Skip to content

Economy of Laos vs Mozambique compared: GDP & Debt

Updated on by Georank team

Laos has a GDP of $16.5B compared to $22.7B for Mozambique, ranking 139/197 and 123/197 by economy size, respectively.

Laos has $16.6B in government debt (100.5% of GDP), compared to $21.2B (93.2% of GDP) in Mozambique.

Laos vs Mozambique GDP by year

Laos
Mozambique
1x
Year GDP, current $
Laos Mozambique
2024 $16,502,933,121 $22,745,341,305
2023 $15,843,155,731 $20,921,079,533
2022 $15,468,785,204 $18,883,528,581
2021 $18,827,148,531 $16,168,055,475
2020 $18,981,805,250 $14,235,420,174
2019 $18,740,561,513 $15,512,759,047
2018 $18,141,641,090 $15,017,358,953
2017 $17,071,155,481 $13,264,640,646
2016 $15,912,501,723 $12,069,051,237
2015 $14,426,380,126 $16,208,985,770
2014 $13,279,245,886 $17,978,246,586
2013 $11,983,252,627 $17,198,073,057
2012 $10,192,846,339 $16,688,114,144
2011 $8,750,104,617 $14,619,279,989
2010 $7,131,771,015 $11,411,894,724
2009 $5,836,137,330 $12,263,894,790
2008 $5,446,433,157 $12,920,340,965
2007 $4,223,152,739 $10,811,456,006
2006 $3,455,030,061 $9,509,835,537
2005 $2,735,558,735 $8,868,504,900
2004 $2,366,398,120 $7,937,255,565
2003 $2,023,324,407 $6,583,526,861
2002 $1,758,176,653 $5,950,769,427
2001 $1,768,619,058 $5,650,154,067
2000 $1,731,198,022 $5,930,685,215
1999 $1,454,430,642 $6,285,219,691
1998 $1,280,177,839 $5,551,118,149
1997 $1,747,011,857 $4,873,663,775
1996 $1,873,671,550 $4,030,146,135
1995 $1,763,536,305 $3,061,646,174
1994 $1,543,606,345 $2,958,108,170
1993 $1,327,748,690 $2,883,161,897
1992 $1,127,806,945 $2,798,696,511
1991 $1,028,087,972 $3,854,856,435
1990 $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 (1984–2024, retrieved 2026-04-06).

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

GDP per capita in Laos vs Mozambique by year

Laos
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
Mozambique
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
Laos Mozambique
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2024 $2,124 $9,776 $657 $1,705
2023 $2,067 $9,292 $622 $1,678
2022 $2,046 $8,766 $578 $1,582
2021 $2,526 $8,080 $510 $1,457
2020 $2,584 $7,913 $462 $1,412
2019 $2,589 $7,743 $519 $1,389
2018 $2,545 $7,487 $518 $1,326
2017 $2,432 $7,142 $471 $1,283
2016 $2,303 $6,743 $441 $1,379
2015 $2,121 $6,086 $611 $1,318
2014 $1,981 $5,799 $697 $1,166
2013 $1,813 $5,222 $687 $1,114
2012 $1,564 $4,781 $686 $1,076
2011 $1,362 $4,100 $618 $1,064
2010 $1,126 $3,772 $496 $1,000
2009 $935 $3,485 $548 $951
2008 $886 $3,271 $592 $916
2007 $697 $3,021 $508 $862
2006 $579 $2,777 $457 $798
2005 $466 $2,519 $437 $721
2004 $409 $2,315 $400 $673
2003 $355 $2,151 $339 $620
2002 $313 $2,020 $314 $580
2001 $320 $1,908 $305 $533
2000 $319 $1,794 $327 $472
1999 $272.3 $1,686 $354 $468
1998 $243.9 $1,577 $320 $422
1997 $339 $1,528 $287.5 $387
1996 $371 $1,435 $244.4 $350
1995 $358 $1,349 $191.8 $321
1994 $321 $1,265 $196.8 $326
1993 $283.4 $1,176 $205.2 $321
1992 $247.3 $1,114 $205.6 $292
1991 $231.8 $1,061 $288.7 $315
1990 $200.7 $1,012 - $296
1989 $170.4 - - -
1988 $147.1 - - -
1987 $274.7 - - -
1986 $462 - - -
1985 $633 - - -
1984 $483 - - -

Data sources: World Bank | Economy & Growth (1984–2024, retrieved 2026-04-06).

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

Laos' GDP per capita is $2,124, ranking 155/197, compared to $657 in Mozambique, ranking 189/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), Laos ranks 134th at $9,776, while Mozambique ranks 192nd at $1,705.

Economic indicators

Laos Mozambique
Gross domestic product
$16.5B
2024
$22.7B
2024
GDP rank
139/197
2024
123/197
2024
GDP growth
4.13%
2023-2024
2.15%
2023-2024
GDP per capita
$2,124
2024
$657
2024
GDP per capita rank
155/197
2024
189/197
2024
GDP per capita, PPP
$9,776
2024
$1,705
2024
GDP per capita PPP rank
134/197
2024
192/197
2024
Government debt
$16.6B
2024
$21.2B
2024
Debt-to-GDP ratio
100.5%
2024
93.2%
2024
Government debt per person
$2,134
2024
$612
2024
Government debt per person rank
119/185
2024
159/185
2024
Average annual personal income after taxes
$2,096
2026
$1,778
2026
Income share by richest 10%
31.2%
2018
40.8%
2022
Income share by poorest 10%
3%
2018
1.7%
2022
Government expenditure, % of GDP
15.7%
2024
33.2%
2024
Consumer prices inflation
23.1%
2023-2024
3.2%
2023-2024
Central bank interest rate n/a
9.75%
2025
Unemployment rate
1.21%
2022
6.79%
2022
Population
8004838
36941128

Spending and national debt comparison by year

Laos
Spending

Debt
Mozambique
Spending

Debt
1x
Year % of GDP
Laos Mozambique
Government spending Government debt Government spending Government debt
2024 15.7% 100.5% 33.2% 93.2%
2023 16.4% 116.5% 33.3% 90.9%
2022 14.7% 130.7% 32.9% 100.3%
2021 15.7% 92.9% 32.1% 104.3%
2020 18.4% 76% 33.9% 120%
2019 18.6% 69.1% 28% 98.3%
2018 20.7% 60.6% 32.9% 105.5%
2017 21.8% 57.2% 29.5% 103.8%
2016 21.1% 54.5% 29.1% 124.8%
2015 25.8% 53.1% 32.2% 86%
2014 25% 53.5% 39.7% 63.4%
2013 24.2% 49.5% 31.7% 49.5%
2012 24.7% 46.1% 28.1% 36.7%
2011 20.2% 43% 28.9% 34.2%
2010 22.4% 49.3% 26.7% 38.6%
2009 20.1% 51.8% 25.7% 39.3%
2008 16.1% 51.7% 21.3% 32.8%
2007 15.1% 55.9% 20.9% 31.2%
2006 14.7% 60% 20.1% 40%
2005 15.3% 73.2% 17% 60.1%
2004 13.6% 80.7% 17.8% 50.8%
2003 16% 90.1% 18.6% 63.2%
2002 16.6% 95.3% 18.6% 63.4%
2001 18.8% 94.7% 20.8% 99.8%
2000 19.9% - 17.2% 95.8%
1999 - - 15.6% 94.7%
1998 - - 14.9% -
1997 - - 16.5% -
1996 - - 14.9% -
1995 - - 18.8% -
1994 - - 22.9% -
1993 - - 20.7% -
1992 - - 21.1% -
1991 - - 17.3% -
1990 - - 21% -
1989 - - 27% -
1988 - - 27% -
1987 - - 22.9% -
1986 - - 24.2% -
1985 - - 21% -
1984 - - 30.9% -
1983 - - 35.3% -
1982 - - 27% -
1981 - - 23.8% -
1980 - - 14.2% -

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1980–1989, retrieved 2026-02-20).

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

In 2024, Laos' government spending was $2.58B, accounting for 15.7% of its GDP, while Mozambique spent $7.56B, or 33.2% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 100.5% in Laos and 93.2% in Mozambique, ranking 24/185 and 28/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
Laos

Mozambique
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
Laos Mozambique
2024 2.34% -6.17%
2023 -0.01% -4.26%
2022 0.06% -5.22%
2021 -0.67% -5.23%
2020 -5.37% -6.19%
2019 -3.2% 1.7%
2018 -4.46% -7.39%
2017 -5.51% -2.9%
2016 -5.06% -5.42%
2015 -5.57% -6.55%
2014 -3.13% -9.75%
2013 -4.03% -2.46%
2012 -2.34% -3.45%
2011 -1.43% -4.34%
2010 -1.47% -3.5%
2009 -3.1% -4.35%
2008 -1.86% -1.9%
2007 -1.12% -2.19%
2006 -1.48% -3.03%
2005 -2.54% -2.06%
2004 -1.81% -3.17%
2003 -3.89% -2.64%
2002 -2.85% -3.36%
2001 -3.68% -4.43%
2000 -3.58% -1.26%
1999 - -0.31%
1998 - -1.08%
1997 - -1.81%
1996 - -2.07%
1995 - -2.46%
1994 - -4%
1993 - -2.53%
1992 - -1.85%
1991 - -2.01%
1990 - -4.42%
1989 - -4.23%
1988 - -6.47%
1987 - -7.24%
1986 - -12.1%
1985 - -9.69%
1984 - -13.4%
1983 - -15.8%
1982 - -3.61%
1981 - -7.41%
1980 - -1.47%

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1980–1989, retrieved 2026-02-20).

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

In 2024, Laos' government surplus, the difference between spending and revenue, was $386M, equivalent to 2.34% of GDP. This compares to Mozambique's deficit of $1.4B, or 6.17% of GDP.

Over the past 25 years, Laos recorded a fiscal deficit in 23 of those years, while Mozambique ran a deficit in 24 years. On average, Laos posted an annual deficit equal to 2.63% of GDP, compared to deficit of 3.98% of GDP for Mozambique.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
Laos

Mozambique
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
Laos Mozambique
2024 23.1% 3.2%
2023 31.2% 7%
2022 23% 10.4%
2021 3.8% 6.6%
2020 5.1% 0.9%
2019 3.3% 5.7%
2018 2% 3.2%
2017 0.8% 15.8%
2016 1.6% 18.4%
2015 1.3% 3.6%
2014 4.1% 2.6%
2013 6.4% 4.3%
2012 4.3% 2.6%
2011 7.6% 11.2%
2010 6% 12.4%
2009 0.1% 3.8%
2008 7.6% 14.5%
2007 4.7% 10.4%
2006 6.5% 13.2%
2005 7.2% 6.4%
2004 10.5% 12.6%
2003 15.5% 13.5%
2002 10.6% 16.8%
2001 7.8% 9.1%
2000 8.4% 12.7%
1999 128.4% 2.9%
1998 90.1% 1.5%
1997 19.5% 7.4%

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | World Economic Outlook (1997–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20).

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

Over the past 28 years, Laos has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 15.7%, compared with 8.31% in Mozambique. In 2024, inflation was 23.1% in Laos and 3.2% in Mozambique.

Top exports between countries

Laos
Export category Export value
Mozambique
Export category Export value
Textiles & consumer goods $11K
Machinery & equipment $2K
Chemicals & pharma $1K
Wood & paper products $1K

Balance of trade

Laos Mozambique
Current account balance
$531M
2024
-$2.49B
2024
Current account balance ranking
61/190
2024
150/190
2024
Current account balance, % of GDP
+3.22%
2024
-11%
2024
Goods imports
$8.66B
2024
$8.38B
2024
Goods exports
$9.39B
2024
$8.21B
2024
Service imports
$1.27B
2024
$2.11B
2024
Service exports
$1.73B
2024
$1.15B
2024
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
41.9%
2016
52.8%
2024
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
33.2%
2016
42.8%
2024

Economic freedom indices

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

Laos Mozambique
Economic freedom 50.9 49.6
Economic freedom ranking 157/197 164/197
Property rights 41.1 29.7
Government integrity 25.9 25.1
Judicial effectiveness 10.2 43.4
Tax burden 88.5 75.8
Government spending 92.7 67
Fiscal health 80 39.1
Business freedom 54.2 40.2
Labor freedom 40.7 47.7
Monetary freedom 53.3 76.2
Trade freedom 69 71.2
Investment freedom 35 40
Financial freedom 20 40

Economic freedom comparison by year

Laos
Mozambique
1x
Year Economic freedom index
Laos Mozambique
2026 50.9 49.6
2025 51.1 50.7
2024 50.6 50.7
2023 50.3 52.5
2022 49.2 51.3
2021 53.9 51.6
2020 55.5 50.5
2019 57.4 48.6
2018 53.6 46.3
2017 54 49.9
2016 49.8 53.2
2015 51.4 54.8
2014 51.2 55
2013 50.1 55
2012 50 57.1
2011 51.3 56.8
2010 51.1 56
2009 50.4 55.7
2008 50.3 55.4
2007 50.3 54.7
2006 47.5 51.9
2005 44.4 54.6
2004 42 57.2
2003 41 58.6
2002 36.8 57.7
2001 33.5 59.2
2000 36.8 52.2
1999 35.2 48.9
1998 35.2 43
1997 35.1 44
1996 38.5 48.4
1995 - 45.5

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

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

The Economic Freedom Index for Laos is 50.9, ranking 157/197, compared to 49.6 for Mozambique, ranking 164/197. The chart above displays a comparison of annual changes in economic freedom indexes.

Other economic metrics

Laos Mozambique
Services, % of GDP
43.5%
2024
41.1%
2024
Industry, % of GDP
29%
2024
21.9%
2024
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
16.8%
2024
25.2%
2024
GNI, Atlas method
$15.5B
2024
$19.1B
2024
GNI per capita, PPP
$9,160
2024
$1,520
2024
Total reserves including gold
$1.77B
2023
$3.84B
2024
Total reserves ranking
129/177
2023
108/177
2024
Net foreign direct investment
-$988M
2024
-$3.55B
2024
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
$988M
2024
$3.51B
2024
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
$0
2024
-$44.1M
2024
Servicing debt to the IMF, % of GNI
13.8%
2024
22.4%
2024
Poverty at national poverty lines
22%
2020
65%
2022
Gross capital formation, % of GDP
29%
2016
17.7%
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/mozambique | CC BY

Compare countries by 7 more topics

Help us show the world through your eyes

Share a photo of your city and help others discover what it looks like to live there. Your contribution makes our data come alive.

Data sources:

  1. World Bank | Economy & Growth (1984–2024, 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. International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1980–1989, retrieved 2026-02-20)
  6. TradeMap (2021–2024, retrieved 2026-02-08)
  7. United Nations | World Population Prospects (2026, retrieved 2026-03-10)
  8. LivingCost (2026, retrieved 2025-10-14)
  9. 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.