Trade as a share of GDP in Laos
Laos: Trade as a share of GDP was 75.1% in 2016. ▲ Rising
Trade as a share of GDP in Laos, 1984–2016
Source: National statistical organizations and central banks, OECD national accounts, and World Bank staff estimates (2026) – processed by Our World in Data. Measured in % of GDP.
Analysis
The most recent figure for trade as a share of gdp in Laos is 75.1%, measured in 2016.
Compared with earlier readings it is down 12.5% on the previous year and down 8.4% over ten years.
Over the whole period, trade as a share of gdp in Laos peaked at 99.1% in 2014 and was at its lowest, 9.1%, in 1984.
Laos ranks 110th of 191 countries on this measure, in the middle of the range.
The long-run direction has been consistently rising across the 33 years of available data.
Trade as a share of GDP in Laos, year by year
| Year | % of GDP | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 1984 | 9.1% | — |
| 1985 | 13.8% | +51.6% |
| 1986 | 11.3% | -18.0% |
| 1987 | 20.1% | +77.8% |
| 1988 | 45.5% | +126.3% |
| 1989 | 44.1% | -3.1% |
| 1990 | 35.8% | -18.8% |
| 1991 | 38.2% | +6.5% |
| 1992 | 44.1% | +15.6% |
| 1993 | 52.6% | +19.3% |
| 1994 | 64.8% | +23.1% |
| 1995 | 60.6% | -6.6% |
| 1996 | 63.8% | +5.3% |
| 1997 | 65.2% | +2.2% |
| 1998 | 84.3% | +29.3% |
| 1999 | 80.1% | -5.0% |
| 2000 | 68.8% | -14.0% |
| 2001 | 65.9% | -4.3% |
| 2002 | 67.3% | +2.1% |
| 2003 | 60.6% | -9.9% |
| 2004 | 66.1% | +9.1% |
| 2005 | 71.8% | +8.6% |
| 2006 | 82.0% | +14.2% |
| 2007 | 79.2% | -3.4% |
| 2008 | 81.8% | +3.3% |
| 2009 | 76.9% | -6.0% |
| 2010 | 84.7% | +10.1% |
| 2011 | 91.7% | +8.2% |
| 2012 | 98.2% | +7.1% |
| 2013 | 98.2% | -0.0% |
| 2014 | 99.1% | +0.9% |
| 2015 | 85.8% | -13.4% |
| 2016 | 75.1% | -12.5% |
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1980s | 24.0% | 9.1% | 45.5% | 6 |
| 1990s | 58.9% | 35.8% | 84.3% | 10 |
| 2000s | 72.0% | 60.6% | 82.0% | 10 |
| 2010s | 90.4% | 75.1% | 99.1% | 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)
- Gross value added at basic prices (GVA) (current LCU), annual growth 12.43 % change on previous year (2025)
- Gross value added at basic prices (GVA) (current LCU), per unit of GDP 18,267 current LCU per US$ of GDP (2025)
- Gross value added at basic prices (GVA) (current LCU), per capita 42.47 million current LCU per person (2025)
- Gross value added at basic prices (GVA) (constant 2015 US$), annual 4.54 % change on previous year (2025)
- Gross value added at basic prices (GVA) (constant 2015 US$), per unit 1.08 constant 2015 US$ per US$ of GDP (2025)
- Gross value added at basic prices (GVA) (constant 2015 US$), per 2,510 constant 2015 US$ per person (2025)
- Gross value added at basic prices (GVA) (constant LCU), annual growth 4.54 % change on previous year (2025)
- Gross value added at basic prices (GVA) (constant LCU), per unit of 7,658 constant LCU per US$ of GDP (2025)
Frequently asked questions
- What is trade as a share of gdp in Laos?
- Trade as a share of gdp in Laos was 75.1% in 2016, according to National statistical organizations and central banks, OECD national accounts, and World Bank staff estimates (2026) – processed by Our World in Data.
- What is the highest trade as a share of gdp recorded in Laos?
- The highest recorded value was 99.1% in 2014.
- What is the lowest trade as a share of gdp recorded in Laos?
- The lowest recorded value was 9.1% in 1984.
- How does Laos rank for trade as a share of gdp?
- Laos ranks 110th out of 191 countries with data for 2016.
- Is trade as a share of gdp rising or falling in Laos?
- Over the last ten years it is down 8.4%. The long-run trend across the full record is rising.
- Where does this Laos data come from?
- The figures come from National statistical organizations and central banks, OECD national accounts, and World Bank staff estimates (2026) – processed by Our World in Data, published as part of Trade as a share of GDP. Statizoid updates them automatically from the source API.
Download this data
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About this data
Trade in goods and services as a share of GDP, shown as a percentage.