Photo: Tango7174 · CC BY-SA 4.0 · via Wikimedia Commons, shown in greyscale
Topic 02 of 18 · Country Index 2026
Laos: Economy & Innovation
What does an economy do for the people inside it?
Laos is placed joint 138th of 176 countries on economy & innovation in the Country Index 2026, from 4 of its 4 key statistics. Readings behind it: GDP per Capita (PPP) 8,873 (2025); Firms with a Bank Loan or Line of Credit 21.77 (2025).
Share
Economy & Innovation
joint138th
of 176 countries placed
Placed from 4 of 4 key statistics
- 8,873GDP per Capita (PPP), 2025GDP per capita (constant 2021 international $, PPP)
- 21.77Firms with a Bank Loan or Line of Credit, 2025Firms with a bank loan or line of credit (%)
- -0.703Economic Complexity Index, 2024ECI score (standardised, roughly −3 to +3)
- 37.65Account Ownership at a Financial Institution, 2024Adults with an account (% of population aged 15+)
01The evidence
The 4 key statistics that decide it
Only these place Laos on economy & innovation — one vote each. Every value is the publisher’s own, read at the edition the Country Index 2026 used — or, for a survey-based key, each country’s latest reading; the grey ticks are every other country it was compared with, lowest on the left.
8,873
GDP per capita (constant 2021 international $, PPP)
Higher is better
Laos: 8,873. Across the 185 countries in this edition, values run from 1,067 (Burundi) to 139,593 (Singapore); the world median is 17,265.
- World median
- 17,265
- Best in South-eastern Asia
- 139,593 Singapore
- Land neighbours
- China 25,067 · Cambodia 7,300 · Myanmar 5,137 · Thailand 22,432 · Vietnam 15,457
Key 2 of 4
Firms with a Bank Loan or Line of Credit
World Bank Group
Latest reading per country, 2016–2025 · Laos’s is from 2024 · CC BY 4.0
21.77
Firms with a bank loan or line of credit (%)
Higher is better
Laos: 21.77. Across the 179 countries at their latest reading, values run from 2.113 (Pakistan) to 88.52 (Israel); the world median is 35.95.
- World median
- 35.95
- Best in South-eastern Asia
- 45.89 Thailand
- Land neighbours
- China 29.49 · Cambodia 13.54 · Myanmar 11.33 · Thailand 45.89 · Vietnam 40.52
Key 3 of 4
Economic Complexity Index
Growth Lab at Harvard University
2024 edition · data for 2024 · CC0 1.0
-0.703
ECI score (standardised, roughly −3 to +3)
Higher is better
Ranked 105th of 145 by Growth Lab at Harvard University
Laos: -0.703. Across the 145 countries in this edition, values run from -3.53 (Chad) to 1.729 (Japan); the world median is 0.131.
- World median
- 0.131
- Best in South-eastern Asia
- 1.52 Singapore
- Land neighbours
- China 1.271 · Cambodia 0.031 · Myanmar -0.943 · Thailand 0.812 · Vietnam 0.672
Key 4 of 4
Account Ownership at a Financial Institution
World Bank Group
2024 edition · data for 2024 · CC BY 4.0
37.65
Adults with an account (% of population aged 15+)
Higher is better
Laos: 37.65. Across the 139 countries in this edition, values run from 14.83 (Niger) to 99.85 (Iceland); the world median is 72.83.
- World median
- 72.83
- Best in South-eastern Asia
- 97.97 Singapore
- Land neighbours
- China 89.38 · Cambodia 39.03 · Thailand 91.82 · Vietnam 70.55
02Over time
Which way Laos is moving
Each key’s published value, edition by edition, beside the world median. The Country Index 2026 is the first edition of the standing, so the standing itself has no history to chart yet.
GDP per Capita (PPP)
GDP per capita (constant 2021 international $, PPP) · higher is better
LaosWorld median
Laos rose from 2,899 in 2000 to 8,873 in 2025; the world median went from 10,589 to 17,265.
Every year’s figures
Year Laos World median 2025 8,873 17,265 2024 8,600 18,108 2023 8,372 17,686 2022 8,183 16,933 2021 8,080 16,260 2020 7,996 15,631 2019 8,075 16,761 2018 7,775 16,349 2017 7,432 16,129 2016 7,063 15,512 2015 6,704 14,857 2014 6,341 14,475 2013 5,974 14,681 2012 5,609 14,631 2011 5,267 13,916 2010 4,946 14,101 2009 4,625 13,655 2008 4,367 14,030 2007 4,112 13,755 2006 3,882 12,983 2005 3,631 12,023 2004 3,441 11,608 2003 3,283 11,183 2002 3,143 11,144 2001 3,016 10,907 2000 2,899 10,589 Economic Complexity Index
ECI score (standardised, roughly −3 to +3) · higher is better
LaosWorld median
Laos rose from -1.978 in 2000 to -0.703 in 2024; the world median went from 0.016 to 0.131.
Every year’s figures
Year Laos World median 2024 -0.703 0.1310 2023 -0.869 0.0710 2022 -0.787 0.0580 2021 -0.664 0.0010 2020 -0.833 0.0470 2019 -0.960 0.0300 2018 -0.989 -0.0150 2017 -1.078 0.0080 2016 -1.006 -0.0660 2015 -1.105 -0.0600 2014 -1.086 -0.0190 2013 -1.224 0.0140 2012 -1.461 0.0060 2011 -1.574 -0.0140 2010 -1.373 -0.0020 2009 -1.818 0.0990 2008 -1.344 0.0700 2007 -1.425 -0.0080 2006 -1.477 0.0740 2005 -1.414 0.0510 2004 -1.341 0.0505 2003 -1.597 0.0450 2002 -1.763 0.0100 2001 -1.660 0.0470 2000 -1.978 0.0160 Account Ownership at a Financial Institution
Adults with an account (% of population aged 15+) · higher is better
LaosWorld median
Laos rose from 26.77 in 2011 to 37.65 in 2024; the world median went from 37.03 to 72.83.
Every year’s figures
Year Laos World median 2024 38 73 2021 37 74 2017 29 59 2014 — 52 2011 27 37
03In context
Laos beside its neighbours
A position reads best beside the countries around it. Every position below is a place among all 176 countries on economy & innovation, never a place within the region.
Laos and the countries it borders
Standing among all 176; the key columns are the publishers’ own values.
| Country | Standing | GDP per Capita (PPP)GDP per capita (constant 2021 international $, PPP) | Firms with a Bank Loan or Line of CreditFirms with a bank loan or line of credit (%) | Economic Complexity IndexECI score (standardised, roughly −3 to +3) | Account Ownership at a Financial InstitutionAdults with an account (% of population aged 15+) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 Thailand | 38th | 22,432 | 45.89 | 0.812 | 91.82 |
 China | =46th | 25,067 | 29.49 | 1.271 | 89.38 |
 Vietnam | =73rd | 15,457 | 40.52 | 0.672 | 70.55 |
 Cambodia | =138th | 7,300 | 13.54 | 0.031 | 39.03 |
| Laos | =138th | 8,873 | 21.77 | -0.703 | 37.65 |
 Myanmar | 155th | 5,137 | 11.33 | -0.943 | — |
“—”: no published reading in that edition. What a standing is
Across South-eastern Asia
Every country in the sub-region, by its place among all 176.
Placed either side on economy & innovation
The countries immediately above and below Laos in the topic’s list.
04Context, no vote
Where Laos is ahead of the world, and behind
44 more statistics filed under economy & innovation, published in full and deliberately given no vote in the standing. Select a row for the publisher, the rank and the links.
Ahead of the world median6
Statistics on which Laos does better than the middle country measured.
Livestock Production IndexFAO · 2022 · world median 107.06183.17107.06▲ Improved since 2012
Laos: 183.17 · world median 107.06 · Livestock production index (2014–2016 = 100). Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), 2022 edition, data for 2022.
Published values in that edition run from 35.52 to 190.08; higher is better.
Position 6th of 194 · derived.
Management Practices IndexWorld Bank Group · 2026 · world median 52.3961.1152.39No earlier reading
Laos: 61.11 · world median 52.39 · Management practices index, medium and large firms (0–100). World Bank Group, 2026 edition, data for 2026.
Published values in that edition run from 28.07 to 69.29; higher is better.
Position 29th of 169 · derived.
Informal Output (DGE Model Estimate)World Bank Group (Prospects Group) · 2020 · world median 27.52027.5▲ Improved since 2010
Laos: 20 · world median 27.5 · Informal output, model estimate (% of official GDP). World Bank Group (Prospects Group), 2020 edition, data for 2020.
Published values in that edition run from 7.91 to 60.43; lower is better.
GDP GrowthWorld Bank Group · 2025 · world median 3.3964.5383.396▼ Worsened since 2015
Laos: 4.538 · world median 3.396 · GDP growth (annual %). World Bank Group, 2025 edition, data for 2025.
Published values in that edition run from -5.847 to 19.34; higher is better.
Position 55th of 186 · derived.
Food Production IndexFAO · 2022 · world median 106.08114.84106.08▲ Improved since 2012
Laos: 114.84 · world median 106.08 · Food production index (2014–2016 = 100). Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), 2022 edition, data for 2022.
Published values in that edition run from 71.08 to 177.49; higher is better.
Position 61st of 195 · derived.
Crop Production IndexFAO · 2022 · world median 106.23113.65106.23▲ Improved since 2012
Laos: 113.65 · world median 106.23 · Crop production index (2014–2016 = 100). Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), 2022 edition, data for 2022.
Published values in that edition run from 53.79 to 189.93; higher is better.
Position 66th of 195 · derived.
Behind the world median20
Statistics on which Laos does worse than the middle country measured.
Firms Competing Against Informal FirmsWorld Bank Group · 2026 · world median 41.8149.4741.81No earlier reading
Laos: 49.47 · world median 41.81 · Firms competing against unregistered or informal firms (%). World Bank Group, 2026 edition, data for 2026.
Published values in that edition run from 1.926 to 90.5; lower is better.
Position 69th of 181 · derived, 1st = worst.
Comprehensive Wealth per CapitaWorld Bank Group · 2020 · world median 46,48628,00946,486▼ Worsened since 2010
Laos: 28,009 · world median 46,486 · National comprehensive wealth per person (real chained 2019 US$). World Bank Group, 2020 edition, data for 2020.
Published values in that edition run from 4,276 to 1,246,092; higher is better.
Position 94th of 150 · derived.
Government AI Readiness IndexOxford Insights · 2025 · world median 40.1929.9240.19▲ Improved since 2020
Laos: 29.92 · world median 40.19 · AI readiness score (0–100). Oxford Insights, 2025 edition, data for 2025.
Published values in that edition run from 12.12 to 88.36; higher is better.
Ranked 125th of 195 by Oxford Insights.
New Business DensityWorld Bank Group · 2024 · world median 2.1871.5692.187▲ Improved since 2014
Laos: 1.569 · world median 2.187 · New limited liability companies registered per 1,000 people aged 15–64. World Bank Group, 2024 edition, data for 2024.
Published values in that edition run from 0.02 to 26.76; higher is better.
Gini Index of Disposable Income (SWIID)Frederick Solt, University of Iowa · 2023 · world median 3336.833▼ Worsened since 2013
Laos: 36.8 · world median 33 · Gini index of disposable household income (0–100), SWIID estimate. Frederick Solt, University of Iowa, 2023 edition, data for 2023.
Published values in that edition run from 22.3 to 51.2; lower is better.
Position 27th of 79 · derived, 1st = worst.
Historical GDP per Capita (Maddison)GGDC · 2022 · world median 12,8907,16812,890▲ Improved since 2012
Laos: 7,168 · world median 12,890 · GDP per capita (2011 international $). Maddison Project, Groningen Growth and Development Centre (GGDC), 2022 edition, data for 2022.
Published values in that edition run from 596.39 to 149,171; higher is better.
Position 111th of 166 · derived.
Debt Service on External DebtWorld Bank Group · 2024 · world median 12.9319.0412.93▼ Worsened since 2014
Laos: 19.04 · world median 12.93 · Total debt service (% of exports of goods, services and primary income). World Bank Group, 2024 edition, data for 2024.
Published values in that edition run from 0.285 to 96.2; lower is better.
Position 34th of 109 · derived, 1st = worst.
Frontier Technology Readiness IndexUNCTAD · 2023 · world median 0.4850.3250.485▲ Improved since 2013
Laos: 0.325 · world median 0.485 · Frontier Technology Readiness Index (0–1). UN Trade and Development (UNCTAD), 2023 edition, data for 2023.
Published values in that edition run from 0 to 1; higher is better.
Position 123rd of 170 · derived.
Regulatory QualityWorld Bank Group · 2025 · world median -0.093-0.66-0.093▲ Improved since 2015
Laos: -0.66 · world median -0.093 · Regulatory Quality (−2.5 to 2.5). World Bank Group, 2025 edition, data for 2025.
Published values in that edition run from -2.106 to 2.113; higher is better.
Position 154th of 209 · derived.
Productive Capacities IndexUNCTAD · 2022 · world median 46.6737.5346.67No real change since 2012
Laos: 37.53 · world median 46.67 · Productive Capacities Index (1–100). UN Trade and Development (UNCTAD), 2022 edition, data for 2022.
Published values in that edition run from 17.8 to 71.02; higher is better.
Position 145th of 195 · derived.
Global Innovation IndexWorld Intellectual Property Organization · 2025 · world median 28.5220.1228.52▲ Improved since 2022
Laos: 20.12 · world median 28.52 · GII score (0–100). World Intellectual Property Organization, 2025 edition, data for 2025.
Published values in that edition run from 11.94 to 65.96; higher is better.
Ranked 109th of 139 by World Intellectual Property Organization.
Total Factor Productivity LevelGGDC · 2023 · world median 0.6270.4330.627No real change since 2013
Laos: 0.433 · world median 0.627 · TFP level at current PPPs (USA = 1). Groningen Growth and Development Centre (GGDC), 2023 edition, data for 2023.
Published values in that edition run from 0.052 to 1.192; higher is better.
Actual Individual Consumption per Capita (PPP)World Bank Group · 2021 · world median 12,8004,29612,800▼ Worsened since 2017
Laos: 4,296 · world median 12,800 · Actual individual consumption per capita (PPP, current international $). World Bank Group, 2021 edition, data for 2021.
Published values in that edition run from 688.7 to 52,654; higher is better.
Position 137th of 173 · derived.
Digitally-Deliverable Services ExportsUNCTAD · 2024 · world median 25.428.21125.42▲ Improved since 2014
Laos: 8.211 · world median 25.42 · Digitally-deliverable services exports (% of services exports). UN Trade and Development (UNCTAD), 2024 edition, data for 2024.
Published values in that edition run from 0.377 to 87.15; higher is better.
Position 136th of 170 · derived.
Logistics Performance IndexWorld Bank Group · 2023 · world median 2.92.42.9▼ Worsened since 2014
Laos: 2.4 · world median 2.9 · LPI score (1–5). World Bank Group, 2023 edition, data for 2023.
Published values in that edition run from 1.9 to 4.3; higher is better.
Ranked 115th of 139 by World Bank Group.
Firms with an International Quality CertificationWorld Bank Group · 2026 · world median 10.41.33110.4No earlier reading
Laos: 1.331 · world median 10.4 · Firms with an internationally recognised quality certification (%). World Bank Group, 2026 edition, data for 2026.
Published values in that edition run from 0 to 45.77; higher is better.
Water-Use EfficiencyFAO · 2023 · world median 16.12.216.1No real change since 2013
Laos: 2.2 · world median 16.1 · Value added per cubic metre of freshwater withdrawn (constant US$ per m³). Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), 2023 edition, data for 2023.
Published values in that edition run from 0.38 to 1,378; higher is better.
Interest Payments on External DebtWorld Bank Group · 2024 · world median 1.4514.891.451▼ Worsened since 2014
Laos: 4.89 · world median 1.451 · Interest payments on external debt (% of GNI). World Bank Group, 2024 edition, data for 2024.
Published values in that edition run from 0.069 to 17.92; lower is better.
Position 6th of 112 · derived, 1st = worst.
External Debt Stocks (% of GNI)World Bank Group · 2024 · world median 43.94115.443.94▼ Worsened since 2014
Laos: 115.4 · world median 43.94 · External debt stocks (% of GNI). World Bank Group, 2024 edition, data for 2024.
Published values in that edition run from 2.213 to 350.57; lower is better.
Position 5th of 110 · derived, 1st = worst.
Researchers per Million InhabitantsUIS · 2024 · world median 701.9515.63701.95No earlier reading
Laos: 15.63 · world median 701.95 · Researchers per million inhabitants (full-time equivalent). UNESCO Institute for Statistics (UIS), 2024 edition, data for 2024.
Published values in that edition run from 1.446 to 18,130; higher is better.
Position 143rd of 145 · derived.
No better end18
These describe the shape of a country — more is not better or worse, only different — so they are never ahead or behind.
Terms of Trade IndexUNCTAD · 2025 · world median 103.23163.48103.23Moved since 2015
Laos: 163.48 · world median 103.23 · Terms of trade index (2015 = 100). UN Trade and Development (UNCTAD), 2025 edition, data for 2025.
Published values in that edition run from 38.2 to 1,448.
Foreign Direct Investment InflowsUNCTAD · 2025 · world median 1.9687.8841.968Moved since 2015
Laos: 7.884 · world median 1.968 · FDI inflows (% of GDP). UN Trade and Development (UNCTAD), 2025 edition, data for 2025.
Published values in that edition run from -32.97 to 2,221.
Inflation, GDP DeflatorWorld Bank Group · 2025 · world median 3.3067.5493.306Moved since 2015
Laos: 7.549 · world median 3.306 · Annual change in the GDP implicit deflator (%). World Bank Group, 2025 edition, data for 2025.
Published values in that edition run from -7.93 to 227.09.
Agriculture, Forestry and Fishing Value Added (% of GDP)World Bank Group · 2025 · world median 6.57216.626.572No real change since 2015
Laos: 16.62 · world median 6.572 · Agriculture, forestry and fishing value added (% of GDP). World Bank Group, 2025 edition, data for 2025.
Published values in that edition run from 0.025 to 47.59.
Position 35th of 158 · derived, counted from the highest value.
Industry Value Added including Construction (% of GDP)World Bank Group · 2025 · world median 24.6529.1724.65No real change since 2015
Laos: 29.17 · world median 24.65 · Industry, including construction, value added (% of GDP). World Bank Group, 2025 edition, data for 2025.
Published values in that edition run from 2.228 to 75.09.
Position 49th of 158 · derived, counted from the highest value.
Total Natural Resources Rents (% of GDP)World Bank Group · 2021 · world median 1.7085.3831.708Moved since 2011
Laos: 5.383 · world median 1.708 · Natural resources rents (% of GDP). World Bank Group, 2021 edition, data for 2021.
Published values in that edition run from 0 to 61.03.
Position 66th of 180 · derived, counted from the highest value.
Commodity Export DependenceUNCTAD · 2024 · world median 67.1769.8167.17Moved since 2014
Laos: 69.81 · world median 67.17 · Commodity exports (% of merchandise exports, three-year average). UN Trade and Development (UNCTAD), 2024 edition, data for 2024.
Published values in that edition run from 4.605 to 99.77.
Services ExportsUNCTAD · 2025 · world median 9.6029.6029.602Moved since 2015
Laos: 9.602 · world median 9.602 · Services exports (% of GDP). UN Trade and Development (UNCTAD), 2025 edition, data for 2025.
Published values in that edition run from 0.085 to 166.21.
Manufacturing Value Added (% of GDP)World Bank Group · 2025 · world median 11.269.11411.26No real change since 2015
Laos: 9.114 · world median 11.26 · Manufacturing value added (% of GDP). World Bank Group, 2025 edition, data for 2025.
Published values in that edition run from 0.481 to 43.97.
Position 84th of 132 · derived, counted from the highest value.
Scholarly ArticlesOurResearch · 2025 · world median 2,2406432,240Moved since 2022
Laos: 643 · world median 2,240 · Articles with at least one author at an institution in the country (full counting). OpenAlex (OurResearch), 2025 edition, data for 2025.
Published values in that edition run from 1 to 1,094,890.
Complexity Outlook IndexGrowth Lab at Harvard University · 2024 · world median -0.225-0.831-0.225Moved since 2014
Laos: -0.831 · world median -0.225 · Complexity Outlook Index (standardised; roughly −2.5 to +3). Growth Lab at Harvard University, 2024 edition, data for 2024.
Published values in that edition run from -1.682 to 2.878.
Foreign Value Added Share of Gross ExportsOECD · 2022 · world median 27.4119.2727.41No real change since 2012
Laos: 19.27 · world median 27.41 · Foreign value added (% of gross exports). OECD, 2022 edition, data for 2022.
Published values in that edition run from 4.491 to 66.08.
Tariff Rate, Applied, Weighted Mean, All ProductsWorld Bank Group · 2022 · world median 3.661.413.66Moved since 2014
Laos: 1.41 · world median 3.66 · Applied tariff rate, trade-weighted mean (%). World Bank Group, 2022 edition, data for 2022.
Published values in that edition run from 0 to 29.52.
Statutory Minimum WageILO · 2024 · world median 657.95285.95657.95Moved since 2014
Laos: 285.95 · world median 657.95 · Statutory minimum wage per month (2021 PPP $). International Labour Organization (ILO), 2024 edition, data for 2024.
Published values in that edition run from 4.038 to 3,804.
Export Concentration IndexUNCTAD · 2025 · world median 0.3060.1820.306Moved since 2015
Laos: 0.182 · world median 0.306 · Export concentration index (0–1, normalised Herfindahl–Hirschman). UN Trade and Development (UNCTAD), 2025 edition, data for 2025.
Published values in that edition run from 0.059 to 0.933.
Tax Revenue (% of GDP)OECD · 2024 · world median 21.8512.7321.85No real change since 2014
Laos: 12.73 · world median 21.85 · Total tax revenue, all levels of government (% of GDP). OECD, 2024 edition, data for 2024.
Published values in that edition run from 3.11 to 45.18.
Merchant Fleet by Country of OwnershipUNCTAD · 2026 · world median 275.730275.73Moved since 2016
Laos: 0 · world median 275.73 · Merchant fleet owned (thousand dead-weight tons). UN Trade and Development (UNCTAD), 2026 edition, data for 2026.
Published values in that edition run from 0 to 397,071.
Price Level of Household ConsumptionGGDC · 2023 · world median 0.5230.2390.523Moved since 2013
Laos: 0.239 · world median 0.523 · Price level of household consumption (US output price level in 2021 = 1). Groningen Growth and Development Centre (GGDC), 2023 edition, data for 2023.
Published values in that edition run from 0.177 to 65.54.
No current reading for Laos
Adjusted Net Savings (last 2016), Average Monthly Earnings of Employees (last 2022), Business Ready: Operational Efficiency, Business Ready: Public Services, Business Ready: Regulatory Framework, Container Port Traffic, Creative Goods Exports (last 2023), Creative Services Exports, Exports of Goods and Services (% of GDP) (last 2016), General Government Consumption (last 2016), Gini Index (last 2018), GNI per Capita (PPP) (last 2021), Gross Capital Formation (% of GDP) (last 2016), Gross Savings (% of GDP) (last 2016), Household Consumption (last 2016), ICT Goods Exports (last 2023), ICT Services Exports (last 2023), Imports of Goods and Services (% of GDP) (last 2016), Income Share Held by Lowest 20% (last 2018), Income Share Held by Richest 10% (last 2018), Liner Shipping Connectivity Index, Palma Ratio (last 2018), Research and Development Spending (last 2002), Statutory Corporate Income Tax Rate, Trade (% of GDP) (last 2016) and World Energy Trilemma Index. Listed rather than hidden, so the page can be checked against it.
“Position · derived” is this site’s ordering of the published values, 1st = best unless the row says otherwise; the publisher ranks no country on it. Rank, position and standing
05Country Index 2026
Economy & Innovation among Laos’s 15 topics
Economy & Innovation is Laos’s 13th best-placed topic of 15. Strongest first, each marker at its share of that topic’s field.
- Energy30th of 1652/3 keys
- Work & Labour52nd of 1824/4 keys
- Environment & Sustainability57th of 1864/4 keys
- Peace & Security82nd of 1773/4 keys
- Gender & Equality90th of 1834/4 keys
- Food & Agriculture99th of 1843/4 keys
- Risk & Resiliencejoint 104th of 1934/4 keys
- Governance & Institutions134th of 1944/4 keys
- Health & Wellbeing146th of 2004/4 keys
- Poverty & Inequalityjoint 119th of 1593/3 keys
- Development & Human Capitaljoint 147th of 1963/3 keys
- Digital & Technology153rd of 1984/4 keys
- Economy & Innovationjoint 138th of 1764/4 keys
- Education & Knowledge170th of 1984/4 keys
- Democracy & Civil Liberties176th of 1984/4 keys
No standing on Mobility & Trade: too few of those topics’ key statistics are published for this country.
06The top of the list
Who leads on economy & innovation
The three countries placed highest of 176, and the leaders Laos can most readily be measured against.
1
AustriaWestern Europe
1st of 176 · 4 of 4 keys
Photo: chensiyuan · CC BY-SA 4.0, greyscale
2
JapanEastern Asia
2nd of 176 · 4 of 4 keys
Photo: JurriaanH · CC BY-SA 3.0, greyscale
3
GermanyWestern Europe
3rd of 176 · 4 of 4 keys
Placed highest nearby
Highest in Asia
Japan2nd4/4 keysHighest in South-eastern Asia
Singapore=24th4/4 keysThis page
Laos=138th4/4 keys
Positions out of 176 placed on the topic. A country needs readings on enough keys to be placed, and the top of the list is often held on fewer of them.
07Analysis
Charts and analysis about Laos and economy & innovation
On economy & innovation
China Leads Global High-Technology Exports
The world’s ten largest high-technology exporters as a treemap, with the rest of the world beside them. Each country’s figure is its own most recent year, between 2022 and 2024.
On economy & innovation
India vs Pakistan 2025: Comparison of Hunger Index, Happiness, HDI, Rule of Law, Literacy & GDP
India and Pakistan on six published measures: hunger, happiness, human development, rule of law, literacy and GDP per capita, each from its own publisher and year.
On economy & innovation
Countries in Asia with the highest average salaries 2024
Thirteen Asian countries by gross average monthly wage, each carrying its WORLD rank rather than an Asian one — so the numbers skip, from 11th place to 45th.
08Questions
Laos on economy & innovation: questions answered
Every answer is built from the numbers on this page, so none can say something the page does not.
How does Laos rank on economy & innovation?
Laos is placed joint 138th of 176 countries on Economy & Innovation in the Country Index 2026, from 4 of its 4 key statistics (GDP per Capita (PPP), Firms with a Bank Loan or Line of Credit, Economic Complexity Index and Account Ownership at a Financial Institution). The position is this site’s ordering of published statistics, not a rank any publisher printed.
What is the latest GDP per Capita (PPP) figure for Laos?
8,873 in 2025 (gDP per capita (constant 2021 international $, PPP)), according to World Bank Group. The world median in the same edition was 17,265.
What is the latest Firms with a Bank Loan or Line of Credit figure for Laos?
21.77 in 2025 (firms with a bank loan or line of credit (%)), according to World Bank Group. The world median in the same edition was 35.95.
How does Laos compare with China on economy & innovation?
China is placed joint 46th of 176, and Laos joint 138th. GDP per Capita (PPP): China 25,067, Laos 8,873; Firms with a Bank Loan or Line of Credit: China 29.49, Laos 21.77; Economic Complexity Index: China 1.271, Laos -0.703; Account Ownership at a Financial Institution: China 89.38, Laos 37.65.
How have Laos’s economy & innovation figures changed?
GDP per Capita (PPP) rose from 2,899 in 2000 to 8,873 in 2025; Economic Complexity Index rose from -1.978 in 2000 to -0.703 in 2024; Account Ownership at a Financial Institution rose from 26.77 in 2011 to 37.65 in 2024.
Which economy & innovation statistics are missing for Laos?
No current reading is published for Laos on Adjusted Net Savings, Average Monthly Earnings of Employees, Business Ready: Operational Efficiency, Business Ready: Public Services, Business Ready: Regulatory Framework, Container Port Traffic, Creative Goods Exports, Creative Services Exports, Exports of Goods and Services (% of GDP), General Government Consumption, Gini Index, GNI per Capita (PPP), Gross Capital Formation (% of GDP), Gross Savings (% of GDP), Household Consumption, ICT Goods Exports, ICT Services Exports, Imports of Goods and Services (% of GDP), Income Share Held by Lowest 20%, Income Share Held by Richest 10%, Liner Shipping Connectivity Index, Palma Ratio, Research and Development Spending, Statutory Corporate Income Tax Rate, Trade (% of GDP) and World Energy Trilemma Index. They are listed rather than hidden, so the evidence on the page can be checked against it.
09Method
Method, sources and how to cite
What this topic does not measure
The total size of an economy is deliberately left out: a very large economy spread over a very large population is not doing more for each person. Growth rates, trade shares and the structure of output (how much is farming, industry or services) are published here as context, because they describe an economy's shape rather than how well it serves people. Jobs and wages have their own topic, Work & Labour.
How the Economy & Innovation standing is decided
A standing is this site’s ordering, named with its edition — never a publisher’s rank. 4 key statistics vote, one vote each; every country’s published value becomes a place within that key’s own field, the places are averaged, and the average is never published. A country needs 2 of the 4 keys to be placed.
The economy & innovation method, step by stepHow every standing on this site is built
The key statistics and their licences
- GDP per Capita (PPP) — World Bank Group, CC BY 4.0
- Firms with a Bank Loan or Line of Credit — World Bank Group, CC BY 4.0
- Economic Complexity Index — Growth Lab at Harvard University, CC0 1.0
- Account Ownership at a Financial Institution — World Bank Group, CC BY 4.0
The other 44 statistics on this page come from 14 publishers, each named beside its numbers, with every edition and licence on the datasets pages.
The standing itself is part of the Country Index 2026, published under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Photographs
Laos’s banner and the countries placed highest, from their profiles: Wikimedia Commons, shown in greyscale, each used under the licence named.
- Laos (banner) — Tango7174, CC BY-SA 4.0
- Austria — chensiyuan, CC BY-SA 4.0
- Japan — JurriaanH, CC BY-SA 3.0
- Germany — dronepicr, CC BY 2.0
Cite this page
Nations Inquiry (2026). Laos: Economy & Innovation — standing and statistics, Country Index 2026. https://nationsinquiry.com/countries/laos/economy