3%
2011 3.42% 7.6%
2010 2.27% 6%
2009 4.2% 0.1%
2008 7% 7.6%
2007 5.54% 4.7%
2006 4.29% 6.5%
2005 5.05% 7.2%
2004 5.9% 10.5%
2003 7.13% 15.5%
2002 6.35% 10.6%
2001 7.97% 7.8%
2000 9.23% 8.4%
1999 10.9% 128.4%
1998 18.7% 90.1%
1997 18.5% 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/colombia/laos | CC BY

Over the past 28 years, Colombia has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 6.52%, compared with 15.7% in Laos. In 2024, inflation was 6.61% in Colombia and 23.1% in Laos.

Top exports between countries

Colombia
Export category Export value
Machinery & equipment $9K
Textiles & consumer goods $4K
Laos
Export category Export value
Textiles & consumer goods $74K

Balance of trade

Colombia Laos
Current account balance
-$6.88B
2024
$531M
2024
Current account balance ranking
172/190
2024
61/190
2024
Current account balance, % of GDP
-1.64%
2024
+3.22%
2024
Goods imports
$60.2B
2024
$8.66B
2024
Goods exports
$51.1B
2024
$9.39B
2024
Service imports
$18.5B
2024
$1.27B
2024
Service exports
$18.1B
2024
$1.73B
2024
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
20.9%
2024
41.9%
2016
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
16.1%
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.

Colombia Laos
Economic freedom 59.8 50.9
Economic freedom ranking 101/197 157/197
Property rights 43.1 41.1
Government integrity 41.6 25.9
Judicial effectiveness 57.4 10.2
Tax burden 68.6 88.5
Government spending 64 92.7
Fiscal health 49.8 80
Business freedom 71.2 54.2
Labor freedom 59.1 40.7
Monetary freedom 71.9 53.3
Trade freedom 71.4 69
Investment freedom 60 35
Financial freedom 60 20

Economic freedom comparison by year

Colombia
Laos
1x
Year Economic freedom index
Colombia Laos
2026 59.8 50.9
2025 59.8 51.1
2024 59.2 50.6
2023 63.1 50.3
2022 65.1 49.2
2021 68.1 53.9
2020 69.2 55.5
2019 67.3 57.4
2018 68.9 53.6
2017 69.7 54
2016 70.8 49.8
2015 71.7 51.4
2014 70.7 51.2
2013 69.6 50.1
2012 68 50
2011 68 51.3
2010 65.5 51.1
2009 62.3 50.4
2008 62.2 50.3
2007 59.9 50.3
2006 60.4 47.5
2005 59.6 44.4
2004 61.2 42
2003 64.2 41
2002 64.2 36.8
2001 65.6 33.5
2000 63.3 36.8
1999 65.3 35.2
1998 65.5 35.2
1997 66.4 35.1
1996 64.3 38.5
1995 64.5 -

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

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

The Economic Freedom Index for Colombia is 59.8, ranking 101/197, 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

Colombia Laos
Services, % of GDP
58.1%
2024
43.5%
2024
Industry, % of GDP
23.1%
2024
29%
2024
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
9.28%
2024
16.8%
2024
GNI, Atlas method
$372B
2024
$15.5B
2024
GNI per capita, PPP
$21,890
2024
$9,160
2024
Total reserves including gold
$61.9B
2024
$1.77B
2023
Total reserves ranking
38/177
2024
129/177
2023
Net foreign direct investment
-$9.17B
2024
-$988M
2024
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
$13.7B
2024
$988M
2024
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
$4.51B
2024
$0
2024
Servicing debt to the IMF, % of GNI
8.25%
2024
13.8%
2024
Poverty at national poverty lines
31.8%
2024
22%
2020
Gross capital formation, % of GDP
16.8%
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/colombia/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. International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1905–1995, 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. 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.