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Economy of Denmark vs Laos compared: GDP & Debt

Updated on by Georank team

Denmark has a GDP of $425B compared to $16.5B for Laos, ranking 37/197 and 139/197 by economy size, respectively.

Denmark has $134B in government debt (31.5% of GDP), compared to $16.6B (100.5% of GDP) in Laos.

Denmark vs Laos GDP by year

Denmark
Laos
1x
Year GDP, current $
Denmark Laos
2024 $424,524,722,037 $16,502,933,121
2023 $404,651,706,118 $15,843,155,731
2022 $400,114,306,337 $15,468,785,204
2021 $406,110,162,088 $18,827,148,531
2020 $355,631,021,932 $18,981,805,250
2019 $345,401,473,013 $18,740,561,513
2018 $355,293,374,912 $18,141,641,090
2017 $331,610,593,962 $17,071,155,481
2016 $312,181,849,372 $15,912,501,723
2015 $301,758,922,338 $14,426,380,126
2014 $352,832,602,064 $13,279,245,886
2013 $344,631,016,965 $11,983,252,627
2012 $326,792,574,245 $10,192,846,339
2011 $344,315,595,263 $8,750,104,617
2010 $322,345,594,075 $7,131,771,015
2009 $322,619,152,195 $5,836,137,330
2008 $354,979,471,960 $5,446,433,157
2007 $320,213,157,595 $4,223,152,739
2006 $283,386,151,544 $3,455,030,061
2005 $265,150,087,712 $2,735,558,735
2004 $251,986,155,631 $2,366,398,120
2003 $218,421,193,436 $2,023,324,407
2002 $178,788,209,558 $1,758,176,653
2001 $164,881,594,415 $1,768,619,058
2000 $164,043,817,224 $1,731,198,022
1999 $177,887,720,536 $1,454,430,642
1998 $176,877,077,513 $1,280,177,839
1997 $173,241,365,735 $1,747,011,857
1996 $187,481,157,846 $1,873,671,550
1995 $184,848,481,008 $1,763,536,305
1994 $156,017,919,221 $1,543,606,345
1993 $143,111,306,004 $1,327,748,690
1992 $152,966,494,260 $1,127,806,945
1991 $139,180,507,778 $1,028,087,972
1990 $138,217,740,684 $865,559,879
1989 $112,312,200,761 $714,046,821
1988 $115,540,189,705 $598,961,269
1987 $109,183,446,340 $1,087,273,104
1986 $87,748,695,217 $1,776,842,097
1985 $62,452,421,011 $2,366,666,616
1984 $58,868,891,335 $1,757,142,856
1983 $60,331,158,447 -
1982 $60,084,214,872 -
1981 $61,459,941,461 -
1980 $70,811,287,816 -
1979 $70,393,030,603 -
1978 $60,320,089,218 -
1977 $49,711,709,588 -
1976 $44,503,607,444 -
1975 $40,418,967,666 -
1974 $34,125,712,481 -
1973 $30,718,181,337 -
1972 $23,230,667,549 -
1971 $19,086,192,720 -
1970 $17,075,457,733 -
1969 $15,414,902,667 -
1968 $13,505,574,133 -
1967 $13,059,064,806 -
1966 $11,931,740,293 -
1965 $10,870,670,865 -
1964 $9,677,401,337 -
1963 $8,466,044,980 -
1962 $7,953,274,741 -
1961 $7,058,361,229 -
1960 $6,361,166,545 -

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

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

GDP per capita in Denmark vs Laos by year

Denmark
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
Laos
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
Denmark Laos
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2024 $71,026 $81,878 $2,124 $9,776
2023 $68,044 $77,892 $2,067 $9,292
2022 $67,781 $78,914 $2,046 $8,766
2021 $69,341 $69,715 $2,526 $8,080
2020 $60,985 $62,682 $2,584 $7,913
2019 $59,404 $60,595 $2,589 $7,743
2018 $61,325 $57,234 $2,545 $7,487
2017 $57,522 $55,272 $2,432 $7,142
2016 $54,501 $51,821 $2,303 $6,743
2015 $53,094 $48,897 $2,121 $6,086
2014 $62,520 $47,880 $1,981 $5,799
2013 $61,378 $46,869 $1,813 $5,222
2012 $58,444 $44,755 $1,564 $4,781
2011 $61,810 $44,444 $1,362 $4,100
2010 $58,105 $43,038 $1,126 $3,772
2009 $58,413 $40,524 $935 $3,485
2008 $64,617 $41,467 $886 $3,271
2007 $58,632 $39,110 $697 $3,021
2006 $52,119 $37,392 $579 $2,777
2005 $48,926 $34,238 $466 $2,519
2004 $46,625 $33,016 $409 $2,315
2003 $40,519 $30,864 $355 $2,151
2002 $33,257 $30,667 $313 $2,020
2001 $30,768 $29,459 $320 $1,908
2000 $30,722 $28,648 $319 $1,794
1999 $33,426 $26,642 $272.3 $1,686
1998 $33,346 $25,799 $243.9 $1,577
1997 $32,780 $24,887 $339 $1,528
1996 $35,622 $23,723 $371 $1,435
1995 $35,321 $22,677 $358 $1,349
1994 $29,968 $21,669 $321 $1,265
1993 $27,582 $20,217 $283.4 $1,176
1992 $29,579 $19,830 $247.3 $1,114
1991 $27,003 $19,067 $231.8 $1,061
1990 $26,886 $18,225 $200.7 $1,012
1989 $21,882 - $170.4 -
1988 $22,525 - $147.1 -
1987 $21,296 - $274.7 -
1986 $17,137 - $462 -
1985 $12,213 - $633 -
1984 $11,517 - $483 -
1983 $11,797 - - -
1982 $11,740 - - -
1981 $12,000 - - -
1980 $13,822 - - -
1979 $13,757 - - -
1978 $11,818 - - -
1977 $9,770 - - -
1976 $8,773 - - -
1975 $7,988 - - -
1974 $6,764 - - -
1973 $6,117 - - -
1972 $4,654 - - -
1971 $3,846 - - -
1970 $3,464 - - -
1969 $3,151 - - -
1968 $2,776 - - -
1967 $2,701 - - -
1966 $2,487 - - -
1965 $2,284 - - -
1964 $2,049 - - -
1963 $1,807 - - -
1962 $1,711 - - -
1961 $1,531 - - -
1960 $1,389 - - -

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

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

Denmark's GDP per capita is $71,026, ranking 12/197, compared to $2,124 in Laos, ranking 155/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), Denmark ranks 14th at $81,878, while Laos ranks 134th at $9,776.

Economic indicators

Denmark Laos
Gross domestic product
$425B
2024
$16.5B
2024
GDP rank
37/197
2024
139/197
2024
GDP growth
3.48%
2023-2024
4.13%
2023-2024
GDP per capita
$71,026
2024
$2,124
2024
GDP per capita rank
12/197
2024
155/197
2024
GDP per capita, PPP
$81,878
2024
$9,776
2024
GDP per capita PPP rank
14/197
2024
134/197
2024
Government debt
$134B
2024
$16.6B
2024
Debt-to-GDP ratio
31.5%
2024
100.5%
2024
Government debt per person
$22,340
2024
$2,134
2024
Government debt per person rank
30/185
2024
119/185
2024
Average annual personal income after taxes
$53,468
2026
$2,096
2026
Market capitalization of domestic companies
$151B
2004
n/a
Number of millionaires
376,000
2025
n/a
Number of billionaires
9
2025
n/a
Income share by richest 10%
25.5%
2023
31.2%
2018
Income share by poorest 10%
3.6%
2023
3%
2018
Government expenditure, % of GDP
47.3%
2024
15.7%
2024
Consumer prices inflation
1.37%
2023-2024
23.1%
2023-2024
Central bank interest rate
1.6%
2025
n/a
Unemployment rate
6.15%
2024
1.21%
2022
Population
6032403
8004838

Spending and national debt comparison by year

Denmark
Spending

Debt
Laos
Spending

Debt
1x
Year % of GDP
Denmark Laos
Government spending Government debt Government spending Government debt
2024 47.3% 31.5% 15.7% 100.5%
2023 47.4% 33.8% 16.4% 116.5%
2022 45.1% 34.2% 14.7% 130.7%
2021 49.7% 40.7% 15.7% 92.9%
2020 53.3% 46.3% 18.4% 76%
2019 49.8% 38.3% 18.6% 69.1%
2018 50.8% 38.5% 20.7% 60.6%
2017 50.6% 40.2% 21.8% 57.2%
2016 52.4% 41.7% 21.1% 54.5%
2015 54.4% 44.6% 25.8% 53.1%
2014 55.1% 48.7% 25% 53.5%
2013 55.6% 47.8% 24.2% 49.5%
2012 57.9% 48.7% 24.7% 46.1%
2011 56.3% 50% 20.2% 43%
2010 56.5% 46.1% 22.4% 49.3%
2009 56.3% 43% 20.1% 51.8%
2008 50.3% 35.5% 16.1% 51.7%
2007 49.5% 29.5% 15.1% 55.9%
2006 49.7% 33.2% 14.7% 60%
2005 51.1% 39.4% 15.3% 73.2%
2004 52.8% 46.2% 13.6% 80.7%
2003 53.5% 48.2% 16% 90.1%
2002 53.1% 50.3% 16.6% 95.3%
2001 53% 50.1% 18.8% 94.7%
2000 52.9% 53.6% 19.9% -
1999 54.7% 56.8% - -
1998 55.6% 60.3% - -
1997 56.2% 64.4% - -
1996 58.2% 68.3% - -
1995 58.7% 71.5% - -
1994 59.5% 75.3% - -
1993 59.5% 78.7% - -
1992 56.4% 66.7% - -
1991 55.5% 63.2% - -
1990 55.1% 62.4% - -
1989 56.2% 62.2% - -
1988 56.1% 64.7% - -
1987 54% 62.5% - -
1986 52.3% 66.8% - -
1985 55.5% 74.7% - -
1984 56.6% 77.7% - -
1983 57.9% 74.2% - -
1982 57.7% 64.5% - -
1981 56.3% 51.7% - -
1980 52.7% 39.2% - -
1979 49.6% 31.8% - -
1978 47.2% 25.5% - -
1977 45.6% 15.2% - -
1976 45% 11.4% - -
1975 45.3% 7.01% - -
1974 43.6% 6.2% - -
1973 39.5% 8.94% - -
1972 42.1% 11.5% - -
1971 42.2% 12.9% - -
1970 24.4% 7.62% - -
1969 25.3% 8.36% - -
1968 24.3% 9.36% - -
1967 22.2% 10.1% - -
1966 21.1% 11.2% - -
1965 17.1% 12.9% - -
1964 17.6% 14.5% - -
1963 18.2% 13.7% - -
1962 17% 15.3% - -
1961 15.6% 16.4% - -
1960 16.4% 20.1% - -

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1960–1991, retrieved 2026-02-20).

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

In 2024, Denmark's government spending was $201B, accounting for 47.3% of its GDP, while Laos spent $2.58B, or 15.7% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 31.5% in Denmark and 100.5% in Laos, ranking 155/185 and 24/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
Denmark

Laos
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
Denmark Laos
2024 4.46% 2.34%
2023 3.43% -0.01%
2022 3.39% 0.06%
2021 4.12% -0.67%
2020 0.36% -5.37%
2019 4.28% -3.2%
2018 0.81% -4.46%
2017 1.69% -5.51%
2016 0.3% -5.06%
2015 -0.9% -5.57%
2014 1.43% -3.13%
2013 -0.94% -4.03%
2012 -3.2% -2.34%
2011 -1.77% -1.43%
2010 -2.52% -1.47%
2009 -2.75% -3.1%
2008 3.46% -1.86%
2007 5.31% -1.12%
2006 5.29% -1.48%
2005 5.2% -2.54%
2004 2.23% -1.81%
2003 0.14% -3.89%
2002 0.25% -2.85%
2001 1.13% -3.68%
2000 1.79% -3.58%
1999 1.06% -
1998 -0.28% -
1997 -1.22% -
1996 -2.4% -
1995 -3.5% -
1994 -3.85% -
1993 -3.73% -
1992 -2.6% -
1991 -3.15% -
1990 -1.78% -
1989 0.3% -
1988 1.46% -
1987 2.46% -
1986 3.23% -
1985 -1.38% -
1984 -3.58% -
1983 -6.29% -
1982 -8.22% -
1981 -5.84% -
1980 -2.32% -
1979 -0.69% -
1978 0.41% -
1977 0.37% -
1976 0.19% -
1975 -1.23% -
1974 3.7% -
1973 4.97% -
1972 5.01% -
1971 4.96% -
1970 0.7% -
1969 0.3% -
1968 -0.06% -
1967 1.49% -
1966 0.99% -
1965 2.13% -
1964 1.79% -
1963 1.2% -
1962 -0.09% -
1961 1.73% -
1960 1.25% -
1959 0.79% -
1958 0.25% -
1957 0.26% -
1956 -0.01% -
1955 -1.17% -
1954 -0.84% -
1953 1.75% -
1952 1.18% -
1951 0.79% -
1950 1.08% -
1949 0.63% -
1948 1.07% -
1947 0.84% -
1946 2.69% -
1945 -1.03% -
1944 0% -
1943 0% -
1942 0% -
1941 0% -
1940 0% -
1939 0% -
1938 0.03% -
1937 0.22% -
1936 -1.36% -
1935 -0.97% -
1934 0.03% -
1933 1.69% -
1932 -3.22% -
1931 -1.67% -
1930 0.03% -
1929 0.13% -
1928 -4.99% -
1927 -2.33% -
1926 -0.48% -
1925 -3.1% -
1924 -0.8% -
1923 -0.56% -
1922 -1.33% -
1921 -2.41% -
1920 -0.46% -
1919 -0.38% -
1918 1.95% -
1917 3.1% -
1916 1.51% -
1915 -0.48% -
1914 0.43% -
1913 0.07% -
1912 0.13% -
1911 -1.02% -
1910 -1.72% -
1909 -2.49% -
1908 -0.82% -
1907 0.26% -
1906 -0.42% -
1905 0.22% -
1904 -0.1% -
1903 0.03% -
1902 -0.06% -
1901 -0.71% -
1900 -0.84% -
1899 -0.59% -
1898 -0.43% -
1897 -0.61% -
1896 -0.07% -
1895 -0.17% -
1894 -0.26% -
1893 -0.42% -
1892 -0.73% -
1891 -0.76% -
1890 -0.97% -
1889 -0.55% -
1888 -0.49% -
1887 -0.68% -
1886 -0.39% -
1885 0.48% -
1884 1.2% -
1883 0.73% -
1882 0.35% -
1881 0.42% -
1880 -2.65% -

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1880–1989, retrieved 2026-02-20); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20).

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

In 2024, Denmark's government surplus, the difference between spending and revenue, was $18.9B, equivalent to 4.46% of GDP. This compares to Laos' surplus of $386M, or 2.34% of GDP.

Over the past 25 years, Denmark recorded a fiscal deficit in 6 of those years, while Laos ran a deficit in 23 years. On average, Denmark posted an annual surplus equal to 1.48% of GDP, compared to deficit of 2.63% of GDP for Laos.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
Denmark

Laos
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
Denmark Laos
2024 1.37% 23.1%
2023 3.31% 31.2%
2022 7.7% 23%
2021 1.85% 3.8%
2020 0.42% 5.1%
2019 0.76% 3.3%
2018 0.81% 2%
2017 1.15% 0.8%
2016 0.25% 1.6%
2015 0.45% 1.3%
2014 0.56% 4.1%
2013 0.79% 6.4%
2012 2.4% 4.3%
2011 2.76% 7.6%
2010 2.31% 6%
2009 1.3% 0.1%
2008 3.42% 7.6%
2007 1.69% 4.7%
2006 1.92% 6.5%
2005 1.82% 7.2%
2004 1.15% 10.5%
2003 2.08% 15.5%
2002 2.42% 10.6%
2001 2.34% 7.8%
2000 2.9% 8.4%
1999 2.5% 128.4%
1998 1.85% 90.1%
1997 2.18% 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/denmark/laos | CC BY

Over the past 28 years, Denmark has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 1.95%, compared with 15.7% in Laos. In 2024, inflation was 1.37% in Denmark and 23.1% in Laos.

Top exports between countries

Denmark
Export category Export value
Machinery & equipment $1.74M
Animal & marine products $412K
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $78K
Textiles & consumer goods $71K
Chemicals & pharma $69K
Metals $64K
Miscellaneous $36K
Raw materials & minerals $30K
Wood & paper products $16K
Precious metals & jewellery $3K
Laos
Export category Export value
Textiles & consumer goods $37.6M
Raw agricultural goods $670K
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $563K
Wood & paper products $27K
Raw materials & minerals $9K
Metals $6K

Balance of trade

Denmark Laos
Current account balance
$52.1B
2024
$531M
2024
Current account balance ranking
14/190
2024
61/190
2024
Current account balance, % of GDP
+12.3%
2024
+3.22%
2024
Goods imports
$132B
2024
$8.66B
2024
Goods exports
$172B
2024
$9.39B
2024
Service imports
$125B
2024
$1.27B
2024
Service exports
$129B
2024
$1.73B
2024
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
60.8%
2024
41.9%
2016
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
71%
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.

Denmark Laos
Economic freedom 79 50.9
Economic freedom ranking 8/197 157/197
Property rights 99.9 41.1
Government integrity 98 25.9
Judicial effectiveness 89.3 10.2
Tax burden 43.4 88.5
Government spending 34.8 92.7
Fiscal health 98 80
Business freedom 90.4 54.2
Labor freedom 65 40.7
Monetary freedom 80.1 53.3
Trade freedom 79.4 69
Investment freedom 90 35
Financial freedom 80 20

Economic freedom comparison by year

Denmark
Laos
1x
Year Economic freedom index
Denmark Laos
2026 79 50.9
2025 79.1 51.1
2024 77.8 50.6
2023 77.6 50.3
2022 78 49.2
2021 77.8 53.9
2020 78.3 55.5
2019 76.7 57.4
2018 76.6 53.6
2017 75.1 54
2016 75.3 49.8
2015 76.3 51.4
2014 76.1 51.2
2013 76.1 50.1
2012 76.2 50
2011 78.6 51.3
2010 77.9 51.1
2009 79.6 50.4
2008 79.2 50.3
2007 77 50.3
2006 75.4 47.5
2005 75.3 44.4
2004 72.4 42
2003 73.2 41
2002 71.1 36.8
2001 68.3 33.5
2000 68.3 36.8
1999 68.1 35.2
1998 67.5 35.2
1997 67.5 35.1
1996 67.3 38.5

Data sources: The Heritage Foundation | Economic Freedom Index (1996–2026, retrieved 2026-03-09).

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

The Economic Freedom Index for Denmark is 79, ranking 8/197, 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

Denmark Laos
Services, % of GDP
63.5%
2024
43.5%
2024
Industry, % of GDP
24.1%
2024
29%
2024
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
0.93%
2024
16.8%
2024
GNI, Atlas method
$434B
2024
$15.5B
2024
GNI per capita, PPP
$84,680
2024
$9,160
2024
Total reserves including gold
$108B
2024
$1.77B
2023
Total reserves ranking
25/177
2024
129/177
2023
Net foreign direct investment
$11.9B
2024
-$988M
2024
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
$18.5B
2024
$988M
2024
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
$30.7B
2024
$0
2024
Servicing debt to the IMF, % of GNI n/a
13.8%
2024
Poverty at national poverty lines
12.4%
2021
22%
2020
Gross capital formation, % of GDP
23.2%
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/denmark/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) | Public Finances in Modern History (1880–1991, retrieved 2026-02-20)
  3. International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20)
  4. The Heritage Foundation | Economic Freedom Index (1996–2026, 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.