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Economy of Laos vs Luxembourg compared: GDP & Debt

Updated on by Georank team

Laos has a GDP of $16.5B compared to $93.3B for Luxembourg, ranking 139/197 and 74/197 by economy size, respectively.

Laos has $16.6B in government debt (100.5% of GDP), compared to $24.5B (26.3% of GDP) in Luxembourg.

Laos vs Luxembourg GDP by year

Laos
Luxembourg
1x
Year GDP, current $
Laos Luxembourg
2024 $16,502,933,121 $93,279,851,863
2023 $15,843,155,731 $88,788,881,539
2022 $15,468,785,204 $80,801,680,397
2021 $18,827,148,531 $86,386,759,695
2020 $18,981,805,250 $73,670,782,100
2019 $18,740,561,513 $69,872,035,114
2018 $18,141,641,090 $71,085,623,495
2017 $17,071,155,481 $65,712,180,343
2016 $15,912,501,723 $62,216,885,436
2015 $14,426,380,126 $60,071,584,216
2014 $13,279,245,886 $68,804,811,898
2013 $11,983,252,627 $65,203,276,467
2012 $10,192,846,339 $59,776,383,527
2011 $8,750,104,617 $61,696,281,326
2010 $7,131,771,015 $56,213,985,987
2009 $5,836,137,330 $54,467,289,898
2008 $5,446,433,157 $58,844,277,702
2007 $4,223,152,739 $51,587,401,416
2006 $3,455,030,061 $42,910,146,296
2005 $2,735,558,735 $37,672,280,120
2004 $2,366,398,120 $35,064,843,793
2003 $2,023,324,407 $29,667,268,248
2002 $1,758,176,653 $23,649,833,332
2001 $1,768,619,058 $21,387,533,703
2000 $1,731,198,022 $21,230,182,989
1999 $1,454,430,642 $21,899,317,599
1998 $1,280,177,839 $20,150,053,345
1997 $1,747,011,857 $19,563,836,265
1996 $1,873,671,550 $20,895,314,658
1995 $1,763,536,305 $20,853,093,870
1994 $1,543,606,345 $17,701,798,891
1993 $1,327,748,690 $15,925,521,222
1992 $1,127,806,945 $15,518,702,635
1991 $1,028,087,972 $13,834,219,728
1990 $865,559,879 $12,778,792,854
1989 $714,046,821 $10,037,674,038
1988 $598,961,269 $9,418,167,855
1987 $1,087,273,104 $8,320,902,215
1986 $1,776,842,097 $6,685,595,088
1985 $2,366,666,616 $4,577,211,767
1984 $1,757,142,856 $4,438,435,493
1983 - $4,524,217,751
1982 - $4,602,316,793
1981 - $5,053,665,797
1980 - $6,019,805,490
1979 - $5,516,982,664
1978 - $4,718,539,772
1977 - $3,789,321,328
1976 - $3,423,586,207
1975 - $3,123,333,333
1974 - $3,183,637,117
1973 - $2,609,875,802
1972 - $1,901,697,370
1971 - $1,518,773,421
1970 - $1,457,768,455
1969 - $1,245,432,991
1968 - $1,075,561,623
1967 - $983,052,315
1966 - $976,717,015
1965 - $929,477,285
1964 - $910,877,686
1963 - $797,902,154
1962 - $747,846,862
1961 - $710,163,719
1960 - $709,941,874

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

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

GDP per capita in Laos vs Luxembourg by year

Laos
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
Luxembourg
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
Laos Luxembourg
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2024 $2,124 $9,776 $137,782 $155,941
2023 $2,067 $9,292 $133,231 $150,508
2022 $2,046 $8,766 $123,720 $146,919
2021 $2,526 $8,080 $134,966 $136,772
2020 $2,584 $7,913 $116,860 $122,067
2019 $2,589 $7,743 $112,697 $121,372
2018 $2,545 $7,487 $116,927 $116,638
2017 $2,432 $7,142 $110,193 $114,986
2016 $2,303 $6,743 $106,899 $113,365
2015 $2,121 $6,086 $105,462 $107,860
2014 $1,981 $5,799 $123,679 $105,296
2013 $1,813 $5,222 $120,000 $100,925
2012 $1,564 $4,781 $112,585 $96,636
2011 $1,362 $4,100 $119,025 $94,475
2010 $1,126 $3,772 $110,886 $90,336
2009 $935 $3,485 $109,420 $86,919
2008 $886 $3,271 $120,422 $90,971
2007 $697 $3,021 $107,475 $85,126
2006 $579 $2,777 $90,789 $78,861
2005 $466 $2,519 $80,988 $68,788
2004 $409 $2,315 $76,545 $64,686
2003 $355 $2,151 $65,689 $60,192
2002 $313 $2,020 $53,006 $58,576
2001 $320 $1,908 $48,440 $56,136
2000 $319 $1,794 $48,660 $55,136
1999 $272.3 $1,686 $50,872 $49,845
1998 $243.9 $1,577 $47,445 $44,270
1997 $339 $1,528 $46,642 $42,488
1996 $371 $1,435 $50,444 $39,722
1995 $358 $1,349 $51,032 $38,345
1994 $321 $1,265 $43,933 $37,551
1993 $283.4 $1,176 $40,067 $35,899
1992 $247.3 $1,114 $39,571 $34,108
1991 $231.8 $1,061 $35,747 $33,191
1990 $200.7 $1,012 $33,465 $29,949
1989 $170.4 - $26,618 -
1988 $147.1 - $25,219 -
1987 $274.7 - $22,443 -
1986 $462 - $18,150 -
1985 $633 - $12,482 -
1984 $483 - $12,127 -
1983 - - $12,374 -
1982 - - $12,591 -
1981 - - $13,837 -
1980 - - $16,531 -
1979 - - $15,204 -
1978 - - $13,034 -
1977 - - $10,486 -
1976 - - $9,491 -
1975 - - $8,701 -
1974 - - $8,967 -
1973 - - $7,447 -
1972 - - $5,487 -
1971 - - $4,435 -
1970 - - $4,298 -
1969 - - $3,690 -
1968 - - $3,203 -
1967 - - $2,935 -
1966 - - $2,925 -
1965 - - $2,804 -
1964 - - $2,779 -
1963 - - $2,462 -
1962 - - $2,332 -
1961 - - $2,241 -
1960 - - $2,261 -

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

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

Laos' GDP per capita is $2,124, ranking 155/197, compared to $137,782 in Luxembourg, ranking 3/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), Laos ranks 134th at $9,776, while Luxembourg ranks 1st at $155,941.

Economic indicators

Laos Luxembourg
Gross domestic product
$16.5B
2024
$93.3B
2024
GDP rank
139/197
2024
74/197
2024
GDP growth
4.13%
2023-2024
0.36%
2023-2024
GDP per capita
$2,124
2024
$137,782
2024
GDP per capita rank
155/197
2024
3/197
2024
GDP per capita, PPP
$9,776
2024
$155,941
2024
GDP per capita PPP rank
134/197
2024
1/197
2024
Government debt
$16.6B
2024
$24.5B
2024
Debt-to-GDP ratio
100.5%
2024
26.3%
2024
Government debt per person
$2,134
2024
$36,221
2024
Government debt per person rank
119/185
2024
19/185
2024
Average annual personal income after taxes
$2,096
2026
$69,593
2026
Market capitalization of domestic companies n/a
$41.9B
2024
Number of billionaires n/a
1
2025
Income share by richest 10%
31.2%
2018
25%
2023
Income share by poorest 10%
3%
2018
2.8%
2023
Government expenditure, % of GDP
15.7%
2024
46.9%
2024
Consumer prices inflation
23.1%
2023-2024
2.05%
2023-2024
Unemployment rate
1.21%
2022
6.42%
2024
Population
8004838
693885

Spending and national debt comparison by year

Laos
Spending

Debt
Luxembourg
Spending

Debt
1x
Year % of GDP
Laos Luxembourg
Government spending Government debt Government spending Government debt
2024 15.7% 100.5% 46.9% 26.3%
2023 16.4% 116.5% 46.4% 24.7%
2022 14.7% 130.7% 44.3% 24.9%
2021 15.7% 92.9% 42.4% 24.2%
2020 18.4% 76% 47% 24.5%
2019 18.6% 69.1% 43.1% 22.3%
2018 20.7% 60.6% 42.3% 20.9%
2017 21.8% 57.2% 41.3% 21.8%
2016 21.1% 54.5% 40% 19.6%
2015 25.8% 53.1% 40.4% 21.1%
2014 25% 53.5% 40.6% 21.9%
2013 24.2% 49.5% 41.2% 22.4%
2012 24.7% 46.1% 41.8% 20.8%
2011 20.2% 43% 41.5% 18.5%
2010 22.4% 49.3% 42% 19.1%
2009 20.1% 51.8% 42.7% 15.3%
2008 16.1% 51.7% 37.9% 14.6%
2007 15.1% 55.9% 37.4% 8.09%
2006 14.7% 60% 39.4% 8.21%
2005 15.3% 73.2% 43.4% 7.95%
2004 13.6% 80.7% 43.7% 7.83%
2003 16% 90.1% 43.3% 7.43%
2002 16.6% 95.3% 41.8% 7.45%
2001 18.8% 94.7% 38.1% 7.62%
2000 19.9% - 38% 7.49%
1999 - - 41.7% 8.39%
1998 - - 43.9% 9.51%
1997 - - 44.2% 10.1%
1996 - - 42.5% 10.2%
1995 - - 42% 10.3%

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1995–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20).

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

In 2024, Laos' government spending was $2.58B, accounting for 15.7% of its GDP, while Luxembourg spent $43.7B, or 46.9% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 100.5% in Laos and 26.3% in Luxembourg, ranking 24/185 and 162/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
Laos

Luxembourg
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
Laos Luxembourg
2024 2.34% 1.03%
2023 -0.01% -0.78%
2022 0.06% 0.18%
2021 -0.67% 1%
2020 -5.37% -3.09%
2019 -3.2% 2.68%
2018 -4.46% 3.17%
2017 -5.51% 1.37%
2016 -5.06% 1.89%
2015 -5.57% 1.3%
2014 -3.13% 1.33%
2013 -4.03% 0.84%
2012 -2.34% 0.5%
2011 -1.43% 0.65%
2010 -1.47% -0.26%
2009 -3.1% -0.21%
2008 -1.86% 3.37%
2007 -1.12% 4.35%
2006 -1.48% 1.9%
2005 -2.54% -0.21%
2004 -1.81% -1.39%
2003 -3.89% 0.28%
2002 -2.85% 2.03%
2001 -3.68% 5.62%
2000 -3.58% 5.55%
1999 - 3.24%
1998 - 2.98%
1997 - 2.65%
1996 - 2.37%
1995 - 2.71%

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1995–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20).

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

In 2024, Laos' government surplus, the difference between spending and revenue, was $386M, equivalent to 2.34% of GDP. This compares to Luxembourg's surplus of $961M, or 1.03% of GDP.

Over the past 25 years, Laos recorded a fiscal deficit in 23 of those years, while Luxembourg ran a deficit in 6 years. On average, Laos posted an annual deficit equal to 2.63% of GDP, compared to surplus of 1.32% of GDP for Luxembourg.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
Laos

Luxembourg
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
Laos Luxembourg
2024 23.1% 2.05%
2023 31.2% 3.74%
2022 23% 6.34%
2021 3.8% 2.53%
2020 5.1% 0.82%
2019 3.3% 1.74%
2018 2% 1.53%
2017 0.8% 1.73%
2016 1.6% 0.29%
2015 1.3% 0.47%
2014 4.1% 0.63%
2013 6.4% 1.73%
2012 4.3% 2.66%
2011 7.6% 3.41%
2010 6% 2.27%
2009 0.1% 0.37%
2008 7.6% 3.4%
2007 4.7% 2.31%
2006 6.5% 2.67%
2005 7.2% 2.49%
2004 10.5% 2.23%
2003 15.5% 2.05%
2002 10.6% 2.07%
2001 7.8% 2.66%
2000 8.4% 3.15%
1999 128.4% 1.03%
1998 90.1% 0.96%
1997 19.5% 1.37%

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/laos/luxembourg | CC BY

Over the past 28 years, Laos has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 15.7%, compared with 2.1% in Luxembourg. In 2024, inflation was 23.1% in Laos and 2.05% in Luxembourg.

Top exports between countries

Laos
Export category Export value
Textiles & consumer goods $130K
Luxembourg
Export category Export value
Machinery & equipment $1.37M
Chemicals & pharma $118K
Miscellaneous $77K
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $12K
Textiles & consumer goods $8K
Raw materials & minerals $5K
Precious metals & jewellery $4K
Metals $1K

Balance of trade

Laos Luxembourg
Current account balance
$531M
2024
$4.1B
2024
Current account balance ranking
61/190
2024
35/190
2024
Current account balance, % of GDP
+3.22%
2024
+4.4%
2024
Goods imports
$8.66B
2024
$29.4B
2024
Goods exports
$9.39B
2024
$31.3B
2024
Service imports
$1.27B
2024
$117B
2024
Service exports
$1.73B
2024
$150B
2024
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
41.9%
2016
159.7%
2024
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
33.2%
2016
191.5%
2024

Economic freedom indices

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

Laos Luxembourg
Economic freedom 50.9 79.7
Economic freedom ranking 157/197 7/197
Property rights 41.1 96.6
Government integrity 25.9 88.7
Judicial effectiveness 10.2 99.1
Tax burden 88.5 62.3
Government spending 92.7 36.9
Fiscal health 80 98.6
Business freedom 54.2 89.5
Labor freedom 40.7 56.7
Monetary freedom 53.3 74.1
Trade freedom 69 79.4
Investment freedom 35 95
Financial freedom 20 80

Economic freedom comparison by year

Laos
Luxembourg
1x
Year Economic freedom index
Laos Luxembourg
2026 50.9 79.7
2025 51.1 79.5
2024 50.6 79.2
2023 50.3 78.4
2022 49.2 80.6
2021 53.9 76
2020 55.5 75.8
2019 57.4 75.9
2018 53.6 76.4
2017 54 75.9
2016 49.8 73.9
2015 51.4 73.2
2014 51.2 74.2
2013 50.1 74.2
2012 50 74.5
2011 51.3 76.2
2010 51.1 75.4
2009 50.4 75.2
2008 50.3 74.7
2007 50.3 74.6
2006 47.5 75.3
2005 44.4 76.3
2004 42 78.9
2003 41 79.9
2002 36.8 79.4
2001 33.5 80.1
2000 36.8 76.4
1999 35.2 72.4
1998 35.2 72.7
1997 35.1 72.8
1996 38.5 72.5

Data sources: The Heritage Foundation | Economic Freedom Index (1996–2026, retrieved 2026-03-09).

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

The Economic Freedom Index for Laos is 50.9, ranking 157/197, compared to 79.7 for Luxembourg, ranking 7/197. The chart above displays a comparison of annual changes in economic freedom indexes.

Other economic metrics

Laos Luxembourg
Services, % of GDP
43.5%
2024
81.2%
2024
Industry, % of GDP
29%
2024
9.66%
2024
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
16.8%
2024
0.21%
2024
GNI, Atlas method
$15.5B
2024
$57.3B
2024
GNI per capita, PPP
$9,160
2024
$110,650
2024
Total reserves including gold
$1.77B
2023
$2.79B
2024
Total reserves ranking
129/177
2023
119/177
2024
Net foreign direct investment
-$988M
2024
$21.4B
2024
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
$988M
2024
$106B
2024
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
$0
2024
$109B
2024
Servicing debt to the IMF, % of GNI
13.8%
2024
n/a
Poverty at national poverty lines
22%
2020
17.3%
2021
Gross capital formation, % of GDP
29%
2016
15.8%
2024

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/laos/luxembourg | CC BY

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Data sources:

  1. World Bank | Economy & Growth (1960–2024, retrieved 2026-04-06)
  2. International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1995–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20)
  3. The Heritage Foundation | Economic Freedom Index (1996–2026, retrieved 2026-03-09)
  4. U.S. Census Bureau (1985–2024, retrieved 2026-02-08)
  5. TradeMap (2022–2024, retrieved 2026-02-08)
  6. United Nations | World Population Prospects (2026, retrieved 2026-03-10)
  7. LivingCost (2026, retrieved 2025-10-14)
  8. 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.