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Economy of Hungary vs Laos compared: GDP & Debt

Updated on by Georank

Hungary has a GDP of $246B compared to $18.3B for Laos, ranking 55/197 and 138/197 by economy size, respectively.

Hungary has $185B in government debt (75.2% of GDP), compared to $14.8B (80.6% of GDP) in Laos.

Hungary vs Laos GDP by year

Hungary
Laos
1x
Year GDP, current $
Hungary Laos
2025 $246,490,213,513 $18,302,970,219
2024 $222,848,211,034 $16,502,933,121
2023 $213,029,511,029 $15,843,155,731
2022 $177,002,580,544 $15,468,785,204
2021 $183,282,685,440 $18,827,148,531
2020 $158,468,487,754 $18,981,805,250
2019 $164,936,682,034 $18,740,561,513
2018 $161,184,691,014 $18,141,641,090
2017 $143,335,098,992 $17,071,155,481
2016 $128,983,560,865 $15,912,501,723
2015 $125,244,126,623 $14,426,380,126
2014 $141,128,696,412 $13,279,245,886
2013 $135,646,053,779 $11,983,252,627
2012 $128,470,269,690 $10,192,846,339
2011 $141,712,804,954 $8,750,104,617
2010 $131,898,737,241 $7,131,771,015
2009 $130,807,441,076 $5,836,137,330
2008 $158,228,265,916 $5,446,433,157
2007 $140,123,326,896 $4,223,152,739
2006 $115,604,111,412 $3,455,030,061
2005 $113,098,237,571 $2,735,558,735
2004 $104,015,363,080 $2,366,398,120
2003 $85,190,469,121 $2,023,324,407
2002 $67,636,468,625 $1,758,176,653
2001 $53,800,068,066 $1,768,619,058
2000 $47,275,954,429 $1,731,198,022
1999 $49,160,204,397 $1,454,430,642
1998 $48,784,412,624 $1,280,177,839
1997 $47,398,564,799 $1,747,011,857
1996 $46,833,767,124 $1,873,671,550
1995 $46,577,614,589 $1,763,536,305
1994 $43,307,949,890 $1,543,606,345
1993 $40,256,233,360 $1,327,748,690
1992 $38,857,339,125 $1,127,806,945
1991 $34,867,307,353 $1,028,087,972
1990 $34,478,360,679 $865,559,879
1989 $30,422,508,938 $714,046,821
1988 $29,799,838,597 $598,961,269
1987 $27,232,016,527 $1,087,273,104
1986 $24,778,163,812 $1,776,842,097
1985 $21,510,643,750 $2,366,666,616
1984 $21,242,726,264 $1,757,142,856
1983 $21,910,365,258 -
1982 $24,141,667,188 -
1981 $23,705,883,892 -
1980 $23,116,977,148 -
1979 $19,959,731,325 -
1978 $17,286,744,154 -
1977 $14,783,674,055 -
1976 $13,235,612,079 -
1975 $11,420,392,515 -
1974 $10,016,338,179 -
1973 $9,138,292,402 -
1972 $7,379,313,742 -
1971 $6,291,568,221 -
1970 $5,780,929,203 -
1969 $5,429,812,387 -
1968 $4,886,222,555 -

Data sources: World Bank | Economy & Growth (1968–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08).

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

GDP per capita in Hungary vs Laos by year

Hungary
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
Laos
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
Hungary Laos
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2025 $25,907 - $2,325 -
2024 $23,305 $48,552 $2,124 $9,776
2023 $22,209 $46,592 $2,067 $9,292
2022 $18,428 $44,366 $2,046 $8,766
2021 $19,031 $38,887 $2,526 $8,080
2020 $16,387 $35,584 $2,584 $7,913
2019 $17,013 $35,627 $2,589 $7,743
2018 $16,605 $32,258 $2,545 $7,487
2017 $14,736 $29,728 $2,432 $7,142
2016 $13,216 $28,179 $2,303 $6,743
2015 $12,783 $26,938 $2,121 $6,086
2014 $14,353 $25,796 $1,981 $5,799
2013 $13,739 $24,592 $1,813 $5,222
2012 $12,950 $23,205 $1,564 $4,781
2011 $14,211 $22,992 $1,362 $4,100
2010 $13,190 $21,691 $1,126 $3,772
2009 $13,051 $20,691 $935 $3,485
2008 $15,763 $20,709 $886 $3,271
2007 $13,935 $19,089 $697 $3,021
2006 $11,478 $18,362 $579 $2,777
2005 $11,212 $17,091 $466 $2,519
2004 $10,291 $16,251 $409 $2,315
2003 $8,410 $15,460 $355 $2,151
2002 $6,658 $14,532 $313 $2,020
2001 $5,281 $13,223 $320 $1,908
2000 $4,630 $11,872 $319 $1,794
1999 $4,802 $10,892 $272.3 $1,686
1998 $4,752 $10,415 $243.9 $1,577
1997 $4,606 $9,846 $339 $1,528
1996 $4,542 $9,388 $371 $1,435
1995 $4,509 $9,222 $358 $1,349
1994 $4,187 $8,888 $321 $1,265
1993 $3,887 $8,441 $283.4 $1,176
1992 $3,747 $8,284 $247.3 $1,114
1991 $3,361 $8,352 $231.8 $1,061
1990 $3,324 $9,169 $200.7 $1,012
1989 $2,902 - $170.4 -
1988 $2,812 - $147.1 -
1987 $2,566 - $274.7 -
1986 $2,331 - $462 -
1985 $2,020 - $633 -
1984 $1,991 - $483 -
1983 $2,050 - - -
1982 $2,255 - - -
1981 $2,213 - - -
1980 $2,158 - - -
1979 $1,865 - - -
1978 $1,618 - - -
1977 $1,388 - - -
1976 $1,249 - - -
1975 $1,083 - - -
1974 $956 - - -
1973 $876 - - -
1972 $710 - - -
1971 $607 - - -
1970 $559 - - -
1969 $527 - - -
1968 $476 - - -

Data sources: World Bank | Economy & Growth (1968–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08).

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

Hungary's GDP per capita is $25,907, ranking 52/197, compared to $2,325 in Laos, ranking 155/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), Hungary ranks 48th at $48,552, while Laos ranks 134th at $9,776.

Economic indicators

Hungary Laos
Gross domestic product
$246B
2025
$18.3B
2025
GDP rank
55/197
2025
138/197
2025
GDP growth
0.51%
2024-2025
4.54%
2024-2025
GDP per capita
$25,907
2025
$2,325
2025
GDP per capita rank
52/197
2025
155/197
2025
GDP per capita, PPP
$48,552
2024
$9,776
2024
GDP per capita PPP rank
48/197
2024
134/197
2024
Government debt
$185B
2025
$14.8B
2025
Debt-to-GDP ratio
75.2%
2025
80.6%
2025
Government debt per person
$19,473
2025
$1,874
2025
Government debt per person rank
33/185
2025
120/185
2025
Average annual personal income after taxes
$18,331
2026
$2,426
2026
Market capitalization of domestic companies
$62.6B
2025
n/a
Number of millionaires
27,000
2026
n/a
Number of billionaires
4
2026
n/a
Income share by richest 10%
24.4%
2022
28.5%
2024
Income share by poorest 10%
2.8%
2022
3.3%
2024
Government expenditure, % of GDP
47.5%
2025
17.9%
2025
Consumer prices inflation
4.41%
2024-2025
7.7%
2024-2025
Central bank interest rate
6.25%
2026
n/a
Unemployment rate
4.4%
2025
1.21%
2022
Population
9454659
8027464

Spending and national debt comparison by year

Hungary
Spending

Debt
Laos
Spending

Debt
1x
Year % of GDP
Hungary Laos
Government spending Government debt Government spending Government debt
2025 47.5% 75.2% 17.9% 80.6%
2024 46.9% 73.5% 15.8% 94.7%
2023 49.3% 73.2% 16.5% 108.9%
2022 48.9% 74.1% 14.7% 115.7%
2021 48.1% 76.2% 15.7% 92.2%
2020 51% 78.7% 18.4% 75.4%
2019 45.8% 65% 18.6% 69.1%
2018 45.9% 68.8% 20.7% 60.6%
2017 46.6% 72% 21.8% 57.2%
2016 46.7% 74.6% 21.1% 54.5%
2015 50.4% 75.7% 25.8% 53.1%
2014 50% 76.5% 25% 53.5%
2013 50.1% 77.2% 24.2% 49.5%
2012 49.2% 78.4% 24.7% 46.1%
2011 49.1% 80.5% 20.2% 43%
2010 48.9% 80.2% 22.4% 49.3%
2009 50.7% 78.2% 20.1% 51.8%
2008 48.8% 71.8% 16.1% 51.7%
2007 49.9% 65.6% 15.1% 55.9%
2006 51.4% 64.5% 14.7% 60%
2005 49.4% 60.6% 15.3% 73.2%
2004 48.8% 58.9% 13.6% 80.7%
2003 49.2% 58.2% 16% 90.1%
2002 51% 55.6% 16.6% 95.3%
2001 47.2% 52.2% 18.8% 94.7%
2000 47.3% 55.6% 19.9% -
1999 48.9% 60.3% - -
1998 50.7% 60.4% - -
1997 49.5% 62.2% - -
1996 50.9% 71.2% - -
1995 55% 83.9% - -
1994 - 86.2% - -
1993 - 87.2% - -
1992 - 76.5% - -
1991 - 74.2% - -
1990 - 63.7% - -
1989 - 70.7% - -

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1995–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1989–1994, retrieved 2026-07-08).

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

In 2025, Hungary's government spending was $117B, accounting for 47.5% of its GDP, while Laos spent $3.28B, or 17.9% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 75.2% in Hungary and 80.6% in Laos, ranking 50/185 and 41/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
Hungary

Laos
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
Hungary Laos
2025 -4.68% 1.64%
2024 -4.9% 2.36%
2023 -6.77% -0.01%
2022 -6.19% 0.06%
2021 -7.11% -0.67%
2020 -7.49% -5.37%
2019 -2.02% -3.2%
2018 -2.05% -4.46%
2017 -2.45% -5.51%
2016 -1.79% -5.06%
2015 -2% -5.57%
2014 -2.77% -3.13%
2013 -2.6% -4.03%
2012 -2.33% -2.34%
2011 -5.22% -1.43%
2010 -4.44% -1.47%
2009 -4.76% -3.1%
2008 -3.78% -1.86%
2007 -5.09% -1.12%
2006 -9.27% -1.48%
2005 -7.79% -2.54%
2004 -6.6% -1.81%
2003 -7.19% -3.89%
2002 -8.79% -2.85%
2001 -4% -3.68%
2000 -3.04% -3.58%
1999 -5.27% -
1998 -7.41% -
1997 -5.54% -
1996 -4.36% -
1995 -8.57% -
1994 - -
1993 - -
1992 - -
1991 - -
1990 - -
1989 - -
1988 - -
1987 - -
1986 - -
1985 - -
1984 - -
1983 - -
1982 - -
1981 - -
1980 - -
1979 - -
1978 - -
1977 - -
1976 - -
1975 - -
1974 - -
1973 - -
1972 - -
1971 - -
1970 - -
1969 - -
1968 - -
1967 - -
1966 - -
1965 - -
1964 - -
1963 - -
1962 - -
1961 - -
1960 - -
1959 - -
1958 - -
1957 - -
1956 - -
1955 - -
1954 - -
1953 - -
1952 - -
1951 - -
1950 - -
1949 - -
1948 - -
1947 - -
1946 - -
1945 - -
1944 - -
1943 -0.17% -
1942 0.31% -
1941 0.2% -
1940 -0.07% -
1939 0.19% -
1938 -0.11% -
1937 -0.01% -
1936 0.08% -
1935 0.03% -
1934 0.04% -
1933 -0.03% -
1932 -0.22% -
1931 -0.32% -
1930 -0.26% -
1929 0.02% -
1928 0.12% -
1927 0.15% -

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1995–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1927–1943, retrieved 2026-07-08).

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

In 2025, Hungary's government deficit, the difference between spending and revenue, was $11.5B, equivalent to 4.68% of GDP. This compares to Laos' surplus of $300M, or 1.64% of GDP.

Over the past 26 years, Hungary recorded a fiscal deficit in 26 of those years, while Laos ran a deficit in 23 years. On average, Hungary posted an annual deficit equal to 4.81% of GDP, compared to deficit of 2.47% of GDP for Laos.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
Hungary

Laos
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
Hungary Laos
2025 4.41% 7.7%
2024 3.7% 23.1%
2023 17.1% 31.2%
2022 14.6% 23%
2021 5.11% 3.8%
2020 3.33% 5.1%
2019 3.34% 3.3%
2018 2.85% 2%
2017 2.35% 0.8%
2016 0.39% 1.6%
2015 -0.06% 1.3%
2014 -0.23% 4.1%
2013 1.73% 6.4%
2012 5.65% 4.3%
2011 3.93% 7.6%
2010 4.86% 6%
2009 4.21% 0.1%
2008 6.04% 7.6%
2007 7.96% 4.7%
2006 3.93% 6.5%
2005 3.56% 7.2%
2004 6.74% 10.5%
2003 4.66% 15.5%
2002 5.27% 10.6%
2001 9.12% 7.8%
2000 9.8% 8.4%
1999 10% 128.4%
1998 14.2% 90.1%
1997 18.3% 19.5%

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

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

Over the past 29 years, Hungary has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 6.1%, compared with 15.5% in Laos. In 2025, inflation was 4.41% in Hungary and 7.7% in Laos.

Top exports between countries

Hungary
Export category Export value
Machinery & equipment $1.03M
Metals $573K
Chemicals & pharma $460K
Raw materials & minerals $143K
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $115K
Textiles & consumer goods $114K
Raw agricultural goods $83K
Precious metals & jewellery $7K
Laos
Export category Export value
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $14.7M
Textiles & consumer goods $11K
Raw agricultural goods $9K

Balance of trade

Hungary Laos
Current account balance
$4.08B
2025
$531M
2024
Current account balance ranking
34/190
2025
58/190
2024
Current account balance, % of GDP
+1.65%
2025
+3.22%
2024
Goods imports
$139B
2025
$8.66B
2024
Goods exports
$136B
2025
$9.39B
2024
Service imports
$29.8B
2025
$1.27B
2024
Service exports
$43.1B
2025
$1.73B
2024
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
68.1%
2025
41.9%
2016
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
72.6%
2025
33.2%
2016

Economic freedom indices

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

Hungary Laos
Economic freedom 62.5 50.9
Economic freedom ranking 86/197 157/197
Property rights 67.3 41.1
Government integrity 44 25.9
Judicial effectiveness 61.9 10.2
Tax burden 85.1 88.5
Government spending 30.2 92.7
Fiscal health 32.7 80
Business freedom 70.8 54.2
Labor freedom 56.5 40.7
Monetary freedom 72.1 53.3
Trade freedom 79.4 69
Investment freedom 80 35
Financial freedom 70 20

Economic freedom comparison by year

Hungary
Laos
1x
Year Economic freedom index
Hungary Laos
2026 62.5 50.9
2025 61.4 51.1
2024 61.2 50.6
2023 64.1 50.3
2022 66.9 49.2
2021 67.2 53.9
2020 66.4 55.5
2019 65 57.4
2018 66.7 53.6
2017 65.8 54
2016 66 49.8
2015 66.8 51.4
2014 67 51.2
2013 67.3 50.1
2012 67.1 50
2011 66.6 51.3
2010 66.1 51.1
2009 66.8 50.4
2008 67.6 50.3
2007 64.8 50.3
2006 65 47.5
2005 63.5 44.4
2004 62.7 42
2003 63 41
2002 64.5 36.8
2001 65.6 33.5
2000 64.4 36.8
1999 59.6 35.2
1998 56.9 35.2
1997 55.3 35.1
1996 56.8 38.5
1995 55.2 -

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

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

The Economic Freedom Index for Hungary is 62.5, ranking 86/197, 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

Hungary Laos
Services, % of GDP
60.1%
2025
43.6%
2025
Industry, % of GDP
23%
2025
29.2%
2025
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
2.65%
2025
16.6%
2025
GNI, Atlas method
$227B
2025
$16.9B
2025
GNI per capita, PPP
$48,630
2025
$9,800
2025
Total reserves including gold
$59.1B
2025
$2.21B
2024
Total reserves ranking
42/177
2025
125/177
2024
Net foreign direct investment
$9.1B
2025
-$988M
2024
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
-$61.3B
2024
$988M
2024
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
-$76.3B
2024
$0
2024
Servicing debt to the IMF, % of GNI n/a
13.8%
2024
Poverty at national poverty lines
12.1%
2021
15%
2024
Gross capital formation, % of GDP
22.2%
2025
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/hungary/laos | CC BY

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Data sources:

  1. World Bank | Economy & Growth (1968–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  2. International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1995–2025, 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. International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1927–1994, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  6. TradeMap (2021–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  7. United Nations | World Population Prospects (2026, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  8. LivingCost (2026, 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.