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Economy of Laos vs Saudi Arabia compared: GDP & Debt

Updated on by Georank

Laos has a GDP of $18.3B compared to $1.28T for Saudi Arabia, ranking 138/197 and 19/197 by economy size, respectively.

Laos has $14.8B in government debt (80.6% of GDP), compared to $405B (31.7% of GDP) in Saudi Arabia.

Laos vs Saudi Arabia GDP by year

Laos
Saudi Arabia
1x
Year GDP, current $
Laos Saudi Arabia
2025 $18,302,970,219 $1,276,942,933,333
2024 $16,502,933,121 $1,254,140,800,000
2023 $15,843,155,731 $1,218,584,800,000
2022 $15,468,785,204 $1,239,075,200,000
2021 $18,827,148,531 $982,661,066,667
2020 $18,981,805,250 $767,951,200,000
2019 $18,740,561,513 $888,890,133,333
2018 $18,141,641,090 $886,564,800,000
2017 $17,071,155,481 $741,266,133,333
2016 $15,912,501,723 $689,279,466,667
2015 $14,426,380,126 $693,414,400,000
2014 $13,279,245,886 $787,153,066,667
2013 $11,983,252,627 $769,755,733,333
2012 $10,192,846,339 $751,921,333,333
2011 $8,750,104,617 $680,660,800,000
2010 $7,131,771,015 $528,207,466,667
2009 $5,836,137,330 $429,097,866,667
2008 $5,446,433,157 $519,796,800,000
2007 $4,223,152,739 $415,964,509,673
2006 $3,455,030,061 $376,900,133,511
2005 $2,735,558,735 $328,459,608,764
2004 $2,366,398,120 $258,742,133,333
2003 $2,023,324,407 $215,807,733,333
2002 $1,758,176,653 $189,605,866,667
2001 $1,768,619,058 $184,137,600,000
2000 $1,731,198,022 $189,514,933,333
1999 $1,454,430,642 $161,717,066,667
1998 $1,280,177,839 $146,775,466,667
1997 $1,747,011,857 $165,963,684,913
1996 $1,873,671,550 $158,662,483,311
1995 $1,763,536,305 $143,343,124,166
1994 $1,543,606,345 $135,174,899,866
1993 $1,327,748,690 $132,967,957,276
1992 $1,127,806,945 $137,087,850,467
1991 $1,028,087,972 $132,223,230,975
1990 $865,559,879 $117,630,173,565
1989 $714,046,821 $95,344,459,279
1988 $598,961,269 $88,256,074,766
1987 $1,087,273,104 $85,695,861,148
1986 $1,776,842,097 $86,961,922,765
1985 $2,366,666,616 $103,897,846,494
1984 $1,757,142,856 $119,624,858,116
1983 - $129,171,635,311
1982 - $153,240,313,858
1981 - $184,291,360,139
1980 - $164,539,660,725
1979 - $111,858,444,786
1978 - $80,266,516,687
1977 - $74,188,986,586
1976 - $64,005,665,722
1975 - $46,773,208,643
1974 - $45,412,957,746
1973 - $14,947,435,499
1972 - $9,664,267,087
1971 - $7,184,806,909
1970 - $5,377,333,333
1969 - $4,485,777,644
1968 - $4,187,777,711
1967 - $3,257,022,223
1966 - $2,920,555,557
1965 - $2,647,955,558
1964 - $2,371,808,713
1963 - $2,207,393,172
1962 - $2,130,606,532
1961 - $1,920,811,284
1960 - $1,748,124,064

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

GeoRank.org/economy/laos/saudi-arabia | CC BY

GDP per capita in Laos vs Saudi Arabia by year

Laos
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
Saudi Arabia
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
Laos Saudi Arabia
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2025 $2,325 - $34,537 -
2024 $2,124 $9,776 $35,528 $71,375
2023 $2,067 $9,292 $36,157 $71,565
2022 $2,046 $8,766 $38,510 $71,968
2021 $2,526 $8,080 $31,921 $62,690
2020 $2,584 $7,913 $24,339 $47,518
2019 $2,589 $7,743 $29,567 $59,560
2018 $2,545 $7,487 $29,360 $59,378
2017 $2,432 $7,142 $23,929 $53,120
2016 $2,303 $6,743 $22,268 $49,937
2015 $2,121 $6,086 $23,256 $53,931
2014 $1,981 $5,799 $27,805 $62,578
2013 $1,813 $5,222 $27,865 $62,203
2012 $1,564 $4,781 $28,733 $65,034
2011 $1,362 $4,100 $27,127 $64,125
2010 $1,126 $3,772 $22,028 $58,829
2009 $935 $3,485 $17,718 $54,787
2008 $886 $3,271 $22,320 $57,236
2007 $697 $3,021 $18,596 $55,030
2006 $579 $2,777 $17,564 $54,639
2005 $466 $2,519 $15,976 $53,548
2004 $409 $2,315 $13,154 $51,225
2003 $355 $2,151 $11,487 $48,078
2002 $313 $2,020 $10,586 $45,466
2001 $320 $1,908 $10,805 $47,381
2000 $319 $1,794 $11,715 $48,644
1999 $272.3 $1,686 $10,452 $47,495
1998 $243.9 $1,577 $9,836 $48,867
1997 $339 $1,528 $11,545 $48,796
1996 $371 $1,435 $11,472 $48,569
1995 $358 $1,349 $10,786 $48,052
1994 $321 $1,265 $10,602 $48,904
1993 $283.4 $1,176 $10,885 $49,503
1992 $247.3 $1,114 $11,730 $50,355
1991 $231.8 $1,061 $11,847 $49,295
1990 $200.7 $1,012 $11,055 $46,214
1989 $170.4 - $9,414 -
1988 $147.1 - $9,165 -
1987 $274.7 - $9,386 -
1986 $462 - $10,078 -
1985 $633 - $12,745 -
1984 $483 - $15,541 -
1983 - - $17,810 -
1982 - - $22,454 -
1981 - - $28,703 -
1980 - - $27,206 -
1979 - - $19,612 -
1978 - - $14,914 -
1977 - - $14,595 -
1976 - - $13,313 -
1975 - - $10,266 -
1974 - - $10,503 -
1973 - - $3,640 -
1972 - - $2,474 -
1971 - - $1,929 -
1970 - - $1,509 -
1969 - - $1,313 -
1968 - - $1,276 -
1967 - - $1,032 -
1966 - - $961 -
1965 - - $904 -
1964 - - $840 -
1963 - - $812 -
1962 - - $813 -
1961 - - $760 -
1960 - - $718 -

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

GeoRank.org/economy/laos/saudi-arabia | CC BY

Laos' GDP per capita is $2,325, ranking 155/197, compared to $34,537 in Saudi Arabia, ranking 36/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), Laos ranks 134th at $9,776, while Saudi Arabia ranks 24th at $71,375.

Economic indicators

Laos Saudi Arabia
Gross domestic product
$18.3B
2025
$1.28T
2025
GDP rank
138/197
2025
19/197
2025
GDP growth
4.54%
2024-2025
4.5%
2024-2025
GDP per capita
$2,325
2025
$34,537
2025
GDP per capita rank
155/197
2025
36/197
2025
GDP per capita, PPP
$9,776
2024
$71,375
2024
GDP per capita PPP rank
134/197
2024
24/197
2024
Government debt
$14.8B
2025
$405B
2025
Debt-to-GDP ratio
80.6%
2025
31.7%
2025
Government debt per person
$1,874
2025
$10,956
2025
Government debt per person rank
120/185
2025
57/185
2025
Average annual personal income after taxes
$2,426
2026
$22,010
2026
Market capitalization of domestic companies n/a
$2.36T
2025
Number of millionaires n/a
348,000
2026
Number of billionaires n/a
15
2026
Income share by richest 10%
28.5%
2024
n/a
Income share by poorest 10%
3.3%
2024
n/a
Government expenditure, % of GDP
17.9%
2025
29%
2025
Consumer prices inflation
7.7%
2024-2025
2.08%
2024-2025
Central bank interest rate n/a
4.25%
2025
Unemployment rate
1.21%
2022
3.24%
2025
Population
8027464
37955120

Spending and national debt comparison by year

Laos
Spending

Debt
Saudi Arabia
Spending

Debt
1x
Year % of GDP
Laos Saudi Arabia
Government spending Government debt Government spending Government debt
2025 17.9% 80.6% 29% 31.7%
2024 15.8% 94.7% 29.2% 25.9%
2023 16.5% 108.9% 28.3% 23%
2022 14.7% 115.7% 25.3% 21.3%
2021 15.7% 92.2% 28.2% 25.5%
2020 18.4% 75.4% 37.4% 29.7%
2019 18.6% 69.1% 31.8% 20.3%
2018 20.7% 60.6% 32.4% 16.8%
2017 21.8% 57.2% 30.9% 15.9%
2016 21.1% 54.5% 33.3% 12.2%
2015 25.8% 53.1% 38.5% 5.47%
2014 25% 53.5% 38.6% 1.5%
2013 24.2% 49.5% 34.5% 2.08%
2012 24.7% 46.1% 32.5% 2.97%
2011 20.2% 43% 32.4% 5.31%
2010 22.4% 49.3% 33% 8.43%
2009 20.1% 51.8% 37.1% 14%
2008 16.1% 51.7% 26.7% 12.1%
2007 15.1% 55.9% 29.5% 17.1%
2006 14.7% 60% 27.3% 25.8%
2005 15.3% 73.2% 28.2% 37.3%
2004 13.6% 80.7% 31.1% 62.9%
2003 16% 90.1% 33.1% 81.6%
2002 16.6% 95.3% 35.9% 96.4%
2001 18.8% 94.7% 36.9% 93.1%
2000 19.9% - 33.1% 86.7%
1999 - - 30.3% 103%
1998 - - 34.5% 101.5%
1997 - - 35.6% 76.7%
1996 - - 33.3% 75.2%
1995 - - 32.4% 74.2%
1994 - - 33.8% 67.9%
1993 - - 37.7% 58.6%
1992 - - 41.2% 47.8%
1991 - - 34.9% 39.4%
1990 - - 39.3% -

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08).

GeoRank.org/economy/laos/saudi-arabia | CC BY

In 2025, Laos' government spending was $3.28B, accounting for 17.9% of its GDP, while Saudi Arabia spent $370B, or 29% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 80.6% in Laos and 31.7% in Saudi Arabia, ranking 41/185 and 151/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
Laos

Saudi Arabia
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
Laos Saudi Arabia
2025 1.64% -5.77%
2024 2.36% -2.46%
2023 -0.01% -1.77%
2022 0.06% 2.24%
2021 -0.67% -1.99%
2020 -5.37% -10.2%
2019 -3.2% -3.96%
2018 -4.46% -5.21%
2017 -5.51% -8.57%
2016 -5.06% -13.2%
2015 -5.57% -14.9%
2014 -3.13% -3.4%
2013 -4.03% 5.47%
2012 -2.34% 11.7%
2011 -1.43% 11.4%
2010 -1.47% 4.39%
2009 -3.1% -5.38%
2008 -1.86% 29.8%
2007 -1.12% 11.8%
2006 -1.48% 20.8%
2005 -2.54% 18%
2004 -1.81% 9.72%
2003 -3.89% 1.2%
2002 -2.85% -5.91%
2001 -3.68% -3.91%
2000 -3.58% 3.18%
1999 - -5.99%
1998 - -8.88%
1997 - -2.51%
1996 - -3.25%
1995 - -5.12%
1994 - -8.31%
1993 - -9.33%
1992 - -8.12%
1991 - -3.28%

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1991–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08).

GeoRank.org/economy/laos/saudi-arabia | CC BY

In 2025, Laos' government surplus, the difference between spending and revenue, was $300M, equivalent to 1.64% of GDP. This compares to Saudi Arabia's deficit of $73.7B, or 5.77% of GDP.

Over the past 26 years, Laos recorded a fiscal deficit in 23 of those years, while Saudi Arabia ran a deficit in 14 years. On average, Laos posted an annual deficit equal to 2.47% of GDP, compared to surplus of 1.65% of GDP for Saudi Arabia.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
Laos

Saudi Arabia
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
Laos Saudi Arabia
2025 7.7% 2.08%
2024 23.1% 1.69%
2023 31.2% 2.33%
2022 23% 2.47%
2021 3.8% 3.06%
2020 5.1% 3.37%
2019 3.3% -1.19%
2018 2% 2.47%
2017 0.8% -0.83%
2016 1.6% 2.05%
2015 1.3% 1.22%
2014 4.1% 2.24%
2013 6.4% 3.51%
2012 4.3% 2.87%
2011 7.6% 5.83%
2010 6% 5.34%
2009 0.1% 5.06%
2008 7.6% 9.87%
2007 4.7% 4.17%
2006 6.5% 2.21%
2005 7.2% 0.48%
2004 10.5% 0.52%
2003 15.5% 0.61%
2002 10.6% 0.25%
2001 7.8% -1.12%
2000 8.4% -1.12%
1999 128.4% -1.33%
1998 90.1% -0.37%
1997 19.5% 0.06%

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/saudi-arabia | CC BY

Over the past 29 years, Laos has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 15.5%, compared with 1.99% in Saudi Arabia. In 2025, inflation was 7.7% in Laos and 2.08% in Saudi Arabia.

Top exports between countries

Laos
Export category Export value
Raw materials & minerals $3.96M
Raw agricultural goods $24K
Textiles & consumer goods $16K
Wood & paper products $11K
Saudi Arabia
Export category Export value

Balance of trade

Laos Saudi Arabia
Current account balance
$531M
2024
-$32.7B
2025
Current account balance ranking
58/190
2024
185/190
2025
Current account balance, % of GDP
+3.22%
2024
-2.56%
2025
Goods imports
$8.66B
2024
$230B
2025
Goods exports
$9.39B
2024
$311B
2025
Service imports
$1.27B
2024
$129B
2025
Service exports
$1.73B
2024
$69.4B
2025
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
41.9%
2016
28.2%
2025
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
33.2%
2016
29.7%
2025

Economic freedom indices

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

Laos Saudi Arabia
Economic freedom 50.9 65.4
Economic freedom ranking 157/197 65/197
Property rights 41.1 51.4
Government integrity 25.9 52.7
Judicial effectiveness 10.2 38.2
Tax burden 88.5 99.2
Government spending 92.7 77
Fiscal health 80 97.9
Business freedom 54.2 71.2
Labor freedom 40.7 41.8
Monetary freedom 53.3 81.2
Trade freedom 69 73.8
Investment freedom 35 50
Financial freedom 20 50

Economic freedom comparison by year

Laos
Saudi Arabia
1x
Year Economic freedom index
Laos Saudi Arabia
2026 50.9 65.4
2025 51.1 64.4
2024 50.6 61.9
2023 50.3 58.3
2022 49.2 55.5
2021 53.9 66
2020 55.5 62.4
2019 57.4 60.7
2018 53.6 59.6
2017 54 64.4
2016 49.8 62.1
2015 51.4 62.1
2014 51.2 62.2
2013 50.1 60.6
2012 50 62.5
2011 51.3 66.2
2010 51.1 64.1
2009 50.4 64.3
2008 50.3 62.5
2007 50.3 60.9
2006 47.5 63
2005 44.4 63
2004 42 60.4
2003 41 63.2
2002 36.8 65.3
2001 33.5 62.2
2000 36.8 66.5
1999 35.2 65.5
1998 35.2 69.3
1997 35.1 68.7
1996 38.5 68.3

Data sources: The Heritage Foundation | Economic Freedom Index (1996–2026, retrieved 2026-07-08).

GeoRank.org/economy/laos/saudi-arabia | CC BY

The Economic Freedom Index for Laos is 50.9, ranking 157/197, compared to 65.4 for Saudi Arabia, ranking 65/197. The chart above displays a comparison of annual changes in economic freedom indexes.

Other economic metrics

Laos Saudi Arabia
Services, % of GDP
43.6%
2025
48.9%
2025
Industry, % of GDP
29.2%
2025
43%
2025
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
16.6%
2025
2.59%
2025
GNI, Atlas method
$16.9B
2025
$1.33T
2025
GNI per capita, PPP
$9,800
2025
$74,400
2025
Total reserves including gold
$2.21B
2024
$505B
2025
Total reserves ranking
125/177
2024
8/177
2025
Net foreign direct investment
-$988M
2024
-$5.6B
2025
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
$988M
2024
$21.3B
2024
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
$0
2024
$27.6B
2024
Servicing debt to the IMF, % of GNI
13.8%
2024
n/a
Poverty at national poverty lines
15%
2024
n/a
Gross capital formation, % of GDP
29%
2016
31.6%
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/saudi-arabia | 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. The Heritage Foundation | Economic Freedom Index (1996–2026, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  4. U.S. Census Bureau (1985–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  5. TradeMap (2020–2023, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  6. United Nations | World Population Prospects (2026, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  7. 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.