Skip to content

Economy of Laos vs Portugal compared: GDP & Debt

Updated on by Georank team

Laos has a GDP of $16.5B compared to $313B for Portugal, ranking 139/197 and 46/197 by economy size, respectively.

Laos has $16.6B in government debt (100.5% of GDP), compared to $297B (94.9% of GDP) in Portugal.

Laos vs Portugal GDP by year

Laos
Portugal
1x
Year GDP, current $
Laos Portugal
2024 $16,502,933,121 $313,271,185,085
2023 $15,843,155,731 $292,323,800,949
2022 $15,468,785,204 $256,898,677,175
2021 $18,827,148,531 $256,055,879,091
2020 $18,981,805,250 $229,618,773,423
2019 $18,740,561,513 $240,115,970,063
2018 $18,141,641,090 $242,092,894,543
2017 $17,071,155,481 $220,862,990,767
2016 $15,912,501,723 $206,305,431,242
2015 $14,426,380,126 $199,038,523,120
2014 $13,279,245,886 $230,078,616,300
2013 $11,983,252,627 $226,677,408,292
2012 $10,192,846,339 $216,536,676,772
2011 $8,750,104,617 $245,426,767,676
2010 $7,131,771,015 $238,443,864,993
2009 $5,836,137,330 $244,667,762,836
2008 $5,446,433,157 $263,416,394,624
2007 $4,223,152,739 $240,496,147,317
2006 $3,455,030,061 $208,756,449,276
2005 $2,735,558,735 $197,253,876,705
2004 $2,366,398,120 $189,382,122,532
2003 $2,023,324,407 $165,226,175,537
2002 $1,758,176,653 $134,795,565,549
2001 $1,768,619,058 $121,604,107,165
2000 $1,731,198,022 $118,605,192,877
1999 $1,454,430,642 $127,470,385,557
1998 $1,280,177,839 $123,946,327,916
1997 $1,747,011,857 $117,016,535,163
1996 $1,873,671,550 $122,630,089,680
1995 $1,763,536,305 $118,122,007,430
1994 $1,543,606,345 $99,688,641,304
1993 $1,327,748,690 $95,009,751,901
1992 $1,127,806,945 $107,592,098,307
1991 $1,028,087,972 $89,233,599,278
1990 $865,559,879 $78,713,860,217
1989 $714,046,821 $60,594,092,182
1988 $598,961,269 $56,347,250,696
1987 $1,087,273,104 $48,182,925,857
1986 $1,776,842,097 $38,745,901,354
1985 $2,366,666,616 $27,115,807,742
1984 $1,757,142,856 $25,217,969,050
1983 - $27,239,650,742
1982 - $30,527,754,793
1981 - $31,977,276,873
1980 - $32,896,519,824
1979 - $26,622,819,672
1978 - $23,487,614,051
1977 - $21,439,523,311
1976 - $20,332,831,565
1975 - $19,347,607,843
1974 - $17,512,391,476
1973 - $15,090,564,186
1972 - $11,239,117,865
1971 - $9,201,604,240
1970 - $8,108,235,704
1969 - $7,287,555,035
1968 - $6,644,693,214
1967 - $6,002,607,030
1966 - $5,370,108,031
1965 - $4,901,711,248
1964 - $4,429,202,657
1963 - $4,084,251,593
1962 - $3,835,883,663
1961 - $3,573,719,085
1960 - $3,339,150,158

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

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

GDP per capita in Laos vs Portugal by year

Laos
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
Portugal
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
Laos Portugal
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2024 $2,124 $9,776 $29,292 $51,680
2023 $2,067 $9,292 $27,635 $49,353
2022 $2,046 $8,766 $24,621 $45,250
2021 $2,526 $8,080 $24,711 $38,658
2020 $2,584 $7,913 $22,299 $35,967
2019 $2,589 $7,743 $23,343 $37,866
2018 $2,545 $7,487 $23,541 $34,897
2017 $2,432 $7,142 $21,442 $32,971
2016 $2,303 $6,743 $19,980 $31,589
2015 $2,121 $6,086 $19,216 $29,608
2014 $1,981 $5,799 $22,121 $28,765
2013 $1,813 $5,222 $21,676 $27,966
2012 $1,564 $4,781 $20,593 $26,476
2011 $1,362 $4,100 $23,247 $26,803
2010 $1,126 $3,772 $22,552 $27,292
2009 $935 $3,485 $23,151 $26,472
2008 $886 $3,271 $24,949 $26,666
2007 $697 $3,021 $22,811 $25,738
2006 $579 $2,777 $19,839 $24,677
2005 $466 $2,519 $18,780 $22,725
2004 $409 $2,315 $18,064 $21,476
2003 $355 $2,151 $15,798 $20,850
2002 $313 $2,020 $12,937 $20,357
2001 $320 $1,908 $11,735 $19,529
2000 $319 $1,794 $11,526 $18,883
1999 $272.3 $1,686 $12,475 $17,718
1998 $243.9 $1,577 $12,199 $16,688
1997 $339 $1,528 $11,576 $15,789
1996 $371 $1,435 $12,185 $14,922
1995 $358 $1,349 $11,781 $14,406
1994 $321 $1,265 $9,977 $13,578
1993 $283.4 $1,176 $9,535 $13,202
1992 $247.3 $1,114 $10,811 $13,182
1991 $231.8 $1,061 $8,959 $12,739
1990 $200.7 $1,012 $7,885 $11,780
1989 $170.4 - $6,056 -
1988 $147.1 - $5,624 -
1987 $274.7 - $4,804 -
1986 $462 - $3,862 -
1985 $633 - $2,705 -
1984 $483 - $2,523 -
1983 - - $2,735 -
1982 - - $3,080 -
1981 - - $3,246 -
1980 - - $3,368 -
1979 - - $2,756 -
1978 - - $2,457 -
1977 - - $2,267 -
1976 - - $2,173 -
1975 - - $2,128 -
1974 - - $2,000 -
1973 - - $1,748 -
1972 - - $1,302 -
1971 - - $1,065 -
1970 - - $934 -
1969 - - $832 -
1968 - - $752 -
1967 - - $676 -
1966 - - $601 -
1965 - - $545 -
1964 - - $490 -
1963 - - $452 -
1962 - - $426 -
1961 - - $400 -
1960 - - $377 -

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

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

Laos' GDP per capita is $2,124, ranking 155/197, compared to $29,292 in Portugal, ranking 44/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), Laos ranks 134th at $9,776, while Portugal ranks 42nd at $51,680.

Economic indicators

Laos Portugal
Gross domestic product
$16.5B
2024
$313B
2024
GDP rank
139/197
2024
46/197
2024
GDP growth
4.13%
2023-2024
2.14%
2023-2024
GDP per capita
$2,124
2024
$29,292
2024
GDP per capita rank
155/197
2024
44/197
2024
GDP per capita, PPP
$9,776
2024
$51,680
2024
GDP per capita PPP rank
134/197
2024
42/197
2024
Government debt
$16.6B
2024
$297B
2024
Debt-to-GDP ratio
100.5%
2024
94.9%
2024
Government debt per person
$2,134
2024
$27,807
2024
Government debt per person rank
119/185
2024
27/185
2024
Average annual personal income after taxes
$2,096
2026
$16,747
2026
Market capitalization of domestic companies n/a
$61.9B
2018
Number of millionaires n/a
171,797
2025
Number of billionaires n/a
1
2025
Income share by richest 10%
31.2%
2018
26.9%
2023
Income share by poorest 10%
3%
2018
2.7%
2023
Government expenditure, % of GDP
15.7%
2024
42.8%
2024
Consumer prices inflation
23.1%
2023-2024
2.42%
2023-2024
Unemployment rate
1.21%
2022
6.43%
2024
Population
8004838
10667081

Spending and national debt comparison by year

Laos
Spending

Debt
Portugal
Spending

Debt
1x
Year % of GDP
Laos Portugal
Government spending Government debt Government spending Government debt
2024 15.7% 100.5% 42.8% 94.9%
2023 16.4% 116.5% 42.3% 97.7%
2022 14.7% 130.7% 43.9% 111.2%
2021 15.7% 92.9% 47.3% 123.9%
2020 18.4% 76% 49.1% 134.1%
2019 18.6% 69.1% 42.5% 116.1%
2018 20.7% 60.6% 43.3% 121.1%
2017 21.8% 57.2% 45.5% 126%
2016 21.1% 54.5% 44.9% 131.2%
2015 25.8% 53.1% 48.2% 131%
2014 25% 53.5% 51.7% 132.5%
2013 24.2% 49.5% 50% 130.8%
2012 24.7% 46.1% 48.8% 128.6%
2011 20.2% 43% 50% 114%
2010 22.4% 49.3% 51.9% 100.1%
2009 20.1% 51.8% 50.3% 87.8%
2008 16.1% 51.7% 45.5% 75.6%
2007 15.1% 55.9% 44.5% 72.7%
2006 14.7% 60% 45.1% 73.7%
2005 15.3% 73.2% 46.8% 72.2%
2004 13.6% 80.7% 46.1% 67.1%
2003 16% 90.1% 45.4% 63.9%
2002 16.6% 95.3% 44.2% 60%
2001 18.8% 94.7% 44.1% 57.4%
2000 19.9% - 42.8% 54.2%
1999 - - 42.5% 55.4%
1998 - - 42.6% 55.6%
1997 - - 42.4% 58.7%
1996 - - 43% 63.3%
1995 - - 42.6% 62.2%
1994 - - 42.8% 60.4%
1993 - - 46.5% 57.2%
1992 - - 48.2% 58.1%
1991 - - 45.9% 63.9%
1990 - - 42.2% 60.2%
1989 - - 36.2% 55.4%
1988 - - 36.2% 56.8%
1987 - - 37.5% 57.2%
1986 - - 38.9% 59.8%
1985 - - 37.5% 59.4%
1984 - - 34.6% 51.3%
1983 - - 34.7% 46.7%
1982 - - 35.8% 43%
1981 - - 35.3% 39.3%
1980 - - 32.4% 31%
1979 - - 30.8% 35.2%
1978 - - 31.7% 31.4%
1977 - - 35.1% 26.9%
1976 - - 38.2% 24.5%
1975 - - 31.9% 19.2%
1974 - - 25.8% 13.5%
1973 - - 25.7% 13.6%
1972 - - 22.8% 14.5%
1971 - - 15.5% 15.7%
1970 - - 15.5% 16.5%
1969 - - 14.9% 16.8%
1968 - - 14.3% 17.2%
1967 - - 14.1% 18.5%
1966 - - 14.4% 20.2%
1965 - - 13.4% 20.4%
1964 - - 13.9% 21.9%
1963 - - 14.6% 20.8%
1962 - - 14.5% 18.7%
1961 - - 14.6% 17.1%
1960 - - 14.3% 16.4%

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1960–1989, retrieved 2026-02-20).

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

In 2024, Laos' government spending was $2.58B, accounting for 15.7% of its GDP, while Portugal spent $134B, or 42.8% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 100.5% in Laos and 94.9% in Portugal, ranking 24/185 and 27/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
Laos

Portugal
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
Laos Portugal
2024 2.34% 0.7%
2023 -0.01% 1.21%
2022 0.06% -0.31%
2021 -0.67% -2.83%
2020 -5.37% -5.75%
2019 -3.2% 0.12%
2018 -4.46% -0.43%
2017 -5.51% -3%
2016 -5.06% -1.94%
2015 -5.57% -4.37%
2014 -3.13% -7.32%
2013 -4.03% -5.21%
2012 -2.34% -6.2%
2011 -1.43% -7.73%
2010 -1.47% -11.4%
2009 -3.1% -9.87%
2008 -1.86% -3.81%
2007 -1.12% -2.91%
2006 -1.48% -4.07%
2005 -2.54% -6.11%
2004 -1.81% -5.99%
2003 -3.89% -5.66%
2002 -2.85% -3.73%
2001 -3.68% -4.73%
2000 -3.58% -3.35%
1999 - -2.99%
1998 - -4.3%
1997 - -3.65%
1996 - -4.63%
1995 - -5.14%
1994 - -7.37%
1993 - -8.06%
1992 - -5.19%
1991 - -7.93%
1990 - -6.82%
1989 - -2.86%
1988 - -3.52%
1987 - -6.79%
1986 - -7.45%
1985 - -8.35%
1984 - -5.23%
1983 - -4.86%
1982 - -7.02%
1981 - -8.34%
1980 - -6.92%
1979 - -6.08%
1978 - -7.15%
1977 - -7.5%
1976 - -10.2%
1975 - -7.1%
1974 - -3.2%
1973 - -5.39%
1972 - -7.72%
1971 - -0.23%
1970 - -0.24%
1969 - -1.53%
1968 - -1.24%
1967 - -0.46%
1966 - -2%
1965 - -0.03%
1964 - -1.93%
1963 - -3.33%
1962 - -1.69%
1961 - -3.17%
1960 - -3.13%
1959 - -1.73%
1958 - -0.52%
1957 - 0.08%
1956 - -0.18%
1955 - -0.31%
1954 - -0.58%
1953 - -0.35%
1952 - -0.34%
1951 - 0.94%
1950 - -0.83%
1949 - -0.46%
1948 - -2.04%
1947 - -1.65%
1946 - -2.32%
1945 - -2.38%
1944 - -1.44%
1943 - 0.03%
1942 - -0.35%
1941 - -0.08%
1940 - -1.74%
1939 - -0.73%
1938 - -0.08%
1937 - -0.09%
1936 - 0.08%
1935 - 0.75%
1934 - 0.6%
1933 - -0.07%
1932 - -0.03%
1931 - 0.04%
1930 - 0.79%
1929 - 1.86%
1928 - 0.2%
1927 - -2.27%
1926 - -4.21%
1925 - -1.48%
1924 - -3.16%
1923 - -3.47%
1922 - -10%
1921 - -6.5%
1920 - -5.66%
1919 - -8.83%
1918 - -8.3%
1917 - -5.49%
1916 - -
1915 - -
1914 - -
1913 - -0.34%
1912 - -0.02%
1911 - -0.73%
1910 - -0.19%
1909 - -0.82%
1908 - -0.56%
1907 - -0.69%
1906 - -0.45%
1905 - -0.75%
1904 - -0.26%
1903 - -0.91%
1902 - -0.5%
1901 - -0.69%
1900 - -0.35%
1899 - -0.77%
1898 - -0.5%
1897 - -0.93%
1896 - -1.35%
1895 - -0.2%
1894 - -0.16%
1893 - -0.02%
1892 - -0.8%
1891 - -2.15%
1890 - -2.01%
1889 - -1.95%
1888 - -2.14%
1887 - -0.67%
1886 - -1.43%
1885 - -1.68%
1884 - -1.48%
1883 - -1.1%
1882 - -0.39%
1881 - -1.2%
1880 - -1.63%

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1880–1989, retrieved 2026-02-20); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20).

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

In 2024, Laos' government surplus, the difference between spending and revenue, was $386M, equivalent to 2.34% of GDP. This compares to Portugal's surplus of $2.19B, or 0.7% of GDP.

Over the past 25 years, Laos recorded a fiscal deficit in 23 of those years, while Portugal ran a deficit in 22 years. On average, Laos posted an annual deficit equal to 2.63% of GDP, compared to deficit of 4.19% of GDP for Portugal.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
Laos

Portugal
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
Laos Portugal
2024 23.1% 2.42%
2023 31.2% 4.31%
2022 23% 7.83%
2021 3.8% 1.27%
2020 5.1% -0.01%
2019 3.3% 0.34%
2018 2% 0.99%
2017 0.8% 1.37%
2016 1.6% 0.61%
2015 1.3% 0.49%
2014 4.1% -0.28%
2013 6.4% 0.27%
2012 4.3% 2.77%
2011 7.6% 3.65%
2010 6% 1.4%
2009 0.1% -0.84%
2008 7.6% 2.59%
2007 4.7% 2.45%
2006 6.5% 3.11%
2005 7.2% 2.28%
2004 10.5% 2.37%
2003 15.5% 3.22%
2002 10.6% 3.6%
2001 7.8% 4.37%
2000 8.4% 2.85%
1999 128.4% 2.34%
1998 90.1% 2.57%
1997 19.5% 2.34%

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/portugal | CC BY

Over the past 28 years, Laos has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 15.7%, compared with 2.17% in Portugal. In 2024, inflation was 23.1% in Laos and 2.42% in Portugal.

Top exports between countries

Laos
Export category Export value
Textiles & consumer goods $11.5M
Raw agricultural goods $742K
Machinery & equipment $27K
Portugal
Export category Export value
Wood & paper products $346K
Textiles & consumer goods $171K
Machinery & equipment $133K
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $21K
Chemicals & pharma $9K

Balance of trade

Laos Portugal
Current account balance
$531M
2024
$6.51B
2024
Current account balance ranking
61/190
2024
28/190
2024
Current account balance, % of GDP
+3.22%
2024
+2.08%
2024
Goods imports
$8.66B
2024
$109B
2024
Goods exports
$9.39B
2024
$81.4B
2024
Service imports
$1.27B
2024
$27.9B
2024
Service exports
$1.73B
2024
$62.7B
2024
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
41.9%
2016
43.9%
2024
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
33.2%
2016
45.8%
2024

Economic freedom indices

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

Laos Portugal
Economic freedom 50.9 71.2
Economic freedom ranking 157/197 33/197
Property rights 41.1 88.9
Government integrity 25.9 63.4
Judicial effectiveness 10.2 90.1
Tax burden 88.5 60.6
Government spending 92.7 44.6
Fiscal health 80 82
Business freedom 54.2 83.1
Labor freedom 40.7 54.8
Monetary freedom 53.3 77.7
Trade freedom 69 79.4
Investment freedom 35 70
Financial freedom 20 60

Economic freedom comparison by year

Laos
Portugal
1x
Year Economic freedom index
Laos Portugal
2026 50.9 71.2
2025 51.1 70.5
2024 50.6 68.7
2023 50.3 69.5
2022 49.2 70.8
2021 53.9 67.5
2020 55.5 67
2019 57.4 65.3
2018 53.6 63.4
2017 54 62.6
2016 49.8 65.1
2015 51.4 65.3
2014 51.2 63.5
2013 50.1 63.1
2012 50 63
2011 51.3 64
2010 51.1 64.4
2009 50.4 64.9
2008 50.3 63.9
2007 50.3 64
2006 47.5 62.9
2005 44.4 62.4
2004 42 64.9
2003 41 64.9
2002 36.8 65.4
2001 33.5 66
2000 36.8 65.5
1999 35.2 65.6
1998 35.2 65
1997 35.1 63.6
1996 38.5 64.5
1995 - 62.4

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

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

The Economic Freedom Index for Laos is 50.9, ranking 157/197, compared to 71.2 for Portugal, ranking 33/197. The chart above displays a comparison of annual changes in economic freedom indexes.

Other economic metrics

Laos Portugal
Services, % of GDP
43.5%
2024
66.3%
2024
Industry, % of GDP
29%
2024
18.7%
2024
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
16.8%
2024
2.02%
2024
GNI, Atlas method
$15.5B
2024
$288B
2024
GNI per capita, PPP
$9,160
2024
$50,730
2024
Total reserves including gold
$1.77B
2023
$42.4B
2024
Total reserves ranking
129/177
2023
48/177
2024
Net foreign direct investment
-$988M
2024
-$6.64B
2024
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
$988M
2024
$13.5B
2024
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
$0
2024
$6.84B
2024
Servicing debt to the IMF, % of GNI
13.8%
2024
n/a
Poverty at national poverty lines
22%
2020
16.4%
2021
Gross capital formation, % of GDP
29%
2016
20.4%
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/portugal | 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) | Public Finances in Modern History (1880–1989, retrieved 2026-02-20)
  3. International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2024, 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 (2020–2024, 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.