Laos has a population of 7.9 million (2025), and 40.3% of people live in urban areas. Its economy produced $18.3 billion of goods and services in 2025 (GDP in current US dollars), growing 4.5% that year after adjusting for inflation. GDP per person was $2,325 (2025), and consumer prices rose 7.7% in 2025. Unemployment was an estimated 1.2% of the labor force in 2025.
Key figures for Laos
Population
7.9 million
GDP
$18.3 billion
GDP growth
4.5%
GDP per person
$2,325
Inflation
7.7%
Unemployment
1.2%
Compare Laos with other countries
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Economy and growth
| Indicator | Laos | World | Rank (1 = highest) | Link |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| GDPThe total value of goods and services produced in a year, converted to US dollars at official exchange rates. | $18.3 billion2025 | $118.4 trillion | 136th of 204 | Compare GDP |
| GDP growthThe yearly change in the value of goods and services produced, adjusted for inflation. | 4.5%2025 | 2.9% | 59th of 204 | Compare GDP growth |
| GDP per personGDP divided by population, in US dollars at official exchange rates. | $2,3252025 | $14,406 | 167th of 204 | Compare GDP per person |
| GDP per person (PPP)GDP per person adjusted for differences in what money buys in each country (purchasing power parity). | $9,776 (PPP)2024 | $24,526 (PPP) | 139th of 199 | Compare GDP per person (PPP) |
| Income per personGross national income per person, converted with the World Bank Atlas method, which smooths exchange rate swings. | $2,1502025 | $14,244 | 163rd of 200 | Compare Income per person |
| InflationThe yearly change in the cost of a typical basket of goods and services bought by households. | 7.7%2025 | 3.0% | 30th of 176 | Compare Inflation |
| Agriculture share of GDPThe share of GDP produced by agriculture, forestry and fishing. | 16.6%2025 | 4.0% | 44th of 194 | Compare Agriculture share of GDP |
| Industry share of GDPThe share of GDP produced by mining, manufacturing, construction, electricity, water and gas. | 29.2%2025 | 25.0% | 58th of 196 | Compare Industry share of GDP |
Money and finance
| Indicator | Laos | World | Rank (1 = highest) | Link |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lending rateThe rate banks charge on loans to their best (prime) customers. Definitions differ between countries. | 22.6%2010 | – | – | Compare Lending rate |
| Real interest rateThe lending interest rate adjusted for inflation, using the GDP deflator. | 12.3%2010 | – | – | Compare Real interest rate |
| Exchange rateHow many units of the local currency one US dollar bought, on average, during the year. | 20,167 LAK per US$2024 | – | 4th of 205 | Compare Exchange rate |
| Private sector creditLoans and other credit provided to businesses and households, as a share of GDP. | 20.9%2010 | 119.2% | – | Compare Private sector credit |
| Bank branchesThe number of commercial bank branches for every 100,000 adults. | 3.02024 | 11.1 | 154th of 167 | Compare Bank branches |
| ATMsThe number of automated teller machines for every 100,000 adults. | 28.32024 | 41.9 | 115th of 171 | Compare ATMs |
Trade and investment
| Indicator | Laos | World | Rank (1 = highest) | Link |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ExportsThe value of goods and services sold to other countries, as a share of GDP. | 33.2%2016 | 27.1% | – | Compare Exports |
| ImportsThe value of goods and services bought from other countries, as a share of GDP. | 41.9%2016 | 26.3% | – | Compare Imports |
| Foreign investmentNew investment by foreign companies and investors into businesses in the country, minus withdrawals. | $988.5 million2024 | $1.6 trillion | 101st of 198 | Compare Foreign investment |
| Remittances receivedMoney sent home by people working abroad, plus other personal transfers into the country. | $246.6 million2024 | $856.6 billion | 130th of 176 | Compare Remittances received |
People and customers
| Indicator | Laos | World | Rank (1 = highest) | Link |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| PopulationThe total number of people living in the country, whatever their legal status or citizenship. | 7.9 million2025 | 8.2 billion | 102nd of 217 | Compare Population |
| Population growthThe yearly change in the total population. | 1.32%2025 | 0.91% | 77th of 217 | Compare Population growth |
| Urban populationThe share of people living in areas defined as urban by each country. | 40.3%2025 | 57.8% | 172nd of 217 | Compare Urban population |
| Population densityThe number of people per square kilometer of land area. | 33.22023 | 62.1 | 167th of 216 | Compare Population density |
| Children (0 to 14)The share of the population aged 14 or younger. | 29.8%2025 | 24.4% | 72nd of 217 | Compare Children (0 to 14) |
| Working age (15 to 64)The share of the population aged 15 to 64, the usual working ages. | 65.4%2025 | 65.2% | 89th of 217 | Compare Working age (15 to 64) |
| Older adults (65+)The share of the population aged 65 or older. | 4.8%2025 | 10.4% | 152nd of 217 | Compare Older adults (65+) |
| Life expectancyHow many years a newborn would be expected to live if current death rates stayed the same. | 69.2 years2024 | 73.5 years | 159th of 217 | Compare Life expectancy |
| College and university enrollmentEnrollment in universities, colleges and other tertiary education, as a share of the population of the usual age for it. Can exceed 100%. | 14.9%2023 | 43.2% | 121st of 139 | Compare College and university enrollment |
| Gini indexA measure of how unequally income or consumption is shared, from 0 (equal) to 100 (one person has everything). Based on household surveys, which some countries run only every few years. | 34.72024 | – | 26th of 62 | Compare Gini index |
Digital and infrastructure
| Indicator | Laos | World | Rank (1 = highest) | Link |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mobile subscriptionsMobile phone subscriptions for every 100 people. Can exceed 100 because many people have more than one SIM card. | 64.82023 | 109.8 | 186th of 209 | Compare Mobile subscriptions |
| Fixed broadbandHome and business broadband internet subscriptions, such as cable, fiber and DSL, for every 100 people. | 2.72023 | 18.6 | 154th of 207 | Compare Fixed broadband |
| Secure serversInternet servers using encryption technology for online transactions, per million people. | 3022024 | 16,381 | 140th of 215 | Compare Secure servers |
| Electricity accessThe share of people with access to electricity. | 96.5%2023 | 91.6% | 150th of 215 | Compare Electricity access |
| Logistics performanceA World Bank survey score for how easy it is to move goods: customs, infrastructure, shipping, tracking and timeliness. Published every few years. | 2.402022 | 3.00 | 119th of 138 | Compare Logistics performance |
Work and jobs
| Indicator | Laos | World | Rank (1 = highest) | Link |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| UnemploymentThe share of people who are available for and looking for work but have none. Modeled estimates from the International Labour Organization. | 1.2%2025 | 4.8% | 177th of 184 | Compare Unemployment |
| Labor forceThe number of people aged 15 and over who are working or looking for work. | 3.7 million2025 | 3.7 billion | 97th of 184 | Compare Labor force |
| Employment rateThe share of people aged 15 and over who have a job. Modeled estimates from the International Labour Organization. | 65.3%2025 | 58.1% | 37th of 184 | Compare Employment rate |
| Women in workThe share of women aged 15 and over who are working or looking for work. Modeled estimates from the International Labour Organization. | 61.6%2025 | 48.9% | 42nd of 184 | Compare Women in work |
Business and government
| Indicator | Laos | World | Rank (1 = highest) | Link |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| New businesses registeredThe number of new limited liability companies registered during the year, from the World Bank Entrepreneurship Database. Sole traders and informal businesses are not counted. | 7,9412024 | – | 88th of 155 | Compare New businesses registered |
| Tax revenueTaxes collected by central government, as a share of GDP. Regional and local taxes are usually not included. | 12.1%2022 | 14.5% | 96th of 120 | Compare Tax revenue |
Other countries in South-eastern Asia
Data: World Bank, World Development Indicators, licensed CC BY 4.0, updated November 2026. Each figure shows the latest year published. World figures are World Bank averages for the same year. Ranks compare countries with data from the last three years of each series. About this data.
Sources
Last reviewed November 3, 2026. Startup costs are estimates; check local prices, licensing and tax rules before you commit money.
