Lao PDR—Fiscal Balance (% of GDP)
Category: Fiscal & MonetarySource: IMF World Economic Outlook ↗Global Rank: #25 of 192Updated August 2026
Latest Value
1.7%
2031
YoY Change
-5.6%
2030 → 2031
Global Rank
#25
of 192 countries
Maximum
2.4%
2024
Minimum
-5.6%
2015
Last
1.7%
Previous
1.8%
Highest
2.4%
Lowest
-5.6%
Unit
Percent of GDP
Source
IMF World Economic Outlook
Lao PDR's fiscal balance (% of GDP) was 0.4% in 2026, ranking #25 out of 192 countries. This represents a -5.6% change from 2030. Over the past 27 years, the highest recorded value was 2.4% (2024) and the lowest was -5.6% (2015). The IMF WEO projects 1.7% by 2031. Data sourced from the IMF World Economic Outlook.
Actual
IMF Forecast
Source: IMF World Economic Outlook
Historical Data
| Year | Value | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 2031 | 1.7% | -5.6% |
| 2030 | 1.8% | +5.9% |
| 2029 | 1.7% | +0.0% |
| 2028 | 1.7% | -5.6% |
| 2027 | 1.8% | +350.0% |
| 2026 | 0.4% | -75.0% |
| 2025 | 1.6% | -33.3% |
| 2024 | 2.4% | |
| 2023 | 0.0% | -100.0% |
| 2022 | 0.1% | +114.3% |
| 2021 | -0.7% | +87.0% |
| 2020 | -5.4% | -68.8% |
| 2019 | -3.2% | +28.9% |
| 2018 | -4.5% | +18.2% |
| 2017 | -5.5% | -7.8% |
| 2016 | -5.1% | +8.9% |
| 2015 | -5.6% | -80.6% |
| 2014 | -3.1% | +22.5% |
| 2013 | -4.0% | -73.9% |
| 2012 | -2.3% | -64.3% |
| 2011 | -1.4% | +6.7% |
| 2010 | -1.5% | +51.6% |
| 2009 | -3.1% | -63.2% |
| 2008 | -1.9% | -72.7% |
| 2007 | -1.1% | +26.7% |
| 2006 | -1.5% | +40.0% |
| 2005 | -2.5% | -38.9% |
| 2004 | -1.8% | +53.8% |
| 2003 | -3.9% | -39.3% |
| 2002 | -2.8% | +24.3% |
| 2001 | -3.7% | -2.8% |
| 2000 | -3.6% |
IMF Forecast
Projections from the IMF World Economic Outlook. These are staff estimates, not guarantees.
| Year | Projected Value | Change from Previous |
|---|---|---|
| 2026Forecast | 0.4% | -75.0% |
| 2027Forecast | 1.8% | +350.0% |
| 2028Forecast | 1.7% | -5.6% |
| 2029Forecast | 1.7% | +0.0% |
| 2030Forecast | 1.8% | +5.9% |
| 2031Forecast | 1.7% | -5.6% |
Top Countries — Fiscal Balance (% of GDP)
| # | Country | Value | Year |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Kuwait | 27.6% | 2026 |
| 2 | Naoero | 13.1% | 2026 |
| 3 | Norway | 10.2% | 2026 |
| 4 | Oman | 5.2% | 2026 |
| 5 | United Arab Emirates | 4.9% | 2026 |
| 6 | Lesotho | 4.2% | 2026 |
| 7 | Macao SAR, China | 4.2% | 2026 |
| 8 | Singapore | 3.3% | 2026 |
| 9 | Lebanon | 3.3% | 2025 |
| 10 | Liechtenstein | 3.0% | 2026 |
About This Indicator
Definition
General government net lending/borrowing as a percentage of GDP. A positive value indicates a fiscal surplus; negative indicates a deficit.
Methodology
Revenue minus expenditure minus net acquisition of nonfinancial assets, as a percentage of GDP. A comprehensive measure of the fiscal balance.
Unit
Percent of GDP