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Economy of Laos vs Pakistan compared: GDP & Debt

Updated on by Georank

Laos has a GDP of $18.3B compared to $407B for Pakistan, ranking 138/197 and 41/197 by economy size, respectively.

Laos has $14.8B in government debt (80.6% of GDP), compared to $297B (72.8% of GDP) in Pakistan.

Laos vs Pakistan GDP by year

Laos
Pakistan
1x
Year GDP, current $
Laos Pakistan
2025 $18,302,970,219 $407,307,214,476
2024 $16,502,933,121 $371,747,087,751
2023 $15,843,155,731 $336,686,348,609
2022 $15,468,785,204 $374,890,295,667
2021 $18,827,148,531 $348,516,647,445
2020 $18,981,805,250 $300,425,609,818
2019 $18,740,561,513 $320,909,472,771
2018 $18,141,641,090 $356,128,166,705
2017 $17,071,155,481 $339,205,534,861
2016 $15,912,501,723 $313,630,000,130
2015 $14,426,380,126 $299,963,590,535
2014 $13,279,245,886 $271,390,474,858
2013 $11,983,252,627 $258,657,231,672
2012 $10,192,846,339 $250,106,966,105
2011 $8,750,104,617 $230,586,581,060
2010 $7,131,771,015 $196,709,621,850
2009 $5,836,137,330 $187,337,783,856
2008 $5,446,433,157 $202,203,748,584
2007 $4,223,152,739 $184,140,869,997
2006 $3,455,030,061 $161,871,385,506
2005 $2,735,558,735 $145,208,562,961
2004 $2,366,398,120 $132,216,048,339
2003 $2,023,324,407 $112,371,913,741
2002 $1,758,176,653 $97,923,302,809
2001 $1,768,619,058 $97,145,618,480
2000 $1,731,198,022 $99,484,802,345
1999 $1,454,430,642 $62,973,857,069
1998 $1,280,177,839 $62,191,955,814
1997 $1,747,011,857 $62,433,340,468
1996 $1,873,671,550 $63,320,170,084
1995 $1,763,536,305 $60,636,071,684
1994 $1,543,606,345 $52,293,470,813
1993 $1,327,748,690 $51,809,999,353
1992 $1,127,806,945 $48,884,671,947
1991 $1,028,087,972 $45,625,336,680
1990 $865,559,879 $40,010,423,970
1989 $714,046,821 $40,171,106,279
1988 $598,961,269 $38,472,742,808
1987 $1,087,273,104 $33,351,529,275
1986 $1,776,842,097 $31,899,070,056
1985 $2,366,666,616 $31,144,920,844
1984 $1,757,142,856 $31,151,825,467
1983 - $28,691,889,764
1982 - $30,725,971,564
1981 - $28,100,606,061
1980 - $23,654,444,444
1979 - $19,688,383,838
1978 - $17,811,515,152
1977 - $15,126,060,606
1976 - $13,168,080,808
1975 - $11,230,606,061
1974 - $8,899,191,919
1973 - $6,383,429,490
1972 - $9,415,016,360
1971 - $10,665,896,682
1970 - $10,027,509,450
1969 - $8,683,116,338
1968 - $8,041,999,160
1967 - $7,464,510,710
1966 - $6,561,108,778
1965 - $5,929,231,415
1964 - $5,204,955,901
1963 - $4,630,827,383
1962 - $4,310,163,797
1961 - $4,118,647,627
1960 - $3,749,265,015

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

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

GDP per capita in Laos vs Pakistan by year

Laos
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
Pakistan
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
Laos Pakistan
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2025 $2,325 - $1,596 -
2024 $2,124 $9,776 $1,479 $6,252
2023 $2,067 $9,292 $1,360 $6,014
2022 $2,046 $8,766 $1,538 $5,920
2021 $2,526 $8,080 $1,455 $5,367
2020 $2,584 $7,913 $1,278 $5,048
2019 $2,589 $7,743 $1,390 $5,038
2018 $2,545 $7,487 $1,569 $4,979
2017 $2,432 $7,142 $1,519 $4,790
2016 $2,303 $6,743 $1,425 $4,631
2015 $2,121 $6,086 $1,380 $4,480
2014 $1,981 $5,799 $1,267 $4,313
2013 $1,813 $5,222 $1,225 $4,174
2012 $1,564 $4,781 $1,204 $4,047
2011 $1,362 $4,100 $1,132 $3,880
2010 $1,126 $3,772 $987 $3,786
2009 $935 $3,485 $964 $3,777
2008 $886 $3,271 $1,067 $3,721
2007 $697 $3,021 $998 $3,672
2006 $579 $2,777 $901 $3,515
2005 $466 $2,519 $828 $3,293
2004 $409 $2,315 $772 $3,048
2003 $355 $2,151 $672 $2,822
2002 $313 $2,020 $600 $2,688
2001 $320 $1,908 $610 $2,644
2000 $319 $1,794 $642 $2,565
1999 $272.3 $1,686 $418 $2,475
1998 $243.9 $1,577 $424 $2,419
1997 $339 $1,528 $438 $2,398
1996 $371 $1,435 $457 $2,401
1995 $358 $1,349 $451 $2,315
1994 $321 $1,265 $400 $2,224
1993 $283.4 $1,176 $408 $2,160
1992 $247.3 $1,114 $396 $2,132
1991 $231.8 $1,061 $380 $1,992
1990 $200.7 $1,012 $344 $1,895
1989 $170.4 - $358 -
1988 $147.1 - $354 -
1987 $274.7 - $317 -
1986 $462 - $314 -
1985 $633 - $317 -
1984 $483 - $327 -
1983 - - $311 -
1982 - - $345 -
1981 - - $328 -
1980 - - $287.4 -
1979 - - $249.2 -
1978 - - $233.4 -
1977 - - $204.7 -
1976 - - $183.9 -
1975 - - $161.7 -
1974 - - $132 -
1973 - - $97.5 -
1972 - - $148.1 -
1971 - - $172.5 -
1970 - - $166.7 -
1969 - - $148.5 -
1968 - - $141.6 -
1967 - - $135.2 -
1966 - - $122.2 -
1965 - - $113.6 -
1964 - - $102.5 -
1963 - - $93.7 -
1962 - - $89.5 -
1961 - - $87.8 -
1960 - - $82 -

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

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

Laos' GDP per capita is $2,325, ranking 155/197, compared to $1,596 in Pakistan, ranking 164/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), Laos ranks 134th at $9,776, while Pakistan ranks 150th at $6,252.

Economic indicators

Laos Pakistan
Gross domestic product
$18.3B
2025
$407B
2025
GDP rank
138/197
2025
41/197
2025
GDP growth
4.54%
2024-2025
3.7%
2024-2025
GDP per capita
$2,325
2025
$1,596
2025
GDP per capita rank
155/197
2025
164/197
2025
GDP per capita, PPP
$9,776
2024
$6,252
2024
GDP per capita PPP rank
134/197
2024
150/197
2024
Government debt
$14.8B
2025
$297B
2025
Debt-to-GDP ratio
80.6%
2025
72.8%
2025
Government debt per person
$1,874
2025
$1,162
2025
Government debt per person rank
120/185
2025
138/185
2025
Average annual personal income after taxes
$2,426
2026
$1,775
2026
Market capitalization of domestic companies n/a
$70.3B
2025
Income share by richest 10%
28.5%
2024
27.7%
2024
Income share by poorest 10%
3.3%
2024
3.4%
2024
Government expenditure, % of GDP
17.9%
2025
21.2%
2025
Consumer prices inflation
7.7%
2024-2025
3.55%
2024-2025
Central bank interest rate n/a
11.5%
2026
Unemployment rate
1.21%
2022
6.96%
2025
Population
8027464
261421997

Spending and national debt comparison by year

Laos
Spending

Debt
Pakistan
Spending

Debt
1x
Year % of GDP
Laos Pakistan
Government spending Government debt Government spending Government debt
2025 17.9% 80.6% 21.2% 72.8%
2024 15.8% 94.7% 19.4% 70.2%
2023 16.5% 108.9% 19.3% 78.5%
2022 14.7% 115.7% 20% 77.3%
2021 15.7% 92.2% 18.5% 74.7%
2020 18.4% 75.4% 20.3% 80.8%
2019 18.6% 69.1% 19.1% 78.7%
2018 20.7% 60.6% 19.1% 66.3%
2017 21.8% 57.2% 19.1% 62.1%
2016 21.1% 54.5% 17.7% 62.1%
2015 25.8% 53.1% 17.8% 59.1%
2014 25% 53.5% 18.1% 58.8%
2013 24.2% 49.5% 19.5% 59.2%
2012 24.7% 46.1% 19.4% 58.4%
2011 20.2% 43% 17.9% 56.2%
2010 22.4% 49.3% 18.3% 56.7%
2009 20.1% 51.8% 17.3% 54.6%
2008 16.1% 51.7% 18% 49.5%
2007 15.1% 55.9% 16.1% 44.2%
2006 14.7% 60% 14.5% 46.2%
2005 15.3% 73.2% 13% 47.9%
2004 13.6% 80.7% 12.1% 50.6%
2003 16% 90.1% 12.9% 56.3%
2002 16.6% 95.3% 14.4% 60.5%
2001 18.8% 94.7% 12.9% 65.1%
2000 19.9% - 13.8% 61.7%
1999 - - 13.2% 60.7%
1998 - - 14.1% 53.8%
1997 - - 13.7% 52.8%
1996 - - 15% 52.5%
1995 - - 14% 52.3%
1994 - - 14.5% 58.5%
1993 - - 17% 57.9%
1992 - - 22.6% 53.3%
1991 - - 21.4% 55.8%
1990 - - 23.9% 48.3%
1989 - - 26.1% 46.6%
1988 - - 27.9% 45%
1987 - - 29.5% 44.4%
1986 - - 27.6% 43.1%
1985 - - 28.3% 37%
1984 - - 25.4% 33.4%
1983 - - 24.8% 33.6%
1982 - - 24.5% 33.8%
1981 - - 21.6% 29.7%
1980 - - 22% 33.3%
1979 - - 25.3% 36.8%
1978 - - 25.5% 36.1%
1977 - - 20.4% 36.4%
1976 - - 21% 35.8%
1975 - - 20.4% 32.1%
1974 - - 15.3% 38%
1973 - - 13.9% 43.4%
1972 - - 13.5% 88.7%
1971 - - 22.1% 33.2%
1970 - - 23.6% 31.6%
1969 - - 15.6% 29.1%
1968 - - 13.7% 27.5%
1967 - - 12.9% 25.9%
1966 - - 12.2% 25.1%
1965 - - 11.2% 22.7%
1964 - - 12.1% 21.3%
1963 - - 14.7% 19.2%
1962 - - 11.8% 16.6%
1961 - - 10.6% 19.6%
1960 - - 10% 19.5%

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1993–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1960–1993, retrieved 2026-07-08).

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

In 2025, Laos' government spending was $3.28B, accounting for 17.9% of its GDP, while Pakistan spent $86.4B, or 21.2% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 80.6% in Laos and 72.8% in Pakistan, ranking 41/185 and 53/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
Laos

Pakistan
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
Laos Pakistan
2025 1.64% -5.37%
2024 2.36% -6.79%
2023 -0.01% -7.76%
2022 0.06% -7.84%
2021 -0.67% -6.04%
2020 -5.37% -7.03%
2019 -3.2% -7.79%
2018 -4.46% -5.67%
2017 -5.51% -5.17%
2016 -5.06% -3.92%
2015 -5.57% -4.74%
2014 -3.13% -4.37%
2013 -4.03% -7.48%
2012 -2.34% -7.74%
2011 -1.43% -6.23%
2010 -1.47% -5.42%
2009 -3.1% -4.53%
2008 -1.86% -5.94%
2007 -1.12% -4.23%
2006 -1.48% -2.79%
2005 -2.54% -2.29%
2004 -1.81% -1.29%
2003 -3.89% -0.12%
2002 -2.85% -2.64%
2001 -3.68% -2.45%
2000 -3.58% -3.21%
1999 - -3.07%
1998 - -4.46%
1997 - -3.87%
1996 - -4.33%
1995 - -3.9%
1994 - -3.63%
1993 - -5.53%
1992 - -11.3%
1991 - -10.8%
1990 - -11.9%
1989 - -7.01%
1988 - -9.35%
1987 - -11.7%
1986 - -9.79%
1985 - -10.6%
1984 - -8.9%
1983 - -7.55%
1982 - -8.24%
1981 - -5.83%
1980 - -5.32%
1979 - -11.6%
1978 - -12.4%
1977 - -8.74%
1976 - -9.05%
1975 - -8.97%
1974 - -4.45%
1973 - -3.99%
1972 - -3.16%
1971 - -7.45%
1970 - -10.8%
1969 - -7.08%
1968 - -5.56%
1967 - -4.27%
1966 - -4.48%
1965 - -3.28%
1964 - -4.89%
1963 - -6.55%
1962 - -3.39%
1961 - -4.6%
1960 - -3.83%
1959 - -3.71%
1958 - -4.2%
1957 - -2.21%
1956 - -2.36%
1955 - -2%
1954 - -3.18%
1953 - -2.66%
1952 - -0.73%
1951 - 0.63%
1950 - -1.24%

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1950–1992, retrieved 2026-07-08).

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

In 2025, Laos' government surplus, the difference between spending and revenue, was $300M, equivalent to 1.64% of GDP. This compares to Pakistan's deficit of $21.9B, or 5.37% of GDP.

Over the past 26 years, Laos recorded a fiscal deficit in 23 of those years, while Pakistan ran a deficit in 26 years. On average, Laos posted an annual deficit equal to 2.47% of GDP, compared to deficit of 4.96% of GDP for Pakistan.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
Laos

Pakistan
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
Laos Pakistan
2025 7.7% 3.55%
2024 23.1% 12.6%
2023 31.2% 30.8%
2022 23% 19.9%
2021 3.8% 9.5%
2020 5.1% 9.74%
2019 3.3% 10.6%
2018 2% 5.08%
2017 0.8% 4.09%
2016 1.6% 3.77%
2015 1.3% 2.53%
2014 4.1% 7.19%
2013 6.4% 7.69%
2012 4.3% 9.68%
2011 7.6% 11.9%
2010 6% 12.9%
2009 0.1% 13.6%
2008 7.6% 20.3%
2007 4.7% 7.6%
2006 6.5% 7.92%
2005 7.2% 9.06%
2004 10.5% 7.44%
2003 15.5% 2.91%
2002 10.6% 3.29%
2001 7.8% 3.15%
2000 8.4% 4.37%
1999 128.4% 4.14%
1998 90.1% 6.23%
1997 19.5% 11.4%

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

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

Over the past 29 years, Laos has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 15.5%, compared with 9.07% in Pakistan. In 2025, inflation was 7.7% in Laos and 3.55% in Pakistan.

Top exports between countries

Laos
Export category Export value
Wood & paper products $162K
Textiles & consumer goods $43K
Pakistan
Export category Export value
Chemicals & pharma $383K
Machinery & equipment $102K
Textiles & consumer goods $18K
Animal & marine products $4K
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $2K

Balance of trade

Laos Pakistan
Current account balance
$531M
2024
-$448M
2025
Current account balance ranking
58/190
2024
102/190
2025
Current account balance, % of GDP
+3.22%
2024
-0.11%
2025
Goods imports
$8.66B
2024
$62.6B
2025
Goods exports
$9.39B
2024
$31.5B
2025
Service imports
$1.27B
2024
$12B
2025
Service exports
$1.73B
2024
$9.09B
2025
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
41.9%
2016
17.2%
2025
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
33.2%
2016
9.99%
2025

Economic freedom indices

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

Laos Pakistan
Economic freedom 50.9 48.9
Economic freedom ranking 157/197 168/197
Property rights 41.1 25.7
Government integrity 25.9 26.3
Judicial effectiveness 10.2 27.6
Tax burden 88.5 78.2
Government spending 92.7 88.5
Fiscal health 80 10.1
Business freedom 54.2 54.4
Labor freedom 40.7 51.7
Monetary freedom 53.3 54.1
Trade freedom 69 70.4
Investment freedom 35 60
Financial freedom 20 40

Economic freedom comparison by year

Laos
Pakistan
1x
Year Economic freedom index
Laos Pakistan
2026 50.9 48.9
2025 51.1 49.1
2024 50.6 49.5
2023 50.3 49.4
2022 49.2 48.8
2021 53.9 51.7
2020 55.5 54.8
2019 57.4 55
2018 53.6 54.4
2017 54 52.8
2016 49.8 55.9
2015 51.4 55.6
2014 51.2 55.2
2013 50.1 55.1
2012 50 54.7
2011 51.3 55.1
2010 51.1 55.2
2009 50.4 57
2008 50.3 55.6
2007 50.3 57.2
2006 47.5 57.9
2005 44.4 53.3
2004 42 54.9
2003 41 55
2002 36.8 55.8
2001 33.5 56
2000 36.8 56.4
1999 35.2 53
1998 35.2 53.2
1997 35.1 56
1996 38.5 58.4
1995 - 57.6

Data sources: The Heritage Foundation | Economic Freedom Index (1995–2026, retrieved 2026-07-08).

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

The Economic Freedom Index for Laos is 50.9, ranking 157/197, compared to 48.9 for Pakistan, ranking 168/197. The chart above displays a comparison of annual changes in economic freedom indexes.

Other economic metrics

Laos Pakistan
Services, % of GDP
43.6%
2025
50.9%
2025
Industry, % of GDP
29.2%
2025
20.1%
2025
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
16.6%
2025
23%
2025
GNI, Atlas method
$16.9B
2025
$382B
2025
GNI per capita, PPP
$9,800
2025
$6,430
2025
Total reserves including gold
$2.21B
2024
$26.5B
2025
Total reserves ranking
125/177
2024
62/177
2025
Net foreign direct investment
-$988M
2024
-$1.58B
2025
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
$988M
2024
$2.66B
2024
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
$0
2024
$84M
2024
Servicing debt to the IMF, % of GNI
13.8%
2024
4.5%
2024
Poverty at national poverty lines
15%
2024
21.9%
2018
Gross capital formation, % of GDP
29%
2016
14.3%
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/pakistan | 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. International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1950–1993, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  4. The Heritage Foundation | Economic Freedom Index (1995–2026, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  5. U.S. Census Bureau (1985–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  6. TradeMap (2021–2025, 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.