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Economy of Laos vs Uruguay compared: GDP & Debt

Updated on by Georank

Laos has a GDP of $18.3B compared to $85.3B for Uruguay, ranking 138/197 and 84/197 by economy size, respectively.

Laos has $14.8B in government debt (80.6% of GDP), compared to $56B (65.7% of GDP) in Uruguay.

Laos vs Uruguay GDP by year

Laos
Uruguay
1x
Year GDP, current $
Laos Uruguay
2025 $18,302,970,219 $85,347,696,278
2024 $16,502,933,121 $82,322,859,144
2023 $15,843,155,731 $79,208,725,900
2022 $15,468,785,204 $71,240,669,088
2021 $18,827,148,531 $60,739,061,281
2020 $18,981,805,250 $53,559,354,501
2019 $18,740,561,513 $62,222,324,965
2018 $18,141,641,090 $65,344,577,416
2017 $17,071,155,481 $65,006,039,810
2016 $15,912,501,723 $57,480,787,465
2015 $14,426,380,126 $57,680,327,999
2014 $13,279,245,886 $61,496,186,974
2013 $11,983,252,627 $61,337,621,934
2012 $10,192,846,339 $54,232,266,359
2011 $8,750,104,617 $50,342,406,067
2010 $7,131,771,015 $41,950,361,212
2009 $5,836,137,330 $32,708,319,078
2008 $5,446,433,157 $31,119,602,539
2007 $4,223,152,739 $23,797,773,024
2006 $3,455,030,061 $19,741,420,740
2005 $2,735,558,735 $17,362,857,684
2004 $2,366,398,120 $13,686,329,890
2003 $2,023,324,407 $12,045,638,352
2002 $1,758,176,653 $13,606,515,723
2001 $1,768,619,058 $20,898,761,742
2000 $1,731,198,022 $22,823,270,892
1999 $1,454,430,642 $23,983,945,191
1998 $1,280,177,839 $25,385,886,978
1997 $1,747,011,857 $23,969,739,234
1996 $1,873,671,550 $20,515,458,114
1995 $1,763,536,305 $19,297,663,097
1994 $1,543,606,345 $17,474,588,896
1993 $1,327,748,690 $15,002,136,971
1992 $1,127,806,945 $12,878,148,791
1991 $1,028,087,972 $11,206,176,651
1990 $865,559,879 $9,298,807,850
1989 $714,046,821 $8,438,951,476
1988 $598,961,269 $8,213,538,369
1987 $1,087,273,104 $7,367,494,080
1986 $1,776,842,097 $5,880,112,788
1985 $2,366,666,616 $4,732,017,873
1984 $1,757,142,856 $4,850,238,550
1983 - $5,102,276,308
1982 - $9,178,780,077
1981 - $11,048,301,421
1980 - $10,163,020,116
1979 - $7,181,182,224
1978 - $4,910,254,566
1977 - $4,114,670,014
1976 - $3,667,161,241
1975 - $3,538,278,047
1974 - $4,090,209,682
1973 - $3,964,296,443
1972 - $2,189,418,689
1971 - $2,807,258,065
1970 - $2,137,096,774
1969 - $2,004,435,484
1968 - $1,593,674,185
1967 - $1,597,713,469
1966 - $1,809,185,094
1965 - $1,890,767,156
1964 - $1,975,701,816
1963 - $1,539,681,491
1962 - $1,710,004,407
1961 - $1,547,388,781
1960 - $1,242,289,239

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

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

GDP per capita in Laos vs Uruguay by year

Laos
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
Uruguay
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
Laos Uruguay
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2025 $2,325 - $25,216 -
2024 $2,124 $9,776 $24,308 $36,418
2023 $2,067 $9,292 $23,379 $34,471
2022 $2,046 $8,766 $21,009 $33,001
2021 $2,526 $8,080 $17,882 $29,432
2020 $2,584 $7,913 $15,758 $25,725
2019 $2,589 $7,743 $18,316 $25,783
2018 $2,545 $7,487 $19,250 $24,386
2017 $2,432 $7,142 $19,185 $23,607
2016 $2,303 $6,743 $17,010 $22,841
2015 $2,121 $6,086 $17,126 $22,169
2014 $1,981 $5,799 $18,322 $21,868
2013 $1,813 $5,222 $18,335 $20,661
2012 $1,564 $4,781 $16,260 $19,495
2011 $1,362 $4,100 $15,132 $19,135
2010 $1,126 $3,772 $12,641 $17,873
2009 $935 $3,485 $9,881 $16,422
2008 $886 $3,271 $9,424 $15,694
2007 $697 $3,021 $7,222 $14,397
2006 $579 $2,777 $6,001 $13,179
2005 $466 $2,519 $5,284 $12,296
2004 $409 $2,315 $4,169 $11,103
2003 $355 $2,151 $3,671 $10,303
2002 $313 $2,020 $4,150 $10,030
2001 $320 $1,908 $6,383 $10,719
2000 $319 $1,794 $6,988 $10,929
1999 $272.3 $1,686 $7,371 $10,938
1998 $243.9 $1,577 $7,837 $11,002
1997 $339 $1,528 $7,436 $10,461
1996 $371 $1,435 $6,398 $9,524
1995 $358 $1,349 $6,050 $8,906
1994 $321 $1,265 $5,508 $8,897
1993 $283.4 $1,176 $4,753 $8,162
1992 $247.3 $1,114 $4,102 $7,808
1991 $231.8 $1,061 $3,589 $7,112
1990 $200.7 $1,012 $2,995 $6,683
1989 $170.4 - $2,734 -
1988 $147.1 - $2,677 -
1987 $274.7 - $2,416 -
1986 $462 - $1,939 -
1985 $633 - $1,568 -
1984 $483 - $1,615 -
1983 - - $1,707 -
1982 - - $3,085 -
1981 - - $3,728 -
1980 - - $3,443 -
1979 - - $2,443 -
1978 - - $1,678 -
1977 - - $1,414 -
1976 - - $1,268 -
1975 - - $1,232 -
1974 - - $1,433 -
1973 - - $1,397 -
1972 - - $776 -
1971 - - $1,000 -
1970 - - $766 -
1969 - - $723 -
1968 - - $579 -
1967 - - $585 -
1966 - - $668 -
1965 - - $705 -
1964 - - $745 -
1963 - - $587 -
1962 - - $659 -
1961 - - $604 -
1960 - - $491 -

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

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

Laos' GDP per capita is $2,325, ranking 155/197, compared to $25,216 in Uruguay, ranking 54/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), Laos ranks 134th at $9,776, while Uruguay ranks 61st at $36,418.

Economic indicators

Laos Uruguay
Gross domestic product
$18.3B
2025
$85.3B
2025
GDP rank
138/197
2025
84/197
2025
GDP growth
4.54%
2024-2025
1.78%
2024-2025
GDP per capita
$2,325
2025
$25,216
2025
GDP per capita rank
155/197
2025
54/197
2025
GDP per capita, PPP
$9,776
2024
$36,418
2024
GDP per capita PPP rank
134/197
2024
61/197
2024
Government debt
$14.8B
2025
$56B
2025
Debt-to-GDP ratio
80.6%
2025
65.7%
2025
Government debt per person
$1,874
2025
$16,559
2025
Government debt per person rank
120/185
2025
41/185
2025
Average annual personal income after taxes
$2,426
2026
$14,046
2026
Market capitalization of domestic companies n/a
$284M
1996
Income share by richest 10%
28.5%
2024
30%
2024
Income share by poorest 10%
3.3%
2024
2.2%
2024
Government expenditure, % of GDP
17.9%
2025
31.5%
2025
Consumer prices inflation
7.7%
2024-2025
4.65%
2024-2025
Central bank interest rate n/a
5.75%
2026
Unemployment rate
1.21%
2022
8.21%
2024
Population
8027464
3382672

Spending and national debt comparison by year

Laos
Spending

Debt
Uruguay
Spending

Debt
1x
Year % of GDP
Laos Uruguay
Government spending Government debt Government spending Government debt
2025 17.9% 80.6% 31.5% 65.7%
2024 15.8% 94.7% 30.6% 67.6%
2023 16.5% 108.9% 30.1% 63%
2022 14.7% 115.7% 29.7% 59.4%
2021 15.7% 92.2% 30.2% 64.1%
2020 18.4% 75.4% 32.8% 68.2%
2019 18.6% 69.1% 30.6% 59.6%
2018 20.7% 60.6% 30.3% 57.9%
2017 21.8% 57.2% 29.7% 55.8%
2016 21.1% 54.5% 29.7% 56.4%
2015 25.8% 53.1% 28.4% 57.8%
2014 25% 53.5% 29.1% 51.1%
2013 24.2% 49.5% 28.8% 50%
2012 24.7% 46.1% 27.7% 49.8%
2011 20.2% 43% 26.3% 41.3%
2010 22.4% 49.3% 27.4% 40.9%
2009 20.1% 51.8% 27.2% 46.2%
2008 16.1% 51.7% 26.3% 46.2%
2007 15.1% 55.9% 26.8% 52.8%
2006 14.7% 60% 26.8% 61.1%
2005 15.3% 73.2% 26.3% 66.2%
2004 13.6% 80.7% 26.6% 73.7%
2003 16% 90.1% 27.7% 91.9%
2002 16.6% 95.3% 27.6% 90.1%
2001 18.8% 94.7% 27.8% 39.4%
2000 19.9% - 26.6% 30.5%
1999 - - 27.2% 24.1%
1998 - - 27.3% 19.4%
1997 - - 27.6% 18.8%
1996 - - 26.5% 18.3%
1995 - - 26.2% 18.5%
1994 - - 29.5% 19.3%
1993 - - 27.7% 20%
1992 - - 23.6% 22.2%
1991 - - 22.2% 20.4%
1990 - - 21.1% 26.2%
1989 - - 37% -
1988 - - 26% 34.8%
1987 - - 24.4% 37.3%
1986 - - 25.1% 34.6%
1985 - - 24.6% 29%
1984 - - 25.6% 39.5%
1983 - - 26.5% 21.2%
1982 - - 29.5% 13.5%
1981 - - 25% 4.32%
1980 - - 21.8% 4.59%
1979 - - 20.2% 3.98%
1978 - - 22.9% 5.64%
1977 - - 23.5% 7.26%
1976 - - 24.2% 8.67%
1975 - - 23% 8.13%
1974 - - 23.8% 7.61%
1973 - - 22.6% 7%
1972 - - 24.6% 9.12%
1971 - - 20.1% 9.3%
1970 - - 15.1% 6.11%
1969 - - 14.6% -
1968 - - 14.1% -
1967 - - 14.7% -
1966 - - 14.1% -
1965 - - 15.6% -
1964 - - 14.3% -
1963 - - 14.6% -
1962 - - 16% -
1961 - - 13% -
1960 - - 9.9% -

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1999–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1960–1998, retrieved 2026-07-08).

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

In 2025, Laos' government spending was $3.28B, accounting for 17.9% of its GDP, while Uruguay spent $26.9B, or 31.5% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 80.6% in Laos and 65.7% in Uruguay, ranking 41/185 and 66/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
Laos

Uruguay
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
Laos Uruguay
2025 1.64% -3.36%
2024 2.36% -3.16%
2023 -0.01% -3.09%
2022 0.06% -2.5%
2021 -0.67% -2.61%
2020 -5.37% -4.64%
2019 -3.2% -2.71%
2018 -4.46% -1.89%
2017 -5.51% -2.51%
2016 -5.06% -2.68%
2015 -5.57% -1.86%
2014 -3.13% -2.6%
2013 -4.03% -1.72%
2012 -2.34% -2.17%
2011 -1.43% -0.33%
2010 -1.47% -0.39%
2009 -3.1% -1.39%
2008 -1.86% -1.31%
2007 -1.12% -0.16%
2006 -1.48% -0.64%
2005 -2.54% -0.28%
2004 -1.81% -0.87%
2003 -3.89% -2.19%
2002 -2.85% -3.19%
2001 -3.68% -2.85%
2000 -3.58% -2.76%
1999 - -2.76%
1998 - -0.76%
1997 - -0.97%
1996 - -1.32%
1995 - -1.08%
1994 - -2.37%
1993 - -0.47%
1992 - 0.6%
1991 - 0.88%
1990 - 0.49%
1989 - -13.1%
1988 - -1.47%
1987 - -0.66%
1986 - -0.34%
1985 - -1.88%
1984 - -4.94%
1983 - -3.54%
1982 - -8.22%
1981 - -1.15%
1980 - 0.43%
1979 - 0.99%
1978 - -0.47%
1977 - -0.69%
1976 - -2.01%
1975 - -4.38%
1974 - -3.74%
1973 - -1.09%
1972 - -2.25%
1971 - -5.86%
1970 - -1.33%
1969 - -2.37%
1968 - -2.93%
1967 - -4.12%
1966 - -2.01%
1965 - -5.14%
1964 - -3.61%
1963 - -4.4%
1962 - -5.02%
1961 - -0.86%
1960 - 0.79%
1959 - 0.64%
1958 - -1.38%
1957 - -0.72%
1956 - 0.04%
1955 - -1.24%

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1999–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1955–1998, retrieved 2026-07-08).

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

In 2025, Laos' government surplus, the difference between spending and revenue, was $300M, equivalent to 1.64% of GDP. This compares to Uruguay's deficit of $2.86B, or 3.36% of GDP.

Over the past 26 years, Laos recorded a fiscal deficit in 23 of those years, while Uruguay ran a deficit in 26 years. On average, Laos posted an annual deficit equal to 2.47% of GDP, compared to deficit of 2.07% of GDP for Uruguay.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
Laos

Uruguay
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
Laos Uruguay
2025 7.7% 4.65%
2024 23.1% 4.85%
2023 31.2% 5.87%
2022 23% 9.1%
2021 3.8% 7.75%
2020 5.1% 9.76%
2019 3.3% 7.88%
2018 2% 7.61%
2017 0.8% 6.22%
2016 1.6% 9.64%
2015 1.3% 8.67%
2014 4.1% 8.88%
2013 6.4% 8.58%
2012 4.3% 8.1%
2011 7.6% 8.09%
2010 6% 6.7%
2009 0.1% 7.06%
2008 7.6% 7.88%
2007 4.7% 8.11%
2006 6.5% 6.4%
2005 7.2% 4.7%
2004 10.5% 9.16%
2003 15.5% 19.4%
2002 10.6% 14%
2001 7.8% 4.36%
2000 8.4% 4.76%
1999 128.4% 5.66%
1998 90.1% 10.8%
1997 19.5% 19.8%

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/uruguay | CC BY

Over the past 29 years, Laos has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 15.5%, compared with 8.43% in Uruguay. In 2025, inflation was 7.7% in Laos and 4.65% in Uruguay.

Top exports between countries

Laos
Export category Export value
Textiles & consumer goods $388K
Uruguay
Export category Export value
Animal & marine products $33K

Balance of trade

Laos Uruguay
Current account balance
$531M
2024
-$374M
2025
Current account balance ranking
58/190
2024
100/190
2025
Current account balance, % of GDP
+3.22%
2024
-0.44%
2025
Goods imports
$8.66B
2024
$13.6B
2025
Goods exports
$9.39B
2024
$16.1B
2025
Service imports
$1.27B
2024
$5.96B
2025
Service exports
$1.73B
2024
$7.39B
2025
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
41.9%
2016
22.6%
2025
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
33.2%
2016
27.1%
2025

Economic freedom indices

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

Laos Uruguay
Economic freedom 50.9 69.8
Economic freedom ranking 157/197 39/197
Property rights 41.1 87.4
Government integrity 25.9 79
Judicial effectiveness 10.2 80.9
Tax burden 88.5 73.3
Government spending 92.7 72
Fiscal health 80 76.6
Business freedom 54.2 83.8
Labor freedom 40.7 61.7
Monetary freedom 53.3 70.2
Trade freedom 69 73.2
Investment freedom 35 50
Financial freedom 20 30

Economic freedom comparison by year

Laos
Uruguay
1x
Year Economic freedom index
Laos Uruguay
2026 50.9 69.8
2025 51.1 70.2
2024 50.6 69.8
2023 50.3 70.2
2022 49.2 70
2021 53.9 69.3
2020 55.5 69.1
2019 57.4 68.6
2018 53.6 69.2
2017 54 69.7
2016 49.8 68.8
2015 51.4 68.6
2014 51.2 69.3
2013 50.1 69.7
2012 50 69.9
2011 51.3 70
2010 51.1 69.8
2009 50.4 69.1
2008 50.3 67.9
2007 50.3 68.4
2006 47.5 65.3
2005 44.4 66.9
2004 42 66.7
2003 41 69.8
2002 36.8 68.7
2001 33.5 70.7
2000 36.8 69.3
1999 35.2 68.5
1998 35.2 68.6
1997 35.1 67.5
1996 38.5 63.7
1995 - 62.5

Data sources: The Heritage Foundation | Economic Freedom Index (1995–2026, retrieved 2026-07-08).

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

The Economic Freedom Index for Laos is 50.9, ranking 157/197, compared to 69.8 for Uruguay, ranking 39/197. The chart above displays a comparison of annual changes in economic freedom indexes.

Other economic metrics

Laos Uruguay
Services, % of GDP
43.6%
2025
65.2%
2025
Industry, % of GDP
29.2%
2025
16.9%
2025
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
16.6%
2025
6.38%
2025
GNI, Atlas method
$16.9B
2025
$81.3B
2025
GNI per capita, PPP
$9,800
2025
$36,330
2025
Total reserves including gold
$2.21B
2024
$19B
2025
Total reserves ranking
125/177
2024
67/177
2025
Net foreign direct investment
-$988M
2024
-$457M
2025
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
$988M
2024
-$3.94B
2024
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
$0
2024
-$1.37B
2024
Servicing debt to the IMF, % of GNI
13.8%
2024
n/a
Poverty at national poverty lines
15%
2024
17.3%
2024
Gross capital formation, % of GDP
29%
2016
16.2%
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/uruguay | 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 (1999–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  3. International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1955–1998, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  4. The Heritage Foundation | Economic Freedom Index (1995–2026, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  5. U.S. Census Bureau (1985–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  6. TradeMap (2021, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  7. United Nations | World Population Prospects (2026, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  8. 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.