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Economy of Laos vs Uzbekistan compared: GDP & Debt

Updated on by Georank

Laos has a GDP of $18.3B compared to $147B for Uzbekistan, ranking 138/197 and 61/197 by economy size, respectively.

Laos has $14.8B in government debt (80.6% of GDP), compared to $42B (28.6% of GDP) in Uzbekistan.

Laos vs Uzbekistan GDP by year

Laos
Uzbekistan
1x
Year GDP, current $
Laos Uzbekistan
2025 $18,302,970,219 $147,038,081,129
2024 $16,502,933,121 $121,356,065,241
2023 $15,843,155,731 $107,526,539,716
2022 $15,468,785,204 $94,286,355,836
2021 $18,827,148,531 $81,170,051,811
2020 $18,981,805,250 $70,127,127,133
2019 $18,740,561,513 $70,170,662,563
2018 $18,141,641,090 $61,318,332,403
2017 $17,071,155,481 $72,276,404,058
2016 $15,912,501,723 $97,871,364,319
2015 $14,426,380,126 $97,564,568,987
2014 $13,279,245,886 $91,303,765,114
2013 $11,983,252,627 $82,674,178,352
2012 $10,192,846,339 $75,318,846,931
2011 $8,750,104,617 $67,404,618,405
2010 $7,131,771,015 $55,544,226,553
2009 $5,836,137,330 $33,689,223,673
2008 $5,446,433,157 $29,549,438,884
2007 $4,223,152,739 $22,311,393,928
2006 $3,455,030,061 $17,330,833,853
2005 $2,735,558,735 $14,307,509,839
2004 $2,366,398,120 $12,030,023,548
2003 $2,023,324,407 $10,134,453,435
2002 $1,758,176,653 $9,687,788,513
2001 $1,768,619,058 $11,401,421,329
2000 $1,731,198,022 $13,760,513,969
1999 $1,454,430,642 $17,078,465,982
1998 $1,280,177,839 $14,988,971,211
1997 $1,747,011,857 $14,744,603,774
1996 $1,873,671,550 $13,948,892,216
1995 $1,763,536,305 $13,350,461,265
1994 $1,543,606,345 $12,899,074,922
1993 $1,327,748,690 $13,099,920,056
1992 $1,127,806,945 $12,953,801,760
1991 $1,028,087,972 $13,800,167,712
1990 $865,559,879 $13,362,340,338
1989 $714,046,821 $11,948,815,258
1988 $598,961,269 $10,722,799,639
1987 $1,087,273,104 $8,523,160,593
1986 $1,776,842,097 -
1985 $2,366,666,616 -
1984 $1,757,142,856 -

Data sources: World Bank | Economy & Growth (1984–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08).

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

GDP per capita in Laos vs Uzbekistan by year

Laos
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
Uzbekistan
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
Laos Uzbekistan
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2025 $2,325 - $3,968 -
2024 $2,124 $9,776 $3,337 $11,879
2023 $2,067 $9,292 $3,016 $11,107
2022 $2,046 $8,766 $2,699 $10,293
2021 $2,526 $8,080 $2,370 $9,248
2020 $2,584 $7,913 $2,088 $8,452
2019 $2,589 $7,743 $2,129 $8,544
2018 $2,545 $7,487 $1,894 $8,129
2017 $2,432 $7,142 $2,271 $7,818
2016 $2,303 $6,743 $3,128 $6,919
2015 $2,121 $6,086 $3,173 $6,800
2014 $1,981 $5,799 $3,021 $6,610
2013 $1,813 $5,222 $2,781 $6,413
2012 $1,564 $4,781 $2,574 $6,168
2011 $1,362 $4,100 $2,339 $5,949
2010 $1,126 $3,772 $1,957 $5,505
2009 $935 $3,485 $1,206 $5,135
2008 $886 $3,271 $1,075 $4,800
2007 $697 $3,021 $824 $4,386
2006 $579 $2,777 $649 $3,956
2005 $466 $2,519 $543 $3,618
2004 $409 $2,315 $462 $3,321
2003 $355 $2,151 $394 $3,047
2002 $313 $2,020 $381 $2,902
2001 $320 $1,908 $454 $2,782
2000 $319 $1,794 $555 $2,644
1999 $272.3 $1,686 $698 $2,522
1998 $243.9 $1,577 $621 $2,418
1997 $339 $1,528 $621 $2,329
1996 $371 $1,435 $597 $2,214
1995 $358 $1,349 $583 $2,178
1994 $321 $1,265 $574 $2,197
1993 $283.4 $1,176 $596 $2,318
1992 $247.3 $1,114 $603 $2,371
1991 $231.8 $1,061 $658 $2,676
1990 $200.7 $1,012 $653 $2,665
1989 $170.4 - $598 -
1988 $147.1 - $551 -
1987 $274.7 - $450 -
1986 $462 - - -
1985 $633 - - -
1984 $483 - - -

Data sources: World Bank | Economy & Growth (1984–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08).

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

Laos' GDP per capita is $2,325, ranking 155/197, compared to $3,968 in Uzbekistan, ranking 134/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), Laos ranks 134th at $9,776, while Uzbekistan ranks 125th at $11,879.

Economic indicators

Laos Uzbekistan
Gross domestic product
$18.3B
2025
$147B
2025
GDP rank
138/197
2025
61/197
2025
GDP growth
4.54%
2024-2025
7.7%
2024-2025
GDP per capita
$2,325
2025
$3,968
2025
GDP per capita rank
155/197
2025
134/197
2025
GDP per capita, PPP
$9,776
2024
$11,879
2024
GDP per capita PPP rank
134/197
2024
125/197
2024
Government debt
$14.8B
2025
$42B
2025
Debt-to-GDP ratio
80.6%
2025
28.6%
2025
Government debt per person
$1,874
2025
$1,134
2025
Government debt per person rank
120/185
2025
139/185
2025
Average annual personal income after taxes
$2,426
2026
$3,560
2026
Market capitalization of domestic companies n/a
$23.7B
2025
Income share by richest 10%
28.5%
2024
24.2%
2025
Income share by poorest 10%
3.3%
2024
2.4%
2025
Government expenditure, % of GDP
17.9%
2025
27.4%
2025
Consumer prices inflation
7.7%
2024-2025
8.8%
2024-2025
Central bank interest rate n/a
14%
2025
Unemployment rate
1.21%
2022
5.29%
2020
Population
8027464
38082870

Spending and national debt comparison by year

Laos
Spending

Debt
Uzbekistan
Spending

Debt
1x
Year % of GDP
Laos Uzbekistan
Government spending Government debt Government spending Government debt
2025 17.9% 80.6% 27.4% 28.6%
2024 15.8% 94.7% 26.1% 30.9%
2023 16.5% 108.9% 28.6% 30.7%
2022 14.7% 115.7% 30% 29.2%
2021 15.7% 92.2% 26.1% 30.2%
2020 18.4% 75.4% 24.7% 31.9%
2019 18.6% 69.1% 23.4% 24.3%
2018 20.7% 60.6% 21.2% 16.7%
2017 21.8% 57.2% 19.9% 17.3%
2016 21.1% 54.5% 20.5% 7.21%
2015 25.8% 53.1% 21.7% 5.94%
2014 25% 53.5% 22% 5.39%
2013 24.2% 49.5% 22.3% 5.51%
2012 24.7% 46.1% 21.5% 6.06%
2011 20.2% 43% 21.1% 5.65%
2010 22.4% 49.3% 23.7% 5.92%
2009 20.1% 51.8% 24.7% 6.57%
2008 16.1% 51.7% 23.8% 7.5%
2007 15.1% 55.9% 22.4% 8.6%
2006 14.7% 60% 22.3% 12.2%
2005 15.3% 73.2% 25.3% 18.9%
2004 13.6% 80.7% 26.5% 24.2%
2003 16% 90.1% 28.4% 28.3%
2002 16.6% 95.3% 31.2% 37.5%
2001 18.8% 94.7% 27.6% 40.4%
2000 19.9% - 29.6% 26.5%
1999 - - 30.3% 16.6%
1998 - - 31.6% 16.2%
1997 - - 28.7% 13.8%
1996 - - 31.6% -
1995 - - 26.5% -
1994 - - 24.4% -
1993 - - 35.6% -
1992 - - 16.2% -

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1992–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08).

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

In 2025, Laos' government spending was $3.28B, accounting for 17.9% of its GDP, while Uzbekistan spent $40.2B, or 27.4% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 80.6% in Laos and 28.6% in Uzbekistan, ranking 41/185 and 159/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
Laos

Uzbekistan
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
Laos Uzbekistan
2025 1.64% -1.66%
2024 2.36% -2.25%
2023 -0.01% -3.85%
2022 0.06% -3.49%
2021 -0.67% -3.9%
2020 -5.37% -2.8%
2019 -3.2% -0.29%
2018 -4.46% 1.57%
2017 -5.51% 1.04%
2016 -5.06% 0.62%
2015 -5.57% -0.24%
2014 -3.13% 1.68%
2013 -4.03% 1.9%
2012 -2.34% 5.28%
2011 -1.43% 4.56%
2010 -1.47% 2.29%
2009 -3.1% 1.64%
2008 -1.86% 5.38%
2007 -1.12% 3.2%
2006 -1.48% 2.45%
2005 -2.54% -3.17%
2004 -1.81% -3.37%
2003 -3.89% -4.39%
2002 -2.85% -5.69%
2001 -3.68% -2.95%
2000 -3.58% -3.29%
1999 - -2.62%
1998 - -2.74%
1997 - -1.85%
1996 - -1.41%
1995 - -1.59%
1994 - -4.03%
1993 - -10.8%
1992 - 6.44%

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1992–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08).

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

In 2025, Laos' government surplus, the difference between spending and revenue, was $300M, equivalent to 1.64% of GDP. This compares to Uzbekistan's deficit of $2.43B, or 1.66% of GDP.

Over the past 26 years, Laos recorded a fiscal deficit in 23 of those years, while Uzbekistan ran a deficit in 14 years. On average, Laos posted an annual deficit equal to 2.47% of GDP, compared to deficit of 0.37% of GDP for Uzbekistan.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
Laos

Uzbekistan
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
Laos Uzbekistan
2025 7.7% 8.8%
2024 23.1% 9.6%
2023 31.2% 10%
2022 23% 11.4%
2021 3.8% 10.8%
2020 5.1% 12.9%
2019 3.3% 14.5%
2018 2% 17.5%
2017 0.8% 13.9%
2016 1.6% 8.8%
2015 1.3% 8.5%
2014 4.1% 9.1%
2013 6.4% 11.7%
2012 4.3% 11.9%
2011 7.6% 12.4%
2010 6% 12.3%
2009 0.1% 12.3%
2008 7.6% 13.1%
2007 4.7% 11.2%
2006 6.5% 13.1%
2005 7.2% 10.7%
2004 10.5% 7.3%
2003 15.5% 12.5%
2002 10.6% 27.3%
2001 7.8% 27.3%
2000 8.4% 25%
1999 128.4% 29.1%
1998 90.1% 29%
1997 19.5% 70.9%

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | World Economic Outlook (1997–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08).

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

Over the past 29 years, Laos has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 15.5%, compared with 16.3% in Uzbekistan. In 2025, inflation was 7.7% in Laos and 8.8% in Uzbekistan.

Top exports between countries

Laos
Export category Export value
Textiles & consumer goods $3K
Uzbekistan
Export category Export value
Raw agricultural goods $61K

Balance of trade

Laos Uzbekistan
Current account balance
$531M
2024
-$5.78B
2025
Current account balance ranking
58/190
2024
167/190
2025
Current account balance, % of GDP
+3.22%
2024
-3.93%
2025
Goods imports
$8.66B
2024
$38.5B
2025
Goods exports
$9.39B
2024
$23B
2025
Service imports
$1.27B
2024
$13.6B
2025
Service exports
$1.73B
2024
$9.27B
2025
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
41.9%
2016
35.4%
2025
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
33.2%
2016
22%
2025

Economic freedom indices

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

Laos Uzbekistan
Economic freedom 50.9 60.3
Economic freedom ranking 157/197 94/197
Property rights 41.1 43.1
Government integrity 25.9 32
Judicial effectiveness 10.2 13.7
Tax burden 88.5 95
Government spending 92.7 73.7
Fiscal health 80 79.9
Business freedom 54.2 62.5
Labor freedom 40.7 48.4
Monetary freedom 53.3 65.1
Trade freedom 69 80.6
Investment freedom 35 70
Financial freedom 20 60

Economic freedom comparison by year

Laos
Uzbekistan
1x
Year Economic freedom index
Laos Uzbekistan
2026 50.9 60.3
2025 51.1 58
2024 50.6 55.9
2023 50.3 56.5
2022 49.2 55.7
2021 53.9 58.3
2020 55.5 57.2
2019 57.4 53.3
2018 53.6 51.5
2017 54 52.3
2016 49.8 46
2015 51.4 47
2014 51.2 46.5
2013 50.1 46
2012 50 45.8
2011 51.3 45.8
2010 51.1 47.5
2009 50.4 50.5
2008 50.3 51.9
2007 50.3 51.5
2006 47.5 48.7
2005 44.4 45.8
2004 42 39.1
2003 41 38.3
2002 36.8 38.5
2001 33.5 38.2
2000 36.8 38.1
1999 35.2 33.8
1998 35.2 31.5
1997 35.1 -
1996 38.5 -

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

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

The Economic Freedom Index for Laos is 50.9, ranking 157/197, compared to 60.3 for Uzbekistan, ranking 94/197. The chart above displays a comparison of annual changes in economic freedom indexes.

Other economic metrics

Laos Uzbekistan
Services, % of GDP
43.6%
2025
46.5%
2025
Industry, % of GDP
29.2%
2025
32.5%
2025
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
16.6%
2025
16.6%
2025
GNI, Atlas method
$16.9B
2025
$136B
2025
GNI per capita, PPP
$9,800
2025
$13,640
2025
Total reserves including gold
$2.21B
2024
$41.2B
2024
Total reserves ranking
125/177
2024
53/177
2024
Net foreign direct investment
-$988M
2024
-$4.24B
2025
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
$988M
2024
$2.97B
2024
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
$0
2024
$36.7M
2024
Servicing debt to the IMF, % of GNI
13.8%
2024
9.37%
2024
Poverty at national poverty lines
15%
2024
5.8%
2025
Gross capital formation, % of GDP
29%
2016
33.3%
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/uzbekistan | CC BY

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Data sources:

  1. World Bank | Economy & Growth (1984–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  2. International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1992–2025, 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 (2020–2022, 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.