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Economy of Kazakhstan vs Laos compared: GDP & Debt

Updated on by Georank

Kazakhstan has a GDP of $306B compared to $18.3B for Laos, ranking 49/197 and 138/197 by economy size, respectively.

Kazakhstan has $75.2B in government debt (24.6% of GDP), compared to $14.8B (80.6% of GDP) in Laos.

Kazakhstan vs Laos GDP by year

Kazakhstan
Laos
1x
Year GDP, current $
Kazakhstan Laos
2025 $306,239,209,650 $18,302,970,219
2024 $291,480,274,649 $16,502,933,121
2023 $261,840,101,060 $15,843,155,731
2022 $225,496,328,925 $15,468,785,204
2021 $197,112,255,361 $18,827,148,531
2020 $171,082,365,861 $18,981,805,250
2019 $181,667,184,855 $18,740,561,513
2018 $179,339,977,690 $18,141,641,090
2017 $166,805,788,827 $17,071,155,481
2016 $137,278,320,084 $15,912,501,723
2015 $184,388,404,706 $14,426,380,126
2014 $221,415,613,595 $13,279,245,886
2013 $236,634,603,409 $11,983,252,627
2012 $207,998,568,866 $10,192,846,339
2011 $192,626,464,617 $8,750,104,617
2010 $148,047,348,241 $7,131,771,015
2009 $115,308,686,941 $5,836,137,330
2008 $133,441,648,852 $5,446,433,157
2007 $104,849,915,058 $4,223,152,739
2006 $81,003,864,630 $3,455,030,061
2005 $57,123,671,734 $2,735,558,735
2004 $43,151,647,003 $2,366,398,120
2003 $30,833,692,900 $2,023,324,407
2002 $24,636,598,527 $1,758,176,653
2001 $22,152,689,180 $1,768,619,058
2000 $18,291,990,662 $1,731,198,022
1999 $16,870,817,182 $1,454,430,642
1998 $22,135,245,507 $1,280,177,839
1997 $22,165,932,063 $1,747,011,857
1996 $21,035,357,937 $1,873,671,550
1995 $20,374,302,652 $1,763,536,305
1994 $21,250,792,886 $1,543,606,345
1993 $23,409,260,880 $1,327,748,690
1992 $24,917,355,372 $1,127,806,945
1991 $24,923,076,923 $1,028,087,972
1990 $26,932,016,270 $865,559,879
1989 - $714,046,821
1988 - $598,961,269
1987 - $1,087,273,104
1986 - $1,776,842,097
1985 - $2,366,666,616
1984 - $1,757,142,856

Data sources: World Bank | Economy & Growth (1984–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08).

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

GDP per capita in Kazakhstan vs Laos by year

Kazakhstan
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
Laos
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
Kazakhstan Laos
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2025 $14,692 - $2,325 -
2024 $14,155 $40,891 $2,124 $9,776
2023 $12,879 $38,515 $2,067 $9,292
2022 $11,255 $35,895 $2,046 $8,766
2021 $9,984 $32,946 $2,526 $8,080
2020 $8,782 $29,040 $2,584 $7,913
2019 $9,457 $28,689 $2,589 $7,743
2018 $9,472 $25,096 $2,545 $7,487
2017 $8,943 $23,973 $2,432 $7,142
2016 $7,476 $23,023 $2,303 $6,743
2015 $10,196 $22,484 $2,121 $6,086
2014 $12,428 $23,958 $1,981 $5,799
2013 $13,478 $23,754 $1,813 $5,222
2012 $12,019 $21,367 $1,564 $4,781
2011 $11,287 $20,160 $1,362 $4,100
2010 $8,793 $18,642 $1,126 $3,772
2009 $6,938 $17,389 $935 $3,485
2008 $8,124 $17,278 $886 $3,271
2007 $6,449 $16,581 $697 $3,021
2006 $5,030 $14,966 $579 $2,777
2005 $3,577 $13,226 $466 $2,519
2004 $2,722 $11,777 $409 $2,315
2003 $1,958 $10,532 $355 $2,151
2002 $1,574 $9,504 $313 $2,020
2001 $1,422 $8,568 $320 $1,908
2000 $1,180 $7,418 $319 $1,794
1999 $1,092 $6,626 $272.3 $1,686
1998 $1,415 $6,284 $243.9 $1,577
1997 $1,382 $6,178 $339 $1,528
1996 $1,281 $5,836 $371 $1,435
1995 $1,218 $5,595 $358 $1,349
1994 $1,247 $5,860 $321 $1,265
1993 $1,355 $6,477 $283.4 $1,176
1992 $1,438 $6,945 $247.3 $1,114
1991 $1,442 $7,193 $231.8 $1,061
1990 $1,570 $7,874 $200.7 $1,012
1989 - - $170.4 -
1988 - - $147.1 -
1987 - - $274.7 -
1986 - - $462 -
1985 - - $633 -
1984 - - $483 -

Data sources: World Bank | Economy & Growth (1984–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08).

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

Kazakhstan's GDP per capita is $14,692, ranking 73/197, compared to $2,325 in Laos, ranking 155/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), Kazakhstan ranks 58th at $40,891, while Laos ranks 134th at $9,776.

Economic indicators

Kazakhstan Laos
Gross domestic product
$306B
2025
$18.3B
2025
GDP rank
49/197
2025
138/197
2025
GDP growth
6.5%
2024-2025
4.54%
2024-2025
GDP per capita
$14,692
2025
$2,325
2025
GDP per capita rank
73/197
2025
155/197
2025
GDP per capita, PPP
$40,891
2024
$9,776
2024
GDP per capita PPP rank
58/197
2024
134/197
2024
Government debt
$75.2B
2025
$14.8B
2025
Debt-to-GDP ratio
24.6%
2025
80.6%
2025
Government debt per person
$3,609
2025
$1,874
2025
Government debt per person rank
96/185
2025
120/185
2025
Average annual personal income after taxes
$8,395
2026
$2,426
2026
Market capitalization of domestic companies
$158B
2025
n/a
Number of millionaires
44,307
2024
n/a
Number of billionaires
6
2026
n/a
Income share by richest 10%
24.8%
2021
28.5%
2024
Income share by poorest 10%
4.3%
2021
3.3%
2024
Government expenditure, % of GDP
21.8%
2025
17.9%
2025
Consumer prices inflation
11.4%
2024-2025
7.7%
2024-2025
Central bank interest rate
17%
2026
n/a
Unemployment rate
4.9%
2022
1.21%
2022
Population
21211812
8027464

Spending and national debt comparison by year

Kazakhstan
Spending

Debt
Laos
Spending

Debt
1x
Year % of GDP
Kazakhstan Laos
Government spending Government debt Government spending Government debt
2025 21.8% 24.6% 17.9% 80.6%
2024 22.7% 24.4% 15.8% 94.7%
2023 23.4% 23% 16.5% 108.9%
2022 21.7% 23.5% 14.7% 115.7%
2021 22.1% 25.1% 15.7% 92.2%
2020 24.5% 26.4% 18.4% 75.4%
2019 20.2% 19.9% 18.6% 69.1%
2018 18.8% 20.3% 20.7% 60.6%
2017 24.1% 19.9% 21.8% 57.2%
2016 21.5% 19.7% 21.1% 54.5%
2015 22.9% 21.9% 25.8% 53.1%
2014 21.3% 14.5% 25% 53.5%
2013 19.8% 12.6% 24.2% 49.5%
2012 21.9% 12.1% 24.7% 46.1%
2011 21.2% 10.2% 20.2% 43%
2010 22.5% 10.7% 22.4% 49.3%
2009 23.5% 10.2% 20.1% 51.8%
2008 27.1% 6.77% 16.1% 51.7%
2007 23.7% 4.09% 15.1% 55.9%
2006 19.8% 6.68% 14.7% 60%
2005 22% 8.1% 15.3% 73.2%
2004 21.3% 11.4% 13.6% 80.7%
2003 21.4% 15% 16% 90.1%
2002 20.5% 17.6% 16.6% 95.3%
2001 - - 18.8% 94.7%
2000 - - 19.9% -

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (2000–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08).

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

In 2025, Kazakhstan's government spending was $66.9B, accounting for 21.8% of its GDP, while Laos spent $3.28B, or 17.9% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 24.6% in Kazakhstan and 80.6% in Laos, ranking 167/185 and 41/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
Kazakhstan

Laos
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
Kazakhstan Laos
2025 -3.11% 1.64%
2024 -3.43% 2.36%
2023 -1.41% -0.01%
2022 0.11% 0.06%
2021 -4.97% -0.67%
2020 -7.04% -5.37%
2019 -0.57% -3.2%
2018 2.58% -4.46%
2017 -4.27% -5.51%
2016 -4.5% -5.06%
2015 -6.26% -5.57%
2014 2.48% -3.13%
2013 4.95% -4.03%
2012 4.43% -2.34%
2011 5.81% -1.43%
2010 1.47% -1.47%
2009 -1.33% -3.1%
2008 1.23% -1.86%
2007 5.13% -1.12%
2006 7.65% -1.48%
2005 6.08% -2.54%
2004 3.29% -1.81%
2003 4% -3.89%
2002 1.92% -2.85%
2001 - -3.68%
2000 - -3.58%

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (2000–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08).

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

In 2025, Kazakhstan's government deficit, the difference between spending and revenue, was $9.54B, equivalent to 3.11% of GDP. This compares to Laos' surplus of $300M, or 1.64% of GDP.

Over the past 24 years, Kazakhstan recorded a fiscal deficit in 10 of those years, while Laos ran a deficit in 21 years. On average, Kazakhstan posted an annual surplus equal to 0.59% of GDP, compared to deficit of 2.37% of GDP for Laos.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
Kazakhstan

Laos
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
Kazakhstan Laos
2025 11.4% 7.7%
2024 8.7% 23.1%
2023 14.5% 31.2%
2022 15% 23%
2021 8% 3.8%
2020 6.8% 5.1%
2019 5.3% 3.3%
2018 6% 2%
2017 7.5% 0.8%
2016 14.6% 1.6%
2015 6.8% 1.3%
2014 6.6% 4.1%
2013 5.8% 6.4%
2012 5.1% 4.3%
2011 8.4% 7.6%
2010 7.1% 6%
2009 7.3% 0.1%
2008 17.2% 7.6%
2007 10.8% 4.7%
2006 8.6% 6.5%
2005 7.4% 7.2%
2004 7% 10.5%
2003 6.4% 15.5%
2002 6% 10.6%
2001 8.4% 7.8%
2000 13.2% 8.4%
1999 8.3% 128.4%
1998 7.1% 90.1%
1997 17.4% 19.5%

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

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

Over the past 29 years, Kazakhstan has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 9.06%, compared with 15.5% in Laos. In 2025, inflation was 11.4% in Kazakhstan and 7.7% in Laos.

Top exports between countries

Kazakhstan
Export category Export value
Machinery & equipment $46K
Laos
Export category Export value

Balance of trade

Kazakhstan Laos
Current account balance
-$12.5B
2025
$531M
2024
Current account balance ranking
177/190
2025
58/190
2024
Current account balance, % of GDP
-4.07%
2025
+3.22%
2024
Goods imports
$66.3B
2025
$8.66B
2024
Goods exports
$77.3B
2025
$9.39B
2024
Service imports
$14B
2025
$1.27B
2024
Service exports
$12.8B
2025
$1.73B
2024
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
25.6%
2024
41.9%
2016
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
31.6%
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.

Kazakhstan Laos
Economic freedom 64.2 50.9
Economic freedom ranking 75/197 157/197
Property rights 54.9 41.1
Government integrity 40.7 25.9
Judicial effectiveness 33.8 10.2
Tax burden 91.2 88.5
Government spending 85.6 92.7
Fiscal health 97.2 80
Business freedom 64.9 54.2
Labor freedom 63.5 40.7
Monetary freedom 64.3 53.3
Trade freedom 74.4 69
Investment freedom 50 35
Financial freedom 50 20

Economic freedom comparison by year

Kazakhstan
Laos
1x
Year Economic freedom index
Kazakhstan Laos
2026 64.2 50.9
2025 63.8 51.1
2024 62 50.6
2023 62.1 50.3
2022 64.4 49.2
2021 71.1 53.9
2020 69.6 55.5
2019 65.4 57.4
2018 69.1 53.6
2017 69 54
2016 63.6 49.8
2015 63.3 51.4
2014 63.7 51.2
2013 63 50.1
2012 63.6 50
2011 62.1 51.3
2010 61 51.1
2009 60.1 50.4
2008 61.1 50.3
2007 59.6 50.3
2006 60.2 47.5
2005 53.9 44.4
2004 49.7 42
2003 52.3 41
2002 52.4 36.8
2001 51.8 33.5
2000 50.4 36.8
1999 47.3 35.2
1998 41.7 35.2
1997 - 35.1
1996 - 38.5

Data sources: The Heritage Foundation | Economic Freedom Index (1996–2026, retrieved 2026-07-08).

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

The Economic Freedom Index for Kazakhstan is 64.2, ranking 75/197, 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

Kazakhstan Laos
Services, % of GDP
57.7%
2025
43.6%
2025
Industry, % of GDP
32.3%
2025
29.2%
2025
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
3.74%
2025
16.6%
2025
GNI, Atlas method
$286B
2025
$16.9B
2025
GNI per capita, PPP
$41,090
2025
$9,800
2025
Total reserves including gold
$66.1B
2025
$2.21B
2024
Total reserves ranking
40/177
2025
125/177
2024
Net foreign direct investment
$1.38B
2025
-$988M
2024
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
$2.09B
2024
$988M
2024
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
-$1.9B
2024
$0
2024
Servicing debt to the IMF, % of GNI
17.3%
2024
13.8%
2024
Poverty at national poverty lines
5%
2024
15%
2024
Gross capital formation, % of GDP
27.2%
2024
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/kazakhstan/laos | CC BY

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Data sources:

  1. World Bank | Economy & Growth (1984–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  2. International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (2000–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  3. The Heritage Foundation | Economic Freedom Index (1996–2026, 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. TradeMap (2024, 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.