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Economy of Italy vs Laos compared: GDP & Debt

Updated on by Georank team

Italy has a GDP of $2.38T compared to $16.5B for Laos, ranking 8/197 and 139/197 by economy size, respectively.

Italy has $3.22T in government debt (135.3% of GDP), compared to $16.6B (100.5% of GDP) in Laos.

Italy vs Laos GDP by year

Italy
Laos
1x
Year GDP, current $
Italy Laos
2024 $2,380,825,077,244 $16,502,933,121
2023 $2,316,727,999,333 $15,843,155,731
2022 $2,104,067,630,319 $15,468,785,204
2021 $2,179,207,773,596 $18,827,148,531
2020 $1,907,481,094,079 $18,981,805,250
2019 $2,019,606,796,584 $18,740,561,513
2018 $2,099,435,266,459 $18,141,641,090
2017 $1,970,720,904,585 $17,071,155,481
2016 $1,887,111,188,177 $15,912,501,723
2015 $1,845,428,048,839 $14,426,380,126
2014 $2,173,255,507,986 $13,279,245,886
2013 $2,153,225,581,941 $11,983,252,627
2012 $2,097,929,495,122 $10,192,846,339
2011 $2,306,974,020,278 $8,750,104,617
2010 $2,144,936,254,535 $7,131,771,015
2009 $2,209,484,319,013 $5,836,137,330
2008 $2,417,508,414,187 $5,446,433,157
2007 $2,222,524,108,128 $4,223,152,739
2006 $1,958,563,654,386 $3,455,030,061
2005 $1,864,982,261,287 $2,735,558,735
2004 $1,812,808,753,295 $2,366,398,120
2003 $1,582,930,016,539 $2,023,324,407
2002 $1,281,746,271,196 $1,758,176,653
2001 $1,172,041,488,806 $1,768,619,058
2000 $1,149,661,363,439 $1,731,198,022
1999 $1,255,004,736,464 $1,454,430,642
1998 $1,272,729,786,997 $1,280,177,839
1997 $1,244,988,176,444 $1,747,011,857
1996 $1,314,776,508,972 $1,873,671,550
1995 $1,177,369,428,266 $1,763,536,305
1994 $1,101,750,159,702 $1,543,606,345
1993 $1,067,412,587,671 $1,327,748,690
1992 $1,323,204,350,354 $1,127,806,945
1991 $1,249,092,439,519 $1,028,087,972
1990 $1,183,945,130,899 $865,559,879
1989 $930,801,709,004 $714,046,821
1988 $893,663,934,841 $598,961,269
1987 $807,570,134,449 $1,087,273,104
1986 $641,862,313,287 $1,776,842,097
1985 $453,259,761,687 $2,366,666,616
1984 $438,896,930,791 $1,757,142,856
1983 $444,063,496,940 -
1982 $428,257,421,618 -
1981 $431,695,533,981 -
1980 $478,356,755,596 -
1979 $394,584,507,108 -
1978 $315,784,469,541 -
1977 $258,190,019,750 -
1976 $225,235,205,862 -
1975 $228,220,643,535 -
1974 $200,024,444,775 -
1973 $175,896,529,392 -
1972 $145,594,833,997 -
1971 $124,959,712,859 -
1970 $113,656,669,765 -
1969 $100,996,667,239 -
1968 $91,485,448,148 -
1967 $84,401,995,573 -
1966 $76,622,444,787 -
1965 $70,717,012,186 -
1964 $65,720,771,779 -
1963 $60,035,924,618 -
1962 $52,413,872,628 -
1961 $46,649,487,320 -
1960 $42,012,422,612 -

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

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

GDP per capita in Italy vs Laos by year

Italy
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
Laos
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
Italy Laos
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2024 $40,385 $62,014 $2,124 $9,776
2023 $39,277 $60,030 $2,067 $9,292
2022 $35,654 $57,261 $2,046 $8,766
2021 $36,853 $49,825 $2,526 $8,080
2020 $32,091 $44,436 $2,584 $7,913
2019 $33,813 $46,662 $2,589 $7,743
2018 $34,904 $43,387 $2,545 $7,487
2017 $32,844 $42,142 $2,432 $7,142
2016 $31,392 $40,483 $2,303 $6,743
2015 $30,640 $37,384 $2,121 $6,086
2014 $36,028 $36,666 $1,981 $5,799
2013 $35,702 $36,459 $1,813 $5,222
2012 $34,854 $36,281 $1,564 $4,781
2011 $38,432 $36,392 $1,362 $4,100
2010 $35,857 $34,974 $1,126 $3,772
2009 $37,100 $34,502 $935 $3,485
2008 $40,829 $35,422 $886 $3,271
2007 $37,826 $34,108 $697 $3,021
2006 $33,537 $32,454 $579 $2,777
2005 $32,063 $30,138 $466 $2,519
2004 $31,348 $29,581 $409 $2,315
2003 $27,578 $29,249 $355 $2,151
2002 $22,451 $28,833 $313 $2,020
2001 $20,570 $28,134 $320 $1,908
2000 $20,190 $27,152 $319 $1,794
1999 $22,050 $25,655 $272.3 $1,686
1998 $22,365 $25,075 $243.9 $1,577
1997 $21,884 $23,937 $339 $1,528
1996 $23,123 $23,101 $371 $1,435
1995 $20,712 $22,446 $358 $1,349
1994 $19,382 $21,369 $321 $1,265
1993 $18,782 $20,485 $283.4 $1,176
1992 $23,297 $20,196 $247.3 $1,114
1991 $22,007 $19,596 $231.8 $1,061
1990 $20,874 $18,680 $200.7 $1,012
1989 $16,424 - $170.4 -
1988 $15,781 - $147.1 -
1987 $14,268 - $274.7 -
1986 $11,341 - $462 -
1985 $8,009 - $633 -
1984 $7,758 - $483 -
1983 $7,851 - - -
1982 $7,574 - - -
1981 $7,640 - - -
1980 $8,476 - - -
1979 $7,006 - - -
1978 $5,623 - - -
1977 $4,614 - - -
1976 $4,042 - - -
1975 $4,116 - - -
1974 $3,629 - - -
1973 $3,213 - - -
1972 $2,677 - - -
1971 $2,311 - - -
1970 $2,112 - - -
1969 $1,886 - - -
1968 $1,718 - - -
1967 $1,595 - - -
1966 $1,459 - - -
1965 $1,357 - - -
1964 $1,272 - - -
1963 $1,171 - - -
1962 $1,030 - - -
1961 $923 - - -
1960 $837 - - -

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

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

Italy's GDP per capita is $40,385, ranking 29/197, compared to $2,124 in Laos, ranking 155/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), Italy ranks 31st at $62,014, while Laos ranks 134th at $9,776.

Economic indicators

Italy Laos
Gross domestic product
$2.38T
2024
$16.5B
2024
GDP rank
8/197
2024
139/197
2024
GDP growth
0.69%
2023-2024
4.13%
2023-2024
GDP per capita
$40,385
2024
$2,124
2024
GDP per capita rank
29/197
2024
155/197
2024
GDP per capita, PPP
$62,014
2024
$9,776
2024
GDP per capita PPP rank
31/197
2024
134/197
2024
Government debt
$3.22T
2024
$16.6B
2024
Debt-to-GDP ratio
135.3%
2024
100.5%
2024
Government debt per person
$54,652
2024
$2,134
2024
Government debt per person rank
6/185
2024
119/185
2024
Average annual personal income after taxes
$23,800
2026
$2,096
2026
Market capitalization of domestic companies
$587B
2014
n/a
Number of millionaires
1,344,000
2025
n/a
Number of billionaires
74
2025
n/a
Income share by richest 10%
25.8%
2023
31.2%
2018
Income share by poorest 10%
2.3%
2023
3%
2018
Government expenditure, % of GDP
50.6%
2024
15.7%
2024
Consumer prices inflation
0.98%
2023-2024
23.1%
2023-2024
Unemployment rate
6.5%
2024
1.21%
2022
Population
58562681
8004838

Spending and national debt comparison by year

Italy
Spending

Debt
Laos
Spending

Debt
1x
Year % of GDP
Italy Laos
Government spending Government debt Government spending Government debt
2024 50.6% 135.3% 15.7% 100.5%
2023 54% 134.6% 16.4% 116.5%
2022 54.9% 138.3% 14.7% 130.7%
2021 56% 145.8% 15.7% 92.9%
2020 56.8% 154.4% 18.4% 76%
2019 48.4% 133.9% 18.6% 69.1%
2018 48.3% 134.2% 20.7% 60.6%
2017 48.8% 133.7% 21.8% 57.2%
2016 49% 134.2% 21.1% 54.5%
2015 50.2% 134.8% 25.8% 53.1%
2014 50.7% 134.8% 25% 53.5%
2013 50.9% 131.9% 24.2% 49.5%
2012 50.5% 125.9% 24.7% 46.1%
2011 49% 119.1% 20.2% 43%
2010 49.8% 118.8% 22.4% 49.3%
2009 51.1% 116.1% 20.1% 51.8%
2008 47.8% 105.8% 16.1% 51.7%
2007 46.6% 103.5% 15.1% 55.9%
2006 47.6% 106.3% 14.7% 60%
2005 47.1% 106.2% 15.3% 73.2%
2004 46.7% 104.7% 13.6% 80.7%
2003 47% 105.1% 16% 90.1%
2002 46.5% 105.9% 16.6% 95.3%
2001 47.1% 108.5% 18.8% 94.7%
2000 46.4% 108.7% 19.9% -
1999 47.1% 113.1% - -
1998 48% 113.9% - -
1997 49.3% 116.5% - -
1996 51.3% 118.9% - -
1995 51.4% 119.1% - -
1994 55.1% 130.8% - -
1993 57.8% 124.1% - -
1992 56.8% 113% - -
1991 55.3% 105.3% - -
1990 54.2% 101.7% - -
1989 51.6% 91.8% - -
1988 50.4% 89.2% - -
1987 49.8% 87.4% - -
1986 50.5% 83.4% - -
1985 49.8% 79.1% - -
1984 49.1% 73.1% - -
1983 48.9% 67.8% - -
1982 46.7% 61.8% - -
1981 44.6% 57.3% - -
1980 40.8% 55.1% - -
1979 40.1% 58.9% - -
1978 40.9% 59.9% - -
1977 38.5% 56% - -
1976 38.1% 57.3% - -
1975 39.1% 57.9% - -
1974 34.8% 50.8% - -
1973 35.3% 51.1% - -
1972 36.4% 48.2% - -
1971 34.4% 42.4% - -
1970 32.3% 37.8% - -
1969 32.1% 37% - -
1968 32.6% 36.4% - -
1967 17.9% 33.3% - -
1966 19.1% 33.4% - -
1965 18.6% 28.4% - -
1964 18.2% 27.2% - -
1963 16.7% 27.2% - -
1962 17.5% 29% - -
1961 17.3% 30% - -
1960 16.5% 31.4% - -

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1960–1989, retrieved 2026-02-20).

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

In 2024, Italy's government spending was $1.2T, accounting for 50.6% of its GDP, while Laos spent $2.58B, or 15.7% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 135.3% in Italy and 100.5% in Laos, ranking 8/185 and 24/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
Italy

Laos
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
Italy Laos
2024 -3.45% 2.34%
2023 -7.24% -0.01%
2022 -8.11% 0.06%
2021 -8.88% -0.67%
2020 -9.38% -5.37%
2019 -1.45% -3.2%
2018 -2.19% -4.46%
2017 -2.51% -5.51%
2016 -2.4% -5.06%
2015 -2.46% -5.57%
2014 -2.82% -3.13%
2013 -2.87% -4.03%
2012 -2.99% -2.34%
2011 -3.52% -1.43%
2010 -4.16% -1.47%
2009 -5.06% -3.1%
2008 -2.58% -1.86%
2007 -1.33% -1.12%
2006 -3.61% -1.48%
2005 -4.1% -2.54%
2004 -3.46% -1.81%
2003 -3.23% -3.89%
2002 -2.88% -2.85%
2001 -3.18% -3.68%
2000 -2.42% -3.58%
1999 -1.77% -
1998 -2.99% -
1997 -2.98% -
1996 -6.61% -
1995 -7.2% -
1994 -8.84% -
1993 -9.76% -
1992 -10.1% -
1991 -11.1% -
1990 -11.1% -
1989 -11.4% -
1988 -11% -
1987 -11.5% -
1986 -12% -
1985 -12.4% -
1984 -11.5% -
1983 -10.1% -
1982 -10% -
1981 -10.9% -
1980 -6.97% -
1979 -8.23% -
1978 -8.47% -
1977 -6.96% -
1976 -7.88% -
1975 -10.3% -
1974 -6.24% -
1973 -6.36% -
1972 -6.84% -
1971 -4.71% -
1970 -3.22% -
1969 -2.85% -
1968 -2.55% -
1967 -0.97% -
1966 -1.59% -
1965 -2.67% -
1964 -2.35% -
1963 -0.3% -
1962 -0.95% -
1961 -0.57% -
1960 -0.28% -
1959 -1% -
1958 -0.98% -
1957 -1.09% -
1956 -1.46% -
1955 -2.03% -
1954 -1.84% -
1953 -2.33% -
1952 -4.08% -
1951 -3.86% -
1950 -2.42% -
1949 -2.82% -
1948 -4.58% -
1947 -6.62% -
1946 -9.82% -
1945 -16.9% -
1944 -35.1% -
1943 -16.1% -
1942 -26.9% -
1941 -25.1% -
1940 -24.3% -
1939 -9.49% -
1938 -5.97% -
1937 -5.78% -
1936 -7.93% -
1935 -9.83% -
1934 -2.5% -
1933 -4.85% -
1932 -3.06% -
1931 -2.14% -
1930 -0.55% -
1929 -0.59% -
1928 -2.09% -
1927 -1.71% -
1926 -0.09% -
1925 1.7% -
1924 1.19% -
1923 -3.21% -
1922 -11% -
1921 -7.77% -
1920 -5.89% -
1919 -11.2% -
1918 -22.7% -
1917 -27.6% -
1916 -28.2% -
1915 -25.8% -
1914 -12.4% -
1913 -0.86% -
1912 -1.86% -
1911 -0.63% -
1910 -0.32% -
1909 -0.69% -
1908 -1.31% -
1907 -0.51% -
1906 -0.69% -
1905 -1.57% -
1904 0.58% -
1903 0.32% -
1902 0.48% -
1901 0.36% -
1900 0.28% -
1899 -0.11% -
1898 -0.21% -
1897 0.009% -
1896 -0.43% -
1895 -0.69% -
1894 -0.23% -
1893 -0.49% -
1892 -0.25% -
1891 -1.41% -
1890 -0.32% -
1889 -1.32% -
1888 -2.11% -
1887 -1.94% -
1886 -0.5% -
1885 0.2% -
1884 -1.46% -
1883 -0.51% -
1882 -0.5% -
1881 -0.04% -
1880 0.38% -
1879 0.73% -
1878 0.09% -
1877 -0.009% -
1876 -0.05% -
1875 0.58% -
1874 -0.08% -
1873 0.21% -
1872 0% -
1871 -0.13% -
1870 -0.82% -
1869 0.33% -
1868 -0.79% -
1867 -1.45% -
1866 -3.1% -
1865 -2.72% -
1864 -3.06% -
1863 -4.16% -
1862 -3.96% -

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1862–1989, retrieved 2026-02-20); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20).

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

In 2024, Italy's government deficit, the difference between spending and revenue, was $82B, equivalent to 3.45% of GDP. This compares to Laos' surplus of $386M, or 2.34% of GDP.

Over the past 25 years, Italy recorded a fiscal deficit in 25 of those years, while Laos ran a deficit in 23 years. On average, Italy posted an annual deficit equal to 3.85% of GDP, compared to deficit of 2.63% of GDP for Laos.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
Italy

Laos
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
Italy Laos
2024 0.98% 23.1%
2023 5.62% 31.2%
2022 8.2% 23%
2021 1.87% 3.8%
2020 -0.14% 5.1%
2019 0.61% 3.3%
2018 1.14% 2%
2017 1.23% 0.8%
2016 -0.09% 1.6%
2015 0.04% 1.3%
2014 0.24% 4.1%
2013 1.22% 6.4%
2012 3.04% 4.3%
2011 2.78% 7.6%
2010 1.53% 6%
2009 0.77% 0.1%
2008 3.35% 7.6%
2007 1.83% 4.7%
2006 2.09% 6.5%
2005 1.99% 7.2%
2004 2.21% 10.5%
2003 2.67% 15.5%
2002 2.47% 10.6%
2001 2.79% 7.8%
2000 2.54% 8.4%
1999 1.66% 128.4%
1998 1.96% 90.1%
1997 2.04% 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/italy/laos | CC BY

Over the past 28 years, Italy has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 2.02%, compared with 15.7% in Laos. In 2024, inflation was 0.98% in Italy and 23.1% in Laos.

Top exports between countries

Italy
Export category Export value
Wood & paper products $6.64M
Textiles & consumer goods $4.5M
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $1.27M
Machinery & equipment $1.01M
Animal & marine products $558K
Chemicals & pharma $550K
Precious metals & jewellery $48K
Miscellaneous $32K
Metals $18K
Raw materials & minerals $6K
Laos
Export category Export value
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $5.29M
Textiles & consumer goods $4.85M
Raw agricultural goods $862K
Machinery & equipment $46K
Raw materials & minerals $40K
Metals $12K
Animal & marine products $6K
Wood & paper products $4K

Balance of trade

Italy Laos
Current account balance
$25.8B
2024
$531M
2024
Current account balance ranking
19/190
2024
61/190
2024
Current account balance, % of GDP
+1.08%
2024
+3.22%
2024
Goods imports
$562B
2024
$8.66B
2024
Goods exports
$621B
2024
$9.39B
2024
Service imports
$160B
2024
$1.27B
2024
Service exports
$155B
2024
$1.73B
2024
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
30.3%
2024
41.9%
2016
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
32.5%
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.

Italy Laos
Economic freedom 63.3 50.9
Economic freedom ranking 80/197 157/197
Property rights 84.8 41.1
Government integrity 60.8 25.9
Judicial effectiveness 80.9 10.2
Tax burden 57.5 88.5
Government spending 15.3 92.7
Fiscal health 17.2 80
Business freedom 74.5 54.2
Labor freedom 70.6 40.7
Monetary freedom 79.1 53.3
Trade freedom 79.4 69
Investment freedom 80 35
Financial freedom 60 20

Economic freedom comparison by year

Italy
Laos
1x
Year Economic freedom index
Italy Laos
2026 63.3 50.9
2025 60.9 51.1
2024 60.1 50.6
2023 62.3 50.3
2022 65.4 49.2
2021 64.9 53.9
2020 63.8 55.5
2019 62.2 57.4
2018 62.5 53.6
2017 62.5 54
2016 61.2 49.8
2015 61.7 51.4
2014 60.9 51.2
2013 60.6 50.1
2012 58.8 50
2011 60.3 51.3
2010 62.7 51.1
2009 61.4 50.4
2008 62.6 50.3
2007 62.8 50.3
2006 62 47.5
2005 64.9 44.4
2004 64.2 42
2003 64.3 41
2002 63.6 36.8
2001 63 33.5
2000 61.9 36.8
1999 61.6 35.2
1998 59.1 35.2
1997 58.1 35.1
1996 60.8 38.5
1995 61.2 -

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

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

The Economic Freedom Index for Italy is 63.3, ranking 80/197, 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

Italy Laos
Services, % of GDP
65%
2024
43.5%
2024
Industry, % of GDP
22.3%
2024
29%
2024
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
2%
2024
16.8%
2024
GNI, Atlas method
$2.28T
2024
$15.5B
2024
GNI per capita, PPP
$61,620
2024
$9,160
2024
Total reserves including gold
$291B
2024
$1.77B
2023
Total reserves ranking
12/177
2024
129/177
2023
Net foreign direct investment
$19B
2024
-$988M
2024
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
$26.9B
2024
$988M
2024
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
$45.9B
2024
$0
2024
Servicing debt to the IMF, % of GNI n/a
13.8%
2024
Poverty at national poverty lines
20.1%
2021
22%
2020
Gross capital formation, % of GDP
22.6%
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/italy/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) | Public Finances in Modern History (1862–1989, retrieved 2026-02-20)
  3. International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2024, 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.