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Economy of Laos vs Malaysia compared: GDP & Debt

Updated on by Georank team

Laos has a GDP of $16.5B compared to $422B for Malaysia, ranking 139/197 and 38/197 by economy size, respectively.

Laos has $16.6B in government debt (100.5% of GDP), compared to $296B (70.1% of GDP) in Malaysia.

Laos vs Malaysia GDP by year

Laos
Malaysia
1x
Year GDP, current $
Laos Malaysia
2024 $16,502,933,121 $422,227,005,429
2023 $15,843,155,731 $399,949,418,753
2022 $15,468,785,204 $407,830,525,990
2021 $18,827,148,531 $373,784,553,030
2020 $18,981,805,250 $337,456,163,961
2019 $18,740,561,513 $365,177,721,022
2018 $18,141,641,090 $358,788,845,713
2017 $17,071,155,481 $319,109,094,160
2016 $15,912,501,723 $301,256,033,870
2015 $14,426,380,126 $301,355,266,965
2014 $13,279,245,886 $338,066,095,097
2013 $11,983,252,627 $323,276,235,524
2012 $10,192,846,339 $314,443,047,642
2011 $8,750,104,617 $297,951,668,675
2010 $7,131,771,015 $255,017,638,456
2009 $5,836,137,330 $202,257,453,037
2008 $5,446,433,157 $230,811,614,370
2007 $4,223,152,739 $193,549,569,478
2006 $3,455,030,061 $162,692,258,307
2005 $2,735,558,735 $143,534,405,819
2004 $2,366,398,120 $124,749,473,684
2003 $2,023,324,407 $110,202,368,421
2002 $1,758,176,653 $100,845,526,316
2001 $1,768,619,058 $92,783,947,368
2000 $1,731,198,022 $93,789,736,842
1999 $1,454,430,642 $79,148,421,053
1998 $1,280,177,839 $72,167,498,981
1997 $1,747,011,857 $100,005,323,302
1996 $1,873,671,550 $100,855,393,910
1995 $1,763,536,305 $88,705,342,903
1994 $1,543,606,345 $74,478,356,958
1993 $1,327,748,690 $66,894,966,969
1992 $1,127,806,945 $59,167,550,163
1991 $1,028,087,972 $49,143,148,094
1990 $865,559,879 $44,024,585,240
1989 $714,046,821 $38,847,965,293
1988 $598,961,269 $35,272,109,220
1987 $1,087,273,104 $32,181,210,158
1986 $1,776,842,097 $27,734,111,400
1985 $2,366,666,616 $31,199,633,353
1984 $1,757,142,856 $33,942,897,422
1983 - $30,347,442,111
1982 - $26,804,493,635
1981 - $25,004,285,792
1980 - $24,488,224,677
1979 - $21,213,264,962
1978 - $16,358,079,862
1977 - $13,139,488,633
1976 - $11,050,234,599
1975 - $9,298,800,799
1974 - $9,496,204,302
1973 - $7,662,902,678
1972 - $5,043,347,250
1971 - $4,244,395,956
1970 - $3,864,145,667
1969 - $3,664,552,041
1968 - $3,330,371,551
1967 - $3,188,924,677
1966 - $3,143,517,944
1965 - $2,956,337,669
1964 - $2,674,423,922
1963 - $2,510,110,348
1962 - $2,001,489,602
1961 - $1,901,856,123
1960 - $1,916,229,477

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

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

GDP per capita in Laos vs Malaysia by year

Laos
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
Malaysia
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
Laos Malaysia
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2024 $2,124 $9,776 $11,874 $38,779
2023 $2,067 $9,292 $11,386 $36,467
2022 $2,046 $8,766 $11,755 $34,420
2021 $2,526 $8,080 $10,903 $29,823
2020 $2,584 $7,913 $9,958 $27,475
2019 $2,589 $7,743 $10,920 $28,934
2018 $2,545 $7,487 $10,902 $27,794
2017 $2,432 $7,142 $9,863 $26,416
2016 $2,303 $6,743 $9,477 $25,286
2015 $2,121 $6,086 $9,649 $24,526
2014 $1,981 $5,799 $11,013 $24,307
2013 $1,813 $5,222 $10,714 $23,161
2012 $1,564 $4,781 $10,601 $22,639
2011 $1,362 $4,100 $10,217 $21,324
2010 $1,126 $3,772 $8,899 $20,193
2009 $935 $3,485 $7,191 $18,923
2008 $886 $3,271 $8,372 $19,480
2007 $697 $3,021 $7,169 $18,617
2006 $579 $2,777 $6,158 $17,426
2005 $466 $2,519 $5,556 $16,371
2004 $409 $2,315 $4,939 $15,416
2003 $355 $2,151 $4,465 $14,387
2002 $313 $2,020 $4,184 $13,656
2001 $320 $1,908 $3,944 $13,072
2000 $319 $1,794 $4,084 $13,027
1999 $272.3 $1,686 $3,528 $11,980
1998 $243.9 $1,577 $3,294 $11,398
1997 $339 $1,528 $4,679 $12,469
1996 $371 $1,435 $4,837 $11,709
1995 $358 $1,349 $4,363 $10,720
1994 $321 $1,265 $3,758 $9,806
1993 $283.4 $1,176 $3,462 $9,018
1992 $247.3 $1,114 $3,141 $8,224
1991 $231.8 $1,061 $2,679 $7,583
1990 $200.7 $1,012 $2,469 $6,887
1989 $170.4 - $2,244 -
1988 $147.1 - $2,100 -
1987 $274.7 - $1,977 -
1986 $462 - $1,760 -
1985 $633 - $2,046 -
1984 $483 - $2,300 -
1983 - - $2,124 -
1982 - - $1,938 -
1981 - - $1,866 -
1980 - - $1,886 -
1979 - - $1,680 -
1978 - - $1,327 -
1977 - - $1,092 -
1976 - - $940 -
1975 - - $811 -
1974 - - $848 -
1973 - - $701 -
1972 - - $472 -
1971 - - $407 -
1970 - - $380 -
1969 - - $368 -
1968 - - $342 -
1967 - - $335 -
1966 - - $339 -
1965 - - $326 -
1964 - - $303 -
1963 - - $291.8 -
1962 - - $238.8 -
1961 - - $232.9 -
1960 - - $240.8 -

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

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

Laos' GDP per capita is $2,124, ranking 155/197, compared to $11,874 in Malaysia, ranking 79/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), Laos ranks 134th at $9,776, while Malaysia ranks 60th at $38,779.

Economic indicators

Laos Malaysia
Gross domestic product
$16.5B
2024
$422B
2024
GDP rank
139/197
2024
38/197
2024
GDP growth
4.13%
2023-2024
5.11%
2023-2024
GDP per capita
$2,124
2024
$11,874
2024
GDP per capita rank
155/197
2024
79/197
2024
GDP per capita, PPP
$9,776
2024
$38,779
2024
GDP per capita PPP rank
134/197
2024
60/197
2024
Government debt
$16.6B
2024
$296B
2024
Debt-to-GDP ratio
100.5%
2024
70.1%
2024
Government debt per person
$2,134
2024
$8,322
2024
Government debt per person rank
119/185
2024
62/185
2024
Average annual personal income after taxes
$2,096
2026
$11,005
2026
Market capitalization of domestic companies n/a
$449B
2024
Number of billionaires n/a
19
2025
Income share by richest 10%
31.2%
2018
30.9%
2021
Income share by poorest 10%
3%
2018
2.3%
2021
Government expenditure, % of GDP
15.7%
2024
23.9%
2024
Consumer prices inflation
23.1%
2023-2024
1.83%
2023-2024
Central bank interest rate n/a
2.75%
2025
Unemployment rate
1.21%
2022
3.93%
2022
Population
8004838
36512221

Spending and national debt comparison by year

Laos
Spending

Debt
Malaysia
Spending

Debt
1x
Year % of GDP
Laos Malaysia
Government spending Government debt Government spending Government debt
2024 15.7% 100.5% 23.9% 70.1%
2023 16.4% 116.5% 24.9% 69.7%
2022 14.7% 130.7% 24.6% 65.5%
2021 15.7% 92.9% 24.5% 69.2%
2020 18.4% 76% 25% 67.7%
2019 18.6% 69.1% 23.6% 57.1%
2018 20.7% 60.6% 22.8% 55.6%
2017 21.8% 57.2% 22% 54.4%
2016 21.1% 54.5% 22.9% 55.8%
2015 25.8% 53.1% 24.7% 57%
2014 25% 53.5% 26% 55.4%
2013 24.2% 49.5% 27.8% 55.7%
2012 24.7% 46.1% 28.5% 53.8%
2011 20.2% 43% 27.1% 51.9%
2010 22.4% 49.3% 26.6% 51.2%
2009 20.1% 51.8% 30.9% 50.4%
2008 16.1% 51.7% 26.9% 39.4%
2007 15.1% 55.9% 25.9% 39.3%
2006 14.7% 60% 25.6% 39.7%
2005 15.3% 73.2% 24.5% 40.8%
2004 13.6% 80.7% 25.9% 42%
2003 16% 90.1% 28.1% 41.4%
2002 16.6% 95.3% 27.1% 39.5%
2001 18.8% 94.7% 28.2% 38.1%
2000 19.9% - 25.6% 32.5%
1999 - - 24.6% 34.4%
1998 - - 23.1% 33.6%
1997 - - 21.2% 29.6%
1996 - - 22.4% 32.8%
1995 - - 22.6% 38.2%
1994 - - 23.3% 43.7%
1993 - - 24.6% 51.1%
1992 - - 28.2% 59.1%
1991 - - 27.4% 67.3%
1990 - - 30.5% 74.1%

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20).

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

In 2024, Laos' government spending was $2.58B, accounting for 15.7% of its GDP, while Malaysia spent $101B, or 23.9% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 100.5% in Laos and 70.1% in Malaysia, ranking 24/185 and 58/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
Laos

Malaysia
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
Laos Malaysia
2024 2.34% -3.95%
2023 -0.01% -3.97%
2022 0.06% -4.56%
2021 -0.67% -6.03%
2020 -5.37% -4.9%
2019 -3.2% -2.01%
2018 -4.46% -2.64%
2017 -5.51% -2.41%
2016 -5.06% -2.6%
2015 -5.57% -2.55%
2014 -3.13% -2.63%
2013 -4.03% -3.48%
2012 -2.34% -3.1%
2011 -1.43% -3.57%
2010 -1.47% -4.32%
2009 -3.1% -5.88%
2008 -1.86% -3.4%
2007 -1.12% -2.57%
2006 -1.48% -2.6%
2005 -2.54% -2.83%
2004 -1.81% -3.35%
2003 -3.89% -4.6%
2002 -2.85% -3.96%
2001 -3.68% -4.36%
2000 -3.58% -6.05%
1999 - -3%
1998 - -0.63%
1997 - 4.84%
1996 - 3.27%
1995 - 3.1%
1994 - 5.45%
1993 - 3.44%
1992 - 1.81%
1991 - 1.6%
1990 - 0.15%

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20).

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

In 2024, Laos' government surplus, the difference between spending and revenue, was $386M, equivalent to 2.34% of GDP. This compares to Malaysia's deficit of $16.7B, or 3.95% of GDP.

Over the past 25 years, Laos recorded a fiscal deficit in 23 of those years, while Malaysia ran a deficit in 25 years. On average, Laos posted an annual deficit equal to 2.63% of GDP, compared to deficit of 3.69% of GDP for Malaysia.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
Laos

Malaysia
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
Laos Malaysia
2024 23.1% 1.83%
2023 31.2% 2.49%
2022 23% 3.38%
2021 3.8% 2.48%
2020 5.1% -1.14%
2019 3.3% 0.66%
2018 2% 0.88%
2017 0.8% 3.87%
2016 1.6% 2.09%
2015 1.3% 2.1%
2014 4.1% 3.14%
2013 6.4% 2.11%
2012 4.3% 1.66%
2011 7.6% 3.17%
2010 6% 1.62%
2009 0.1% 0.58%
2008 7.6% 5.44%
2007 4.7% 2.03%
2006 6.5% 3.61%
2005 7.2% 2.98%
2004 10.5% 1.42%
2003 15.5% 1.09%
2002 10.6% 1.81%
2001 7.8% 1.42%
2000 8.4% 1.53%
1999 128.4% 2.74%
1998 90.1% 5.27%
1997 19.5% 2.66%

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/malaysia | CC BY

Over the past 28 years, Laos has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 15.7%, compared with 2.25% in Malaysia. In 2024, inflation was 23.1% in Laos and 1.83% in Malaysia.

Top exports between countries

Laos
Export category Export value
Machinery & equipment $8.9M
Raw materials & minerals $4.84M
Precious metals & jewellery $1.29M
Wood & paper products $1.15M
Metals $379K
Textiles & consumer goods $323K
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $217K
Raw agricultural goods $134K
Chemicals & pharma $81K
Malaysia
Export category Export value
Textiles & consumer goods $5.54M
Machinery & equipment $2.7M
Raw materials & minerals $2.22M
Chemicals & pharma $1.74M
Animal & marine products $1.19M
Metals $998K
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $632K
Miscellaneous $170K
Wood & paper products $11K
Precious metals & jewellery $1K

Balance of trade

Laos Malaysia
Current account balance
$531M
2024
$7.15B
2024
Current account balance ranking
61/190
2024
26/190
2024
Current account balance, % of GDP
+3.22%
2024
+1.69%
2024
Goods imports
$8.66B
2024
$223B
2024
Goods exports
$9.39B
2024
$248B
2024
Service imports
$1.27B
2024
$56.4B
2024
Service exports
$1.73B
2024
$53.4B
2024
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
41.9%
2016
66%
2024
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
33.2%
2016
71.3%
2024

Economic freedom indices

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

Laos Malaysia
Economic freedom 50.9 68
Economic freedom ranking 157/197 51/197
Property rights 41.1 62.7
Government integrity 25.9 52.9
Judicial effectiveness 10.2 63.4
Tax burden 88.5 83.5
Government spending 92.7 82
Fiscal health 80 62.5
Business freedom 54.2 79.6
Labor freedom 40.7 55.4
Monetary freedom 53.3 80.8
Trade freedom 69 83
Investment freedom 35 60
Financial freedom 20 50

Economic freedom comparison by year

Laos
Malaysia
1x
Year Economic freedom index
Laos Malaysia
2026 50.9 68
2025 51.1 67.1
2024 50.6 65.7
2023 50.3 67.3
2022 49.2 68.1
2021 53.9 74.4
2020 55.5 74.7
2019 57.4 74
2018 53.6 74.5
2017 54 73.8
2016 49.8 71.5
2015 51.4 70.8
2014 51.2 69.6
2013 50.1 66.1
2012 50 66.4
2011 51.3 66.3
2010 51.1 64.8
2009 50.4 64.6
2008 50.3 63.9
2007 50.3 63.8
2006 47.5 61.6
2005 44.4 61.9
2004 42 59.9
2003 41 61.1
2002 36.8 60.1
2001 33.5 60.2
2000 36.8 66
1999 35.2 68.9
1998 35.2 68.2
1997 35.1 66.8
1996 38.5 69.9
1995 - 71.9

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

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

The Economic Freedom Index for Laos is 50.9, ranking 157/197, compared to 68 for Malaysia, ranking 51/197. The chart above displays a comparison of annual changes in economic freedom indexes.

Other economic metrics

Laos Malaysia
Services, % of GDP
43.5%
2024
53.7%
2024
Industry, % of GDP
29%
2024
37%
2024
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
16.8%
2024
8.13%
2024
GNI, Atlas method
$15.5B
2024
$414B
2024
GNI per capita, PPP
$9,160
2024
$37,450
2024
Total reserves including gold
$1.77B
2023
$116B
2024
Total reserves ranking
129/177
2023
24/177
2024
Net foreign direct investment
-$988M
2024
-$2.55B
2024
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
$988M
2024
$15.6B
2024
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
$0
2024
$13B
2024
Servicing debt to the IMF, % of GNI
13.8%
2024
n/a
Poverty at national poverty lines
22%
2020
5.8%
2023
Gross capital formation, % of GDP
29%
2016
22%
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/malaysia | 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 (1990–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20)
  3. The Heritage Foundation | Economic Freedom Index (1995–2026, retrieved 2026-03-09)
  4. U.S. Census Bureau (1985–2024, retrieved 2026-02-08)
  5. TradeMap (2021–2024, 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.