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Economy of Guyana vs Laos compared: GDP & Debt

Updated on by Georank

Guyana has a GDP of $27.1B compared to $18.3B for Laos, ranking 120/197 and 138/197 by economy size, respectively.

Guyana has $7.74B in government debt (28.6% of GDP), compared to $14.8B (80.6% of GDP) in Laos.

Guyana vs Laos GDP by year

Guyana
Laos
1x
Year GDP, current $
Guyana Laos
2025 $27,097,477,218 $18,302,970,219
2024 $24,662,714,628 $16,502,933,121
2023 $16,918,503,597 $15,843,155,731
2022 $14,718,388,489 $15,468,785,204
2021 $8,041,362,110 $18,827,148,531
2020 $5,471,256,595 $18,981,805,250
2019 $5,173,760,192 $18,740,561,513
2018 $4,787,636,998 $18,141,641,090
2017 $4,748,174,334 $17,071,155,481
2016 $4,482,697,337 $15,912,501,723
2015 $4,279,840,194 $14,426,380,126
2014 $4,127,660,152 $13,279,245,886
2013 $4,167,800,929 $11,983,252,627
2012 $4,063,088,536 $10,192,846,339
2011 $3,691,384,318 $8,750,104,617
2010 $3,432,912,517 $7,131,771,015
2009 $3,165,663,153 $5,836,137,330
2008 $3,025,187,433 $5,446,433,157
2007 $2,730,971,595 $4,223,152,739
2006 $2,379,817,991 $3,455,030,061
2005 $824,880,550 $2,735,558,735
2004 $787,814,379 $2,366,398,120
2003 $743,063,950 $2,023,324,407
2002 $726,131,435 $1,758,176,653
2001 $712,167,450 $1,768,619,058
2000 $712,667,897 $1,731,198,022
1999 $694,754,988 $1,454,430,642
1998 $717,530,683 $1,280,177,839
1997 $749,138,010 $1,747,011,857
1996 $705,406,001 $1,873,671,550
1995 $621,626,786 $1,763,536,305
1994 $545,278,380 $1,543,606,345
1993 $454,101,382 $1,327,748,690
1992 $373,573,141 $1,127,806,945
1991 $348,533,095 $1,028,087,972
1990 $396,582,263 $865,559,879
1989 $379,779,390 $714,046,821
1988 $413,799,990 $598,961,269
1987 $354,591,847 $1,087,273,104
1986 $504,651,140 $1,776,842,097
1985 $453,488,372 $2,366,666,616
1984 $437,631,605 $1,757,142,856
1983 $489,333,333 -
1982 $482,000,000 -
1981 $570,357,107 -
1980 $603,200,000 -
1979 $530,440,000 -
1978 $507,080,000 -
1977 $449,880,000 -
1976 $454,440,000 -
1975 $494,791,667 -
1974 $433,954,545 -
1973 $307,047,619 -
1972 $285,380,952 -
1971 $282,050,000 -
1970 $267,800,000 -
1969 $249,300,000 -
1968 $229,750,000 -
1967 $250,176,471 -
1966 $228,705,882 -
1965 $213,235,294 -
1964 $194,774,513 -
1963 $175,757,894 -
1962 $194,949,513 -
1961 $185,849,535 -
1960 $170,216,241 -

Data sources: World Bank | Economy & Growth (1960–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08).

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

GDP per capita in Guyana vs Laos by year

Guyana
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
Laos
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
Guyana Laos
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2025 $32,414 - $2,325 -
2024 $29,675 $80,155 $2,124 $9,776
2023 $20,474 $54,729 $2,067 $9,292
2022 $17,913 $39,711 $2,046 $8,766
2021 $9,861 $22,866 $2,526 $8,080
2020 $6,776 $16,819 $2,584 $7,913
2019 $6,406 $13,241 $2,589 $7,743
2018 $6,048 $12,443 $2,545 $7,487
2017 $6,179 $12,243 $2,432 $7,142
2016 $5,871 $11,516 $2,303 $6,743
2015 $5,640 $11,408 $2,121 $6,086
2014 $5,473 $11,145 $1,981 $5,799
2013 $5,557 $11,200 $1,813 $5,222
2012 $5,444 $10,627 $1,564 $4,781
2011 $4,947 $10,066 $1,362 $4,100
2010 $4,582 $9,337 $1,126 $3,772
2009 $4,209 $8,824 $935 $3,485
2008 $4,009 $8,437 $886 $3,271
2007 $3,608 $8,110 $697 $3,021
2006 $3,136 $7,346 $579 $2,777
2005 $1,084 $6,761 $466 $2,519
2004 $1,033 $6,673 $409 $2,315
2003 $974 $6,392 $355 $2,151
2002 $951 $6,304 $313 $2,020
2001 $932 $6,131 $320 $1,908
2000 $932 $5,860 $319 $1,794
1999 $909 $5,812 $272.3 $1,686
1998 $940 $5,573 $243.9 $1,577
1997 $983 $5,615 $339 $1,528
1996 $928 $5,210 $371 $1,435
1995 $820 $4,753 $358 $1,349
1994 $721 $4,447 $321 $1,265
1993 $603 $4,027 $283.4 $1,176
1992 $498 $3,651 $247.3 $1,114
1991 $466 $3,322 $231.8 $1,061
1990 $529 $3,022 $200.7 $1,012
1989 $503 - $170.4 -
1988 $545 - $147.1 -
1987 $464 - $274.7 -
1986 $657 - $462 -
1985 $588 - $633 -
1984 $565 - $483 -
1983 $631 - - -
1982 $621 - - -
1981 $735 - - -
1980 $779 - - -
1979 $689 - - -
1978 $663 - - -
1977 $593 - - -
1976 $604 - - -
1975 $664 - - -
1974 $588 - - -
1973 $421 - - -
1972 $395 - - -
1971 $396 - - -
1970 $381 - - -
1969 $361 - - -
1968 $340 - - -
1967 $378 - - -
1966 $353 - - -
1965 $336 - - -
1964 $313 - - -
1963 $288.8 - - -
1962 $327 - - -
1961 $319 - - -
1960 $299.1 - - -

Data sources: World Bank | Economy & Growth (1960–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08).

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

Guyana's GDP per capita is $32,414, ranking 40/197, compared to $2,325 in Laos, ranking 155/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), Guyana ranks 15th at $80,155, while Laos ranks 134th at $9,776.

Economic indicators

Guyana Laos
Gross domestic product
$27.1B
2025
$18.3B
2025
GDP rank
120/197
2025
138/197
2025
GDP growth
19.3%
2024-2025
4.54%
2024-2025
GDP per capita
$32,414
2025
$2,325
2025
GDP per capita rank
40/197
2025
155/197
2025
GDP per capita, PPP
$80,155
2024
$9,776
2024
GDP per capita PPP rank
15/197
2024
134/197
2024
Government debt
$7.74B
2025
$14.8B
2025
Debt-to-GDP ratio
28.6%
2025
80.6%
2025
Government debt per person
$9,255
2025
$1,874
2025
Government debt per person rank
63/185
2025
120/185
2025
Average annual personal income after taxes
$13,307
2026
$2,426
2026
Income share by richest 10%
34.4%
1998
28.5%
2024
Income share by poorest 10%
1.1%
1998
3.3%
2024
Government expenditure, % of GDP
23.9%
2025
17.9%
2025
Consumer prices inflation
3.3%
2024-2025
7.7%
2024-2025
Unemployment rate
14.7%
2021
1.21%
2022
Population
843423
8027464

Spending and national debt comparison by year

Guyana
Spending

Debt
Laos
Spending

Debt
1x
Year % of GDP
Guyana Laos
Government spending Government debt Government spending Government debt
2025 23.9% 28.6% 17.9% 80.6%
2024 23.3% 24.3% 15.8% 94.7%
2023 23.7% 26.7% 16.5% 108.9%
2022 20.4% 24.8% 14.7% 115.7%
2021 24.8% 38.9% 15.7% 92.2%
2020 30.5% 47.4% 18.4% 75.4%
2019 28.1% 34.2% 18.6% 69.1%
2018 27.6% 37.4% 20.7% 60.6%
2017 26.3% 35.2% 21.8% 57.2%
2016 25.2% 35.7% 21.1% 54.5%
2015 21.7% 42.2% 25.8% 53.1%
2014 23.1% 38.7% 25% 53.5%
2013 21.4% 41.4% 24.2% 49.5%
2012 21.8% 44.7% 24.7% 46.1%
2011 23.5% 51.7% 20.2% 43%
2010 23.9% 53.1% 22.4% 49.3%
2009 25.4% 52.3% 20.1% 51.8%
2008 24.1% 48.2% 16.1% 51.7%
2007 25.5% 47.7% 15.1% 55.9%
2006 29% 74.5% 14.7% 60%
2005 28.4% 90.7% 15.3% 73.2%
2004 23.7% 91.8% 13.6% 80.7%
2003 23.5% 95.6% 16% 90.1%
2002 23.1% 105.1% 16.6% 95.3%
2001 24% 104.6% 18.8% 94.7%
2000 22.9% 97.2% 19.9% -
1999 17.6% 97.1% - -
1998 19.7% 108% - -
1997 20.9% 101.3% - -

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1997–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08).

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

In 2025, Guyana's government spending was $6.48B, accounting for 23.9% of its GDP, while Laos spent $3.28B, or 17.9% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 28.6% in Guyana and 80.6% in Laos, ranking 160/185 and 41/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
Guyana

Laos
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
Guyana Laos
2025 -5.37% 1.64%
2024 -7.27% 2.36%
2023 -5.62% -0.01%
2022 -5.1% 0.06%
2021 -6.94% -0.67%
2020 -7.78% -5.37%
2019 -2.52% -3.2%
2018 -2.52% -4.46%
2017 -3.14% -5.51%
2016 -3.21% -5.06%
2015 -0.75% -5.57%
2014 -3.88% -3.13%
2013 -2.16% -4.03%
2012 -3.11% -2.34%
2011 -2.13% -1.43%
2010 -1.88% -1.47%
2009 -2.5% -3.1%
2008 -2.78% -1.86%
2007 -3.35% -1.12%
2006 -6.16% -1.48%
2005 -6.54% -2.54%
2004 -2.88% -1.81%
2003 -4.81% -3.89%
2002 -2.42% -2.85%
2001 -3.71% -3.68%
2000 -2.27% -3.58%
1999 -0.47% -
1998 -2.67% -
1997 -1.7% -

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1997–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08).

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

In 2025, Guyana's government deficit, the difference between spending and revenue, was $1.46B, equivalent to 5.37% of GDP. This compares to Laos' surplus of $300M, or 1.64% of GDP.

Over the past 26 years, Guyana recorded a fiscal deficit in 26 of those years, while Laos ran a deficit in 23 years. On average, Guyana posted an annual deficit equal to 3.88% of GDP, compared to deficit of 2.47% of GDP for Laos.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
Guyana

Laos
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
Guyana Laos
2025 3.3% 7.7%
2024 2.9% 23.1%
2023 2.8% 31.2%
2022 6.9% 23%
2021 4.5% 3.8%
2020 0.7% 5.1%
2019 2.1% 3.3%
2018 1.3% 2%
2017 1.9% 0.8%
2016 0.8% 1.6%
2015 -0.9% 1.3%
2014 0.7% 4.1%
2013 1.9% 6.4%
2012 2.4% 4.3%
2011 4.4% 7.6%
2010 4.3% 6%
2009 3% 0.1%
2008 8.1% 7.6%
2007 12.2% 4.7%
2006 6.7% 6.5%
2005 6.9% 7.2%
2004 4.7% 10.5%
2003 6% 15.5%
2002 5.4% 10.6%
2001 2.6% 7.8%
2000 6.1% 8.4%
1999 7.5% 128.4%
1998 4.6% 90.1%
1997 3.6% 19.5%

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | World Economic Outlook (1997–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08).

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

Over the past 29 years, Guyana has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 4.05%, compared with 15.5% in Laos. In 2025, inflation was 3.3% in Guyana and 7.7% in Laos.

Balance of trade

Guyana Laos
Current account balance
$2.35B
2023
$531M
2024
Current account balance ranking
42/190
2023
58/190
2024
Current account balance, % of GDP
+13.9%
2023
+3.22%
2024
Goods imports
$6B
2023
$8.66B
2024
Goods exports
$13.2B
2023
$9.39B
2024
Service imports
$4.95B
2023
$1.27B
2024
Service exports
$529M
2023
$1.73B
2024
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
109.7%
2005
41.9%
2016
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
84.6%
2005
33.2%
2016

Economic freedom indices

The indices of economic freedom below are issued by the Heritage Foundation. Higher scores indicate stronger economic health.

Guyana Laos
Economic freedom 58.7 50.9
Economic freedom ranking 109/197 157/197
Property rights 46.7 41.1
Government integrity 38.8 25.9
Judicial effectiveness 48.6 10.2
Tax burden 76.4 88.5
Government spending 85 92.7
Fiscal health 39.9 80
Business freedom 70.9 54.2
Labor freedom 76 40.7
Monetary freedom 78.5 53.3
Trade freedom 59.2 69
Investment freedom 55 35
Financial freedom 30 20

Economic freedom comparison by year

Guyana
Laos
1x
Year Economic freedom index
Guyana Laos
2026 58.7 50.9
2025 58.2 51.1
2024 57.3 50.6
2023 56.9 50.3
2022 59.5 49.2
2021 57.4 53.9
2020 56.2 55.5
2019 56.8 57.4
2018 58.7 53.6
2017 58.5 54
2016 55.4 49.8
2015 55.5 51.4
2014 55.7 51.2
2013 53.8 50.1
2012 51.3 50
2011 49.4 51.3
2010 48.4 51.1
2009 48.4 50.4
2008 48.8 50.3
2007 53.7 50.3
2006 56.6 47.5
2005 56.5 44.4
2004 53 42
2003 50.3 41
2002 54.3 36.8
2001 53.3 33.5
2000 52.4 36.8
1999 53.3 35.2
1998 52.7 35.2
1997 53.2 35.1
1996 50.1 38.5
1995 45.7 -

Data sources: The Heritage Foundation | Economic Freedom Index (1995–2026, retrieved 2026-07-08).

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

The Economic Freedom Index for Guyana is 58.7, ranking 109/197, 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

Guyana Laos
Services, % of GDP
14.8%
2025
43.6%
2025
Industry, % of GDP
75.1%
2025
29.2%
2025
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
7.73%
2025
16.6%
2025
GNI, Atlas method
$23.8B
2025
$16.9B
2025
GNI per capita, PPP
$80,300
2025
$9,800
2025
Total reserves including gold
$1.36B
2025
$2.21B
2024
Total reserves ranking
136/177
2025
125/177
2024
Net foreign direct investment
$1.14B
2023
-$988M
2024
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
$8.63B
2024
$988M
2024
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
$5.7M
2024
$0
2024
Servicing debt to the IMF, % of GNI
2.84%
2024
13.8%
2024
Poverty at national poverty lines
35%
2020
15%
2024
Gross capital formation, % of GDP
32.3%
2005
29%
2016

GDP per capita map

1x

Data sources: World Bank | Economy & Growth (1985–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08); U.S. Census Bureau (1985–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08).

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

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Data sources:

  1. World Bank | Economy & Growth (1960–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  2. International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1997–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  3. The Heritage Foundation | Economic Freedom Index (1995–2026, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  4. U.S. Census Bureau (1985–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  5. United Nations | World Population Prospects (2026, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  6. LivingCost (2026, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  7. Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) (2020, retrieved 2026-07-08)

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.