Skip to content

Laos vs Palau statistics compared

Updated on by Georank team

Laos has a population of 7.77M (ranked 103/197), compared with 17.7K in Palau (ranked 194/197). Laos' land area is 89,112 sq mi versus 177.6 sq mi for Palau (ranked 79th vs. 180th).

By GDP, Laos ranks 139/197 ($16.5B) and Palau ranks 194/197 ($277M). By GDP per capita, Laos ranks 155/197 ($2,124), while Palau ranks 67/197 ($15,611).

Main facts and rankings

Laos Palau
Population
8004838
17629
Population rank 103/197 194/197
GDP
$16.5B
2024
$277M
2023
GDP rank 139/197 194/197
GDP per capita
$2,124
2024
$15,611
2023
GDP per capita rank 155/197 67/197
GDP per capita, PPP
$9,776
2024
$18,230
2023
Government debt
$16.6B
2024
n/a
Debt-to-GDP ratio
100.5%
2024
n/a
Government debt per person
$2,134
2024
n/a
Government debt per person rank 119/185 n/a
Average annual personal income after taxes
$2,096
2026
$9,869
2026
Land area 89,112 sq mi 177.6 sq mi
Population density
89.5 ppl/mi²
2026
99.3 ppl/mi²
2026
Fertility rate
2.42
2023
1.91
2023
Median age
25.6 years
2024
39.2 years
2024
Life expectancy
69.7 years
2026
69.6 years
2026

Laos and Palau: Comparison Charts

Laos and Palau economies compared

GDP
Laos

Palau
1x
Year GDP
Laos Palau
2024 $16,502,933,121 -
2023 $15,843,155,731 $276,733,063
2022 $15,468,785,204 $243,826,813
2021 $18,827,148,531 $231,343,460
2020 $18,981,805,250 $261,688,507
2019 $18,740,561,513 $282,041,290
2018 $18,141,641,090 $287,998,352
2017 $17,071,155,481 $292,148,590
2016 $15,912,501,723 $305,227,020
2015 $14,426,380,126 $287,057,526
2014 $13,279,245,886 $245,591,095
2013 $11,983,252,627 $224,110,611
2012 $10,192,846,339 $215,616,882
2011 $8,750,104,617 $198,742,371
2010 $7,131,771,015 $188,042,374
2009 $5,836,137,330 $189,854,706
2008 $5,446,433,157 $201,067,734
2007 $4,223,152,739 $200,789,764
2006 $3,455,030,061 $193,611,359
2005 $2,735,558,735 $190,961,685
2004 $2,366,398,120 $166,363,739
2003 $2,023,324,407 $154,566,788
2002 $1,758,176,653 $162,658,722
2001 $1,768,619,058 $159,446,228
2000 $1,731,198,022 $149,551,483
1999 $1,454,430,642 $144,206,500
1998 $1,280,177,839 $149,079,600
1997 $1,747,011,857 $143,860,800
1996 $1,873,671,550 $137,494,600
1995 $1,763,536,305 $121,018,500
1994 $1,543,606,345 $106,138,500
1993 $1,327,748,690 $96,455,700
1992 $1,127,806,945 $104,771,300
1991 $1,028,087,972 $106,555,300
1990 $865,559,879 $97,702,303
1989 $714,046,821 $85,800,543
1988 $598,961,269 $75,348,615
1987 $1,087,273,104 $66,169,905
1986 $1,776,842,097 $58,109,314
1985 $2,366,666,616 $51,030,637
1984 $1,757,142,856 $44,814,259
1983 - $39,661,530
1982 - $36,027,583
1981 - $32,726,594
1980 - $29,728,054
1979 - $27,004,251
1978 - $24,530,015
1977 - $22,308,104
1976 - $20,364,420
1975 - $18,521,112
1974 - $16,848,759
1973 - $15,331,889
1972 - $13,956,474
1971 - $12,706,874
1970 - $11,563,041

Data sources: World Bank | Economy & Growth (1970–2024, retrieved 2026-04-06).

GeoRank.org/facts/laos/palau | CC BY

Laos and Palau economies compared

GDP per capita
Laos

Palau
1x
Year GDP per capita
Laos Palau
2024 $2,124 -
2023 $2,067 $15,611
2022 $2,046 $13,730
2021 $2,526 $13,009
2020 $2,584 $14,708
2019 $2,589 $15,847
2018 $2,545 $16,167
2017 $2,432 $16,402
2016 $2,303 $17,150
2015 $2,121 $16,154
2014 $1,981 $13,863
2013 $1,813 $12,699
2012 $1,564 $12,137
2011 $1,362 $10,994
2010 $1,126 $10,222
2009 $935 $10,148
2008 $886 $10,578
2007 $697 $10,403
2006 $579 $9,882
2005 $466 $9,635
2004 $409 $8,394
2003 $355 $7,862
2002 $313 $8,340
2001 $320 $8,239
2000 $319 $7,798
1999 $272.3 $7,630
1998 $243.9 $8,048
1997 $339 $7,945
1996 $371 $7,788
1995 $358 $7,038
1994 $321 $6,329
1993 $283.4 $5,892
1992 $247.3 $6,553
1991 $231.8 $6,824
1990 $200.7 $6,403
1989 $170.4 $5,741
1988 $147.1 $5,145
1987 $274.7 $4,616
1986 $462 $4,144
1985 $633 $3,728
1984 $483 $3,360
1983 - $3,049
1982 - $2,838
1981 - $2,639
1980 - $2,423
1979 - $2,189
1978 - $1,972
1977 - $1,781
1976 - $1,616
1975 - $1,464
1974 - $1,328
1973 - $1,221
1972 - $1,145
1971 - $1,081
1970 - $1,017

Data sources: World Bank | Economy & Growth (1970–2024, retrieved 2026-04-06).

GeoRank.org/facts/laos/palau | CC BY

Laos vs. Palau life expectancy calculator

Life expectancy
Laos

Palau
1x
Year Life expectancy, years
Laos Palau
2026 69.7 69.6
2025 69.5 69.5
2024 69.2 69.4
2023 69 69.3
2022 68.7 68.9
2021 67.8 68.6
2020 68.3 68.7
2019 67.9 69
2018 67.6 69
2017 67.3 69
2016 67 69
2015 66.7 69.1
2014 66.3 69.1
2013 65.7 69
2012 65.1 68.9
2011 64.5 68.6
2010 63.7 68.3
2009 63 68
2008 62.2 67.6
2007 61.7 67.1
2006 61.1 66.6
2005 60.7 66.2
2004 60.1 65.8
2003 59.6 65.4
2002 59.3 65.1
2001 58.9 64.8
2000 58.3 64.5
1999 57.9 64.2
1998 57.5 64
1997 57.3 63.7
1996 56.8 63.5
1995 56.3 63.3
1994 55.8 63.1
1993 55.6 63
1992 55.1 62.9
1991 54.7 62.8
1990 54 62.8
1989 53.6 62.8
1988 53.1 62.8
1987 52.6 62.8
1986 52.1 62.8
1985 51.6 62.7
1984 51 62.6
1983 50.5 62.5
1982 49.9 62.3
1981 49.2 62.1
1980 48.6 61.9
1979 47.5 61.6
1978 46.8 61.3
1977 46.4 60.9
1976 46 60.5
1975 46.1 60
1974 45.9 59.5
1973 44.7 59
1972 44.4 58.6
1971 44.1 58.1
1970 43.8 57.7
1969 43.5 57.3
1968 43.2 56.9
1967 42.9 56.5
1966 42.3 56.2
1965 42.2 55.9
1964 41.9 55.8
1963 41.5 55.6
1962 42.3 55.4
1961 41.3 55.1
1960 41 54.9
1959 40.7 54.6
1958 41.2 54.4
1957 40.9 54.1
1956 40.6 53.9
1955 40.3 53.7
1954 40 53.5
1953 39.7 53.3
1952 39.4 53.1
1951 39.2 52.9
1950 38.9 52.7

Data sources: United Nations | World Population Prospects (1950–2026, retrieved 2026-03-10).

GeoRank.org/facts/laos/palau | CC BY

Laos and Palau population clocks and comparison

Population
Laos

Palau
1x
Year Population
Laos Palau
2024 7,769,819 17,695
2023 7,664,993 17,727
2022 7,559,007 17,759
2021 7,453,194 17,783
2020 7,346,533 17,792
2019 7,237,636 17,798
2018 7,128,045 17,814
2017 7,018,147 17,812
2016 6,908,802 17,797
2015 6,801,645 17,770
2014 6,703,172 17,715
2013 6,611,385 17,648
2012 6,518,978 17,765
2011 6,426,590 18,078
2010 6,334,194 18,396
2009 6,241,642 18,709
2008 6,148,969 19,009
2007 6,056,236 19,302
2006 5,963,200 19,593
2005 5,869,523 19,819
2004 5,781,626 19,820
2003 5,697,945 19,659
2002 5,610,889 19,503
2001 5,521,482 19,352
2000 5,431,212 19,178
1999 5,340,784 18,901
1998 5,248,266 18,524
1997 5,152,011 18,108
1996 5,045,678 17,654
1995 4,929,409 17,195
1994 4,809,220 16,770
1993 4,685,060 16,372
1992 4,559,646 15,989
1991 4,435,118 15,614
1990 4,311,955 15,259
1989 4,190,974 14,945
1988 4,072,601 14,645
1987 3,957,612 14,334
1986 3,846,715 14,024
1985 3,739,985 13,688
1984 3,637,843 13,337
1983 3,541,001 13,006
1982 3,450,026 12,694
1981 3,366,631 12,402
1980 3,292,573 12,271
1979 3,228,202 12,337
1978 3,171,740 12,440
1977 3,118,923 12,525
1976 3,064,876 12,598
1975 3,005,521 12,655
1974 2,939,761 12,687
1973 2,870,573 12,552
1972 2,801,660 12,194
1971 2,734,628 11,759
1970 2,669,702 11,368
1969 2,606,959 11,159
1968 2,546,377 11,080
1967 2,487,715 10,988
1966 2,431,084 10,805
1965 2,376,200 10,547
1964 2,322,826 10,292
1963 2,271,061 10,037
1962 2,219,910 9,793
1961 2,169,796 9,555
1960 2,121,514 9,328

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

GeoRank.org/facts/laos/palau | CC BY

Fertility rates in Laos and Palau

Fertility rate
Laos

Palau
1x
Year Fertility rate
Laos Palau
2023 2.42 1.91
2022 2.46 1.93
2021 2.49 1.95
2020 2.54 1.97
2019 2.59 1.98
2018 2.63 1.97
2017 2.69 2.02
2016 2.74 2.06
2015 2.8 2
2014 2.8 2.03
2013 2.87 2.05
2012 2.95 2.01
2011 3.05 1.97
2010 3.14 1.94
2009 3.23 1.94
2008 3.33 1.95
2007 3.44 1.97
2006 3.56 2
2005 3.69 2.02
2004 3.9 1.99
2003 4.02 1.96
2002 4.13 1.92
2001 4.29 1.87
2000 4.43 1.82
1999 4.64 1.91
1998 4.79 2.01
1997 4.96 2.19
1996 5.15 2.39
1995 5.36 2.55
1994 5.6 2.66
1993 5.8 2.73
1992 5.9 2.71
1991 5.99 2.74
1990 6.06 2.88
1989 6.1 2.92
1988 6.16 2.91
1987 6.21 2.93
1986 6.26 2.98
1985 6.33 3.01
1984 6.37 3.08
1983 6.38 3.14
1982 6.37 3.22
1981 6.35 3.28
1980 6.33 3.35
1979 6.31 3.49
1978 6.3 3.74
1977 6.29 4.09
1976 6.29 4.53
1975 6.29 4.9
1974 6.29 5.26
1973 6.28 5.59
1972 6.28 5.9
1971 6.3 6.16
1970 6.31 6.39
1969 6.3 6.58
1968 6.3 6.71
1967 6.31 6.84
1966 6.31 6.93
1965 6.32 7.01
1964 6.31 7.08
1963 6.32 7.12
1962 6.31 7.15
1961 6.31 7.17
1960 6.29 7.19

Data sources: World Bank | Health (1960–2023, retrieved 2026-04-06).

GeoRank.org/facts/laos/palau | CC BY

Laos and Palau demographics compared

Median age
Laos

Palau
1x
Year Median age, years
Laos Palau
2024 25.6 39.2
2023 25.3 38.8
2022 25 38.5
2021 24.7 38.1
2020 24.4 37.8
2019 24.1 37.4
2018 23.8 37
2017 23.6 36.7
2016 23.3 36.3
2015 23 36
2014 22.7 35.6
2013 22.3 35.3
2012 21.9 35
2011 21.4 34.6
2010 21 34.2
2009 20.5 33.9
2008 20 33.5
2007 19.6 33.1
2006 19.2 32.7
2005 18.9 32.3
2004 18.7 32
2003 18.5 31.8
2002 18.4 31.5
2001 18.2 31.2
2000 18.1 30.8
1999 18 30.2
1998 18 29.4
1997 18 28.8
1996 17.9 28.3
1995 17.9 27.8
1994 17.9 27.4
1993 17.9 26.9
1992 17.9 26.4
1991 17.9 26
1990 17.9 25.6
1989 17.9 24.9
1988 17.9 24
1987 17.8 23.1
1986 17.8 22.2
1985 17.8 21.6
1984 17.8 21.1
1983 17.8 20.5
1982 17.8 19.9
1981 17.9 19.3
1980 17.9 18.9
1979 18 18.6
1978 18.1 18.3
1977 18.3 18.1
1976 18.4 17.8
1975 18.5 17.4
1974 18.6 17.1
1973 18.7 16.8
1972 18.7 16.6
1971 18.7 16.6
1970 18.7 16.5
1969 18.8 16.1
1968 18.8 15.7
1967 18.9 15.2
1966 18.9 14.9
1965 18.9 14.9
1964 19 15
1963 19 15.1
1962 19.1 15.5
1961 19.2 16.1
1960 19.2 16.7

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

GeoRank.org/facts/laos/palau | CC BY

Interactive Maps

Use the buttons below to switch between world maps comparing statistics for Laos and Palau.

1x
1x
1x
1x
1x
1x
1x

National statistics comparison

Finance

Laos Palau
GNI, Atlas method
$15.5B
2024
$262M
2023
Government expenditure, % of GDP
15.7%
2024
52.3%
2024
Education expenditure, % of GDP
1.23%
2023
3.53%
2023
Military expenditure, % of GDP
0.19%
2013
n/a
Armed forces personnel
129,000
2020
n/a
Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
+2.34%
2024
+1.67%
2024
Unemployment rate
1.21%
2022
2.09%
2023
Services, % of GDP
43.5%
2024
74.8%
2023
Industry, % of GDP
29%
2024
10.1%
2023
Economic freedom index
50.9
2026
62
2025
Income share by richest 10%
31.2%
2018
n/a
Income share by poorest 10%
3%
2018
n/a
Total reserves including gold
$1.77B
2023
n/a
Personal remittances received
$247M
2024
$1.95M
2024
International tourist arrivals
886,400
2020
18,399
2020
International tourism as share of exports
3.51%
2020
93.5%
2017
Banked people share
37.7%
2024
n/a

Energy

Laos Palau
Energy use, kg of oil equivalent per capita
815 kg
2022
4,814 kg
1990
GDP PPP per kg equivalent of energy use
$10.8
2022
$2
1990
Carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions
26.1 megatons
2024
1.47 megatons
2024
CO2 emissions per capita
3.35 tons
2024
82.8 tons
2024
Fossil fuel energy use share
0%
2022
0%
1990
Renewable energy use share
49.2%
2022
0.9%
2022
Alternative and nuclear energy use share
54.2%
2022
n/a
Net energy imports use share
-49%
2022
n/a
Electric power consumption per capita
1,264 kWh
2022
n/a
Renewable electricity output share
63.3%
2021
4.6%
2021
Hydroelectric share
75.9%
2022
0%
2021
Nuclear share
0%
2021
0%
2021
Electricity access
96.5%
2023
100%
2023

Society

Laos Palau
% of world population
0.1%
2024
0.0002%
2024
Annual migration change
-10,645
2025
-16
2025
Urban population
39.6%
2024
79.2%
2024
Male:Female ratio
50.2:49.8
2024
53.9:46.1
2024
Average male height
5.34 ft
2025
5.6 ft
2025
Average female height
5.02 ft
2025
5.23 ft
2025
Quality of life index
29.2
2026
52.2
2026
Corruption Perceptions Index
34
2025
49
2025
Higher education index
19
2026
n/a
Homicides per 100K people
7.01
2015
11.2
2018
Road traffic mortality per 100K people
17.9
2019
4.78
2013
Visa free countries
61
2025
120
2025
Adult literacy rate
75.6%
2023
100%
2020
English speaking
6%
2025
92.5%
2023
People using the Internet
63.6%
2023
27%
2004

Health

Laos Palau
Government health expenditure per capita
$27.4
2023
$1,684
2023
Out-of-pocket health expenditure per capita
$12.3
2023
$203.8
2023
Life expectancy
69.7 years
2026
69.6 years
2026
Foreign aid share of health expenditure
15.4%
2023
18.5%
2023
Physicians per 1,000 people
0.33
2022
1.81
2023
Maternal mortality per 100K births
112
2023
89
2023
Mortality rate before reaching 5 years of age
39
2023
22.3
2023
Obesity rate
8.32%
2022
42.1%
2022
Diabetes prevalence
6.7%
2024
19.3%
2024
Air quality index
20
2026
65
2026
Tobacco use prevalence
27.2%
2022
17.3%
2022
Pure alcohol consumption per capita
10.8 liters
2020
n/a

Territory

Laos Palau
% of world land
0.15%
2026
0.0003%
2026
Land area per capita
11,469 sq mi
2024
10,037 sq mi
2024
Agricultural land area
8,831 sq mi
2026
16.6 sq mi
2026
Forest area
63,676 sq mi
2026
160.8 sq mi
2026
Roads length
24,598 mi
2009
n/a

In-depth comparisons

Help us show the world through your eyes

Share a photo of your city and help others discover what it looks like to live there. Your contribution makes our data come alive.

Data sources:

  1. World Bank | Health (1960–2025, retrieved 2026-04-06)
  2. United Nations | World Population Prospects (1950–2026, retrieved 2026-03-10)
  3. U.S. Census Bureau (1960–2025, retrieved 2026-02-08)
  4. Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) (2000–2019, retrieved 2026-02-20)
  5. International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (2024, retrieved 2026-02-20)
  6. LivingCost (2026, retrieved 2025-10-14)
  7. World Obesity Federation (2022, retrieved 2026-02-08)
  8. Passport Index (2025, retrieved 2026-02-08)
  9. Transparency International (2025, retrieved 2026-02-10)
  10. The Heritage Foundation | Economic Freedom Index (2026, retrieved 2026-03-09)
  11. EduRank (2026, retrieved 2025-10-13)

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.