External balance on goods and services (current LCU) in Laos
Laos: External balance on goods and services (current LCU) was -11.21 trillion current LCU in 2016. ◆ Volatile
External balance on goods and services in Laos, 1984–2016
Source: Country official statistics, National Statistical Organizations and/or Central Banks. Measured in current LCU.
Analysis
In 2016, external balance on goods and services in Laos stood at -11.21 trillion current LCU.
That represents a change of up 46.6% on the previous year and down 465.6% over ten years.
Over the whole period, external balance on goods and services in Laos peaked at -2.20 billion current LCU in 1984 and was at its lowest, -20.98 trillion current LCU, in 2015.
That places Laos 185th out of 193 countries with data for 2016, putting it in the bottom quarter.
The series is highly variable year to year, so single readings are best treated with caution.
External balance on goods and services (current LCU) in Laos, year by year
| Year | current LCU | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 1984 | -2.20 billion current LCU | — |
| 1985 | -6.10 billion current LCU | +177.3% |
| 1986 | -6.90 billion current LCU | +13.1% |
| 1987 | -15.10 billion current LCU | +118.8% |
| 1988 | -42.90 billion current LCU | +184.1% |
| 1989 | -82.70 billion current LCU | +92.8% |
| 1990 | -80.80 billion current LCU | -2.3% |
| 1991 | -88.60 billion current LCU | +9.7% |
| 1992 | -81.40 billion current LCU | -8.1% |
| 1993 | -92.30 billion current LCU | +13.4% |
| 1994 | -164.35 billion current LCU | +78.1% |
| 1995 | -200.29 billion current LCU | +21.9% |
| 1996 | -316.83 billion current LCU | +58.2% |
| 1997 | -382.40 billion current LCU | +20.7% |
| 1998 | -479.58 billion current LCU | +25.4% |
| 1999 | -858.04 billion current LCU | +78.9% |
| 2000 | -1.02 trillion current LCU | +19.4% |
| 2001 | -1.59 trillion current LCU | +55.6% |
| 2002 | -1.72 trillion current LCU | +8.1% |
| 2003 | -2.89 trillion current LCU | +67.5% |
| 2004 | -4.07 trillion current LCU | +41.0% |
| 2005 | -4.04 trillion current LCU | -0.7% |
| 2006 | -1.98 trillion current LCU | -50.9% |
| 2007 | -4.86 trillion current LCU | +145.1% |
| 2008 | -7.40 trillion current LCU | +52.2% |
| 2009 | -8.33 trillion current LCU | +12.6% |
| 2010 | -8.21 trillion current LCU | -1.4% |
| 2011 | -7.74 trillion current LCU | -5.8% |
| 2012 | -18.31 trillion current LCU | +136.6% |
| 2013 | -20.49 trillion current LCU | +11.9% |
| 2014 | -18.74 trillion current LCU | -8.5% |
| 2015 | -20.98 trillion current LCU | +11.9% |
| 2016 | -11.21 trillion current LCU | -46.6% |
Laos compared with similar countries
- Laos's -11.21 trillion current LCU is below the median for lower middle income countries, which is -57.12 billion current LCU, 196.3× the median. (45 countries reporting)
- Laos's -11.21 trillion current LCU is below the median for East Asia & Pacific, which is -190.00 million current LCU, 59012.6× the median. (34 countries reporting)
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1980s | -25.98 billion current LCU | -82.70 billion current LCU | -2.20 billion current LCU | 6 |
| 1990s | -274.46 billion current LCU | -858.04 billion current LCU | -80.80 billion current LCU | 10 |
| 2000s | -3.79 trillion current LCU | -8.33 trillion current LCU | -1.02 trillion current LCU | 10 |
| 2010s | -15.10 trillion current LCU | -20.98 trillion current LCU | -7.74 trillion current LCU | 7 |
Countries ranked near Laos
More economy & growth data for Laos
- Africa's Development Dynamics (AfDD) Table 04 - Annual real GDP 3.39 Percent per annum (2029)
- Africa's Development Dynamics (AfDD) Table 02 - Annual real GDP 4.6 Percent per annum (2029)
- SDRs holdings, US dollar, annual growth rate 60.62 % change on previous year (2025)
- SDRs holdings, US dollar, per unit of GDP 0.0083 units per US$ of GDP (2025)
- SDRs holdings, US dollar, per capita 19.21 units per person (2025)
- SDRs holdings, SDR, annual growth rate 52.95 % change on previous year (2025)
- SDRs holdings, SDR, per unit of GDP 0.006 units per US$ of GDP (2025)
- SDRs holdings, SDR, per capita 14.03 units per person (2025)
- IMF holdings of currency, US dollar, annual growth rate 5.01 % change on previous year (2025)
- IMF holdings of currency, US dollar, per unit of GDP 0.0069 units per US$ of GDP (2025)
Frequently asked questions
- What is external balance on goods and services in Laos?
- External balance on goods and services in Laos was -11.21 trillion current LCU in 2016, according to Country official statistics, National Statistical Organizations and/or Central Banks.
- What is the highest external balance on goods and services recorded in Laos?
- The highest recorded value was -2.20 billion current LCU in 1984.
- What is the lowest external balance on goods and services recorded in Laos?
- The lowest recorded value was -20.98 trillion current LCU in 2015.
- How does Laos rank for external balance on goods and services?
- Laos ranks 185th out of 193 countries with data for 2016.
- Is external balance on goods and services rising or falling in Laos?
- Over the last ten years it is down 465.6%. The long-run trend across the full record is volatile.
- Where does this Laos data come from?
- The figures come from Country official statistics, National Statistical Organizations and/or Central Banks, published as part of External balance on goods and services (current LCU). Statizoid updates them automatically from the source API.
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About this data
The balance of international trade in goods and services is the difference between the exports and imports of goods and services. This indicator is expressed in current prices, meaning no adjustment has been made to account for price changes over time. This series is expressed in local currency units.