Food imports (% of merchandise imports) — all countries

Food imports (% of merchandise imports) — Laos

Food imports (% of merchandise imports) in Laos in 2023 — 12.69%. Ranked 90 in the world out of 160. Since 1962, the indicator has fallen by 24.44 pp.

2023 12.69% −4.54 pp vs 2022
World rank 90of 160
Period maximum 40.89%1966
Period minimum 4.17%2014

Trend over time

1962–2023 · % of merchandise imports

Food imports (% of merchandise imports) — Laos, 1962–2023020406019621969197619831990199720042011201820231962: 37.13%1963: 30.45%1964: 30.94%1965: 32%1966: 40.89%1967: 38.1%1968: 38.49%1969: 31.35%1970: 23.85%1971: 25.35%1972: 33.85%1973: 33.23%1974: 31.67%2010: 11.35%2011: 7.13%2012: 6.18%2013: 4.17%2014: 4.17%2015: 5.26%2016: 13.25%2017: 12.08%2018: 12.38%2019: 15.68%2020: 19.13%2021: 16.13%2022: 17.23%2023: 12.69%
Change over the period: −24.44 pp Annual average: -0.4 pp

Comparison, 2023

How the value compares with the world and the groups this territory belongs to: Laos

Laos 12.69%
World 8.68%
South-Eastern Asia computed 8.09%
Food imports (% of merchandise imports) — Laos, by year Laos All countries CSV XLSX
Year % Change, pp
2023 12.69 −4.54 pp
2022 17.23 +1.1 pp
2021 16.13 −3 pp
2020 19.13 +3.45 pp
2019 15.68 +3.3 pp
2018 12.38 +0.3 pp
2017 12.08 −1.18 pp
2016 13.25 +7.99 pp
2015 5.26 +1.1 pp
2014 4.17 −0 pp
2013 4.17 −2.01 pp
2012 6.18 −0.95 pp
2011 7.13 −4.22 pp
2010 11.35
1974 31.67 −1.56 pp
1973 33.23 −0.62 pp
1972 33.85 +8.5 pp
1971 25.35 +1.5 pp
1970 23.85 −7.5 pp
1969 31.35 −7.14 pp
1968 38.49 +0.4 pp
1967 38.1 −2.79 pp
1966 40.89 +8.89 pp
1965 32 +1.05 pp
1964 30.94 +0.49 pp
1963 30.45 −6.68 pp
1962 37.13

About the indicator

The share of food in merchandise imports. The indicator reads as a measure of food dependence, but with a caveat: a high share occurs both in rich countries with little agriculture, where food is simply a large item of consumption, and in the poorest ones, where it means vulnerability to world grain prices. Comparing it with food insecurity and with the share of agriculture in the economy helps tell the two cases apart.

Important: A high value is not in itself a sign of trouble: in Singapore and Japan the share is high while the food supply is entirely secure. It is worth looking at together with food insecurity.

Source: UNCTADstat (UNCTAD), license CC BY 3.0 IGO.