Skip to content

Economy of Laos vs Papua New Guinea compared: GDP & Debt

Updated on by Georank team

Laos has a GDP of $16.5B compared to $31.8B for Papua New Guinea, ranking 139/197 and 110/197 by economy size, respectively.

Laos has $16.6B in government debt (100.5% of GDP), compared to $16.6B (52.1% of GDP) in Papua New Guinea.

Laos vs Papua New Guinea GDP by year

Laos
Papua New Guinea
1x
Year GDP, current $
Laos Papua New Guinea
2024 $16,502,933,121 $31,800,428,266
2023 $15,843,155,731 $30,816,367,067
2022 $15,468,785,204 $31,653,185,953
2021 $18,827,148,531 $26,109,413,521
2020 $18,981,805,250 $23,848,447,850
2019 $18,740,561,513 $24,750,626,030
2018 $18,141,641,090 $24,109,780,708
2017 $17,071,155,481 $22,742,699,138
2016 $15,912,501,723 $20,758,876,953
2015 $14,426,380,126 $21,723,437,010
2014 $13,279,245,886 $23,210,823,987
2013 $11,983,252,627 $21,261,338,065
2012 $10,192,846,339 $21,295,168,666
2011 $8,750,104,617 $17,985,138,066
2010 $7,131,771,015 $14,250,786,675
2009 $5,836,137,330 $11,619,456,449
2008 $5,446,433,157 $11,670,892,801
2007 $4,223,152,739 $9,545,028,944
2006 $3,455,030,061 $8,354,911,041
2005 $2,735,558,735 $4,865,892,972
2004 $2,366,398,120 $3,927,157,867
2003 $2,023,324,407 $3,536,411,824
2002 $1,758,176,653 $2,999,511,040
2001 $1,768,619,058 $3,081,024,212
2000 $1,731,198,022 $3,521,339,699
1999 $1,454,430,642 $3,477,038,204
1998 $1,280,177,839 $3,789,443,015
1997 $1,747,011,857 $4,936,615,299
1996 $1,873,671,550 $5,155,311,077
1995 $1,763,536,305 $4,636,057,476
1994 $1,543,606,345 $5,502,786,070
1993 $1,327,748,690 $4,974,550,286
1992 $1,127,806,945 $4,377,980,510
1991 $1,028,087,972 $3,787,394,958
1990 $865,559,879 $3,219,729,083
1989 $714,046,821 $3,546,472,566
1988 $598,961,269 $3,656,177,881
1987 $1,087,273,104 $3,143,851,794
1986 $1,776,842,097 $2,647,995,602
1985 $2,366,666,616 $2,423,339,172
1984 $1,757,142,856 $2,552,662,617
1983 - $2,562,351,551
1982 - $2,368,719,683
1981 - $2,498,190,847
1980 - $2,545,808,456
1979 - $2,293,760,511
1978 - $1,947,878,831
1977 - $1,640,746,619
1976 - $1,511,843,235
1975 - $1,356,603,608
1974 - $1,467,417,672
1973 - $1,299,079,410
1972 - $858,761,926
1971 - $717,750,278
1970 - $645,568,215
1969 - $551,263,864
1968 - $485,184,190
1967 - $441,728,183
1966 - $390,992,063
1965 - $344,176,055
1964 - $305,312,049
1963 - $275,968,044
1962 - $261,184,042
1961 - $244,832,039
1960 - $230,496,037

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

GeoRank.org/economy/laos/papua-new-guinea | CC BY

GDP per capita in Laos vs Papua New Guinea by year

Laos
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
Papua New Guinea
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
Laos Papua New Guinea
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2024 $2,124 $9,776 $3,007 $4,875
2023 $2,067 $9,292 $2,966 $4,668
2022 $2,046 $8,766 $3,102 $4,420
2021 $2,526 $8,080 $2,608 $3,977
2020 $2,584 $7,913 $2,430 $3,900
2019 $2,589 $7,743 $2,576 $4,060
2018 $2,545 $7,487 $2,566 $3,910
2017 $2,432 $7,142 $2,478 $3,923
2016 $2,303 $6,743 $2,316 $3,813
2015 $2,121 $6,086 $2,485 $3,670
2014 $1,981 $5,799 $2,723 $3,500
2013 $1,813 $5,222 $2,561 $3,110
2012 $1,564 $4,781 $2,635 $3,026
2011 $1,362 $4,100 $2,288 $2,919
2010 $1,126 $3,772 $1,867 $2,912
2009 $935 $3,485 $1,569 $2,692
2008 $886 $3,271 $1,625 $2,583
2007 $697 $3,021 $1,371 $2,622
2006 $579 $2,777 $1,238 $2,444
2005 $466 $2,519 $744 $2,322
2004 $409 $2,315 $621 $2,187
2003 $355 $2,151 $577 $2,142
2002 $313 $2,020 $506 $2,125
2001 $320 $1,908 $538 $2,168
2000 $319 $1,794 $636 $2,196
1999 $272.3 $1,686 $650 $2,280
1998 $243.9 $1,577 $733 $2,285
1997 $339 $1,528 $990 $2,432
1996 $371 $1,435 $1,071 $2,578
1995 $358 $1,349 $998 $2,436
1994 $321 $1,265 $1,228 $2,558
1993 $283.4 $1,176 $1,151 $2,451
1992 $247.3 $1,114 $1,051 $2,100
1991 $231.8 $1,061 $942 $1,869
1990 $200.7 $1,012 $826 $1,703
1989 $170.4 - $934 -
1988 $147.1 - $985 -
1987 $274.7 - $865 -
1986 $462 - $745 -
1985 $633 - $697 -
1984 $483 - $750 -
1983 - - $769 -
1982 - - $726 -
1981 - - $781 -
1980 - - $813 -
1979 - - $748 -
1978 - - $648 -
1977 - - $558 -
1976 - - $525 -
1975 - - $482 -
1974 - - $533 -
1973 - - $483 -
1972 - - $327 -
1971 - - $279.7 -
1970 - - $257.6 -
1969 - - $225.3 -
1968 - - $202.9 -
1967 - - $189 -
1966 - - $171.1 -
1965 - - $153.9 -
1964 - - $139.5 -
1963 - - $128.9 -
1962 - - $124.7 -
1961 - - $119.7 -
1960 - - $115.5 -

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

GeoRank.org/economy/laos/papua-new-guinea | CC BY

Laos' GDP per capita is $2,124, ranking 155/197, compared to $3,007 in Papua New Guinea, ranking 140/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), Laos ranks 134th at $9,776, while Papua New Guinea ranks 159th at $4,875.

Economic indicators

Laos Papua New Guinea
Gross domestic product
$16.5B
2024
$31.8B
2024
GDP rank
139/197
2024
110/197
2024
GDP growth
4.13%
2023-2024
3.8%
2023-2024
GDP per capita
$2,124
2024
$3,007
2024
GDP per capita rank
155/197
2024
140/197
2024
GDP per capita, PPP
$9,776
2024
$4,875
2024
GDP per capita PPP rank
134/197
2024
159/197
2024
Government debt
$16.6B
2024
$16.6B
2024
Debt-to-GDP ratio
100.5%
2024
52.1%
2024
Government debt per person
$2,134
2024
$1,566
2024
Government debt per person rank
119/185
2024
129/185
2024
Average annual personal income after taxes
$2,096
2026
$2,362
2026
Market capitalization of domestic companies n/a
$1.68B
2017
Income share by richest 10%
31.2%
2018
31%
2009
Income share by poorest 10%
3%
2018
1.9%
2009
Government expenditure, % of GDP
15.7%
2024
20.4%
2024
Consumer prices inflation
23.1%
2023-2024
0.6%
2023-2024
Central bank interest rate n/a
5%
2025
Unemployment rate
1.21%
2022
2.69%
2022
Population
8004838
11002753

Spending and national debt comparison by year

Laos
Spending

Debt
Papua New Guinea
Spending

Debt
1x
Year % of GDP
Laos Papua New Guinea
Government spending Government debt Government spending Government debt
2024 15.7% 100.5% 20.4% 52.1%
2023 16.4% 116.5% 22.3% 53.9%
2022 14.7% 130.7% 21.9% 48.2%
2021 15.7% 92.9% 22% 52.6%
2020 18.4% 76% 23.5% 48.7%
2019 18.6% 69.1% 21.3% 38.2%
2018 20.7% 60.6% 20.3% 36.7%
2017 21.8% 57.2% 18.4% 32.5%
2016 21.1% 54.5% 20.9% 33.7%
2015 25.8% 53.1% 22.8% 29.9%
2014 25% 53.5% 27.1% 26.9%
2013 24.2% 49.5% 27.6% 24.9%
2012 24.7% 46.1% 22.4% 19.1%
2011 20.2% 43% 19.7% 16.3%
2010 22.4% 49.3% 18.4% 17.3%
2009 20.1% 51.8% 24.7% 21.7%
2008 16.1% 51.7% 19.8% 21.6%
2007 15.1% 55.9% 18% 22.2%
2006 14.7% 60% 19.4% 26%
2005 15.3% 73.2% 20.6% 31.6%
2004 13.6% 80.7% 19.4% 37.2%
2003 16% 90.1% 18.7% 40.4%
2002 16.6% 95.3% 20.8% 48.4%
2001 18.8% 94.7% 21.6% 47.7%
2000 19.9% - 20.5% 42.3%
1999 - - 21.4% 41.8%
1998 - - 20% 45.7%
1997 - - 20.6% 43.9%
1996 - - 17.6% 37.8%
1995 - - 17.1% 36.6%
1994 - - 19.3% 40.1%
1993 - - 23.5% 30%
1992 - - 22.8% 30.4%
1991 - - 22.4% -
1990 - - 24.5% -

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1992–1993, retrieved 2026-02-20).

GeoRank.org/economy/laos/papua-new-guinea | CC BY

In 2024, Laos' government spending was $2.58B, accounting for 15.7% of its GDP, while Papua New Guinea spent $6.48B, or 20.4% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 100.5% in Laos and 52.1% in Papua New Guinea, ranking 24/185 and 100/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
Laos

Papua New Guinea
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
Laos Papua New Guinea
2024 2.34% -3.23%
2023 -0.01% -4.34%
2022 0.06% -5.25%
2021 -0.67% -6.84%
2020 -5.37% -8.85%
2019 -3.2% -4.98%
2018 -4.46% -2.58%
2017 -5.51% -2.47%
2016 -5.06% -4.75%
2015 -5.57% -4.55%
2014 -3.13% -6.27%
2013 -4.03% -6.87%
2012 -2.34% -1.19%
2011 -1.43% 2.22%
2010 -1.47% 3.06%
2009 -3.1% -5.48%
2008 -1.86% 2.73%
2007 -1.12% 6.9%
2006 -1.48% 5.34%
2005 -2.54% 2.85%
2004 -1.81% 2.03%
2003 -3.89% 0.19%
2002 -2.85% -1.75%
2001 -3.68% -1.33%
2000 -3.58% 0.3%
1999 - -1.94%
1998 - -0.16%
1997 - 0.67%
1996 - 2.05%
1995 - 1.08%
1994 - -1.01%
1993 - -4.9%
1992 - -4.33%
1991 - -0.62%
1990 - -2.04%

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

GeoRank.org/economy/laos/papua-new-guinea | CC BY

In 2024, Laos' government surplus, the difference between spending and revenue, was $386M, equivalent to 2.34% of GDP. This compares to Papua New Guinea's deficit of $1.03B, or 3.23% of GDP.

Over the past 25 years, Laos recorded a fiscal deficit in 23 of those years, while Papua New Guinea ran a deficit in 16 years. On average, Laos posted an annual deficit equal to 2.63% of GDP, compared to deficit of 1.8% of GDP for Papua New Guinea.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
Laos

Papua New Guinea
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
Laos Papua New Guinea
2024 23.1% 0.6%
2023 31.2% 2.3%
2022 23% 5.25%
2021 3.8% 4.48%
2020 5.1% 4.87%
2019 3.3% 3.93%
2018 2% 4.37%
2017 0.8% 5.42%
2016 1.6% 6.67%
2015 1.3% 6%
2014 4.1% 5.22%
2013 6.4% 4.96%
2012 4.3% 4.54%
2011 7.6% 4.44%
2010 6% 6.01%
2009 0.1% 6.92%
2008 7.6% 10.8%
2007 4.7% 0.91%
2006 6.5% 2.37%
2005 7.2% 1.78%
2004 10.5% 2.16%
2003 15.5% 14.7%
2002 10.6% 11.8%
2001 7.8% 9.3%
2000 8.4% 15.6%
1999 128.4% 14.9%
1998 90.1% 13.6%
1997 19.5% 3.96%

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/papua-new-guinea | CC BY

Over the past 28 years, Laos has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 15.7%, compared with 6.35% in Papua New Guinea. In 2024, inflation was 23.1% in Laos and 0.6% in Papua New Guinea.

Balance of trade

Laos Papua New Guinea
Current account balance
$531M
2024
$4.77B
2024
Current account balance ranking
61/190
2024
33/190
2024
Current account balance, % of GDP
+3.22%
2024
+15%
2024
Goods imports
$8.66B
2024
$4.69B
2024
Goods exports
$9.39B
2024
$13.4B
2024
Service imports
$1.27B
2024
$2.4B
2024
Service exports
$1.73B
2024
$75.2M
2024
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
41.9%
2016
58.9%
2004
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
33.2%
2016
72.2%
2004

Economic freedom indices

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

Laos Papua New Guinea
Economic freedom 50.9 54.3
Economic freedom ranking 157/197 134/197
Property rights 41.1 45
Government integrity 25.9 30.8
Judicial effectiveness 10.2 41.1
Tax burden 88.5 70.9
Government spending 92.7 86.1
Fiscal health 80 65.3
Business freedom 54.2 34.2
Labor freedom 40.7 65.1
Monetary freedom 53.3 77.4
Trade freedom 69 80.2
Investment freedom 35 25
Financial freedom 20 30

Economic freedom comparison by year

Laos
Papua New Guinea
1x
Year Economic freedom index
Laos Papua New Guinea
2026 50.9 54.3
2025 51.1 52.5
2024 50.6 49.4
2023 50.3 51.7
2022 49.2 54.6
2021 53.9 58.9
2020 55.5 58.4
2019 57.4 58.4
2018 53.6 55.7
2017 54 50.9
2016 49.8 53.2
2015 51.4 53.1
2014 51.2 53.9
2013 50.1 53.6
2012 50 53.8
2011 51.3 52.6
2010 51.1 53.5
2009 50.4 54.8
2008 50.3 -
2007 50.3 -
2006 47.5 -
2005 44.4 -
2004 42 -
2003 41 -
2002 36.8 -
2001 33.5 57.2
2000 36.8 55.8
1999 35.2 56.3
1998 35.2 55.2
1997 35.1 56.7
1996 38.5 58.6

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

GeoRank.org/economy/laos/papua-new-guinea | CC BY

The Economic Freedom Index for Laos is 50.9, ranking 157/197, compared to 54.3 for Papua New Guinea, ranking 134/197. The chart above displays a comparison of annual changes in economic freedom indexes.

Other economic metrics

Laos Papua New Guinea
Services, % of GDP
43.5%
2024
41.5%
2024
Industry, % of GDP
29%
2024
37.2%
2024
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
16.8%
2024
17.2%
2024
GNI, Atlas method
$15.5B
2024
$30.7B
2024
GNI per capita, PPP
$9,160
2024
$4,580
2024
Total reserves including gold
$1.77B
2023
$3.9B
2023
Total reserves ranking
129/177
2023
107/177
2023
Net foreign direct investment
-$988M
2024
$968M
2024
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
$988M
2024
-$198M
2024
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
$0
2024
$770M
2024
Servicing debt to the IMF, % of GNI
13.8%
2024
19.7%
2024
Poverty at national poverty lines
22%
2020
39.9%
2009
Gross capital formation, % of GDP
29%
2016
20%
2004

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/papua-new-guinea | 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 (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 (1996–2026, 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 (1992–1993, retrieved 2026-02-20)
  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.