Skip to content

Economy of Dominican Republic vs Laos compared: GDP & Debt

Updated on by Georank team

The Dominican Republic has a GDP of $124B compared to $16.5B for Laos, ranking 63/197 and 139/197 by economy size, respectively.

The Dominican Republic has $73.1B in government debt (58.8% of GDP), compared to $16.6B (100.5% of GDP) in Laos.

Dominican Republic vs Laos GDP by year

Dominican Republic
Laos
1x
Year GDP, current $
Dominican Republic Laos
2024 $124,282,245,639 $16,502,933,121
2023 $120,456,239,154 $15,843,155,731
2022 $113,478,087,135 $15,468,785,204
2021 $94,850,719,517 $18,827,148,531
2020 $78,546,672,407 $18,981,805,250
2019 $89,146,130,745 $18,740,561,513
2018 $84,994,732,049 $18,141,641,090
2017 $79,070,274,743 $17,071,155,481
2016 $75,552,902,636 $15,912,501,723
2015 $70,966,782,572 $14,426,380,126
2014 $67,014,329,100 $13,279,245,886
2013 $62,555,417,415 $11,983,252,627
2012 $60,561,635,556 $10,192,846,339
2011 $57,948,261,616 $8,750,104,617
2010 $53,801,053,353 $7,131,771,015
2009 $48,223,781,477 $5,836,137,330
2008 $48,091,433,554 $5,446,433,157
2007 $43,965,458,509 $4,223,152,739
2006 $37,879,830,084 $3,455,030,061
2005 $35,777,560,684 $2,735,558,735
2004 $22,322,387,382 $2,366,398,120
2003 $21,403,167,848 $2,023,324,407
2002 $27,137,440,786 $1,758,176,653
2001 $25,601,823,688 $1,768,619,058
2000 $24,305,780,629 $1,731,198,022
1999 $22,136,579,397 $1,454,430,642
1998 $21,672,215,547 $1,280,177,839
1997 $20,017,450,041 $1,747,011,857
1996 $18,241,622,548 $1,873,671,550
1995 $16,637,370,839 $1,763,536,305
1994 $14,644,734,599 $1,543,606,345
1993 $13,081,042,400 $1,327,748,690
1992 $11,605,382,504 $1,127,806,945
1991 $9,824,483,340 $1,028,087,972
1990 $7,073,675,545 $865,559,879
1989 $6,686,593,060 $714,046,821
1988 $5,374,299,981 $598,961,269
1987 $5,827,050,753 $1,087,273,104
1986 $6,122,128,558 $1,776,842,097
1985 $5,044,579,979 $2,366,666,616
1984 $11,594,000,000 $1,757,142,856
1983 $9,220,600,000 -
1982 $8,267,400,000 -
1981 $7,561,300,000 -
1980 $6,761,300,000 -
1979 $5,498,800,000 -
1978 $4,734,400,000 -
1977 $4,587,100,000 -
1976 $3,951,500,000 -
1975 $3,599,200,000 -
1974 $2,925,700,000 -
1973 $2,344,800,000 -
1972 $1,987,400,000 -
1971 $1,666,500,000 -
1970 $1,485,500,000 -
1969 $1,230,500,000 -
1968 $1,079,100,000 -
1967 $1,034,800,000 -
1966 $983,900,000 -
1965 $888,100,000 -
1964 $1,025,599,900 -
1963 $940,799,900 -
1962 $824,100,000 -
1961 $654,100,200 -
1960 $672,399,700 -

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

GeoRank.org/economy/dominican-republic/laos | CC BY

GDP per capita in Dominican Republic vs Laos by year

Dominican Republic
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
Laos
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
Dominican Republic Laos
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2024 $10,876 $27,542 $2,124 $9,776
2023 $10,630 $25,840 $2,067 $9,292
2022 $10,104 $24,626 $2,046 $8,766
2021 $8,527 $22,053 $2,526 $8,080
2020 $7,135 $18,998 $2,584 $7,913
2019 $8,183 $19,767 $2,589 $7,743
2018 $7,883 $17,995 $2,545 $7,487
2017 $7,413 $16,846 $2,432 $7,142
2016 $7,160 $16,282 $2,303 $6,743
2015 $6,801 $14,804 $2,121 $6,086
2014 $6,496 $13,465 $1,981 $5,799
2013 $6,137 $12,414 $1,813 $5,222
2012 $6,014 $11,777 $1,564 $4,781
2011 $5,827 $11,695 $1,362 $4,100
2010 $5,479 $11,246 $1,126 $3,772
2009 $4,974 $10,382 $935 $3,485
2008 $5,024 $10,346 $886 $3,271
2007 $4,650 $9,951 $697 $3,021
2006 $4,055 $9,130 $579 $2,777
2005 $3,878 $8,215 $466 $2,519
2004 $2,452 $7,375 $409 $2,315
2003 $2,383 $7,098 $355 $2,151
2002 $3,066 $7,158 $313 $2,020
2001 $2,936 $6,848 $320 $1,908
2000 $2,831 $6,639 $319 $1,794
1999 $2,621 $6,305 $272.3 $1,686
1998 $2,608 $5,963 $243.9 $1,577
1997 $2,449 $5,618 $339 $1,528
1996 $2,271 $5,161 $371 $1,435
1995 $2,109 $4,871 $358 $1,349
1994 $1,892 $4,599 $321 $1,265
1993 $1,722 $4,474 $283.4 $1,176
1992 $1,558 $4,151 $247.3 $1,114
1991 $1,346 $3,722 $231.8 $1,061
1990 $989 $3,641 $200.7 $1,012
1989 $955 - $170.4 -
1988 $784 - $147.1 -
1987 $868 - $274.7 -
1986 $932 - $462 -
1985 $784 - $633 -
1984 $1,844 - $483 -
1983 $1,500 - - -
1982 $1,376 - - -
1981 $1,288 - - -
1980 $1,180 - - -
1979 $984 - - -
1978 $868 - - -
1977 $863 - - -
1976 $763 - - -
1975 $713 - - -
1974 $595 - - -
1973 $490 - - -
1972 $427 - - -
1971 $368 - - -
1970 $338 - - -
1969 $287.7 - - -
1968 $259.6 - - -
1967 $256.2 - - -
1966 $250.9 - - -
1965 $233.2 - - -
1964 $277.3 - - -
1963 $262.2 - - -
1962 $236.8 - - -
1961 $193.9 - - -
1960 $205.7 - - -

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

GeoRank.org/economy/dominican-republic/laos | CC BY

The Dominican Republic's GDP per capita is $10,876, ranking 83/197, compared to $2,124 in Laos, ranking 155/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), the Dominican Republic ranks 76th at $27,542, while Laos ranks 134th at $9,776.

Economic indicators

Dominican Republic Laos
Gross domestic product
$124B
2024
$16.5B
2024
GDP rank
63/197
2024
139/197
2024
GDP growth
4.95%
2023-2024
4.13%
2023-2024
GDP per capita
$10,876
2024
$2,124
2024
GDP per capita rank
83/197
2024
155/197
2024
GDP per capita, PPP
$27,542
2024
$9,776
2024
GDP per capita PPP rank
76/197
2024
134/197
2024
Government debt
$73.1B
2024
$16.6B
2024
Debt-to-GDP ratio
58.8%
2024
100.5%
2024
Government debt per person
$6,394
2024
$2,134
2024
Government debt per person rank
71/185
2024
119/185
2024
Average annual personal income after taxes
$6,547
2026
$2,096
2026
Income share by richest 10%
29.5%
2024
31.2%
2018
Income share by poorest 10%
2.3%
2024
3%
2018
Government expenditure, % of GDP
19.5%
2024
15.7%
2024
Consumer prices inflation
3.3%
2023-2024
23.1%
2023-2024
Central bank interest rate
5.5%
2025
n/a
Unemployment rate
5.31%
2024
1.21%
2022
Population
11637906
8004838

Spending and national debt comparison by year

Dominican Republic
Spending

Debt
Laos
Spending

Debt
1x
Year % of GDP
Dominican Republic Laos
Government spending Government debt Government spending Government debt
2024 19.5% 58.8% 15.7% 100.5%
2023 19.1% 60.5% 16.4% 116.5%
2022 18.5% 59.6% 14.7% 130.7%
2021 18.4% 62.8% 15.7% 92.9%
2020 22.2% 71.8% 18.4% 76%
2019 17.8% 53.5% 18.6% 69.1%
2018 16.5% 50.8% 20.7% 60.6%
2017 17.3% 49.5% 21.8% 57.2%
2016 17% 46.7% 21.1% 54.5%
2015 16.7% 44.8% 25.8% 53.1%
2014 17% 45% 25% 53.5%
2013 18.5% 46.8% 24.2% 49.5%
2012 19.8% 42.4% 24.7% 46.1%
2011 16% 39.1% 20.2% 43%
2010 16.1% 37.4% 22.4% 49.3%
2009 16.2% 36.8% 20.1% 51.8%
2008 18.5% 33.6% 16.1% 51.7%
2007 16.3% 32.9% 15.1% 55.9%
2006 17% 36% 14.7% 60%
2005 15.5% 38.3% 15.3% 73.2%
2004 17.3% 34.3% 13.6% 80.7%
2003 17.2% 48.2% 16% 90.1%
2002 16.5% 21.5% 16.6% 95.3%
2001 14.9% 20.4% 18.8% 94.7%
2000 14.1% 16.7% 19.9% -
1999 13.4% 16% - -
1998 12.6% 13.2% - -
1997 13.2% 13.8% - -
1996 11.4% 23% - -
1995 11% 25.7% - -
1994 12.1% 28.5% - -
1993 13% 36.1% - -
1992 10.4% 38.5% - -
1991 8.65% 47.3% - -
1990 9.1% 84.7% - -
1989 11.3% 62.5% - -
1988 12.8% 77% - -
1987 11.2% 86.9% - -
1986 10.4% 63.8% - -
1985 9.8% 66.3% - -
1984 9.32% 28.9% - -
1983 10.2% 32.9% - -
1982 10.2% 33.1% - -
1981 12.1% 29.8% - -
1980 12.8% 15.2% - -
1979 13.8% 24% - -
1978 12.3% 20.9% - -
1977 11.4% 16.4% - -
1976 12.5% 15.6% - -
1975 13.7% 13.1% - -
1974 14.6% 14.6% - -
1973 13.7% 14.6% - -
1972 14.1% 16.4% - -
1971 13.8% 17.8% - -
1970 13.3% 18% - -
1969 15.5% 17.4% - -
1968 15.5% 18.1% - -
1967 15% 16.2% - -
1966 15.2% 14.5% - -
1965 12.8% - - -
1964 16.7% - - -
1963 15.1% - - -
1962 15.7% - - -
1961 20% - - -
1960 20.1% - - -

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1997–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1960–1996, retrieved 2026-02-20).

GeoRank.org/economy/dominican-republic/laos | CC BY

In 2024, the Dominican Republic's government spending was $24.2B, accounting for 19.5% of its GDP, while Laos spent $2.58B, or 15.7% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 58.8% in the Dominican Republic and 100.5% in Laos, ranking 83/185 and 24/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
Dominican Republic

Laos
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
Dominican Republic Laos
2024 -3.09% 2.34%
2023 -3.28% -0.01%
2022 -3.25% 0.06%
2021 -2.92% -0.67%
2020 -7.94% -5.37%
2019 -3.46% -3.2%
2018 -2.17% -4.46%
2017 -3.12% -5.51%
2016 -3.11% -5.06%
2015 -0.03% -5.57%
2014 -2.76% -3.13%
2013 -4.41% -4.03%
2012 -6.26% -2.34%
2011 -3.07% -1.43%
2010 -2.97% -1.47%
2009 -2.9% -3.1%
2008 -3.43% -1.86%
2007 0.28% -1.12%
2006 -1.69% -1.48%
2005 -0.71% -2.54%
2004 -3.6% -1.81%
2003 -4.24% -3.89%
2002 -2.28% -2.85%
2001 -0.73% -3.68%
2000 -0.86% -3.58%
1999 -0.79% -
1998 -0.29% -
1997 -0.64% -
1996 0.14% -
1995 0.82% -
1994 -0.39% -
1993 -0.16% -
1992 2.35% -
1991 0.11% -
1990 0.39% -
1989 -0.09% -
1988 -1.68% -
1987 -0.75% -
1986 -0.57% -
1985 -1.27% -
1984 -0.95% -
1983 -1.74% -
1982 -2.4% -
1981 -1.92% -
1980 -1.82% -
1979 -3.26% -
1978 -0.82% -
1977 0.15% -
1976 -0.22% -
1975 1.37% -
1974 -0.93% -
1973 -0.53% -
1972 -1.73% -
1971 -0.85% -
1970 -0.68% -
1969 -0.99% -
1968 -0.99% -
1967 -1.68% -
1966 -2.14% -
1965 -1.84% -
1964 -1.36% -
1963 -0.39% -
1962 -1.17% -
1961 -3% -
1960 -0.61% -
1959 -0.29% -
1958 -1.29% -
1957 0.21% -
1956 -0.05% -
1955 1.47% -
1954 1.43% -
1953 2.79% -
1952 0% -
1951 -2.58% -
1950 -3.66% -

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1997–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1950–1996, retrieved 2026-02-20).

GeoRank.org/economy/dominican-republic/laos | CC BY

In 2024, the Dominican Republic's government deficit, the difference between spending and revenue, was $3.84B, equivalent to 3.09% of GDP. This compares to Laos' surplus of $386M, or 2.34% of GDP.

Over the past 25 years, the Dominican Republic recorded a fiscal deficit in 24 of those years, while Laos ran a deficit in 23 years. On average, the Dominican Republic posted an annual deficit equal to 2.88% of GDP, compared to deficit of 2.63% of GDP for Laos.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
Dominican Republic

Laos
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
Dominican Republic Laos
2024 3.3% 23.1%
2023 4.79% 31.2%
2022 8.81% 23%
2021 8.24% 3.8%
2020 3.78% 5.1%
2019 1.81% 3.3%
2018 3.56% 2%
2017 3.28% 0.8%
2016 1.61% 1.6%
2015 0.84% 1.3%
2014 3% 4.1%
2013 4.83% 6.4%
2012 3.69% 4.3%
2011 5.8% 7.6%
2010 6.33% 6%
2009 1.44% 0.1%
2008 10.6% 7.6%
2007 6.14% 4.7%
2006 7.57% 6.5%
2005 4.19% 7.2%
2004 51.5% 10.5%
2003 27.4% 15.5%
2002 5.22% 10.6%
2001 8.88% 7.8%
2000 7.72% 8.4%
1999 6.47% 128.4%
1998 4.83% 90.1%
1997 8.3% 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/dominican-republic/laos | CC BY

Over the past 28 years, the Dominican Republic has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 7.64%, compared with 15.7% in Laos. In 2024, inflation was 3.3% in the Dominican Republic and 23.1% in Laos.

Top exports between countries

Dominican Republic
Export category Export value
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $103K
Chemicals & pharma $5K
Wood & paper products $4K
Laos
Export category Export value
Textiles & consumer goods $24K

Balance of trade

Dominican Republic Laos
Current account balance
-$4.17B
2024
$531M
2024
Current account balance ranking
163/190
2024
61/190
2024
Current account balance, % of GDP
-3.35%
2024
+3.22%
2024
Goods imports
$29.8B
2024
$8.66B
2024
Goods exports
$13.9B
2024
$9.39B
2024
Service imports
$6.34B
2024
$1.27B
2024
Service exports
$14.7B
2024
$1.73B
2024
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
29%
2024
41.9%
2016
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
22.8%
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.

Dominican Republic Laos
Economic freedom 63.8 50.9
Economic freedom ranking 77/197 157/197
Property rights 53.9 41.1
Government integrity 39.8 25.9
Judicial effectiveness 58 10.2
Tax burden 84.4 88.5
Government spending 89.1 92.7
Fiscal health 76.6 80
Business freedom 71.4 54.2
Labor freedom 53.2 40.7
Monetary freedom 72.1 53.3
Trade freedom 67.4 69
Investment freedom 60 35
Financial freedom 40 20

Economic freedom comparison by year

Dominican Republic
Laos
1x
Year Economic freedom index
Dominican Republic Laos
2026 63.8 50.9
2025 64.3 51.1
2024 62.9 50.6
2023 62.6 50.3
2022 63 49.2
2021 62.1 53.9
2020 60.9 55.5
2019 61 57.4
2018 61.6 53.6
2017 62.9 54
2016 61 49.8
2015 61 51.4
2014 61.3 51.2
2013 59.7 50.1
2012 60.2 50
2011 60 51.3
2010 60.3 51.1
2009 59.2 50.4
2008 57.7 50.3
2007 56.8 50.3
2006 56.3 47.5
2005 55.1 44.4
2004 54.6 42
2003 57.8 41
2002 58.6 36.8
2001 59.1 33.5
2000 59 36.8
1999 58.1 35.2
1998 58.1 35.2
1997 53.5 35.1
1996 58.1 38.5
1995 55.8 -

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

GeoRank.org/economy/dominican-republic/laos | CC BY

The Economic Freedom Index for the Dominican Republic is 63.8, ranking 77/197, 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

Dominican Republic Laos
Services, % of GDP
59.8%
2024
43.5%
2024
Industry, % of GDP
28.7%
2024
29%
2024
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
4.45%
2024
16.8%
2024
GNI, Atlas method
$117B
2024
$15.5B
2024
GNI per capita, PPP
$26,050
2024
$9,160
2024
Total reserves including gold
$13.5B
2024
$1.77B
2023
Total reserves ranking
71/177
2024
129/177
2023
Net foreign direct investment
-$4.52B
2024
-$988M
2024
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
$4.48B
2024
$988M
2024
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
-$47.3M
2024
$0
2024
Servicing debt to the IMF, % of GNI
5.62%
2024
13.8%
2024
Poverty at national poverty lines
19%
2024
22%
2020
Gross capital formation, % of GDP
27%
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/dominican-republic/laos | CC BY

Compare countries by 7 more topics

Help us show the world through your eyes

Share a photo of your city and help others discover what it looks like to live there. Your contribution makes our data come alive.

Data sources:

  1. World Bank | Economy & Growth (1960–2024, retrieved 2026-04-06)
  2. International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1997–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20)
  3. International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1950–1996, 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 (2023–2024, 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.