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Economy of Laos vs Philippines compared: GDP & Debt

Updated on by Georank team

Laos has a GDP of $16.5B compared to $462B for the Philippines, ranking 139/197 and 35/197 by economy size, respectively.

Laos has $16.6B in government debt (100.5% of GDP), compared to $261B (56.6% of GDP) in the Philippines.

Laos vs Philippines GDP by year

Laos
Philippines
1x
Year GDP, current $
Laos Philippines
2024 $16,502,933,121 $461,617,509,782
2023 $15,843,155,731 $437,055,627,244
2022 $15,468,785,204 $404,353,369,605
2021 $18,827,148,531 $394,087,359,848
2020 $18,981,805,250 $361,751,145,452
2019 $18,740,561,513 $376,823,402,239
2018 $18,141,641,090 $346,841,896,587
2017 $17,071,155,481 $328,480,736,803
2016 $15,912,501,723 $318,627,003,017
2015 $14,426,380,126 $306,445,871,242
2014 $13,279,245,886 $297,483,555,338
2013 $11,983,252,627 $283,902,828,589
2012 $10,192,846,339 $261,920,540,963
2011 $8,750,104,617 $234,216,730,291
2010 $7,131,771,015 $208,368,893,151
2009 $5,836,137,330 $175,974,755,881
2008 $5,446,433,157 $181,624,626,327
2007 $4,223,152,739 $155,980,408,673
2006 $3,455,030,061 $127,652,926,368
2005 $2,735,558,735 $107,419,977,318
2004 $2,366,398,120 $95,001,999,685
2003 $2,023,324,407 $87,039,092,974
2002 $1,758,176,653 $84,307,345,888
2001 $1,768,619,058 $78,921,234,458
2000 $1,731,198,022 $83,669,788,377
1999 $1,454,430,642 $85,640,171,045
1998 $1,280,177,839 $74,492,416,330
1997 $1,747,011,857 $94,106,317,565
1996 $1,873,671,550 $94,648,084,429
1995 $1,763,536,305 $84,644,328,727
1994 $1,543,606,345 $73,159,336,915
1993 $1,327,748,690 $62,036,529,147
1992 $1,127,806,945 $60,422,328,242
1991 $1,028,087,972 $51,784,144,943
1990 $865,559,879 $50,508,286,642
1989 $714,046,821 $48,513,773,721
1988 $598,961,269 $43,152,128,959
1987 $1,087,273,104 $37,791,488,666
1986 $1,776,842,097 $33,987,207,295
1985 $2,366,666,616 $34,961,486,348
1984 $1,757,142,856 $35,730,185,634
1983 - $37,759,179,895
1982 - $42,206,011,275
1981 - $40,499,388,869
1980 - $36,848,080,899
1979 - $31,218,296,292
1978 - $25,762,224,563
1977 - $22,283,109,803
1976 - $19,381,055,197
1975 - $16,875,240,684
1974 - $15,607,882,555
1973 - $11,412,449,735
1972 - $9,067,815,521
1971 - $8,375,075,630
1970 - $7,559,115,517
1969 - $9,571,800,653
1968 - $8,632,749,269
1967 - $7,724,873,935
1966 - $7,189,017,888
1965 - $6,517,349,772
1964 - $5,953,756,195
1963 - $5,505,023,238
1962 - $4,954,593,072
1961 - $8,171,194,425
1960 - $7,515,894,111

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

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

GDP per capita in Laos vs Philippines by year

Laos
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
Philippines
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
Laos Philippines
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2024 $2,124 $9,776 $3,985 $11,794
2023 $2,067 $9,292 $3,804 $10,986
2022 $2,046 $8,766 $3,548 $10,131
2021 $2,526 $8,080 $3,484 $8,858
2020 $2,584 $7,913 $3,228 $8,238
2019 $2,589 $7,743 $3,401 $8,924
2018 $2,545 $7,487 $3,169 $8,358
2017 $2,432 $7,142 $3,038 $7,774
2016 $2,303 $6,743 $2,985 $7,383
2015 $2,121 $6,086 $2,910 $6,894
2014 $1,981 $5,799 $2,867 $6,689
2013 $1,813 $5,222 $2,781 $6,373
2012 $1,564 $4,781 $2,615 $6,094
2011 $1,362 $4,100 $2,384 $5,705
2010 $1,126 $3,772 $2,163 $5,489
2009 $935 $3,485 $1,864 $5,157
2008 $886 $3,271 $1,959 $5,144
2007 $697 $3,021 $1,713 $4,923
2006 $579 $2,777 $1,426 $4,579
2005 $466 $2,519 $1,220 $4,289
2004 $409 $2,315 $1,100 $4,037
2003 $355 $2,151 $1,027 $3,761
2002 $313 $2,020 $1,015 $3,580
2001 $320 $1,908 $970 $3,469
2000 $319 $1,794 $1,051 $3,366
1999 $272.3 $1,686 $1,101 $3,229
1998 $243.9 $1,577 $983 $3,160
1997 $339 $1,528 $1,273 $3,221
1996 $371 $1,435 $1,311 $3,082
1995 $358 $1,349 $1,200 $2,926
1994 $321 $1,265 $1,060 $2,800
1993 $283.4 $1,176 $919 $2,684
1992 $247.3 $1,114 $917 $2,629
1991 $231.8 $1,061 $804 $2,621
1990 $200.7 $1,012 $804 $2,608
1989 $170.4 - $792 -
1988 $147.1 - $722 -
1987 $274.7 - $650 -
1986 $462 - $600 -
1985 $633 - $633 -
1984 $483 - $665 -
1983 - - $723 -
1982 - - $833 -
1981 - - $821 -
1980 - - $767 -
1979 - - $667 -
1978 - - $565 -
1977 - - $502 -
1976 - - $449 -
1975 - - $401 -
1974 - - $379 -
1973 - - $283.2 -
1972 - - $230.1 -
1971 - - $217.4 -
1970 - - $200.9 -
1969 - - $261.1 -
1968 - - $242.2 -
1967 - - $223.1 -
1966 - - $213.8 -
1965 - - $199.8 -
1964 - - $188.2 -
1963 - - $179.5 -
1962 - - $166.7 -
1961 - - $283.8 -
1960 - - $269.5 -

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

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

Laos' GDP per capita is $2,124, ranking 155/197, compared to $3,985 in the Philippines, ranking 130/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), Laos ranks 134th at $9,776, while the Philippines ranks 127th at $11,794.

Economic indicators

Laos Philippines
Gross domestic product
$16.5B
2024
$462B
2024
GDP rank
139/197
2024
35/197
2024
GDP growth
4.13%
2023-2024
5.69%
2023-2024
GDP per capita
$2,124
2024
$3,985
2024
GDP per capita rank
155/197
2024
130/197
2024
GDP per capita, PPP
$9,776
2024
$11,794
2024
GDP per capita PPP rank
134/197
2024
127/197
2024
Government debt
$16.6B
2024
$261B
2024
Debt-to-GDP ratio
100.5%
2024
56.6%
2024
Government debt per person
$2,134
2024
$2,257
2024
Government debt per person rank
119/185
2024
117/185
2024
Average annual personal income after taxes
$2,096
2026
$3,407
2026
Market capitalization of domestic companies n/a
$252B
2024
Number of billionaires n/a
15
2025
Income share by richest 10%
31.2%
2018
31.6%
2023
Income share by poorest 10%
3%
2018
2.9%
2023
Government expenditure, % of GDP
15.7%
2024
24.9%
2024
Consumer prices inflation
23.1%
2023-2024
3.21%
2023-2024
Central bank interest rate n/a
4.75%
2025
Unemployment rate
1.21%
2022
2.41%
2023
Population
8004838
117991570

Spending and national debt comparison by year

Laos
Spending

Debt
Philippines
Spending

Debt
1x
Year % of GDP
Laos Philippines
Government spending Government debt Government spending Government debt
2024 15.7% 100.5% 24.9% 56.6%
2023 16.4% 116.5% 24.7% 56.5%
2022 14.7% 130.7% 25.9% 57.4%
2021 15.7% 92.9% 27.2% 57%
2020 18.4% 76% 25.9% 51.6%
2019 18.6% 69.1% 21.7% 37%
2018 20.7% 60.6% 20.9% 37.1%
2017 21.8% 57.2% 19.5% 38.1%
2016 21.1% 54.5% 19% 37.4%
2015 25.8% 53.1% 17.8% 39.7%
2014 25% 53.5% 16.8% 40.3%
2013 24.2% 49.5% 17.3% 43.9%
2012 24.7% 46.1% 17.7% 45.7%
2011 20.2% 43% 17.2% 45.4%
2010 22.4% 49.3% 18.3% 47.6%
2009 20.1% 51.8% 19.2% 49.8%
2008 16.1% 51.7% 17.9% 50%
2007 15.1% 55.9% 18.2% 50.2%
2006 14.7% 60% 18.3% 57.2%
2005 15.3% 73.2% 18.7% 64.7%
2004 13.6% 80.7% 19.4% 71.1%
2003 16% 90.1% 20.4% 71.4%
2002 16.6% 95.3% 20.6% 65.2%
2001 18.8% 94.7% 21% 59.5%
2000 19.9% - 20.8% 59.2%
1999 - - 20.7% 54.2%
1998 - - 20.3% 50.8%
1997 - - 20.3% 56.9%
1996 - - 19.6% 53.1%
1995 - - 19.1% 60.8%
1994 - - 19.7% 63.6%
1993 - - 17.6% 73.9%
1992 - - 18.4% 53.9%
1991 - - 18% 55.6%
1990 - - 18.8% 56.2%
1989 - - 15.7% 55.2%
1988 - - 15.9% 69%
1987 - - 15.7% 79.2%
1986 - - 13.5% 77.7%
1985 - - 11.3% 53.1%
1984 - - 10.1% 45.8%
1983 - - 12.2% 43.1%
1982 - - 12.8% 32.9%
1981 - - 13.7% 27.6%
1980 - - 13.4% 24.8%
1979 - - 11.9% 22.5%
1978 - - 13.3% 23.1%
1977 - - 13.3% 19.8%
1976 - - 13.8% 16.8%
1975 - - 15.1% 13%
1974 - - 10.7% 13.4%
1973 - - 14% 11.5%
1972 - - 13.4% 14.2%
1971 - - 11.2% 14.8%
1970 - - 10.4% 16.8%
1969 - - 11.5% 16.4%
1968 - - 11.2% 15.7%
1967 - - 10.2% 15.4%
1966 - - 9.77% 14.4%
1965 - - 9.48% 15%
1964 - - 9.66% 14.2%
1963 - - 10.4% 14.1%
1962 - - 10.8% 15.9%
1961 - - 9.6% 16.5%
1960 - - 10.1% 16.6%

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1960–1992, retrieved 2026-02-20).

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

In 2024, Laos' government spending was $2.58B, accounting for 15.7% of its GDP, while the Philippines spent $115B, or 24.9% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 100.5% in Laos and 56.6% in the Philippines, ranking 24/185 and 93/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
Laos

Philippines
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
Laos Philippines
2024 2.34% -3.78%
2023 -0.01% -4.38%
2022 0.06% -5.48%
2021 -0.67% -6.23%
2020 -5.37% -5.55%
2019 -3.2% -1.5%
2018 -4.46% -1.48%
2017 -5.51% -0.75%
2016 -5.06% -0.74%
2015 -5.57% 0.14%
2014 -3.13% 1.32%
2013 -4.03% 0.37%
2012 -2.34% -0.22%
2011 -1.43% -0.38%
2010 -1.47% -2.25%
2009 -3.1% -2.57%
2008 -1.86% 0.02%
2007 -1.12% -0.28%
2006 -1.48% -0.05%
2005 -2.54% -1.62%
2004 -1.81% -2.81%
2003 -3.89% -3.49%
2002 -2.85% -3.71%
2001 -3.68% -3.49%
2000 -3.58% -3.27%
1999 - -2.29%
1998 - -1.31%
1997 - 0.37%
1996 - 0.54%
1995 - -0.02%
1994 - -0.44%
1993 - 0.63%
1992 - -0.43%
1991 - -0.26%
1990 - -1.52%
1989 - -1.64%
1988 - -2.71%
1987 - -1.06%
1986 - -0.55%
1985 - 0.71%
1984 - 0.64%
1983 - 0.1%
1982 - -0.88%
1981 - -1.09%
1980 - 0.56%
1979 - 1.54%
1978 - 0.05%
1977 - -0.42%
1976 - -0.55%
1975 - 0.13%
1974 - 5.94%
1973 - 2.49%
1972 - 3.39%
1971 - -0.96%
1970 - -0.31%
1969 - -2.67%
1968 - -2.33%
1967 - -1.35%
1966 - -0.74%
1965 - -1.53%
1964 - -0.99%
1963 - -0.68%
1962 - -0.43%
1961 - -0.29%
1960 - -1.06%
1959 - -0.15%
1958 - -0.21%
1957 - -0.56%
1956 - -0.77%
1955 - -1.3%
1954 - -0.79%
1953 - -0.88%
1952 - 0.49%
1951 - 1.5%
1950 - -0.19%
1949 - -2.33%
1948 - -0.65%
1947 - 0.05%
1946 - -2.54%

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1946–1989, retrieved 2026-02-20).

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

In 2024, Laos' government surplus, the difference between spending and revenue, was $386M, equivalent to 2.34% of GDP. This compares to the Philippines' deficit of $17.5B, or 3.78% of GDP.

Over the past 25 years, Laos recorded a fiscal deficit in 23 of those years, while the Philippines ran a deficit in 21 years. On average, Laos posted an annual deficit equal to 2.63% of GDP, compared to deficit of 2.09% of GDP for the Philippines.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
Laos

Philippines
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
Laos Philippines
2024 23.1% 3.21%
2023 31.2% 5.98%
2022 23% 5.82%
2021 3.8% 3.93%
2020 5.1% 2.39%
2019 3.3% 2.39%
2018 2% 5.31%
2017 0.8% 2.85%
2016 1.6% 1.25%
2015 1.3% 0.67%
2014 4.1% 3.6%
2013 6.4% 2.58%
2012 4.3% 3.03%
2011 7.6% 4.72%
2010 6% 3.79%
2009 0.1% 4.22%
2008 7.6% 8.26%
2007 4.7% 2.9%
2006 6.5% 5.49%
2005 7.2% 6.52%
2004 10.5% 4.83%
2003 15.5% 2.29%
2002 10.6% 2.72%
2001 7.8% 5.35%
2000 8.4% 3.98%
1999 128.4% 5.94%
1998 90.1% 9.23%
1997 19.5% 5.59%

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/philippines | CC BY

Over the past 28 years, Laos has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 15.7%, compared with 4.24% in the Philippines. In 2024, inflation was 23.1% in Laos and 3.21% in the Philippines.

Top exports between countries

Laos
Export category Export value
Raw materials & minerals $28.2M
Wood & paper products $358K
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $198K
Machinery & equipment $177K
Metals $139K
Textiles & consumer goods $118K
Raw agricultural goods $63K
Precious metals & jewellery $33K
Chemicals & pharma $1K
Philippines
Export category Export value
Weapons & explosives $2.26M
Wood & paper products $284K
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $195K
Chemicals & pharma $115K
Metals $111K
Textiles & consumer goods $24K
Machinery & equipment $15K

Balance of trade

Laos Philippines
Current account balance
$531M
2024
-$18.3B
2024
Current account balance ranking
61/190
2024
183/190
2024
Current account balance, % of GDP
+3.22%
2024
-3.96%
2024
Goods imports
$8.66B
2024
$124B
2024
Goods exports
$9.39B
2024
$55.1B
2024
Service imports
$1.27B
2024
$37.6B
2024
Service exports
$1.73B
2024
$51.6B
2024
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
41.9%
2016
40.1%
2024
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
33.2%
2016
25.8%
2024

Economic freedom indices

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

Laos Philippines
Economic freedom 50.9 62.9
Economic freedom ranking 157/197 85/197
Property rights 41.1 45.8
Government integrity 25.9 35.4
Judicial effectiveness 10.2 41.8
Tax burden 88.5 78.3
Government spending 92.7 81
Fiscal health 80 60.5
Business freedom 54.2 69.2
Labor freedom 40.7 57.8
Monetary freedom 53.3 72.1
Trade freedom 69 83
Investment freedom 35 70
Financial freedom 20 60

Economic freedom comparison by year

Laos
Philippines
1x
Year Economic freedom index
Laos Philippines
2026 50.9 62.9
2025 51.1 60.6
2024 50.6 59
2023 50.3 59.3
2022 49.2 61.1
2021 53.9 64.1
2020 55.5 64.5
2019 57.4 63.8
2018 53.6 65
2017 54 65.6
2016 49.8 63.1
2015 51.4 62.2
2014 51.2 60.1
2013 50.1 58.2
2012 50 57.1
2011 51.3 56.2
2010 51.1 56.3
2009 50.4 56.8
2008 50.3 56
2007 50.3 56
2006 47.5 56.3
2005 44.4 54.7
2004 42 59.1
2003 41 61.3
2002 36.8 60.7
2001 33.5 60.9
2000 36.8 62.5
1999 35.2 61.9
1998 35.2 62.8
1997 35.1 62.2
1996 38.5 60.2
1995 - 55

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

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

The Economic Freedom Index for Laos is 50.9, ranking 157/197, compared to 62.9 for the Philippines, ranking 85/197. The chart above displays a comparison of annual changes in economic freedom indexes.

Other economic metrics

Laos Philippines
Services, % of GDP
43.5%
2024
63.2%
2024
Industry, % of GDP
29%
2024
27.7%
2024
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
16.8%
2024
9.08%
2024
GNI, Atlas method
$15.5B
2024
$518B
2024
GNI per capita, PPP
$9,160
2024
$13,330
2024
Total reserves including gold
$1.77B
2023
$106B
2024
Total reserves ranking
129/177
2023
27/177
2024
Net foreign direct investment
-$988M
2024
-$6.57B
2024
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
$988M
2024
$9.44B
2024
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
$0
2024
$2.87B
2024
Servicing debt to the IMF, % of GNI
13.8%
2024
3.45%
2024
Poverty at national poverty lines
22%
2020
15.5%
2023
Gross capital formation, % of GDP
29%
2016
23.7%
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/philippines | CC BY

Compare countries by 7 more topics

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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. International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1946–1992, retrieved 2026-02-20)
  4. The Heritage Foundation | Economic Freedom Index (1995–2026, retrieved 2026-03-09)
  5. U.S. Census Bureau (1985–2024, retrieved 2026-02-08)
  6. TradeMap (2023–2024, 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.