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Economy of Laos vs Lesotho compared: GDP & Debt

Updated on by Georank

Laos has a GDP of $18.3B compared to $2.57B for Lesotho, ranking 138/197 and 175/197 by economy size, respectively.

Laos has $14.8B in government debt (80.6% of GDP), compared to $1.26B (49.1% of GDP) in Lesotho.

Laos vs Lesotho GDP by year

Laos
Lesotho
1x
Year GDP, current $
Laos Lesotho
2025 $18,302,970,219 $2,573,572,920
2024 $16,502,933,121 $2,391,282,548
2023 $15,843,155,731 $2,129,871,530
2022 $15,468,785,204 $2,354,980,960
2021 $18,827,148,531 $2,412,130,057
2020 $18,981,805,250 $2,053,699,864
2019 $18,740,561,513 $2,390,702,296
2018 $18,141,641,090 $2,556,247,292
2017 $17,071,155,481 $2,306,741,672
2016 $15,912,501,723 $2,114,426,452
2015 $14,426,380,126 $2,359,686,725
2014 $13,279,245,886 $2,441,063,054
2013 $11,983,252,627 $2,367,112,932
2012 $10,192,846,339 $2,477,702,216
2011 $8,750,104,617 $2,579,409,620
2010 $7,131,771,015 $2,234,754,242
2009 $5,836,137,330 $1,740,894,965
2008 $5,446,433,157 $1,766,902,709
2007 $4,223,152,739 $1,682,131,785
2006 $3,455,030,061 $1,800,092,564
2005 $2,735,558,735 $1,682,343,527
2004 $2,366,398,120 $1,511,236,656
2003 $2,023,324,407 $1,157,825,435
2002 $1,758,176,653 $775,777,239
2001 $1,768,619,058 $825,706,961
2000 $1,731,198,022 $887,291,688
1999 $1,454,430,642 $912,773,681
1998 $1,280,177,839 $928,460,893
1997 $1,747,011,857 $998,004,259
1996 $1,873,671,550 $946,112,493
1995 $1,763,536,305 $1,001,894,000
1994 $1,543,606,345 $878,250,945
1993 $1,327,748,690 $835,582,062
1992 $1,127,806,945 $831,029,862
1991 $1,028,087,972 $704,325,367
1990 $865,559,879 $596,410,264
1989 $714,046,821 $495,409,233
1988 $598,961,269 $470,395,801
1987 $1,087,273,104 $402,768,324
1986 $1,776,842,097 $318,858,423
1985 $2,366,666,616 $268,629,926
1984 $1,757,142,856 $333,163,670
1983 - $386,699,309
1982 - $348,741,684
1981 - $434,188,034
1980 - $431,542,537
1979 - $290,134,593
1978 - $266,570,067
1977 - $193,315,048
1976 - $147,660,037
1975 - $149,558,896
1974 - $150,851,317
1973 - $121,188,716
1972 - $80,913,200
1971 - $76,480,285
1970 - $68,739,973
1969 - $65,967,974
1968 - $61,445,975
1967 - $59,261,976
1966 - $56,699,977
1965 - $54,879,978
1964 - $51,939,979
1963 - $47,039,981
1962 - $41,859,983
1961 - $35,699,986
1960 - $34,579,986

Data sources: World Bank | Economy & Growth (1960–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08).

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

GDP per capita in Laos vs Lesotho by year

Laos
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
Lesotho
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
Laos Lesotho
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2025 $2,325 - $1,089 -
2024 $2,124 $9,776 $1,023 $3,001
2023 $2,067 $9,292 $921 $2,881
2022 $2,046 $8,766 $1,030 $2,761
2021 $2,526 $8,080 $1,067 $2,545
2020 $2,584 $7,913 $919 $2,559
2019 $2,589 $7,743 $1,082 $2,568
2018 $2,545 $7,487 $1,171 $2,632
2017 $2,432 $7,142 $1,069 $2,619
2016 $2,303 $6,743 $992 $2,942
2015 $2,121 $6,086 $1,121 $3,035
2014 $1,981 $5,799 $1,174 $2,771
2013 $1,813 $5,222 $1,151 $2,538
2012 $1,564 $4,781 $1,218 $2,291
2011 $1,362 $4,100 $1,281 $2,279
2010 $1,126 $3,772 $1,119 $2,153
2009 $935 $3,485 $879 $2,036
2008 $886 $3,271 $898 $2,064
2007 $697 $3,021 $861 $1,932
2006 $579 $2,777 $925 $1,813
2005 $466 $2,519 $861 $1,681
2004 $409 $2,315 $767 $1,561
2003 $355 $2,151 $583 $1,484
2002 $313 $2,020 $389 $1,385
2001 $320 $1,908 $413 $1,350
2000 $319 $1,794 $443 $1,273
1999 $272.3 $1,686 $456 $1,199
1998 $243.9 $1,577 $465 $1,179
1997 $339 $1,528 $502 $1,154
1996 $371 $1,435 $480 $1,103
1995 $358 $1,349 $513 $1,037
1994 $321 $1,265 $456 $995
1993 $283.4 $1,176 $439 $932
1992 $247.3 $1,114 $444 $893
1991 $231.8 $1,061 $382 $830
1990 $200.7 $1,012 $330 $764
1989 $170.4 - $279 -
1988 $147.1 - $270.4 -
1987 $274.7 - $236.5 -
1986 $462 - $191.4 -
1985 $633 - $165.4 -
1984 $483 - $211 -
1983 - - $252 -
1982 - - $233.9 -
1981 - - $299.8 -
1980 - - $307 -
1979 - - $212.4 -
1978 - - $200.8 -
1977 - - $149.9 -
1976 - - $117.8 -
1975 - - $123.2 -
1974 - - $128.7 -
1973 - - $107 -
1972 - - $74 -
1971 - - $72.4 -
1970 - - $67.4 -
1969 - - $67.1 -
1968 - - $64.8 -
1967 - - $64.8 -
1966 - - $64.3 -
1965 - - $64.3 -
1964 - - $62.6 -
1963 - - $58.4 -
1962 - - $53.5 -
1961 - - $47 -
1960 - - $47 -

Data sources: World Bank | Economy & Growth (1960–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08).

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

Laos' GDP per capita is $2,325, ranking 155/197, compared to $1,089 in Lesotho, ranking 179/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), Laos ranks 134th at $9,776, while Lesotho ranks 180th at $3,001.

Economic indicators

Laos Lesotho
Gross domestic product
$18.3B
2025
$2.57B
2025
GDP rank
138/197
2025
175/197
2025
GDP growth
4.54%
2024-2025
1.98%
2024-2025
GDP per capita
$2,325
2025
$1,089
2025
GDP per capita rank
155/197
2025
179/197
2025
GDP per capita, PPP
$9,776
2024
$3,001
2024
GDP per capita PPP rank
134/197
2024
180/197
2024
Government debt
$14.8B
2025
$1.26B
2025
Debt-to-GDP ratio
80.6%
2025
49.1%
2025
Government debt per person
$1,874
2025
$535
2025
Government debt per person rank
120/185
2025
165/185
2025
Average annual personal income after taxes
$2,426
2026
$1,455
2026
Income share by richest 10%
28.5%
2024
32.9%
2017
Income share by poorest 10%
3.3%
2024
1.7%
2017
Government expenditure, % of GDP
17.9%
2025
54.2%
2025
Consumer prices inflation
7.7%
2024-2025
4.27%
2024-2025
Central bank interest rate n/a
6.5%
2025
Unemployment rate
1.21%
2022
18.7%
2024
Population
8027464
2402837

Spending and national debt comparison by year

Laos
Spending

Debt
Lesotho
Spending

Debt
1x
Year % of GDP
Laos Lesotho
Government spending Government debt Government spending Government debt
2025 17.9% 80.6% 54.2% 49.1%
2024 15.8% 94.7% 52.5% 52.8%
2023 16.5% 108.9% 49% 61.1%
2022 14.7% 115.7% 50.8% 64.4%
2021 15.7% 92.2% 53.6% 58%
2020 18.4% 75.4% 54.2% 54.7%
2019 18.6% 69.1% 52.9% 58.2%
2018 20.7% 60.6% 51.9% 48.2%
2017 21.8% 57.2% 50.4% 41%
2016 21.1% 54.5% 54.1% 41.5%
2015 25.8% 53.1% 51.7% 45.8%
2014 25% 53.5% 50.1% 41.5%
2013 24.2% 49.5% 58.4% 41.2%
2012 24.7% 46.1% 58.1% 39.8%
2011 20.2% 43% 60.2% 36.2%
2010 22.4% 49.3% 55.3% 33.8%
2009 20.1% 51.8% 66.4% 35.9%
2008 16.1% 51.7% 54.1% 47%
2007 15.1% 55.9% 48.1% 49.6%
2006 14.7% 60% 43.2% 43.7%
2005 15.3% 73.2% 37.6% 41%
2004 13.6% 80.7% 36.3% 49.4%
2003 16% 90.1% 39.8% 52.6%
2002 16.6% 95.3% 41.2% 79.6%
2001 18.8% 94.7% 41.4% 108.7%
2000 19.9% - 39.3% 88.5%
1999 - - 50.8% 83%
1998 - - 51.4% 79.4%
1997 - - 44.6% 65.7%
1996 - - 41.5% 71.6%
1995 - - 42.1% 62.8%
1994 - - 40.2% 67%
1993 - - 36% 71.2%
1992 - - 35.3% 64.4%
1991 - - 31.3% 11.9%
1990 - - 32.9% 18%
1989 - - 35.8% 112.5%
1988 - - 35.3% 105.2%
1987 - - 40.3% 97.4%
1986 - - 33.2% 92.5%
1985 - - 32.8% 86.3%
1984 - - 26.8% 57.2%
1983 - - 27.2% 56.7%
1982 - - 29.9% 61.4%

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1982–1989, retrieved 2026-07-08).

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

In 2025, Laos' government spending was $3.28B, accounting for 17.9% of its GDP, while Lesotho spent $1.4B, or 54.2% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 80.6% in Laos and 49.1% in Lesotho, ranking 41/185 and 106/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
Laos

Lesotho
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
Laos Lesotho
2025 1.64% 2.15%
2024 2.36% 8.17%
2023 -0.01% 7.36%
2022 0.06% -6.33%
2021 -0.67% -4.79%
2020 -5.37% 1.45%
2019 -3.2% -5.09%
2018 -4.46% -4.41%
2017 -5.51% -2.02%
2016 -5.06% -9.43%
2015 -5.57% -1.38%
2014 -3.13% 3.16%
2013 -4.03% -2.58%
2012 -2.34% 4.56%
2011 -1.43% -9.85%
2010 -1.47% -1.49%
2009 -3.1% -4.16%
2008 -1.86% 8.1%
2007 -1.12% 10.8%
2006 -1.48% 11.6%
2005 -2.54% 4.46%
2004 -1.81% 6.05%
2003 -3.89% 0.89%
2002 -2.85% -2.44%
2001 -3.68% -2.76%
2000 -3.58% -0.95%
1999 - -15.3%
1998 - -11.8%
1997 - 0.27%
1996 - 2.11%
1995 - 5.13%
1994 - 5.69%
1993 - 7.55%
1992 - 4.65%
1991 - 9.74%
1990 - 8.78%
1989 - 3.88%
1988 - -1.87%
1987 - -2.85%
1986 - 0.87%
1985 - 1.68%
1984 - 4.82%
1983 - 1.85%
1982 - -2.03%

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1982–1989, retrieved 2026-07-08).

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

In 2025, Laos' government surplus, the difference between spending and revenue, was $300M, equivalent to 1.64% of GDP. This compares to Lesotho's surplus of $55.4M, or 2.15% of GDP.

Over the past 26 years, Laos recorded a fiscal deficit in 23 of those years, while Lesotho ran a deficit in 14 years. On average, Laos posted an annual deficit equal to 2.47% of GDP, compared to surplus of 0.42% of GDP for Lesotho.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
Laos

Lesotho
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
Laos Lesotho
2025 7.7% 4.27%
2024 23.1% 6.11%
2023 31.2% 6.34%
2022 23% 8.27%
2021 3.8% 6.05%
2020 5.1% 4.98%
2019 3.3% 5.19%
2018 2% 4.75%
2017 0.8% 4.45%
2016 1.6% 6.6%
2015 1.3% 3.22%
2014 4.1% 5.37%
2013 6.4% 4.87%
2012 4.3% 6.05%
2011 7.6% 5.04%
2010 6% -2.41%
2009 0.1% -16.9%
2008 7.6% 10.7%
2007 4.7% 8.01%
2006 6.5% 6.07%
2005 7.2% 3.44%
2004 10.5% 5.02%
2003 15.5% 6.63%
2002 10.6% 33.8%
2001 7.8% -9.62%
2000 8.4% 6.13%
1999 128.4% -
1998 90.1% -
1997 19.5% -

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | World Economic Outlook (1997–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08); World Bank | Economy & Growth (2000–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08).

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

Over the past 26 years, Laos has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 8.08%, compared with 5.1% in Lesotho. In 2025, inflation was 7.7% in Laos and 4.27% in Lesotho.

Top exports between countries

Laos
Export category Export value
Lesotho
Export category Export value
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $26K
Miscellaneous $6K

Balance of trade

Laos Lesotho
Current account balance
$531M
2024
-$3.94M
2025
Current account balance ranking
58/190
2024
71/190
2025
Current account balance, % of GDP
+3.22%
2024
-0.15%
2025
Goods imports
$8.66B
2024
$1.69B
2025
Goods exports
$9.39B
2024
$933M
2025
Service imports
$1.27B
2024
$467M
2025
Service exports
$1.73B
2024
$16M
2025
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
41.9%
2016
104.5%
2025
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
33.2%
2016
49.5%
2025

Economic freedom indices

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

Laos Lesotho
Economic freedom 50.9 54.9
Economic freedom ranking 157/197 130/197
Property rights 41.1 41.7
Government integrity 25.9 39.6
Judicial effectiveness 10.2 43.6
Tax burden 88.5 76.4
Government spending 92.7 21.3
Fiscal health 80 93.5
Business freedom 54.2 50.6
Labor freedom 40.7 57
Monetary freedom 53.3 74.8
Trade freedom 69 65.4
Investment freedom 35 55
Financial freedom 20 40

Economic freedom comparison by year

Laos
Lesotho
1x
Year Economic freedom index
Laos Lesotho
2026 50.9 54.9
2025 51.1 54.1
2024 50.6 51.9
2023 50.3 51.6
2022 49.2 48.1
2021 53.9 53.5
2020 55.5 54.5
2019 57.4 53.1
2018 53.6 53.9
2017 54 53.9
2016 49.8 50.6
2015 51.4 49.6
2014 51.2 49.5
2013 50.1 47.9
2012 50 46.6
2011 51.3 47.5
2010 51.1 48.1
2009 50.4 49.7
2008 50.3 52.1
2007 50.3 53.2
2006 47.5 54.7
2005 44.4 53.9
2004 42 50.3
2003 41 52
2002 36.8 48.9
2001 33.5 50.6
2000 36.8 48.4
1999 35.2 48.2
1998 35.2 48.4
1997 35.1 47.2
1996 38.5 47

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

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

The Economic Freedom Index for Laos is 50.9, ranking 157/197, compared to 54.9 for Lesotho, ranking 130/197. The chart above displays a comparison of annual changes in economic freedom indexes.

Other economic metrics

Laos Lesotho
Services, % of GDP
43.6%
2025
55.6%
2025
Industry, % of GDP
29.2%
2025
25.2%
2025
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
16.6%
2025
6.49%
2025
GNI, Atlas method
$16.9B
2025
$3.03B
2025
GNI per capita, PPP
$9,800
2025
$3,900
2025
Total reserves including gold
$2.21B
2024
$1.01B
2024
Total reserves ranking
125/177
2024
142/177
2024
Net foreign direct investment
-$988M
2024
$5.77M
2025
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
$988M
2024
-$12.6M
2024
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
$0
2024
$0
2024
Servicing debt to the IMF, % of GNI
13.8%
2024
3.79%
2024
Poverty at national poverty lines
15%
2024
49.7%
2017
Gross capital formation, % of GDP
29%
2016
31.2%
2025

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/laos/lesotho | CC BY

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Data sources:

  1. World Bank | Economy & Growth (1960–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  2. International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2025, 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. International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1982–1989, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  6. TradeMap (2022–2024, 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.