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Economy of Haiti vs Laos compared: GDP & Debt

Updated on by Georank team

Haiti has a GDP of $25.2B compared to $16.5B for Laos, ranking 117/197 and 139/197 by economy size, respectively.

Haiti has $3.91B in government debt (15.5% of GDP), compared to $16.6B (100.5% of GDP) in Laos.

Haiti vs Laos GDP by year

Haiti
Laos
1x
Year GDP, current $
Haiti Laos
2024 $25,224,154,991 $16,502,933,121
2023 $19,850,585,722 $15,843,155,731
2022 $20,253,551,921 $15,468,785,204
2021 $20,944,387,976 $18,827,148,531
2020 $14,508,222,518 $18,981,805,250
2019 $15,016,090,930 $18,740,561,513
2018 $16,403,864,618 $18,141,641,090
2017 $15,093,357,161 $17,071,155,481
2016 $14,069,277,526 $15,912,501,723
2015 $14,849,629,309 $14,426,380,126
2014 $15,146,883,498 $13,279,245,886
2013 $14,902,488,604 $11,983,252,627
2012 $13,708,925,477 $10,192,846,339
2011 $13,008,746,039 $8,750,104,617
2010 $11,859,312,725 $7,131,771,015
2009 $11,597,002,835 $5,836,137,330
2008 $10,432,962,635 $5,446,433,157
2007 $9,228,637,768 $4,223,152,739
2006 $7,638,739,123 $3,455,030,061
2005 $7,030,149,730 $2,735,558,735
2004 $6,087,360,684 $2,366,398,120
2003 $5,071,947,798 $2,023,324,407
2002 $6,205,847,214 $1,758,176,653
2001 $6,331,970,324 $1,768,619,058
2000 $6,813,566,099 $1,731,198,022
1999 $4,153,725,884 $1,454,430,642
1998 $3,723,903,724 $1,280,177,839
1997 $3,338,949,152 $1,747,011,857
1996 $2,907,517,604 $1,873,671,550
1995 $2,813,313,279 $1,763,536,305
1994 $2,167,569,046 $1,543,606,345
1993 $1,878,253,767 $1,327,748,690
1992 $2,257,129,792 $1,127,806,945
1991 $3,473,562,628 $1,028,087,972
1990 $3,096,289,800 $865,559,879
1989 $2,736,243,800 $714,046,821
1988 $2,613,926,800 $598,961,269
1987 $2,047,200,000 $1,087,273,104
1986 $2,318,000,000 $1,776,842,097
1985 $2,009,400,000 $2,366,666,616
1984 $1,816,200,000 $1,757,142,856
1983 $1,623,600,000 -
1982 $1,474,200,000 -
1981 $1,479,400,000 -
1980 $1,383,800,000 -
1979 $1,080,600,000 -
1978 $974,200,000 -
1977 $947,000,000 -
1976 $879,000,000 -
1975 $681,400,000 -
1974 $565,399,322 -
1973 $466,798,973 -
1972 $371,998,958 -
1971 $362,800,000 -
1970 $331,200,000 -
1969 $391,820,400 -
1968 $367,968,800 -
1967 $369,124,200 -
1966 $368,948,600 -
1965 $353,251,800 -
1964 $325,281,200 -
1963 $294,883,400 -
1962 $281,896,800 -
1961 $271,066,000 -
1960 $273,187,200 -

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

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

GDP per capita in Haiti vs Laos by year

Haiti
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
Laos
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
Haiti Laos
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2024 $2,143 $3,194 $2,124 $9,776
2023 $1,706 $3,292 $2,067 $9,292
2022 $1,761 $3,275 $2,046 $8,766
2021 $1,841 $3,145 $2,526 $8,080
2020 $1,290 $3,103 $2,584 $7,913
2019 $1,352 $3,237 $2,589 $7,743
2018 $1,496 $3,197 $2,545 $7,487
2017 $1,395 $3,339 $2,432 $7,142
2016 $1,318 $3,253 $2,303 $6,743
2015 $1,411 $3,026 $2,121 $6,086
2014 $1,460 $3,076 $1,981 $5,799
2013 $1,458 $3,042 $1,813 $5,222
2012 $1,361 $2,830 $1,564 $4,781
2011 $1,312 $2,858 $1,362 $4,100
2010 $1,210 $2,695 $1,126 $3,772
2009 $1,197 $2,855 $935 $3,485
2008 $1,095 $2,724 $886 $3,271
2007 $985 $2,647 $697 $3,021
2006 $829 $2,504 $579 $2,777
2005 $776 $2,427 $466 $2,519
2004 $683 $2,322 $409 $2,315
2003 $579 $2,331 $355 $2,151
2002 $721 $2,248 $313 $2,020
2001 $749 $2,230 $320 $1,908
2000 $821 $2,229 $319 $1,794
1999 $510 $2,201 $272.3 $1,686
1998 $465 $2,152 $243.9 $1,577
1997 $425 $2,122 $339 $1,528
1996 $377 $2,070 $371 $1,435
1995 $372 $1,989 $358 $1,349
1994 $292.1 $1,807 $321 $1,265
1993 $258.1 $2,048 $283.4 $1,176
1992 $316 $2,158 $247.3 $1,114
1991 $497 $2,273 $231.8 $1,061
1990 $452 $2,202 $200.7 $1,012
1989 $407 - $170.4 -
1988 $397 - $147.1 -
1987 $318 - $274.7 -
1986 $367 - $462 -
1985 $325 - $633 -
1984 $299.2 - $483 -
1983 $272.8 - - -
1982 $252.6 - - -
1981 $258.5 - - -
1980 $246.5 - - -
1979 $196.2 - - -
1978 $180.3 - - -
1977 $178.7 - - -
1976 $169.1 - - -
1975 $133.6 - - -
1974 $113 - - -
1973 $95.1 - - -
1972 $77.3 - - -
1971 $76.8 - - -
1970 $71.5 - - -
1969 $86.1 - - -
1968 $82.4 - - -
1967 $84.2 - - -
1966 $85.7 - - -
1965 $83.6 - - -
1964 $78.5 - - -
1963 $72.4 - - -
1962 $70.4 - - -
1961 $69 - - -
1960 $70.8 - - -

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

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

Haiti's GDP per capita is $2,143, ranking 153/197, compared to $2,124 in Laos, ranking 155/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), Haiti ranks 177th at $3,194, while Laos ranks 134th at $9,776.

Economic indicators

Haiti Laos
Gross domestic product
$25.2B
2024
$16.5B
2024
GDP rank
117/197
2024
139/197
2024
GDP growth
-4.17%
2023-2024
4.13%
2023-2024
GDP per capita
$2,143
2024
$2,124
2024
GDP per capita rank
153/197
2024
155/197
2024
GDP per capita, PPP
$3,194
2024
$9,776
2024
GDP per capita PPP rank
177/197
2024
134/197
2024
Government debt
$3.91B
2024
$16.6B
2024
Debt-to-GDP ratio
15.5%
2024
100.5%
2024
Government debt per person
$332
2024
$2,134
2024
Government debt per person rank
176/185
2024
119/185
2024
Average annual personal income after taxes
$1,896
2026
$2,096
2026
Income share by richest 10%
31.2%
2012
31.2%
2018
Income share by poorest 10%
2.1%
2012
3%
2018
Government expenditure, % of GDP
5.25%
2024
15.7%
2024
Consumer prices inflation
26.9%
2023-2024
23.1%
2023-2024
Unemployment rate
14.1%
2012
1.21%
2022
Population
12076663
8004838

Spending and national debt comparison by year

Haiti
Spending

Debt
Laos
Spending

Debt
1x
Year % of GDP
Haiti Laos
Government spending Government debt Government spending Government debt
2024 5.25% 15.5% 15.7% 100.5%
2023 6.46% 28.5% 16.4% 116.5%
2022 8.33% 29.5% 14.7% 130.7%
2021 9.42% 28.9% 15.7% 92.9%
2020 9.86% 22.3% 18.4% 76%
2019 9.59% 26.5% 18.6% 69.1%
2018 11.3% 24.1% 20.7% 60.6%
2017 10.2% 22.5% 21.8% 57.2%
2016 10.5% 24.4% 21.1% 54.5%
2015 12.7% 23.9% 25.8% 53.1%
2014 14.6% 21.4% 25% 53.5%
2013 15.9% 25.1% 24.2% 49.5%
2012 16.4% 24.1% 24.7% 46.1%
2011 14.1% 22.3% 20.2% 43%
2010 12.6% 24.9% 22.4% 49.3%
2009 11.6% 19.4% 20.1% 51.8%
2008 11.2% 33.9% 16.1% 51.7%
2007 11.1% 24.4% 15.1% 55.9%
2006 9.67% 32.2% 14.7% 60%
2005 8.75% 29.7% 15.3% 73.2%
2004 7.38% 30.4% 13.6% 80.7%
2003 7.83% 37.8% 16% 90.1%
2002 6.64% 32% 16.6% 95.3%
2001 6.11% 28.8% 18.8% 94.7%
2000 6.25% 32.5% 19.9% -
1999 6.91% 24.1% - -
1998 5.4% 24% - -
1997 5.46% 26.2% - -
1996 - 26.2% - -
1995 - 26.2% - -
1994 - 35.3% - -
1993 - 98% - -
1992 - 118.9% - -
1991 - 80.7% - -
1990 - 85.1% - -
1989 - 98.7% - -
1988 - 90.9% - -
1987 32.4% 58.6% - -
1986 15.1% 26.5% - -
1985 17.4% 25.6% - -
1984 16.9% 27.3% - -
1983 21.9% 28.9% - -
1982 20.7% 25.5% - -
1981 17.4% 23.7% - -
1980 17.2% 20.3% - -
1979 13.1% 19.8% - -
1978 18.9% 20.1% - -
1977 16.7% 18.5% - -
1976 13.4% 14.9% - -
1975 12.8% 14.2% - -
1974 9.24% 13.3% - -
1973 9.4% 8.92% - -
1972 11.2% 11.1% - -
1971 11.2% 11% - -
1970 11.4% 12.5% - -
1969 10.1% - - -
1968 10.3% - - -
1967 7.52% - - -
1966 7.2% - - -
1965 7.91% - - -
1964 - - - -
1963 8.95% - - -
1962 - - - -
1961 - - - -
1960 7.34% 21.6% - -

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/haiti/laos | CC BY

In 2024, Haiti's government spending was $1.32B, accounting for 5.25% of its GDP, while Laos spent $2.58B, or 15.7% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 15.5% in Haiti and 100.5% in Laos, ranking 177/185 and 24/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
Haiti

Laos
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
Haiti Laos
2024 6.96% 2.34%
2023 0.77% -0.01%
2022 -1.75% 0.06%
2021 -2.45% -0.67%
2020 -1.96% -5.37%
2019 -1.99% -3.2%
2018 -1.13% -4.46%
2017 -0.32% -5.51%
2016 0.12% -5.06%
2015 -1.47% -5.57%
2014 -3.64% -3.13%
2013 -3.98% -4.03%
2012 -2.71% -2.34%
2011 -1.43% -1.43%
2010 -1.5% -1.47%
2009 -2% -3.1%
2008 -1.8% -1.86%
2007 -1.55% -1.12%
2006 -0.91% -1.48%
2005 -0.83% -2.54%
2004 -1.34% -1.81%
2003 -2.24% -3.89%
2002 -1.8% -2.85%
2001 -1.55% -3.68%
2000 -1.36% -3.58%
1999 -1.54% -
1998 0.21% -
1997 0.37% -
1996 - -
1995 - -
1994 - -
1993 - -
1992 - -
1991 - -
1990 - -
1989 - -
1988 - -
1987 -4.94% -
1986 -1.4% -
1985 -0.97% -
1984 -3.52% -
1983 -5.72% -
1982 -3.93% -
1981 -4.38% -
1980 -5.68% -
1979 -2.21% -
1978 -3.24% -
1977 -2.85% -
1976 -1.16% -
1975 -1.73% -
1974 0.23% -
1973 0.03% -
1972 0.24% -
1971 -0.08% -
1970 -0.19% -
1969 -0.39% -
1968 -0.46% -
1967 0% -
1966 0% -
1965 0% -
1964 - -
1963 0% -
1962 - -
1961 - -
1960 0.006% -
1959 -1.11% -
1958 -2.21% -
1957 0.28% -
1956 -2.18% -
1955 -0.86% -
1954 -0.81% -
1953 -1.01% -
1952 - -
1951 - -
1950 - -
1949 -0.12% -
1948 0.21% -
1947 1.06% -
1946 0.51% -
1945 0.47% -
1944 - -
1943 - -
1942 - -
1941 -0.21% -
1940 0.13% -
1939 -0.16% -
1938 0.15% -
1937 -0.08% -
1936 -0.06% -
1935 -0.2% -
1934 -1.23% -
1933 0% -
1932 0.4% -
1931 -0.49% -
1930 -0.52% -
1929 -0.32% -
1928 -0.25% -
1927 0.73% -
1926 -0.45% -
1925 0.05% -
1924 -0.14% -

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1924–1987, retrieved 2026-02-20); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1997–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20).

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

In 2024, Haiti's government surplus, the difference between spending and revenue, was $1.76B, equivalent to 6.96% of GDP. This compares to Laos' surplus of $386M, or 2.34% of GDP.

Over the past 25 years, Haiti recorded a fiscal deficit in 22 of those years, while Laos ran a deficit in 23 years. On average, Haiti posted an annual deficit equal to 1.27% of GDP, compared to deficit of 2.63% of GDP for Laos.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
Haiti

Laos
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
Haiti Laos
2024 26.9% 23.1%
2023 36.8% 31.2%
2022 34% 23%
2021 16.8% 3.8%
2020 22.8% 5.1%
2019 18.7% 3.3%
2018 12.5% 2%
2017 10.7% 0.8%
2016 11.5% 1.6%
2015 6.73% 1.3%
2014 3.44% 4.1%
2013 4.77% 6.4%
2012 5.02% 4.3%
2011 6.33% 7.6%
2010 4.83% 6%
2009 0.39% 0.1%
2008 15.3% 7.6%
2007 6.56% 4.7%
2006 11.3% 6.5%
2005 14% 7.2%
2004 21% 10.5%
2003 28.7% 15.5%
2002 7.03% 10.6%
2001 13.3% 7.8%
2000 9.33% 8.4%
1999 3% 128.4%
1998 5.27% 90.1%
1997 20.6% 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/haiti/laos | CC BY

Over the past 28 years, Haiti has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 13.5%, compared with 15.7% in Laos. In 2024, inflation was 26.9% in Haiti and 23.1% in Laos.

Balance of trade

Haiti Laos
Current account balance
-$145M
2024
$531M
2024
Current account balance ranking
92/190
2024
61/190
2024
Current account balance, % of GDP
-0.58%
2024
+3.22%
2024
Goods imports
$4.27B
2024
$8.66B
2024
Goods exports
$767M
2024
$9.39B
2024
Service imports
$518M
2024
$1.27B
2024
Service exports
$96.6M
2024
$1.73B
2024
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
18.8%
2024
41.9%
2016
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
3.4%
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.

Haiti Laos
Economic freedom 46.1 50.9
Economic freedom ranking 178/197 157/197
Property rights 6.6 41.1
Government integrity 13 25.9
Judicial effectiveness 17.3 10.2
Tax burden 81.7 88.5
Government spending 98.7 92.7
Fiscal health 99.5 80
Business freedom 30.7 54.2
Labor freedom 54.7 40.7
Monetary freedom 45.1 53.3
Trade freedom 66.4 69
Investment freedom 20 35
Financial freedom 20 20

Economic freedom comparison by year

Haiti
Laos
1x
Year Economic freedom index
Haiti Laos
2026 46.1 50.9
2025 46.1 51.1
2024 48.2 50.6
2023 49.9 50.3
2022 50 49.2
2021 50.8 53.9
2020 52.3 55.5
2019 52.7 57.4
2018 55.8 53.6
2017 49.6 54
2016 51.3 49.8
2015 51.3 51.4
2014 48.9 51.2
2013 48.1 50.1
2012 50.7 50
2011 52.1 51.3
2010 50.8 51.1
2009 50.5 50.4
2008 49 50.3
2007 51.4 50.3
2006 49.2 47.5
2005 48.4 44.4
2004 51.2 42
2003 50.6 41
2002 47.9 36.8
2001 47.1 33.5
2000 45.7 36.8
1999 45.9 35.2
1998 45.7 35.2
1997 45.8 35.1
1996 41 38.5
1995 43 -

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

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

The Economic Freedom Index for Haiti is 46.1, ranking 178/197, 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

Haiti Laos
Services, % of GDP
48.3%
2024
43.5%
2024
Industry, % of GDP
33.4%
2024
29%
2024
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
15.9%
2024
16.8%
2024
GNI, Atlas method
$20.7B
2024
$15.5B
2024
GNI per capita, PPP
$3,190
2024
$9,160
2024
Total reserves including gold
$2.72B
2024
$1.77B
2023
Total reserves ranking
121/177
2024
129/177
2023
Net foreign direct investment
-$20M
2024
-$988M
2024
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
$20M
2024
$988M
2024
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
$0
2024
$0
2024
Servicing debt to the IMF, % of GNI
2.15%
2024
13.8%
2024
Poverty at national poverty lines
58.5%
2012
22%
2020
Gross capital formation, % of GDP
9.94%
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/haiti/laos | CC BY

Compare countries by 7 more topics

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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 (1924–1996, 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. United Nations | World Population Prospects (2026, retrieved 2026-03-10)
  7. LivingCost (2026, retrieved 2025-10-14)
  8. 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.