Laos

Low local prices reshape living standards in Laos: GDP per capita ranks 24 places higher on a PPP basis, at 133rd with $10,383 international dollars, than in nominal terms, where US$2,325 places it 157th of 196. The economy held 138th place, between North Macedonia and Tajikistan, as US$ GDP rose 10.9% to US$18.3 billion, mostly through exchange-rate and price effects rather than output. Real growth was +4.5%.

Services make up 43.6% of output, industry 29.2% and agriculture 16.6%, with manufacturing at 9.1%. Inflation ran at 7.7%, unemployment at 1.2% and government gross debt at 88.8% of GDP. US$ GDP remains below its 2020 peak of US$19.0 billion, though it has grown 10.6 times since 2000, when Laos ranked 149th. The economy is about the size of the Bremerton, WA metro area. The IMF projects a +26% rise to US$23.1 billion by 2030, which would place it 135th.