Laos has a GDP of $16.5B compared to $277M for Palau, ranking 139/197 and 194/197 by economy size, respectively.
Laos vs Palau GDP by year
| Year | GDP, current $ | |
|---|---|---|
Laos
|
Palau
|
|
| 2024 | $16,502,933,121 | - |
| 2023 | $15,843,155,731 | $276,733,063 |
| 2022 | $15,468,785,204 | $243,826,813 |
| 2021 | $18,827,148,531 | $231,343,460 |
| 2020 | $18,981,805,250 | $261,688,507 |
| 2019 | $18,740,561,513 | $282,041,290 |
| 2018 | $18,141,641,090 | $287,998,352 |
| 2017 | $17,071,155,481 | $292,148,590 |
| 2016 | $15,912,501,723 | $305,227,020 |
| 2015 | $14,426,380,126 | $287,057,526 |
| 2014 | $13,279,245,886 | $245,591,095 |
| 2013 | $11,983,252,627 | $224,110,611 |
| 2012 | $10,192,846,339 | $215,616,882 |
| 2011 | $8,750,104,617 | $198,742,371 |
| 2010 | $7,131,771,015 | $188,042,374 |
| 2009 | $5,836,137,330 | $189,854,706 |
| 2008 | $5,446,433,157 | $201,067,734 |
| 2007 | $4,223,152,739 | $200,789,764 |
| 2006 | $3,455,030,061 | $193,611,359 |
| 2005 | $2,735,558,735 | $190,961,685 |
| 2004 | $2,366,398,120 | $166,363,739 |
| 2003 | $2,023,324,407 | $154,566,788 |
| 2002 | $1,758,176,653 | $162,658,722 |
| 2001 | $1,768,619,058 | $159,446,228 |
| 2000 | $1,731,198,022 | $149,551,483 |
| 1999 | $1,454,430,642 | $144,206,500 |
| 1998 | $1,280,177,839 | $149,079,600 |
| 1997 | $1,747,011,857 | $143,860,800 |
| 1996 | $1,873,671,550 | $137,494,600 |
| 1995 | $1,763,536,305 | $121,018,500 |
| 1994 | $1,543,606,345 | $106,138,500 |
| 1993 | $1,327,748,690 | $96,455,700 |
| 1992 | $1,127,806,945 | $104,771,300 |
| 1991 | $1,028,087,972 | $106,555,300 |
| 1990 | $865,559,879 | $97,702,303 |
| 1989 | $714,046,821 | $85,800,543 |
| 1988 | $598,961,269 | $75,348,615 |
| 1987 | $1,087,273,104 | $66,169,905 |
| 1986 | $1,776,842,097 | $58,109,314 |
| 1985 | $2,366,666,616 | $51,030,637 |
| 1984 | $1,757,142,856 | $44,814,259 |
| 1983 | - | $39,661,530 |
| 1982 | - | $36,027,583 |
| 1981 | - | $32,726,594 |
| 1980 | - | $29,728,054 |
| 1979 | - | $27,004,251 |
| 1978 | - | $24,530,015 |
| 1977 | - | $22,308,104 |
| 1976 | - | $20,364,420 |
| 1975 | - | $18,521,112 |
| 1974 | - | $16,848,759 |
| 1973 | - | $15,331,889 |
| 1972 | - | $13,956,474 |
| 1971 | - | $12,706,874 |
| 1970 | - | $11,563,041 |
Data sources: World Bank | Economy & Growth (1970–2024, retrieved 2026-04-06).
GeoRank.org/economy/laos/palau | CC BY 
GDP per capita in Laos vs Palau by year
| Year | Current $ | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Laos
|
Palau
|
|||
| GDP per capita | GDP per capita, PPP | GDP per capita | GDP per capita, PPP | |
| 2024 | $2,124 | $9,776 | - | - |
| 2023 | $2,067 | $9,292 | $15,611 | $18,230 |
| 2022 | $2,046 | $8,766 | $13,730 | $17,185 |
| 2021 | $2,526 | $8,080 | $13,009 | $15,781 |
| 2020 | $2,584 | $7,913 | $14,708 | $17,390 |
| 2019 | $2,589 | $7,743 | $15,847 | $18,422 |
| 2018 | $2,545 | $7,487 | $16,167 | $18,172 |
| 2017 | $2,432 | $7,142 | $16,402 | $17,991 |
| 2016 | $2,303 | $6,743 | $17,150 | $18,235 |
| 2015 | $2,121 | $6,086 | $16,154 | $17,854 |
| 2014 | $1,981 | $5,799 | $13,863 | $16,442 |
| 2013 | $1,813 | $5,222 | $12,699 | $15,425 |
| 2012 | $1,564 | $4,781 | $12,137 | $15,461 |
| 2011 | $1,362 | $4,100 | $10,994 | $14,673 |
| 2010 | $1,126 | $3,772 | $10,222 | $13,443 |
| 2009 | $935 | $3,485 | $10,148 | $13,414 |
| 2008 | $886 | $3,271 | $10,578 | $14,039 |
| 2007 | $697 | $3,021 | $10,403 | $14,308 |
| 2006 | $579 | $2,777 | $9,882 | $13,545 |
| 2005 | $466 | $2,519 | $9,635 | $12,960 |
| 2004 | $409 | $2,315 | $8,394 | $12,213 |
| 2003 | $355 | $2,151 | $7,862 | $11,588 |
| 2002 | $313 | $2,020 | $8,340 | $11,704 |
| 2001 | $320 | $1,908 | $8,239 | $11,092 |
| 2000 | $319 | $1,794 | $7,798 | $10,197 |
| 1999 | $272.3 | $1,686 | $7,630 | $10,388 |
| 1998 | $243.9 | $1,577 | $8,048 | $11,048 |
| 1997 | $339 | $1,528 | $7,945 | $10,957 |
| 1996 | $371 | $1,435 | $7,788 | $10,800 |
| 1995 | $358 | $1,349 | $7,038 | $9,863 |
| 1994 | $321 | $1,265 | $6,329 | $8,932 |
| 1993 | $283.4 | $1,176 | $5,892 | $8,348 |
| 1992 | $247.3 | $1,114 | $6,553 | $9,521 |
| 1991 | $231.8 | $1,061 | $6,824 | $10,184 |
| 1990 | $200.7 | $1,012 | $6,403 | $9,609 |
| 1989 | $170.4 | - | $5,741 | - |
| 1988 | $147.1 | - | $5,145 | - |
| 1987 | $274.7 | - | $4,616 | - |
| 1986 | $462 | - | $4,144 | - |
| 1985 | $633 | - | $3,728 | - |
| 1984 | $483 | - | $3,360 | - |
| 1983 | - | - | $3,049 | - |
| 1982 | - | - | $2,838 | - |
| 1981 | - | - | $2,639 | - |
| 1980 | - | - | $2,423 | - |
| 1979 | - | - | $2,189 | - |
| 1978 | - | - | $1,972 | - |
| 1977 | - | - | $1,781 | - |
| 1976 | - | - | $1,616 | - |
| 1975 | - | - | $1,464 | - |
| 1974 | - | - | $1,328 | - |
| 1973 | - | - | $1,221 | - |
| 1972 | - | - | $1,145 | - |
| 1971 | - | - | $1,081 | - |
| 1970 | - | - | $1,017 | - |
Data sources: World Bank | Economy & Growth (1970–2024, retrieved 2026-04-06).
GeoRank.org/economy/laos/palau | CC BY
Laos' GDP per capita is $2,124, ranking 155/197, compared to $15,611 in Palau, ranking 67/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), Laos ranks 134th at $9,776, while Palau ranks 103rd at $18,230.
Economic indicators
|
Laos
|
Palau
|
|
|---|---|---|
| Gross domestic product |
$16.5B
2024 |
$277M
2023 |
| GDP rank |
139/197
2024 |
194/197
2023 |
| GDP growth |
4.13%
2023-2024 |
2.22%
2022-2023 |
| GDP per capita |
$2,124
2024 |
$15,611
2023 |
| GDP per capita rank |
155/197
2024 |
67/197
2023 |
| GDP per capita, PPP |
$9,776
2024 |
$18,230
2023 |
| GDP per capita PPP rank |
134/197
2024 |
103/197
2023 |
| Government debt |
$16.6B
2024 |
n/a |
| Debt-to-GDP ratio |
100.5%
2024 |
n/a |
| Government debt per person |
$2,134
2024 |
n/a |
| Government debt per person rank |
119/185
2024 |
n/a |
| Average annual personal income after taxes |
$2,096
2026 |
$9,869
2026 |
| Income share by richest 10% |
31.2%
2018 |
n/a |
| Income share by poorest 10% |
3%
2018 |
n/a |
| Government expenditure, % of GDP |
15.7%
2024 |
52.3%
2024 |
| Consumer prices inflation |
23.1%
2023-2024 |
3.6%
2023-2024 |
| Unemployment rate |
1.21%
2022 |
2.09%
2023 |
| Population |
8004838
|
17629
|
Government deficit by year
| Year | Deficit/surplus, % of GDP | |
|---|---|---|
|
Laos
|
Palau
|
|
| 2024 | 2.34% | 1.67% |
| 2023 | -0.01% | 0.73% |
| 2022 | 0.06% | -3.99% |
| 2021 | -0.67% | -9.94% |
| 2020 | -5.37% | -13% |
| 2019 | -3.2% | -0.36% |
| 2018 | -4.46% | 6.18% |
| 2017 | -5.51% | 4.76% |
| 2016 | -5.06% | 3.52% |
| 2015 | -5.57% | 5.08% |
| 2014 | -3.13% | 3.59% |
| 2013 | -4.03% | 0.54% |
| 2012 | -2.34% | 0.98% |
| 2011 | -1.43% | 1.29% |
| 2010 | -1.47% | -1.27% |
| 2009 | -3.1% | -2.14% |
| 2008 | -1.86% | -1.71% |
| 2007 | -1.12% | -2.08% |
| 2006 | -1.48% | 0.14% |
| 2005 | -2.54% | 1.38% |
| 2004 | -1.81% | -4.82% |
| 2003 | -3.89% | -3.18% |
| 2002 | -2.85% | -12.7% |
| 2001 | -3.68% | -16.7% |
| 2000 | -3.58% | -13.4% |
Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (2000–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20).
GeoRank.org/economy/laos/palau | CC BY
In 2023, Laos' government deficit, the difference between spending and revenue, was $1.94M, equivalent to 0.01% of GDP. This compares to Palau's surplus of $2.02M, or 0.73% of GDP.
Over the past 24 years, Laos recorded a fiscal deficit in 23 of those years, while Palau ran a deficit in 13 years. On average, Laos posted an annual deficit equal to 2.84% of GDP, compared to deficit of 2.38% of GDP for Palau.
Inflation comparison by year
| Year | Consumer prices inflation | |
|---|---|---|
|
Laos
|
Palau
|
|
| 2024 | 23.1% | 3.6% |
| 2023 | 31.2% | 12.4% |
| 2022 | 23% | 13.2% |
| 2021 | 3.8% | -0.5% |
| 2020 | 5.1% | 0.7% |
| 2019 | 3.3% | 0.4% |
| 2018 | 2% | 2.4% |
| 2017 | 0.8% | 1.1% |
| 2016 | 1.6% | -1.3% |
| 2015 | 1.3% | 2.2% |
| 2014 | 4.1% | 4% |
| 2013 | 6.4% | 2.8% |
| 2012 | 4.3% | 5.4% |
| 2011 | 7.6% | 2.6% |
| 2010 | 6% | 1.1% |
| 2009 | 0.1% | 4.7% |
| 2008 | 7.6% | 9.9% |
| 2007 | 4.7% | 3% |
| 2006 | 6.5% | 4.2% |
| 2005 | 7.2% | 3.6% |
| 2004 | 10.5% | 0.5% |
| 2003 | 15.5% | 0.6% |
| 2002 | 10.6% | -0.3% |
| 2001 | 7.8% | -0.7% |
| 2000 | 8.4% | - |
| 1999 | 128.4% | - |
| 1998 | 90.1% | - |
| 1997 | 19.5% | - |
Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | World Economic Outlook (1997–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20).
GeoRank.org/economy/laos/palau | CC BY
Over the past 24 years, Laos has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 8.09%, compared with 3.15% in Palau. In 2024, inflation was 23.1% in Laos and 3.6% in Palau.
Balance of trade
|
Laos
|
Palau
|
|
|---|---|---|
|
Current account balance
|
$531M
2024 |
-$134M
2023 |
| Current account balance ranking |
61/190
2024 |
91/190
2023 |
| Current account balance, % of GDP |
+3.22%
2024 |
-48.5%
2023 |
| Goods imports |
$8.66B
2024 |
$164M
2023 |
| Goods exports |
$9.39B
2024 |
$1.74M
2023 |
| Service imports |
$1.27B
2024 |
$43M
2023 |
| Service exports |
$1.73B
2024 |
$61.9M
2023 |
| Imports of goods and services, % of GDP |
41.9%
2016 |
80.4%
2023 |
| Exports of goods and services, % of GDP |
33.2%
2016 |
26.3%
2023 |
Economic freedom indices
The indices of economic freedom below are issued by the Heritage Foundation. Higher scores indicate stronger economic health.
|
Laos
|
Palau
|
|
|---|---|---|
| Economic freedom | 50.9 | 62 |
| Economic freedom ranking | 157/197 | 89/197 |
| Property rights | 41.1 | n/a |
| Government integrity | 25.9 | n/a |
| Judicial effectiveness | 10.2 | n/a |
| Tax burden | 88.5 | n/a |
| Government spending | 92.7 | n/a |
| Fiscal health | 80 | n/a |
| Business freedom | 54.2 | n/a |
| Labor freedom | 40.7 | n/a |
| Monetary freedom | 53.3 | n/a |
| Trade freedom | 69 | n/a |
| Investment freedom | 35 | n/a |
| Financial freedom | 20 | n/a |
Other economic metrics
|
Laos
|
Palau
|
|
|---|---|---|
| Services, % of GDP |
43.5%
2024 |
74.8%
2023 |
| Industry, % of GDP |
29%
2024 |
10.1%
2023 |
| Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP |
16.8%
2024 |
3.04%
2023 |
|
GNI, Atlas method
|
$15.5B
2024 |
$262M
2023 |
| GNI per capita, PPP |
$9,160
2024 |
$18,320
2023 |
| Total reserves including gold |
$1.77B
2023 |
n/a |
| Total reserves ranking |
129/177
2023 |
n/a |
|
Net foreign direct investment
|
-$988M
2024 |
-$79.9M
2023 |
|
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
|
$988M
2024 |
$69.1M
2024 |
|
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
|
$0
2024 |
$0
2024 |
|
Servicing debt to the IMF, % of GNI
|
13.8%
2024 |
n/a |
| Poverty at national poverty lines |
22%
2020 |
24.9%
2020 |
|
Gross capital formation, % of GDP
|
29%
2016 |
35.6%
2023 |
GDP per capita map
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/palau | CC BY
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Data sources:
- World Bank | Economy & Growth (1970–2024, retrieved 2026-04-06)
- International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (2000–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20)
- U.S. Census Bureau (1985–2024, retrieved 2026-02-08)
- The Heritage Foundation | Economic Freedom Index (2026, retrieved 2026-03-09)
- Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) (2020, retrieved 2026-02-20)
- United Nations | World Population Prospects (2026, retrieved 2026-03-10)
- LivingCost (2026, retrieved 2025-10-14)
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.