Laos: public finances

How big is Laos's government debt?

The Lao PDR's general government gross debt was 88.8% of GDP in 2025, down from 99.2% in 2024 and 115.7% in 2022, according to the IMF World Economic Outlook database. The IMF projects 79.8% for 2026.

A debt ratio can fall both because debt is repaid and because nominal GDP grows, which it does faster when inflation is high. The IMF uses a common definition so countries can be compared; the Ministry of Finance publishes national public debt figures. Recent years are estimates and are revised in each edition of the database.

Official sources: IMF World Economic Outlook database

Does Laos have a budget deficit?

The Lao PDR's general government recorded a surplus of 1.9% of GDP in 2025, according to the IMF World Economic Outlook database, after a surplus of 2.5% in 2024. The IMF projects a surplus of 1.3% of GDP in 2026.

Net lending or borrowing is revenue minus spending for the general government; a positive number is a surplus. The balance was close to zero in 2022 and 2023. The Ministry of Finance publishes the state budget and its execution reports.

Official sources: IMF World Economic Outlook database

How much tax does the Lao PDR collect?

The Lao PDR collected LAK 64,507 billion in tax revenue in 2025, equal to 17.7% of GDP, according to the Ministry of Finance's Government Finance Statistics report for 2025. VAT brought in LAK 18,204 billion, or 5.0% of GDP, and excise duties LAK 10,580 billion.

Income tax raised LAK 5,826 billion. Domestic revenue, including non-tax income, was LAK 75,749 billion, 117.6% of the revised plan. In the first nine months of 2026 tax revenue reached LAK 58,454 billion, 84.5% of the year's plan, according to the ministry's budget execution table. The ministry publishes these on its reports and statistics page.

Official sources: Government Finance Statistics report for 2025 · budget execution table · reports and statistics page

How much does the Lao government spend?

The Lao government spent LAK 71,404 billion in 2025, equal to 19.5% of GDP and 28.1% more than in 2024, according to the Ministry of Finance's Government Finance Statistics report for 2025. Its 2025 budget execution table shows LAK 20,087 billion on wages and salaries and LAK 9,500 billion on interest.

Capital spending was LAK 17,452 billion. Spending was 87.0% of the revised plan, while revenue and grants of LAK 79,808 billion left a surplus of LAK 8,404 billion. In the first nine months of 2026 spending was LAK 50,279 billion, 64.1% of the year's plan, according to the 2026 budget execution table.

Official sources: Government Finance Statistics report for 2025 · 2025 budget execution table · 2026 budget execution table

How much does the Lao PDR owe abroad?

The Lao PDR's external debt was USD 17.84 billion at the end of 2024, equal to 115.4% of gross national income, according to the World Bank International Debt Statistics. It was 129.2% of income in 2022.

The total covers public and private debt owed to foreign lenders. Paying interest and repaying principal took 19.0% of export earnings in 2024, up from 12.8% in 2023. The Ministry of Finance's 2026 budget execution table plans LAK 10,000 billion of interest on external debt in 2026, out of LAK 12,100 billion in total interest.

Official sources: World Bank International Debt Statistics · 19.0% of export earnings · 2026 budget execution table

What is Laos' debt to GDP ratio?

The latest figure from the IMF, for 2025, is 88.8% of GDP. Its high point since 2005 was 2022, at 115.7% of GDP; its low point was 2011, at 43.0% of GDP. Across East Asia & Pacific the middle value was 45.0% of GDP, and Laos placed 4th highest of 29. Worldwide: 32nd of 185.

What is Laos' budget deficit?

The IMF puts general government net lending or borrowing in Laos at 1.9% of GDP in 2025. The peak was 2.5% of GDP in 2024 and the low -5.6% of GDP in 2015. Across East Asia & Pacific the middle value was -1.7% of GDP, and Laos placed 8th highest of 29. Worldwide: 22nd of 188.

How much revenue does Laos' government raise?

In 2025, general government revenue in Laos was 21.7% of GDP, according to the IMF. The peak was 22.4% of GDP in 2012 and the low 12.8% of GDP in 2005. East Asia & Pacific median: 33.6% of GDP; Laos is 19th highest of 29. Worldwide: 118th of 187.

How much does Laos' government spend?

In 2025, general government spending in Laos was 19.7% of GDP, according to the IMF. Its high point since 2005 was 2015, at 25.8% of GDP; its low point was 2006, at 14.7% of GDP. Across East Asia & Pacific the middle value was 32.9% of GDP, and Laos placed 25th highest of 29. Of 186 countries with 2025 data, 153rd highest.

How much tax does Laos collect?

The latest figure from the IMF, for 2022, is 12.1% of GDP. Its high point since 2008 was 2014, at 13.8% of GDP; its low point was 2020, at 9.4% of GDP. Across East Asia & Pacific the middle value was 16.5% of GDP, and Laos placed 17th highest of 20. World rank, highest first: 91st of 117.