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Economy of Germany vs Laos compared: GDP & Debt

Updated on by Georank team

Germany has a GDP of $4.69T compared to $16.5B for Laos, ranking 3/197 and 139/197 by economy size, respectively.

Germany has $2.97T in government debt (63.5% of GDP), compared to $16.6B (100.5% of GDP) in Laos.

Germany vs Laos GDP by year

Germany
Laos
1x
Year GDP, current $
Germany Laos
2024 $4,685,592,577,805 $16,502,933,121
2023 $4,562,207,532,490 $15,843,155,731
2022 $4,201,021,706,479 $15,468,785,204
2021 $4,355,251,953,411 $18,827,148,531
2020 $3,941,398,957,074 $18,981,805,250
2019 $3,959,894,794,039 $18,740,561,513
2018 $4,055,433,215,302 $18,141,641,090
2017 $3,765,351,626,106 $17,071,155,481
2016 $3,536,787,895,179 $15,912,501,723
2015 $3,425,099,578,746 $14,426,380,126
2014 $3,964,870,735,761 $13,279,245,886
2013 $3,807,023,797,051 $11,983,252,627
2012 $3,596,483,233,406 $10,192,846,339
2011 $3,823,575,803,794 $8,750,104,617
2010 $3,467,093,769,667 $7,131,771,015
2009 $3,478,545,516,684 $5,836,137,330
2008 $3,808,197,720,125 $5,446,433,157
2007 $3,484,056,680,855 $4,223,152,739
2006 $3,046,308,753,671 $3,455,030,061
2005 $2,893,393,187,362 $2,735,558,735
2004 $2,852,317,768,062 $2,366,398,120
2003 $2,534,715,518,349 $2,023,324,407
2002 $2,102,350,798,306 $1,758,176,653
2001 $1,966,381,496,642 $1,768,619,058
2000 $1,966,980,701,145 $1,731,198,022
1999 $2,213,873,468,587 $1,454,430,642
1998 $2,247,760,364,566 $1,280,177,839
1997 $2,218,790,886,533 $1,747,011,857
1996 $2,506,576,553,158 $1,873,671,550
1995 $2,593,053,091,306 $1,763,536,305
1994 $2,215,282,632,277 $1,543,606,345
1993 $2,078,954,217,438 $1,327,748,690
1992 $2,141,377,582,968 $1,127,806,945
1991 $1,875,792,575,133 $1,028,087,972
1990 $1,778,162,195,860 $865,559,879
1989 $1,404,092,925,205 $714,046,821
1988 $1,406,367,016,372 $598,961,269
1987 $1,302,932,318,825 $1,087,273,104
1986 $1,050,092,624,516 $1,776,842,097
1985 $735,218,723,093 $2,366,666,616
1984 $727,767,760,979 $1,757,142,856
1983 $773,507,930,295 -
1982 $779,421,633,755 -
1981 $803,404,797,058 -
1980 $953,772,499,462 -
1979 $884,574,218,333 -
1978 $743,182,891,918 -
1977 $602,698,323,086 -
1976 $521,658,712,133 -
1975 $492,434,094,920 -
1974 $446,934,971,657 -
1973 $399,833,571,167 -
1972 $300,899,944,795 -
1971 $250,900,942,397 -
1970 $216,629,229,947 -
1969 $177,733,486,326 -
1968 $156,527,292,653 -
1967 $145,100,667,773 -
1966 $143,304,275,684 -
1965 $134,774,688,191 -
1964 $123,330,404,665 -
1963 $112,232,503,744 -
1962 $105,895,435,234 -
1961 $96,558,204,043 -
1960 $84,619,845,881 -

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

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

GDP per capita in Germany vs Laos by year

Germany
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
Laos
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
Germany Laos
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2024 $56,104 $73,552 $2,124 $9,776
2023 $54,777 $71,684 $2,067 $9,292
2022 $50,507 $69,049 $2,046 $8,766
2021 $52,349 $62,531 $2,526 $8,080
2020 $47,395 $58,686 $2,584 $7,913
2019 $47,656 $59,271 $2,589 $7,743
2018 $48,916 $56,273 $2,545 $7,487
2017 $45,554 $54,110 $2,432 $7,142
2016 $42,949 $51,570 $2,303 $6,743
2015 $41,930 $48,545 $2,121 $6,086
2014 $48,960 $47,939 $1,981 $5,799
2013 $47,207 $45,889 $1,813 $5,222
2012 $44,718 $44,229 $1,564 $4,781
2011 $47,631 $43,398 $1,362 $4,100
2010 $42,397 $39,726 $1,126 $3,772
2009 $42,472 $37,574 $935 $3,485
2008 $46,379 $38,444 $886 $3,271
2007 $42,351 $36,914 $697 $3,021
2006 $36,980 $34,741 $579 $2,777
2005 $35,084 $32,314 $466 $2,519
2004 $34,567 $31,753 $409 $2,315
2003 $30,711 $30,301 $355 $2,151
2002 $25,487 $29,514 $313 $2,020
2001 $23,878 $28,674 $320 $1,908
2000 $23,926 $27,474 $319 $1,794
1999 $26,965 $26,518 $272.3 $1,686
1998 $27,396 $25,446 $243.9 $1,577
1997 $27,047 $24,649 $339 $1,528
1996 $30,600 $24,169 $371 $1,435
1995 $31,747 $23,631 $358 $1,349
1994 $27,202 $22,869 $321 $1,265
1993 $25,617 $21,900 $283.4 $1,176
1992 $26,560 $21,746 $247.3 $1,114
1991 $23,443 $21,001 $231.8 $1,061
1990 $22,386 $19,468 $200.7 $1,012
1989 $17,829 - $170.4 -
1988 $17,997 - $147.1 -
1987 $16,739 - $274.7 -
1986 $13,511 - $462 -
1985 $9,464 - $633 -
1984 $9,347 - $483 -
1983 $9,900 - - -
1982 $9,950 - - -
1981 $10,246 - - -
1980 $12,183 - - -
1979 $11,322 - - -
1978 $9,517 - - -
1977 $7,711 - - -
1976 $6,659 - - -
1975 $6,259 - - -
1974 $5,660 - - -
1973 $5,065 - - -
1972 $3,824 - - -
1971 $3,204 - - -
1970 $2,771 - - -
1969 $2,281 - - -
1968 $2,025 - - -
1967 $1,886 - - -
1966 $1,871 - - -
1965 $1,774 - - -
1964 $1,637 - - -
1963 $1,502 - - -
1962 $1,431 - - -
1961 $1,316 - - -
1960 $1,162 - - -

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

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

Germany's GDP per capita is $56,104, ranking 19/197, compared to $2,124 in Laos, ranking 155/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), Germany ranks 20th at $73,552, while Laos ranks 134th at $9,776.

Economic indicators

Germany Laos
Gross domestic product
$4.69T
2024
$16.5B
2024
GDP rank
3/197
2024
139/197
2024
GDP growth
-0.5%
2023-2024
4.13%
2023-2024
GDP per capita
$56,104
2024
$2,124
2024
GDP per capita rank
19/197
2024
155/197
2024
GDP per capita, PPP
$73,552
2024
$9,776
2024
GDP per capita PPP rank
20/197
2024
134/197
2024
Government debt
$2.97T
2024
$16.6B
2024
Debt-to-GDP ratio
63.5%
2024
100.5%
2024
Government debt per person
$35,606
2024
$2,134
2024
Government debt per person rank
21/185
2024
119/185
2024
Average annual personal income after taxes
$41,775
2026
$2,096
2026
Market capitalization of domestic companies
$2.04T
2024
n/a
Number of millionaires
2,675,000
2025
n/a
Number of billionaires
171
2025
n/a
Income share by richest 10%
25%
2020
31.2%
2018
Income share by poorest 10%
2.9%
2020
3%
2018
Government expenditure, % of GDP
49.4%
2024
15.7%
2024
Consumer prices inflation
2.26%
2023-2024
23.1%
2023-2024
Unemployment rate
3.37%
2024
1.21%
2022
Population
82575542
8004838

Spending and national debt comparison by year

Germany
Spending

Debt
Laos
Spending

Debt
1x
Year % of GDP
Germany Laos
Government spending Government debt Government spending Government debt
2024 49.4% 63.5% 15.7% 100.5%
2023 48.1% 62.4% 16.4% 116.5%
2022 48.6% 64.4% 14.7% 130.7%
2021 50.7% 68% 15.7% 92.9%
2020 51.1% 68% 18.4% 76%
2019 45.5% 58.7% 18.6% 69.1%
2018 44.7% 60.8% 20.7% 60.6%
2017 44.5% 64% 21.8% 57.2%
2016 44.7% 68.3% 21.1% 54.5%
2015 44.5% 71.2% 25.8% 53.1%
2014 44.5% 74.5% 25% 53.5%
2013 45.2% 77.5% 24.2% 49.5%
2012 45.1% 79.8% 24.7% 46.1%
2011 45.3% 78.5% 20.2% 43%
2010 48.1% 81% 22.4% 49.3%
2009 48.3% 72.4% 20.1% 51.8%
2008 44.4% 65.2% 16.1% 51.7%
2007 43.5% 63.7% 15.1% 55.9%
2006 45.3% 66.4% 14.7% 60%
2005 46.9% 67.1% 15.3% 73.2%
2004 47% 65% 13.6% 80.7%
2003 48.5% 63.3% 16% 90.1%
2002 48.2% 59.8% 16.6% 95.3%
2001 47.7% 58.1% 18.8% 94.7%
2000 48.1% 59.2% 19.9% -
1999 48.5% 60.3% - -
1998 48.3% 59.4% - -
1997 48.8% 58.8% - -
1996 49.6% 57.7% - -
1995 55.2% 54.9% - -
1994 48.3% 47.5% - -
1993 48.3% 45.1% - -
1992 47.4% 41.4% - -
1991 46.5% 39% - -
1990 44.7% 40.7% - -
1989 44.3% 39.2% - -
1988 45.6% 40.5% - -
1987 46% 40.1% - -
1986 45.7% 39.1% - -
1985 46.6% 39.2% - -
1984 47.2% 38.7% - -
1983 47.9% 38% - -
1982 49.1% 36.4% - -
1981 49% 33.6% - -
1980 48.2% 30.1% - -
1979 47.4% 28.2% - -
1978 47.7% 27.4% - -
1977 49% 26% - -
1976 49.4% 25.1% - -
1975 50.3% 23.7% - -
1974 46% 18.5% - -
1973 42.4% 17.3% - -
1972 41.8% 18% - -
1971 40.9% 17.7% - -
1970 39.5% 17.7% - -
1969 29.7% 20.3% - -
1968 28.5% 22.5% - -
1967 28.8% 22.5% - -
1966 28.3% 19.8% - -
1965 28.4% 18.7% - -
1964 29% 18.2% - -
1963 29.1% 18.1% - -
1962 29.2% 17.6% - -
1961 28.8% 18.7% - -
1960 22.9% 18.4% - -

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

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

In 2024, Germany's government spending was $2.32T, accounting for 49.4% of its GDP, while Laos spent $2.58B, or 15.7% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 63.5% in Germany and 100.5% in Laos, ranking 72/185 and 24/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
Germany

Laos
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
Germany Laos
2024 -2.66% 2.34%
2023 -2.49% -0.01%
2022 -1.91% 0.06%
2021 -3.17% -0.67%
2020 -4.38% -5.37%
2019 1.33% -3.2%
2018 1.88% -4.46%
2017 1.34% -5.51%
2016 1.13% -5.06%
2015 0.91% -5.57%
2014 0.73% -3.13%
2013 0.12% -4.03%
2012 -0.05% -2.34%
2011 -0.84% -1.43%
2010 -4.42% -1.47%
2009 -3.18% -3.1%
2008 -0.26% -1.86%
2007 0.15% -1.12%
2006 -1.76% -1.48%
2005 -3.37% -2.54%
2004 -3.42% -1.81%
2003 -3.83% -3.89%
2002 -4.09% -2.85%
2001 -3.12% -3.68%
2000 -1.71% -3.58%
1999 -1.87% -
1998 -2.65% -
1997 -3.03% -
1996 -3.64% -
1995 -9.44% -
1994 -2.54% -
1993 -3.11% -
1992 -2.63% -
1991 -3.21% -
1990 -1.94% -
1989 0.08% -
1988 -2.02% -
1987 -1.85% -
1986 -1.18% -
1985 -1.18% -
1984 -2.04% -
1983 -2.95% -
1982 -3.56% -
1981 -4.03% -
1980 -3.02% -
1979 -2.71% -
1978 -2.62% -
1977 -2.56% -
1976 -3.5% -
1975 -5.78% -
1974 -1.69% -
1973 1.14% -
1972 -0.37% -
1971 0.16% -
1970 0.53% -
1969 -0.43% -
1968 1.39% -
1967 2.73% -
1966 1.76% -
1965 2.26% -
1964 1.49% -
1963 1.43% -
1962 0.49% -
1961 -0.12% -
1960 -0.34% -
1959 0.77% -
1958 1.77% -
1957 1.99% -
1956 0.59% -
1955 -1.41% -
1954 -0.37% -
1953 -0.13% -
1952 0% -
1951 1.15% -
1950 1.81% -
1949 - -
1948 - -
1947 - -
1946 - -
1945 - -
1944 - -
1943 - -
1942 - -
1941 - -
1940 - -
1939 - -
1938 - -
1937 - -
1936 - -
1935 - -
1934 -0.64% -
1933 -0.43% -
1932 -1.11% -
1931 -1.03% -
1930 -1.52% -
1929 -0.9% -
1928 -1.47% -
1927 -0.44% -
1926 -1.3% -
1925 0.34% -
1924 - -
1923 - -
1922 - -
1921 - -
1920 - -
1919 - -
1918 - -
1917 - -
1916 - -
1915 - -
1914 - -
1913 0.007% -
1912 -0.26% -
1911 0.06% -
1910 -0.21% -
1909 0.11% -
1908 -0.11% -
1907 -0.14% -
1906 0.76% -
1905 1.21% -
1904 0.41% -
1903 0.88% -
1902 0.08% -
1901 0.91% -
1900 0.27% -
1899 0.6% -
1898 0.47% -
1897 0.39% -
1896 0.63% -
1895 0.47% -
1894 0.44% -
1893 0.42% -
1892 -0.24% -
1891 1.18% -
1890 0.12% -
1889 1.16% -
1888 0.62% -
1887 0.88% -
1886 0.23% -
1885 0.21% -
1884 0.23% -
1883 0.55% -
1882 0.41% -
1881 0.12% -
1880 -0.13% -

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1880–1990, retrieved 2026-02-20); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1991–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20).

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

In 2024, Germany's government deficit, the difference between spending and revenue, was $125B, equivalent to 2.66% of GDP. This compares to Laos' surplus of $386M, or 2.34% of GDP.

Over the past 25 years, Germany recorded a fiscal deficit in 17 of those years, while Laos ran a deficit in 23 years. On average, Germany posted an annual deficit equal to 1.48% of GDP, compared to deficit of 2.63% of GDP for Laos.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
Germany

Laos
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
Germany Laos
2024 2.26% 23.1%
2023 5.95% 31.2%
2022 6.87% 23%
2021 3.07% 3.8%
2020 0.14% 5.1%
2019 1.45% 3.3%
2018 1.73% 2%
2017 1.51% 0.8%
2016 0.49% 1.6%
2015 0.51% 1.3%
2014 0.91% 4.1%
2013 1.5% 6.4%
2012 2.01% 4.3%
2011 2.08% 7.6%
2010 1.1% 6%
2009 0.31% 0.1%
2008 2.63% 7.6%
2007 2.3% 4.7%
2006 1.58% 6.5%
2005 1.55% 7.2%
2004 1.67% 10.5%
2003 1.03% 15.5%
2002 1.42% 10.6%
2001 1.98% 7.8%
2000 1.44% 8.4%
1999 0.59% 128.4%
1998 0.91% 90.1%
1997 1.94% 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/germany/laos | CC BY

Over the past 28 years, Germany has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 1.82%, compared with 15.7% in Laos. In 2024, inflation was 2.26% in Germany and 23.1% in Laos.

Top exports between countries

Germany
Export category Export value
Machinery & equipment $20.1M
Chemicals & pharma $4.53M
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $4.32M
Raw agricultural goods $3.72M
Raw materials & minerals $1.02M
Animal & marine products $1.02M
Textiles & consumer goods $850K
Miscellaneous $840K
Metals $576K
Precious metals & jewellery $422K
Laos
Export category Export value
Textiles & consumer goods $93.8M
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $737K
Wood & paper products $335K
Raw agricultural goods $205K
Metals $19K
Machinery & equipment $4K
Precious metals & jewellery $1K

Balance of trade

Germany Laos
Current account balance
$270B
2024
$531M
2024
Current account balance ranking
2/190
2024
61/190
2024
Current account balance, % of GDP
+5.77%
2024
+3.22%
2024
Goods imports
$1.21T
2024
$8.66B
2024
Goods exports
$1.47T
2024
$9.39B
2024
Service imports
$548B
2024
$1.27B
2024
Service exports
$470B
2024
$1.73B
2024
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
37.7%
2024
41.9%
2016
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
41.4%
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.

Germany Laos
Economic freedom 71.7 50.9
Economic freedom ranking 30/197 157/197
Property rights 95.5 41.1
Government integrity 84.5 25.9
Judicial effectiveness 94.6 10.2
Tax burden 60.5 88.5
Government spending 28.8 92.7
Fiscal health 83.1 80
Business freedom 79.8 54.2
Labor freedom 52.2 40.7
Monetary freedom 72.5 53.3
Trade freedom 79.4 69
Investment freedom 60 35
Financial freedom 70 20

Economic freedom comparison by year

Germany
Laos
1x
Year Economic freedom index
Germany Laos
2026 71.7 50.9
2025 71.6 51.1
2024 72.1 50.6
2023 73.7 50.3
2022 76.1 49.2
2021 72.5 53.9
2020 73.5 55.5
2019 73.5 57.4
2018 74.2 53.6
2017 73.8 54
2016 74.4 49.8
2015 73.8 51.4
2014 73.4 51.2
2013 72.8 50.1
2012 71 50
2011 71.8 51.3
2010 71.1 51.1
2009 70.5 50.4
2008 70.6 50.3
2007 70.8 50.3
2006 70.8 47.5
2005 68.1 44.4
2004 69.5 42
2003 69.7 41
2002 70.4 36.8
2001 69.5 33.5
2000 65.7 36.8
1999 65.6 35.2
1998 64.3 35.2
1997 67.5 35.1
1996 69.1 38.5
1995 69.8 -

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

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

The Economic Freedom Index for Germany is 71.7, ranking 30/197, 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

Germany Laos
Services, % of GDP
64%
2024
43.5%
2024
Industry, % of GDP
25.6%
2024
29%
2024
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
0.91%
2024
16.8%
2024
GNI, Atlas method
$4.6T
2024
$15.5B
2024
GNI per capita, PPP
$76,180
2024
$9,160
2024
Total reserves including gold
$378B
2024
$1.77B
2023
Total reserves ranking
10/177
2024
129/177
2023
Net foreign direct investment
$32.6B
2024
-$988M
2024
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
$47.6B
2024
$988M
2024
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
$80.2B
2024
$0
2024
Servicing debt to the IMF, % of GNI n/a
13.8%
2024
Poverty at national poverty lines
14.8%
2021
22%
2020
Gross capital formation, % of GDP
21.5%
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/germany/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 (1991–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20)
  3. International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1880–1990, 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 (2022–2024, 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)

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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.