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Economy of Laos vs Venezuela compared: GDP & Debt

Updated on by Georank team

Laos has a GDP of $16.5B compared to $120B for Venezuela, ranking 139/197 and 65/197 by economy size, respectively.

Laos has $16.6B in government debt (100.5% of GDP), compared to $197B (164.3% of GDP) in Venezuela.

Laos vs Venezuela GDP by year

Laos
Venezuela
1x
Year GDP, current $
Laos Venezuela
2024 $16,502,933,121 $119,802,963,258
2023 $15,843,155,731 $102,376,526,556
2022 $15,468,785,204 $89,013,255,585
2021 $18,827,148,531 $56,614,976,855
2020 $18,981,805,250 $42,838,020,721
2019 $18,740,561,513 $73,014,084,091
2018 $18,141,641,090 $102,021,093,965
2017 $17,071,155,481 $115,883,275,163
2016 $15,912,501,723 $112,915,034,262
2015 $14,426,380,126 $125,449,241,571
2014 $13,279,245,886 $214,689,614,733
2013 $11,983,252,627 $258,930,655,486
2012 $10,192,846,339 $372,592,062,768
2011 $8,750,104,617 $316,482,190,800
2010 $7,131,771,015 $393,192,354,511
2009 $5,836,137,330 $329,787,628,928
2008 $5,446,433,157 $315,953,388,511
2007 $4,223,152,739 $230,364,012,576
2006 $3,455,030,061 $183,477,522,124
2005 $2,735,558,735 $145,513,489,652
2004 $2,366,398,120 $112,451,400,425
2003 $2,023,324,407 $83,620,628,582
2002 $1,758,176,653 $92,893,587,734
2001 $1,768,619,058 $122,911,036,747
2000 $1,731,198,022 $117,146,466,003
1999 $1,454,430,642 $97,972,842,462
1998 $1,280,177,839 $91,336,763,255
1997 $1,747,011,857 $85,837,678,560
1996 $1,873,671,550 $70,543,211,119
1995 $1,763,536,305 $77,389,487,770
1994 $1,543,606,345 $58,418,666,667
1993 $1,327,748,690 $60,037,460,783
1992 $1,127,806,945 $60,416,519,620
1991 $1,028,087,972 $53,453,444,787
1990 $865,559,879 $48,606,952,195
1989 $714,046,821 $43,536,709,104
1988 $598,961,269 $60,226,413,793
1987 $1,087,273,104 $48,029,034,483
1986 $1,776,842,097 $60,516,123,711
1985 $2,366,666,616 $61,965,466,667
1984 $1,757,142,856 $59,867,743,468
1983 - $67,556,279,070
1982 - $67,736,744,186
1981 - $66,327,441,860
1980 - $59,116,511,628
1979 - $48,310,930,233
1978 - $39,316,279,070
1977 - $36,210,697,674
1976 - $31,419,534,884
1975 - $27,464,651,163
1974 - $26,100,930,233
1973 - $17,035,581,395
1972 - $13,977,727,273
1971 - $12,986,590,909
1970 - $11,561,111,111
1969 - $10,285,111,111
1968 - $10,034,444,444
1967 - $9,250,000,000
1966 - $8,781,333,333
1965 - $8,427,777,778
1964 - $8,192,413,793
1963 - $9,608,717,288
1962 - $8,814,309,884
1961 - $8,067,267,031
1960 - $7,663,938,303

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

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

GDP per capita in Laos vs Venezuela by year

Laos
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
Venezuela
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
Laos Venezuela
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2024 $2,124 $9,776 $4,218 -
2023 $2,067 $9,292 $3,617 -
2022 $2,046 $8,766 $3,155 -
2021 $2,526 $8,080 $2,005 -
2020 $2,584 $7,913 $1,506 -
2019 $2,589 $7,743 $2,523 -
2018 $2,545 $7,487 $3,423 -
2017 $2,432 $7,142 $3,791 -
2016 $2,303 $6,743 $3,670 -
2015 $2,121 $6,086 $4,103 -
2014 $1,981 $5,799 $7,096 -
2013 $1,813 $5,222 $8,656 -
2012 $1,564 $4,781 $12,607 -
2011 $1,362 $4,100 $10,844 $21,241
2010 $1,126 $3,772 $13,646 $20,236
2009 $935 $3,485 $11,597 $20,562
2008 $886 $3,271 $11,262 $21,402
2007 $697 $3,021 $8,332 $20,236
2006 $579 $2,777 $6,739 $18,399
2005 $466 $2,519 $5,432 $16,511
2004 $409 $2,315 $4,269 $14,757
2003 $355 $2,151 $3,230 $12,359
2002 $313 $2,020 $3,652 $13,375
2001 $320 $1,908 $4,920 $14,714
2000 $319 $1,794 $4,776 $14,174
1999 $272.3 $1,686 $4,071 $13,623
1998 $243.9 $1,577 $3,870 $14,568
1997 $339 $1,528 $3,711 $14,655
1996 $371 $1,435 $3,113 $13,824
1995 $358 $1,349 $3,487 $13,890
1994 $321 $1,265 $2,689 $13,370
1993 $283.4 $1,176 $2,825 $13,702
1992 $247.3 $1,114 $2,907 $13,652
1991 $231.8 $1,061 $2,633 $12,880
1990 $200.7 $1,012 $2,452 $11,628
1989 $170.4 - $2,250 -
1988 $147.1 - $3,191 -
1987 $274.7 - $2,611 -
1986 $462 - $3,376 -
1985 $633 - $3,549 -
1984 $483 - $3,520 -
1983 - - $4,079 -
1982 - - $4,202 -
1981 - - $4,228 -
1980 - - $3,874 -
1979 - - $3,257 -
1978 - - $2,727 -
1977 - - $2,585 -
1976 - - $2,309 -
1975 - - $2,078 -
1974 - - $2,034 -
1973 - - $1,367 -
1972 - - $1,155 -
1971 - - $1,106 -
1970 - - $1,015 -
1969 - - $932 -
1968 - - $938 -
1967 - - $893 -
1966 - - $876 -
1965 - - $869 -
1964 - - $874 -
1963 - - $1,060 -
1962 - - $1,007 -
1961 - - $954 -
1960 - - $939 -

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

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

Laos' GDP per capita is $2,124, ranking 155/197, compared to $4,218 in Venezuela, ranking 128/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), Laos ranks 134th at $9,776, while Venezuela ranks 93rd at $21,241.

Economic indicators

Laos Venezuela
Gross domestic product
$16.5B
2024
$120B
2024
GDP rank
139/197
2024
65/197
2024
GDP growth
4.13%
2023-2024
5.3%
2023-2024
GDP per capita
$2,124
2024
$4,218
2024
GDP per capita rank
155/197
2024
128/197
2024
GDP per capita, PPP
$9,776
2024
$21,241
2011
GDP per capita PPP rank
134/197
2024
93/197
2011
Government debt
$16.6B
2024
$197B
2024
Debt-to-GDP ratio
100.5%
2024
164.3%
2024
Government debt per person
$2,134
2024
$6,931
2024
Government debt per person rank
119/185
2024
69/185
2024
Average annual personal income after taxes
$2,096
2026
$3,792
2026
Market capitalization of domestic companies n/a
$3.98B
2002
Number of billionaires n/a
1
2025
Income share by richest 10%
31.2%
2018
33.2%
2006
Income share by poorest 10%
3%
2018
1.2%
2006
Government expenditure, % of GDP
15.7%
2024
17.6%
2024
Consumer prices inflation
23.1%
2023-2024
49%
2023-2024
Central bank interest rate n/a
58.4%
2025
Unemployment rate
1.21%
2022
7.53%
2020
Population
8004838
28661242

Spending and national debt comparison by year

Laos
Spending

Debt
Venezuela
Spending

Debt
1x
Year % of GDP
Laos Venezuela
Government spending Government debt Government spending Government debt
2024 15.7% 100.5% 17.6% 164.3%
2023 16.4% 116.5% 13.1% 138.5%
2022 14.7% 130.7% 15.1% 164.4%
2021 15.7% 92.9% 13.1% 254.2%
2020 18.4% 76% 11.2% 337%
2019 18.6% 69.1% 21% 206%
2018 20.7% 60.6% 37.9% 175.3%
2017 21.8% 57.2% 21.8% 133.6%
2016 21.1% 54.5% 19.7% 138.4%
2015 25.8% 53.1% 22.9% 129.8%
2014 25% 53.5% 31.6% 84.9%
2013 24.2% 49.5% 36.5% 85.4%
2012 24.7% 46.1% 38% 58.4%
2011 20.2% 43% 39.4% 52.5%
2010 22.4% 49.3% 31.1% 37.7%
2009 20.1% 51.8% 33.3% 27.6%
2008 16.1% 51.7% 34.9% 20.3%
2007 15.1% 55.9% 35.9% 26.4%
2006 14.7% 60% 39.3% 25.7%
2005 15.3% 73.2% 33.5% 34.9%
2004 13.6% 80.7% 31.9% 41.8%
2003 16% 90.1% 32.2% 56%
2002 16.6% 95.3% 31% 48.2%
2001 18.8% 94.7% 31.9% 30.7%
2000 19.9% - 28.3% 27.7%
1999 - - 26.1% 29.6%
1998 - - 28.8% 30.7%
1997 - - 31% 34.8%
1996 - - 27.7% 45.9%
1995 - - 32.9% 45.9%
1994 - - 42.2% 63.9%
1993 - - 27.7% 57.7%
1992 - - 30.6% 54.8%
1991 - - 33.9% 62.2%
1990 - - 31.9% 63.3%
1989 - - 32.5% 61.8%
1988 - - 33.2% 46.3%
1987 - - 25.1% 58.3%
1986 - - 21.5% 45.9%
1985 - - 20.3% 34.1%
1984 - - 19.7% 36.4%
1983 - - 25.3% 21.4%
1982 - - 29% 18.6%
1981 - - 29.6% 18.9%
1980 - - 22% 16.6%
1979 - - 22.3% 19.2%
1978 - - 29.2% 16.6%
1977 - - 30.6% 12.7%
1976 - - 26.6% 9.64%
1975 - - 33.8% 8.31%
1974 - - 35.3% 7.72%
1973 - - 20% 9.78%
1972 - - 21.3% 10.6%
1971 - - 19.6% 9.64%
1970 - - 19.5% 10.6%
1969 - - 21% 9.91%
1968 - - 19.8% 7.84%
1967 - - 19.8% 6.74%
1966 - - 19.1% 5.84%
1965 - - 18.7% 5.46%
1964 - - 17.9% 4.95%
1963 - - 18.7% 6.3%
1962 - - 17.6% 7.24%
1961 - - 11.8% 8.79%
1960 - - 23.7% 8.28%

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1960–1997, retrieved 2026-02-20).

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

In 2024, Laos' government spending was $2.58B, accounting for 15.7% of its GDP, while Venezuela spent $21.1B, or 17.6% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 100.5% in Laos and 164.3% in Venezuela, ranking 24/185 and 5/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
Laos

Venezuela
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
Laos Venezuela
2024 2.34% -3.6%
2023 -0.01% -1.25%
2022 0.06% -5.29%
2021 -0.67% -5.85%
2020 -5.37% -6.63%
2019 -3.2% -10.9%
2018 -4.46% -31%
2017 -5.51% -13.3%
2016 -5.06% -8.46%
2015 -5.57% -8.06%
2014 -3.13% -9.81%
2013 -4.03% -10.4%
2012 -2.34% -9.86%
2011 -1.43% -8.24%
2010 -1.47% -4.74%
2009 -3.1% -8.69%
2008 -1.86% -3.46%
2007 -1.12% -2.82%
2006 -1.48% -1.6%
2005 -2.54% 4.09%
2004 -1.81% 2.47%
2003 -3.89% 0.17%
2002 -2.85% -1.48%
2001 -3.68% -4.59%
2000 -3.58% 4.45%
1999 - 0.74%
1998 - -4.49%
1997 - 2.58%
1996 - 7.94%
1995 - -5.86%
1994 - -11.2%
1993 - -2.92%
1992 - -6.37%
1991 - -2.28%
1990 - 3.84%
1989 - -0.91%
1988 - -9.24%
1987 - -7.47%
1986 - 0.82%
1985 - 6.97%
1984 - 5.33%
1983 - 1.24%
1982 - -0.17%
1981 - 4.74%
1980 - 4.41%
1979 - -3.07%
1978 - -5.44%
1977 - -4.69%
1976 - 1.65%
1975 - 0.88%
1974 - 2.76%
1973 - 1.98%
1972 - 0.42%
1971 - 0.78%
1970 - -1.22%
1969 - -2.17%
1968 - -0.32%
1967 - 0.51%
1966 - 0.23%
1965 - 0.39%
1964 - 1.91%
1963 - 1.92%
1962 - 2.14%
1961 - -1.91%
1960 - -4.08%
1959 - -4.98%
1958 - -4.86%
1957 - 6.7%
1956 - 0.76%
1955 - 0.38%
1954 - 1.84%
1953 - 0.03%
1952 - -0.5%
1951 - -0.24%
1950 - -0.23%
1949 - 0.15%
1948 - 1.27%
1947 - 0.09%
1946 - -0.9%
1945 - 2.9%
1944 - 1.85%
1943 - -0.27%
1942 - 0.2%
1941 - 0.01%
1940 - -1.07%
1939 - -0.78%
1938 - 0.68%
1937 - 0.73%
1936 - -0.52%
1935 - -2.23%
1934 - 1.34%
1933 - 1.03%
1932 - 0.51%
1931 - 1.02%
1930 - -2.03%
1929 - -0.34%
1928 - -0.68%
1927 - 1.55%
1926 - 0.14%
1925 - 0.54%
1924 - 0.37%
1923 - 1.32%
1922 - 1.57%
1921 - -0.97%
1920 - -1.75%

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1920–1989, retrieved 2026-02-20); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20).

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

In 2024, Laos' government surplus, the difference between spending and revenue, was $386M, equivalent to 2.34% of GDP. This compares to Venezuela's deficit of $4.31B, or 3.6% of GDP.

Over the past 25 years, Laos recorded a fiscal deficit in 23 of those years, while Venezuela ran a deficit in 21 years. On average, Laos posted an annual deficit equal to 2.63% of GDP, compared to deficit of 5.95% of GDP for Venezuela.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
Laos

Venezuela
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
Laos Venezuela
2024 23.1% 49%
2023 31.2% 338%
2022 23% 186.5%
2021 3.8% 1,589%
2020 5.1% 2,355%
2019 3.3% 19,906%
2018 2% 65,374%
2017 0.8% 438%
2016 1.6% 254.9%
2015 1.3% 121.7%
2014 4.1% 62.2%
2013 6.4% 40.6%
2012 4.3% 21.1%
2011 7.6% 26.1%
2010 6% 28.2%
2009 0.1% 26%
2008 7.6% 31.4%
2007 4.7% 18.7%
2006 6.5% 13.7%
2005 7.2% 16%
2004 10.5% 21.7%
2003 15.5% 31.1%
2002 10.6% 22.4%
2001 7.8% 12.5%
2000 8.4% 16.2%
1999 128.4% 23.6%
1998 90.1% 35.8%
1997 19.5% 50%

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | World Economic Outlook (1997–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20).

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

Over the past 28 years, Laos has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 15.7%, compared with 3,254% in Venezuela. In 2024, inflation was 23.1% in Laos and 49% in Venezuela.

Balance of trade

Laos Venezuela
Current account balance
$531M
2024
-$3.87B
2016
Current account balance ranking
61/190
2024
161/190
2016
Current account balance, % of GDP
+3.22%
2024
-3.43%
2016
Goods imports
$8.66B
2024
$16.3B
2016
Goods exports
$9.39B
2024
$27.4B
2016
Service imports
$1.27B
2024
$9.47B
2016
Service exports
$1.73B
2024
$1.28B
2016
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
41.9%
2016
9.22%
2024
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
33.2%
2016
16.9%
2024

Economic freedom indices

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

Laos Venezuela
Economic freedom 50.9 27.3
Economic freedom ranking 157/197 194/197
Property rights 41.1 0
Government integrity 25.9 6.9
Judicial effectiveness 10.2 5.1
Tax burden 88.5 73.4
Government spending 92.7 93
Fiscal health 80 29.1
Business freedom 54.2 31.1
Labor freedom 40.7 35.5
Monetary freedom 53.3 0
Trade freedom 69 43.2
Investment freedom 35 0
Financial freedom 20 10

Economic freedom comparison by year

Laos
Venezuela
1x
Year Economic freedom index
Laos Venezuela
2026 50.9 27.3
2025 51.1 27.6
2024 50.6 28.1
2023 50.3 25.8
2022 49.2 24.8
2021 53.9 24.7
2020 55.5 25.2
2019 57.4 25.9
2018 53.6 25.2
2017 54 27
2016 49.8 33.7
2015 51.4 34.3
2014 51.2 36.3
2013 50.1 36.1
2012 50 38.1
2011 51.3 37.6
2010 51.1 37.1
2009 50.4 39.9
2008 50.3 44.7
2007 50.3 47.9
2006 47.5 44.6
2005 44.4 45.2
2004 42 46.7
2003 41 54.8
2002 36.8 54.7
2001 33.5 54.6
2000 36.8 57.4
1999 35.2 56.1
1998 35.2 54
1997 35.1 52.8
1996 38.5 54.5
1995 - 59.8

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

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

The Economic Freedom Index for Laos is 50.9, ranking 157/197, compared to 27.3 for Venezuela, ranking 194/197. The chart above displays a comparison of annual changes in economic freedom indexes.

Other economic metrics

Laos Venezuela
Services, % of GDP
43.5%
2024
51.7%
2014
Industry, % of GDP
29%
2024
37.2%
2014
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
16.8%
2024
5.03%
2014
GNI, Atlas method
$15.5B
2024
$109B
2024
GNI per capita, PPP
$9,160
2024
$20,800
2011
Total reserves including gold
$1.77B
2023
$9.79B
2017
Total reserves ranking
129/177
2023
77/177
2017
Net foreign direct investment
-$988M
2024
-$27M
2016
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
$988M
2024
$1.63B
2024
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
$0
2024
$2.6B
2024
Servicing debt to the IMF, % of GNI
13.8%
2024
n/a
Poverty at national poverty lines
22%
2020
33.1%
2015
Gross capital formation, % of GDP
29%
2016
4.9%
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/venezuela | 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. International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1920–1997, 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. 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.