Laos GDP Growth Rate (2026)
Laos has a developing Southeast Asian economy supported by hydropower, mining, agriculture, tourism, and infrastructure. This page examines its GDP growth trend, historical performance, regional position, and outlook.
GDP Growth Rate 2026
+4.0%
Annual real GDP growth
World Rank
#56
Out of 195 countries
Change vs 2025
-0.8 pp
2025: +4.8%
Asia Rank
#20
Out of 49 countries
1. Laos GDP Growth Rate in 2026
Lao economic growth is influenced by energy exports, infrastructure investment, tourism, mining, and domestic demand. Debt and currency conditions remain especially important.
2. Laos GDP Growth Rate Trends (1980–2026)
Laos’s growth history has been shaped by hydropower development, mining, regional integration, and major infrastructure projects. External financing has played a central role.
3. Laos GDP Growth Rate (Historical Data)
| Year | GDP Growth Rate | Change (pp) |
|---|---|---|
| 2026 | +4.0% | -0.8 pp |
| 2025 | +4.8% | +0.5 pp |
| 2024 | +4.3% | +0.6 pp |
| 2023 | +3.7% | +1.4 pp |
| 2022 | +2.3% | +0.2 pp |
| 2021 | +2.1% | +2.5 pp |
| 2020 | -0.4% | -5.1 pp |
| 2019 | +4.7% | -1.5 pp |
| 2018 | +6.2% | -0.7 pp |
| 2017 | +6.9% | -0.1 pp |
| 2016 | +7.0% | -0.3 pp |
| 2015 | +7.3% | -0.3 pp |
| 2014 | +7.6% | -0.4 pp |
| 2013 | +8.0% | +0.2 pp |
| 2012 | +7.8% | -0.2 pp |
| 2011 | +8.0% | 0.0 pp |
| 2010 | +8.0% | +0.6 pp |
| 2009 | +7.4% | -0.4 pp |
| 2008 | +7.8% | -0.1 pp |
| 2007 | +7.9% | -1.1 pp |
| 2006 | +9.0% | +2.1 pp |
| 2005 | +6.9% | -0.3 pp |
| 2004 | +7.2% | +1.0 pp |
| 2003 | +6.2% | -0.6 pp |
| 2002 | +6.8% | +2.0 pp |
| 2001 | +4.8% | -1.6 pp |
| 2000 | +6.4% | +2.4 pp |
| 1999 | +4.0% | -0.3 pp |
| 1998 | +4.3% | -2.6 pp |
| 1997 | +6.9% | 0.0 pp |
| 1996 | +6.9% | -0.1 pp |
| 1995 | +7.0% | -1.2 pp |
| 1994 | +8.2% | +2.3 pp |
| 1993 | +5.9% | -1.1 pp |
| 1992 | +7.0% | +3.0 pp |
| 1991 | +4.0% | -2.7 pp |
| 1990 | +6.7% | -3.2 pp |
| 1989 | +9.9% | +12.0 pp |
| 1988 | -2.1% | -1.1 pp |
| 1987 | -1.0% | -5.8 pp |
| 1986 | +4.8% | -4.3 pp |
| 1985 | +9.1% | +2.7 pp |
| 1984 | +6.4% | +3.4 pp |
| 1983 | +3.0% | -1.7 pp |
| 1982 | +4.7% | -10.6 pp |
| 1981 | +15.3% | +5.3 pp |
| 1980 | +10.0% | — |
4. Laos GDP Growth Performance
Current Growth Rate
+4.0%
(2026 to 2026)
5-Year Average
+3.8%
(2022 to 2026)
10-Year Average
+3.9%
(2017 to 2026)
20-Year Average
+5.8%
(2007 to 2026)
The economy benefits from energy exports and improved regional connectivity, while high debt and currency pressures limit financial flexibility.
5. Laos GDP Growth Rate vs Asia and World
Laos
+4.0%
Asia Average
+2.4%
World Average
+2.8%
0.0%
2.0%
4.0%
Annual real GDP growth (%)
Laos’s GDP growth rate is approximately
1.7 pp
above the
Asia average
and
1.2 pp
above the world average.
6. Laos GDP Growth Rate Ranking in Asia
| Rank | Country | GDP Growth Rate |
|---|---|---|
| #16 | China | +4.4% |
| #17 | Timor-Leste | +4.1% |
| #18 | Philippines | +4.1% |
| #19 | Cambodia | +4.0% |
| #20 | Laos | +4.0% |
| #21 | Lebanon | +4.0% |
| #22 | Pakistan | +3.7% |
| #23 | Israel | +3.5% |
| #24 | Singapore | +3.5% |
7. Top 10 Fastest-Growing Countries in the World (2026)
8. GDP Growth Rate and Economy Size in Laos
Laos GDP (Nominal)
$19.0 Billion
(2026)
Laos GDP Growth Rate
+4.0%
(2026)
Laos can grow faster than mature economies due to infrastructure and resource development, but its debt burden creates greater vulnerability than many regional peers.
Explore more:
Laos GDP
9. Laos GDP Growth Rate Forecast
The outlook depends on hydropower, tourism, trade, infrastructure, and debt management. Currency and financing pressures remain major risks.
| Year | GDP Growth Rate | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 2027 | +4.0% | 0.0 pp |
| 2028 | +3.5% | -0.5 pp |
| 2029 | +3.0% | -0.5 pp |
| 2030 | +3.0% | 0.0 pp |
10. Laos GDP Growth Rate: Key Findings
Laos GDP growth rate is estimated at +4.0% in 2026.
It ranks #56 globally and #20 in Asia by annual GDP growth rate.
The growth rate slowed by 0.8 percentage points compared with 2025.
The 5-year average GDP growth rate is +3.8%.
The 10-year average GDP growth rate is +3.9%.
The current rate is 1.7 percentage points above the Asia average.
The current rate is 1.2 percentage points above the world average.
The forecast GDP growth rate is +3.0% in 2030, 1.0 percentage points below the 2026 rate.
11. What Is GDP Growth Rate?
GDP growth rate measures the percentage change in a country’s real gross domestic product from one period to the next, usually year over year.
GDP Growth Rate
=
(Real GDPₜ − Real GDPₜ₋₁)
÷
Real GDPₜ₋₁ × 100
A positive rate indicates economic expansion, while a negative rate indicates contraction. Real GDP growth is preferred for growth comparisons because it adjusts for price changes.
12. Methodology and Data Sources
Primary Source:
International Monetary Fund (IMF)
Additional Source:
World Bank
Measure:
Annual percentage change in real GDP
Unit:
Percent (%)
Comparisons:
Year-to-year rate differences are shown in percentage points (pp)
Update Frequency:
Annually and when new forecasts are released
Last Updated:
November 2026
13. Laos GDP Growth Rate FAQs
Laos GDP growth rate is estimated at +4.0% in 2026.
Laos ranks #56 globally and #20 in Asia by annual GDP growth rate.
The economy is expanding, with real GDP growth of approximately +4.0% in 2026.
Laos GDP growth rate was +7.3% in 2015.
Laos GDP growth rate is 1.7 percentage points above the Asia average.
15. Explore GDP Growth Rate
Disclaimer:
All data are estimates based on IMF, World Bank,
United Nations and related economic datasets.
Figures may differ from official national statistics.