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Economy of Laos vs Sri Lanka compared: GDP & Debt

Updated on by Georank team

Laos has a GDP of $16.5B compared to $99B for Sri Lanka, ranking 139/197 and 72/197 by economy size, respectively.

Laos has $16.6B in government debt (100.5% of GDP), compared to $99.8B (100.8% of GDP) in Sri Lanka.

Laos vs Sri Lanka GDP by year

Laos
Sri Lanka
1x
Year GDP, current $
Laos Sri Lanka
2024 $16,502,933,121 $98,963,185,510
2023 $15,843,155,731 $83,716,142,582
2022 $15,468,785,204 $74,143,020,263
2021 $18,827,148,531 $88,556,698,938
2020 $18,981,805,250 $84,335,574,582
2019 $18,740,561,513 $88,998,706,297
2018 $18,141,641,090 $94,450,015,983
2017 $17,071,155,481 $94,369,350,286
2016 $15,912,501,723 $88,000,211,172
2015 $14,426,380,126 $85,090,301,052
2014 $13,279,245,886 $82,531,125,191
2013 $11,983,252,627 $76,976,203,829
2012 $10,192,846,339 $70,447,217,164
2011 $8,750,104,617 $67,753,285,897
2010 $7,131,771,015 $58,636,049,434
2009 $5,836,137,330 $42,066,224,093
2008 $5,446,433,157 $40,713,826,215
2007 $4,223,152,739 $32,350,238,760
2006 $3,455,030,061 $28,267,410,543
2005 $2,735,558,735 $24,405,791,045
2004 $2,366,398,120 $20,662,525,941
2003 $2,023,324,407 $18,881,765,437
2002 $1,758,176,653 $16,536,535,647
2001 $1,768,619,058 $15,749,753,805
2000 $1,731,198,022 $16,595,882,819
1999 $1,454,430,642 $15,711,933,513
1998 $1,280,177,839 $15,760,736,956
1997 $1,747,011,857 $15,091,913,884
1996 $1,873,671,550 $13,897,738,375
1995 $1,763,536,305 $13,029,697,561
1994 $1,543,606,345 $11,717,604,209
1993 $1,327,748,690 $10,338,679,636
1992 $1,127,806,945 $9,703,011,636
1991 $1,028,087,972 $9,000,362,582
1990 $865,559,879 $8,032,551,173
1989 $714,046,821 $6,987,267,684
1988 $598,961,269 $6,978,371,581
1987 $1,087,273,104 $6,682,167,120
1986 $1,776,842,097 $6,405,210,564
1985 $2,366,666,616 $5,978,460,972
1984 $1,757,142,856 $6,043,474,843
1983 - $5,167,913,302
1982 - $4,768,765,017
1981 - $4,415,844,156
1980 - $4,024,621,900
1979 - $3,364,611,432
1978 - $2,733,183,857
1977 - $4,104,509,583
1976 - $3,591,319,857
1975 - $3,791,298,146
1974 - $3,574,586,466
1973 - $2,875,625,000
1972 - $2,553,936,348
1971 - $2,369,308,600
1970 - $2,296,470,588
1969 - $1,965,546,218
1968 - $1,801,344,538
1967 - $1,859,465,021
1966 - $1,751,470,588
1965 - $1,698,319,328
1964 - $1,309,747,899
1963 - $1,240,672,269
1962 - $1,434,156,379
1961 - $1,444,327,731
1960 - $1,409,873,950

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

GeoRank.org/economy/laos/sri-lanka | CC BY

GDP per capita in Laos vs Sri Lanka by year

Laos
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
Sri Lanka
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
Laos Sri Lanka
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2024 $2,124 $9,776 $4,516 $15,633
2023 $2,067 $9,292 $3,799 $14,456
2022 $2,046 $8,766 $3,343 $14,194
2021 $2,526 $8,080 $3,997 $14,316
2020 $2,584 $7,913 $3,848 $12,941
2019 $2,589 $7,743 $4,082 $14,113
2018 $2,545 $7,487 $4,359 $14,178
2017 $2,432 $7,142 $4,399 $13,610
2016 $2,303 $6,743 $4,149 $13,079
2015 $2,121 $6,086 $4,058 $12,227
2014 $1,981 $5,799 $3,972 $11,721
2013 $1,813 $5,222 $3,739 $11,253
2012 $1,564 $4,781 $3,328 $10,249
2011 $1,362 $4,100 $3,225 $9,076
2010 $1,126 $3,772 $2,808 $8,234
2009 $935 $3,485 $2,027 $7,576
2008 $886 $3,271 $1,974 $7,317
2007 $697 $3,021 $1,579 $6,820
2006 $579 $2,777 $1,389 $6,261
2005 $466 $2,519 $1,207 $5,679
2004 $409 $2,315 $1,029 $5,216
2003 $355 $2,151 $946 $4,850
2002 $313 $2,020 $835 $4,522
2001 $320 $1,908 $804 $4,328
2000 $319 $1,794 $860 $4,368
1999 $272.3 $1,686 $829 $4,103
1998 $243.9 $1,577 $848 $3,952
1997 $339 $1,528 $827 $3,804
1996 $371 $1,435 $776 $3,582
1995 $358 $1,349 $742 $3,454
1994 $321 $1,265 $678 $3,260
1993 $283.4 $1,176 $607 $3,067
1992 $247.3 $1,114 $580 $2,851
1991 $231.8 $1,061 $546 $2,713
1990 $200.7 $1,012 $491 $2,527
1989 $170.4 - $430 -
1988 $147.1 - $434 -
1987 $274.7 - $420 -
1986 $462 - $407 -
1985 $633 - $385 -
1984 $483 - $391 -
1983 - - $336 -
1982 - - $312 -
1981 - - $292.5 -
1980 - - $271.1 -
1979 - - $230.8 -
1978 - - $191 -
1977 - - $292.1 -
1976 - - $260.3 -
1975 - - $279.8 -
1974 - - $268.7 -
1973 - - $220.2 -
1972 - - $199.4 -
1971 - - $188.8 -
1970 - - $186.9 -
1969 - - $163.6 -
1968 - - $153.5 -
1967 - - $162.3 -
1966 - - $156.6 -
1965 - - $155.6 -
1964 - - $122.9 -
1963 - - $119.4 -
1962 - - $141.4 -
1961 - - $145.9 -
1960 - - $145.9 -

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

GeoRank.org/economy/laos/sri-lanka | CC BY

Laos' GDP per capita is $2,124, ranking 155/197, compared to $4,516 in Sri Lanka, ranking 124/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), Laos ranks 134th at $9,776, while Sri Lanka ranks 111th at $15,633.

Economic indicators

Laos Sri Lanka
Gross domestic product
$16.5B
2024
$99B
2024
GDP rank
139/197
2024
72/197
2024
GDP growth
4.13%
2023-2024
5.01%
2023-2024
GDP per capita
$2,124
2024
$4,516
2024
GDP per capita rank
155/197
2024
124/197
2024
GDP per capita, PPP
$9,776
2024
$15,633
2024
GDP per capita PPP rank
134/197
2024
111/197
2024
Government debt
$16.6B
2024
$99.8B
2024
Debt-to-GDP ratio
100.5%
2024
100.8%
2024
Government debt per person
$2,134
2024
$4,554
2024
Government debt per person rank
119/185
2024
85/185
2024
Average annual personal income after taxes
$2,096
2026
$2,874
2026
Market capitalization of domestic companies n/a
$19.5B
2024
Income share by richest 10%
31.2%
2018
30.8%
2019
Income share by poorest 10%
3%
2018
3.1%
2019
Government expenditure, % of GDP
15.7%
2024
19.3%
2024
Consumer prices inflation
23.1%
2023-2024
-0.43%
2023-2024
Central bank interest rate n/a
7.75%
2025
Unemployment rate
1.21%
2022
4.67%
2023
Population
8004838
22185425

Spending and national debt comparison by year

Laos
Spending

Debt
Sri Lanka
Spending

Debt
1x
Year % of GDP
Laos Sri Lanka
Government spending Government debt Government spending Government debt
2024 15.7% 100.5% 19.3% 100.8%
2023 16.4% 116.5% 19.5% 110.4%
2022 14.7% 130.7% 18.6% 115.9%
2021 15.7% 92.9% 20% 102.7%
2020 18.4% 76% 22.1% 96.9%
2019 18.6% 69.1% 19.5% 82.6%
2018 20.7% 60.6% 17.5% 83.6%
2017 21.8% 57.2% 17.9% 72.3%
2016 21.1% 54.5% 18.2% 75%
2015 25.8% 53.1% 19.3% 76.3%
2014 25% 53.5% 17.2% 69.6%
2013 24.2% 49.5% 16.6% 69.5%
2012 24.7% 46.1% 17.3% 67.5%
2011 20.2% 43% 19.1% 69.4%
2010 22.4% 49.3% 19.3% 68.7%
2009 20.1% 51.8% 21% 72.8%
2008 16.1% 51.7% 19.1% 68.8%
2007 15.1% 55.9% 19.9% 71.8%
2006 14.7% 60% 20.5% 74.3%
2005 15.3% 73.2% 20.1% 76.6%
2004 13.6% 80.7% 19.3% 86.5%
2003 16% 90.1% 19.3% 86.5%
2002 16.6% 95.3% 20.8% 96.3%
2001 18.8% 94.7% 22.4% 84.4%
2000 19.9% - 21.7% 79.2%
1999 - - 20.5% 77.7%
1998 - - 21.4% 74.2%
1997 - - 21.4% 70.1%
1996 - - 23.1% 76.2%
1995 - - 24.8% 77.8%
1994 - - 24.1% 77.9%
1993 - - 23.2% 79.2%
1992 - - 23% 77.9%
1991 - - 26.4% 80.5%
1990 - - 25.4% 78.9%

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

GeoRank.org/economy/laos/sri-lanka | CC BY

In 2024, Laos' government spending was $2.58B, accounting for 15.7% of its GDP, while Sri Lanka spent $19.1B, or 19.3% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 100.5% in Laos and 100.8% in Sri Lanka, ranking 24/185 and 23/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
Laos

Sri Lanka
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
Laos Sri Lanka
2024 2.34% -5.64%
2023 -0.01% -8.32%
2022 0.06% -10.2%
2021 -0.67% -11.7%
2020 -5.37% -13.4%
2019 -3.2% -7.52%
2018 -4.46% -4.96%
2017 -5.51% -5.1%
2016 -5.06% -5%
2015 -5.57% -6.64%
2014 -3.13% -5.99%
2013 -4.03% -5%
2012 -2.34% -5.44%
2011 -1.43% -6.01%
2010 -1.47% -6.73%
2009 -3.1% -8.33%
2008 -1.86% -5.93%
2007 -1.12% -5.81%
2006 -1.48% -5.91%
2005 -2.54% -5.93%
2004 -1.81% -6.32%
2003 -3.89% -6.15%
2002 -2.85% -6.9%
2001 -3.68% -8.48%
2000 -3.58% -7.78%
1999 - -5.58%
1998 - -6.79%
1997 - -5.71%
1996 - -6.89%
1995 - -7.11%
1994 - -7.41%
1993 - -5.77%
1992 - -4.95%
1991 - -7.97%
1990 - -6.39%

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

GeoRank.org/economy/laos/sri-lanka | CC BY

In 2024, Laos' government surplus, the difference between spending and revenue, was $386M, equivalent to 2.34% of GDP. This compares to Sri Lanka's deficit of $5.58B, or 5.64% of GDP.

Over the past 25 years, Laos recorded a fiscal deficit in 23 of those years, while Sri Lanka ran a deficit in 25 years. On average, Laos posted an annual deficit equal to 2.63% of GDP, compared to deficit of 7.01% of GDP for Sri Lanka.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
Laos

Sri Lanka
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
Laos Sri Lanka
2024 23.1% -0.43%
2023 31.2% 16.5%
2022 23% 49.7%
2021 3.8% 7.01%
2020 5.1% 6.15%
2019 3.3% 3.53%
2018 2% 2.14%
2017 0.8% 7.7%
2016 1.6% 3.96%
2015 1.3% 3.77%
2014 4.1% 3.18%
2013 6.4% 6.91%
2012 4.3% 7.54%
2011 7.6% 6.72%
2010 6% 6.22%
2009 0.1% 3.46%
2008 7.6% 22.6%
2007 4.7% 15.8%
2006 6.5% 10%
2005 7.2% 11.6%
2004 10.5% 7.58%
2003 15.5% 6.31%
2002 10.6% 9.55%
2001 7.8% 14.2%
2000 8.4% 6.18%
1999 128.4% 4.69%
1998 90.1% 9.36%
1997 19.5% 9.57%

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/sri-lanka | CC BY

Over the past 28 years, Laos has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 15.7%, compared with 9.34% in Sri Lanka. In 2024, inflation was 23.1% in Laos and -0.43% in Sri Lanka.

Top exports between countries

Laos
Export category Export value
Wood & paper products $127K
Textiles & consumer goods $39K
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $19K
Sri Lanka
Export category Export value
Raw materials & minerals $62K
Raw agricultural goods $37K
Chemicals & pharma $21K
Textiles & consumer goods $20K
Machinery & equipment $2K
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $2K
Metals $1K

Balance of trade

Laos Sri Lanka
Current account balance
$531M
2024
$1.21B
2024
Current account balance ranking
61/190
2024
53/190
2024
Current account balance, % of GDP
+3.22%
2024
+1.22%
2024
Goods imports
$8.66B
2024
$18.8B
2024
Goods exports
$9.39B
2024
$12.8B
2024
Service imports
$1.27B
2024
$3.48B
2024
Service exports
$1.73B
2024
$6.91B
2024
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
41.9%
2016
22.5%
2024
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
33.2%
2016
19.9%
2024

Economic freedom indices

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

Laos Sri Lanka
Economic freedom 50.9 50.3
Economic freedom ranking 157/197 162/197
Property rights 41.1 47.3
Government integrity 25.9 37.3
Judicial effectiveness 10.2 47.2
Tax burden 88.5 77
Government spending 92.7 89
Fiscal health 80 0
Business freedom 54.2 60.1
Labor freedom 40.7 54.3
Monetary freedom 53.3 65.9
Trade freedom 69 65.6
Investment freedom 35 30
Financial freedom 20 30

Economic freedom comparison by year

Laos
Sri Lanka
1x
Year Economic freedom index
Laos Sri Lanka
2026 50.9 50.3
2025 51.1 49.4
2024 50.6 49.2
2023 50.3 52.2
2022 49.2 53.3
2021 53.9 55.7
2020 55.5 57.4
2019 57.4 56.4
2018 53.6 57.8
2017 54 57.4
2016 49.8 59.9
2015 51.4 58.6
2014 51.2 60
2013 50.1 60.7
2012 50 58.3
2011 51.3 57.1
2010 51.1 54.6
2009 50.4 56
2008 50.3 58.4
2007 50.3 59.4
2006 47.5 58.7
2005 44.4 61
2004 42 61.6
2003 41 62.5
2002 36.8 64
2001 33.5 66
2000 36.8 63.2
1999 35.2 64
1998 35.2 64.6
1997 35.1 65.5
1996 38.5 62.5
1995 - 60.6

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

GeoRank.org/economy/laos/sri-lanka | CC BY

The Economic Freedom Index for Laos is 50.9, ranking 157/197, compared to 50.3 for Sri Lanka, ranking 162/197. The chart above displays a comparison of annual changes in economic freedom indexes.

Other economic metrics

Laos Sri Lanka
Services, % of GDP
43.5%
2024
57.5%
2024
Industry, % of GDP
29%
2024
25.5%
2024
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
16.8%
2024
8.3%
2024
GNI, Atlas method
$15.5B
2024
$84.6B
2024
GNI per capita, PPP
$9,160
2024
$15,240
2024
Total reserves including gold
$1.77B
2023
$6.09B
2024
Total reserves ranking
129/177
2023
92/177
2024
Net foreign direct investment
-$988M
2024
-$651M
2024
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
$988M
2024
$761M
2024
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
$0
2024
$110M
2024
Servicing debt to the IMF, % of GNI
13.8%
2024
4.98%
2024
Poverty at national poverty lines
22%
2020
14.3%
2019
Gross capital formation, % of GDP
29%
2016
27%
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/sri-lanka | CC BY

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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. The Heritage Foundation | Economic Freedom Index (1995–2026, retrieved 2026-03-09)
  4. U.S. Census Bureau (1985–2024, retrieved 2026-02-08)
  5. TradeMap (2020–2024, retrieved 2026-02-08)
  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.