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Economy of Indonesia vs Laos compared: GDP & Debt

Updated on by Georank team

Indonesia has a GDP of $1.4T compared to $16.5B for Laos, ranking 16/197 and 139/197 by economy size, respectively.

Indonesia has $561B in government debt (40.2% of GDP), compared to $16.6B (100.5% of GDP) in Laos.

Indonesia vs Laos GDP by year

Indonesia
Laos
1x
Year GDP, current $
Indonesia Laos
2024 $1,396,300,098,191 $16,502,933,121
2023 $1,371,169,301,564 $15,843,155,731
2022 $1,319,101,183,380 $15,468,785,204
2021 $1,186,509,691,087 $18,827,148,531
2020 $1,059,054,842,698 $18,981,805,250
2019 $1,119,099,871,350 $18,740,561,513
2018 $1,042,271,532,989 $18,141,641,090
2017 $1,015,618,744,160 $17,071,155,481
2016 $931,877,364,038 $15,912,501,723
2015 $860,854,232,686 $14,426,380,126
2014 $890,814,755,534 $13,279,245,886
2013 $912,524,136,718 $11,983,252,627
2012 $917,869,913,333 $10,192,846,339
2011 $892,969,104,563 $8,750,104,617
2010 $755,094,157,622 $7,131,771,015
2009 $539,580,085,612 $5,836,137,330
2008 $510,228,634,992 $5,446,433,157
2007 $432,216,737,775 $4,223,152,739
2006 $364,570,515,618 $3,455,030,061
2005 $285,868,619,196 $2,735,558,735
2004 $256,836,875,295 $2,366,398,120
2003 $234,772,463,824 $2,023,324,407
2002 $195,660,611,165 $1,758,176,653
2001 $160,446,947,785 $1,768,619,058
2000 $165,021,012,078 $1,731,198,022
1999 $140,001,351,215 $1,454,430,642
1998 $95,445,547,873 $1,280,177,839
1997 $215,748,998,610 $1,747,011,857
1996 $227,369,679,375 $1,873,671,550
1995 $202,132,028,723 $1,763,536,305
1994 $176,892,143,932 $1,543,606,345
1993 $158,006,700,302 $1,327,748,690
1992 $128,026,966,580 $1,127,806,945
1991 $116,621,996,217 $1,028,087,972
1990 $106,140,727,334 $865,559,879
1989 $94,451,427,877 $714,046,821
1988 $84,300,174,486 $598,961,269
1987 $75,929,617,558 $1,087,273,104
1986 $79,954,072,545 $1,776,842,097
1985 $85,289,488,375 $2,366,666,616
1984 $84,853,700,028 $1,757,142,856
1983 $81,052,283,384 -
1982 $90,158,449,295 -
1981 $85,518,233,419 -
1980 $72,482,337,397 -
1979 $51,400,186,343 -
1978 $51,455,719,076 -
1977 $45,808,915,663 -
1976 $37,269,156,627 -
1975 $30,463,855,422 -
1974 $25,802,409,639 -
1973 $16,273,253,012 -
1972 $10,997,590,361 -
1971 $9,333,536,370 -
1970 $9,150,684,932 -
1969 $8,337,423,313 -
1968 $7,076,465,300 -
1967 $5,667,756,628 -

Data sources: World Bank | Economy & Growth (1967–2024, retrieved 2026-04-06).

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

GDP per capita in Indonesia vs Laos by year

Indonesia
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
Laos
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
Indonesia Laos
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2024 $4,925 $16,448 $2,124 $9,776
2023 $4,876 $15,416 $2,067 $9,292
2022 $4,731 $14,285 $2,046 $8,766
2021 $4,287 $12,757 $2,526 $8,080
2020 $3,854 $11,729 $2,584 $7,913
2019 $4,107 $11,986 $2,589 $7,743
2018 $3,861 $11,372 $2,545 $7,487
2017 $3,799 $10,688 $2,432 $7,142
2016 $3,521 $10,263 $2,303 $6,743
2015 $3,288 $10,028 $2,121 $6,086
2014 $3,441 $10,065 $1,981 $5,799
2013 $3,567 $9,866 $1,813 $5,222
2012 $3,632 $9,530 $1,564 $4,781
2011 $3,579 $8,937 $1,362 $4,100
2010 $3,066 $8,353 $1,126 $3,772
2009 $2,218 $7,868 $935 $3,485
2008 $2,125 $7,569 $886 $3,271
2007 $1,823 $7,096 $697 $3,021
2006 $1,558 $6,583 $579 $2,777
2005 $1,238 $6,134 $466 $2,519
2004 $1,127 $5,700 $409 $2,315
2003 $1,043 $5,353 $355 $2,151
2002 $881 $5,076 $313 $2,020
2001 $732 $4,849 $320 $1,908
2000 $764 $4,639 $319 $1,794
1999 $657 $4,386 $272.3 $1,686
1998 $455 $4,356 $243.9 $1,577
1997 $1,045 $5,037 $339 $1,528
1996 $1,119 $4,807 $371 $1,435
1995 $1,011 $4,451 $358 $1,349
1994 $900 $4,096 $321 $1,265
1993 $817 $3,793 $283.4 $1,176
1992 $674 $3,538 $247.3 $1,114
1991 $624 $3,305 $231.8 $1,061
1990 $578 $3,044 $200.7 $1,012
1989 $524 - $170.4 -
1988 $477 - $147.1 -
1987 $438 - $274.7 -
1986 $470 - $462 -
1985 $511 - $633 -
1984 $520 - $483 -
1983 $508 - - -
1982 $578 - - -
1981 $561 - - -
1980 $487 - - -
1979 $353 - - -
1978 $362 - - -
1977 $331 - - -
1976 $275.7 - - -
1975 $231.1 - - -
1974 $200.7 - - -
1973 $129.9 - - -
1972 $90.1 - - -
1971 $78.5 - - -
1970 $79.1 - - -
1969 $74.1 - - -
1968 $64.7 - - -
1967 $53.2 - - -

Data sources: World Bank | Economy & Growth (1967–2024, retrieved 2026-04-06).

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

Indonesia's GDP per capita is $4,925, ranking 121/197, compared to $2,124 in Laos, ranking 155/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), Indonesia ranks 107th at $16,448, while Laos ranks 134th at $9,776.

Economic indicators

Indonesia Laos
Gross domestic product
$1.4T
2024
$16.5B
2024
GDP rank
16/197
2024
139/197
2024
GDP growth
5.03%
2023-2024
4.13%
2023-2024
GDP per capita
$4,925
2024
$2,124
2024
GDP per capita rank
121/197
2024
155/197
2024
GDP per capita, PPP
$16,448
2024
$9,776
2024
GDP per capita PPP rank
107/197
2024
134/197
2024
Government debt
$561B
2024
$16.6B
2024
Debt-to-GDP ratio
40.2%
2024
100.5%
2024
Government debt per person
$1,978
2024
$2,134
2024
Government debt per person rank
120/185
2024
119/185
2024
Average annual personal income after taxes
$3,371
2026
$2,096
2026
Market capitalization of domestic companies
$758B
2023
n/a
Number of millionaires
178,605
2025
n/a
Number of billionaires
33
2025
n/a
Income share by richest 10%
28.8%
2024
31.2%
2018
Income share by poorest 10%
3.5%
2024
3%
2018
Government expenditure, % of GDP
16.8%
2024
15.7%
2024
Consumer prices inflation
2.18%
2023-2024
23.1%
2023-2024
Central bank interest rate
4.75%
2025
n/a
Unemployment rate
3.31%
2023
1.21%
2022
Population
288551776
8004838

Spending and national debt comparison by year

Indonesia
Spending

Debt
Laos
Spending

Debt
1x
Year % of GDP
Indonesia Laos
Government spending Government debt Government spending Government debt
2024 16.8% 40.2% 15.7% 100.5%
2023 16.6% 39.6% 16.4% 116.5%
2022 17.3% 40.1% 14.7% 130.7%
2021 18.1% 41.1% 15.7% 92.9%
2020 18.4% 39.7% 18.4% 76%
2019 16.4% 30.6% 18.6% 69.1%
2018 16.6% 30.4% 20.7% 60.6%
2017 16.4% 29.4% 21.8% 57.2%
2016 16.9% 28% 21.1% 54.5%
2015 17.6% 27% 25.8% 53.1%
2014 18.4% 24.6% 25% 53.5%
2013 18.8% 24.9% 24.2% 49.5%
2012 18.8% 23% 24.7% 46.1%
2011 17.7% 23.1% 20.2% 43%
2010 16.9% 26.4% 22.4% 49.3%
2009 17% 26.5% 20.1% 51.8%
2008 19.4% 30.3% 16.1% 51.7%
2007 18.7% 38.1% 15.1% 55.9%
2006 18.4% 35.8% 14.7% 60%
2005 17.4% 42.6% 15.3% 73.2%
2004 17.8% 51.3% 13.6% 80.7%
2003 18.2% 55.6% 16% 90.1%
2002 16.9% 62.3% 16.6% 95.3%
2001 19.5% 73.7% 18.8% 94.7%
2000 15.3% 87.4% 19.9% -
1999 15.1% 95.9% - -
1998 15.1% 72.5% - -
1997 15.2% 26.4% - -
1996 11.5% 27.5% - -
1995 11.9% 32% - -
1994 13.5% 37% - -
1993 14.1% 40.4% - -
1992 16.8% 42.6% - -
1991 15% 39.2% - -
1990 15.8% 40.8% - -
1989 16.5% 42.5% - -
1988 17.3% 45.6% - -
1987 18% 49.7% - -
1986 20.9% 38.3% - -
1985 18.5% 28% - -
1984 16.1% 23.5% - -
1983 18.2% 23.1% - -
1982 18.8% 18.6% - -
1981 24.4% 16.4% - -
1980 22.1% 17.3% - -
1979 20.9% 22% - -
1978 20.1% 30.3% - -
1977 19.5% 27.7% - -
1976 21.8% 38.1% - -
1975 20.5% 36.7% - -
1974 17.3% 34.4% - -
1973 16.3% 43.1% - -
1972 15.7% 51.2% - -
1971 14.5% 50.5% - -
1970 13.8% 46.7% - -
1969 12.8% - - -
1968 8.82% - - -
1967 10.4% - - -
1966 9.18% - - -
1965 10.7% - - -
1964 9.55% - - -
1963 10.3% - - -
1962 7.89% - - -
1961 15.1% - - -
1960 14.4% - - -

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1993–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1960–1999, retrieved 2026-02-20).

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

In 2024, Indonesia's government spending was $235B, accounting for 16.8% of its GDP, while Laos spent $2.58B, or 15.7% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 40.2% in Indonesia and 100.5% in Laos, ranking 132/185 and 24/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
Indonesia

Laos
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
Indonesia Laos
2024 -2.3% 2.34%
2023 -1.64% -0.01%
2022 -2.31% 0.06%
2021 -4.4% -0.67%
2020 -6.07% -5.37%
2019 -2.09% -3.2%
2018 -1.69% -4.46%
2017 -2.26% -5.51%
2016 -2.56% -5.06%
2015 -2.72% -5.57%
2014 -1.8% -3.13%
2013 -1.96% -4.03%
2012 -1.59% -2.34%
2011 -0.7% -1.43%
2010 -1.24% -1.47%
2009 -1.64% -3.1%
2008 0.05% -1.86%
2007 -0.95% -1.12%
2006 0.45% -1.48%
2005 0.46% -2.54%
2004 -0.26% -1.81%
2003 -1.08% -3.89%
2002 -0.58% -2.85%
2001 -1.76% -3.68%
2000 -1.87% -3.58%
1999 -0.96% -
1998 -1.89% -
1997 -1.03% -
1996 0.96% -
1995 0.64% -
1994 0.005% -
1993 -0.59% -
1992 -2.95% -
1991 -0.87% -
1990 -0.55% -
1989 -1.72% -
1988 -2.68% -
1987 -0.9% -
1986 -2.94% -
1985 -0.45% -
1984 1.83% -
1983 -1% -
1982 -1.11% -
1981 -0.69% -
1980 -0.82% -
1979 -0.67% -
1978 -2.03% -
1977 -0.38% -
1976 -2.63% -
1975 -2.33% -
1974 -0.35% -
1973 -1.33% -
1972 -1.82% -
1971 -2.51% -
1970 -3.02% -
1969 -2.8% -
1968 0% -
1967 -0.35% -
1966 -5.06% -
1965 -6.62% -
1964 -5.58% -
1963 -5.24% -
1962 -3.1% -
1961 -4.57% -
1960 -1.65% -
1959 -4.06% -
1958 -6.67% -
1957 -2.92% -
1956 -1.38% -
1955 -1.6% -
1954 -3.16% -
1953 -2.33% -
1952 -3.66% -
1951 1.52% -

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1951–1992, retrieved 2026-02-20).

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

In 2024, Indonesia's government deficit, the difference between spending and revenue, was $32.1B, equivalent to 2.3% of GDP. This compares to Laos' surplus of $386M, or 2.34% of GDP.

Over the past 25 years, Indonesia recorded a fiscal deficit in 22 of those years, while Laos ran a deficit in 23 years. On average, Indonesia posted an annual deficit equal to 1.7% of GDP, compared to deficit of 2.63% of GDP for Laos.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
Indonesia

Laos
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
Indonesia Laos
2024 2.18% 23.1%
2023 3.67% 31.2%
2022 4.21% 23%
2021 1.56% 3.8%
2020 1.92% 5.1%
2019 3.03% 3.3%
2018 3.2% 2%
2017 3.81% 0.8%
2016 3.53% 1.6%
2015 6.36% 1.3%
2014 6.39% 4.1%
2013 6.41% 6.4%
2012 4.28% 4.3%
2011 5.36% 7.6%
2010 5.13% 6%
2009 4.39% 0.1%
2008 10.2% 7.6%
2007 6.41% 4.7%
2006 13.1% 6.5%
2005 10.5% 7.2%
2004 6.06% 10.5%
2003 6.76% 15.5%
2002 11.9% 10.6%
2001 11.5% 7.8%
2000 3.69% 8.4%
1999 20.5% 128.4%
1998 58.5% 90.1%
1997 6.23% 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/indonesia/laos | CC BY

Over the past 28 years, Indonesia has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 8.24%, compared with 15.7% in Laos. In 2024, inflation was 2.18% in Indonesia and 23.1% in Laos.

Top exports between countries

Indonesia
Export category Export value
Machinery & equipment $9.29M
Textiles & consumer goods $2.74M
Raw materials & minerals $2.51M
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $379K
Chemicals & pharma $180K
Raw agricultural goods $179K
Animal & marine products $135K
Metals $16K
Wood & paper products $11K
Miscellaneous $3K
Laos
Export category Export value
Raw materials & minerals $14.6M
Wood & paper products $1.2M
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $427K
Machinery & equipment $350K
Metals $141K
Textiles & consumer goods $113K
Miscellaneous $13K
Animal & marine products $6K
Raw agricultural goods $2K

Balance of trade

Indonesia Laos
Current account balance
-$8.72B
2024
$531M
2024
Current account balance ranking
174/190
2024
61/190
2024
Current account balance, % of GDP
-0.62%
2024
+3.22%
2024
Goods imports
$223B
2024
$8.66B
2024
Goods exports
$263B
2024
$9.39B
2024
Service imports
$57.6B
2024
$1.27B
2024
Service exports
$39B
2024
$1.73B
2024
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
20.4%
2024
41.9%
2016
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
22.2%
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.

Indonesia Laos
Economic freedom 65.1 50.9
Economic freedom ranking 67/197 157/197
Property rights 39.7 41.1
Government integrity 42 25.9
Judicial effectiveness 43.1 10.2
Tax burden 81.5 88.5
Government spending 91.4 92.7
Fiscal health 89.8 80
Business freedom 69.2 54.2
Labor freedom 56.8 40.7
Monetary freedom 79.4 53.3
Trade freedom 78.6 69
Investment freedom 50 35
Financial freedom 60 20

Economic freedom comparison by year

Indonesia
Laos
1x
Year Economic freedom index
Indonesia Laos
2026 65.1 50.9
2025 65.2 51.1
2024 63.5 50.6
2023 63.5 50.3
2022 64.4 49.2
2021 66.9 53.9
2020 67.2 55.5
2019 65.8 57.4
2018 64.2 53.6
2017 61.9 54
2016 59.4 49.8
2015 58.1 51.4
2014 58.5 51.2
2013 56.9 50.1
2012 56.4 50
2011 56 51.3
2010 55.5 51.1
2009 53.4 50.4
2008 53.2 50.3
2007 53.2 50.3
2006 51.9 47.5
2005 52.9 44.4
2004 52.1 42
2003 55.8 41
2002 54.8 36.8
2001 52.5 33.5
2000 55.2 36.8
1999 61.5 35.2
1998 63.4 35.2
1997 62 35.1
1996 61 38.5
1995 54.9 -

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

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

The Economic Freedom Index for Indonesia is 65.1, ranking 67/197, 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

Indonesia Laos
Services, % of GDP
43.8%
2024
43.5%
2024
Industry, % of GDP
39.3%
2024
29%
2024
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
12.6%
2024
16.8%
2024
GNI, Atlas method
$1.39T
2024
$15.5B
2024
GNI per capita, PPP
$16,010
2024
$9,160
2024
Total reserves including gold
$156B
2024
$1.77B
2023
Total reserves ranking
20/177
2024
129/177
2023
Net foreign direct investment
-$15.9B
2024
-$988M
2024
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
$24.2B
2024
$988M
2024
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
$8.39B
2024
$0
2024
Servicing debt to the IMF, % of GNI
5.65%
2024
13.8%
2024
Poverty at national poverty lines
9%
2024
22%
2020
Gross capital formation, % of GDP
31.4%
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/indonesia/laos | CC BY

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Data sources:

  1. World Bank | Economy & Growth (1967–2024, retrieved 2026-04-06)
  2. International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20)
  3. International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1951–1999, 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 (2020–2024, 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.