Merchandise trade (% of GDP) — all countries

Merchandise trade (% of GDP) — Laos

Merchandise trade (% of GDP) in Laos in 2025 — 124.13%. Ranked 14 in the world out of 189. Since 1984, the indicator has risen by 112.4 pp.

2025 124.13% +14.76 pp vs 2024
World rank 14of 189
Period maximum 124.13%2025
Period minimum 10.44%1985

Trend over time

1984–2025 · % of GDP

Merchandise trade (% of GDP) — Laos, 1984–20250501001501984198919941999200420092014201920241984: 11.72%1985: 10.44%1986: 13.56%1987: 25.57%1988: 42.74%1989: 34.73%1990: 30.5%1991: 25.97%1992: 35.73%1993: 50.69%1994: 56.04%1995: 51.03%1996: 54.06%1997: 60.96%1998: 72.1%1999: 57.48%2000: 49.97%2001: 46.93%2002: 42.54%2003: 39.39%2004: 45.47%2005: 52.46%2006: 56.21%2007: 47.12%2008: 45.81%2009: 43.08%2010: 53.37%2011: 52.5%2012: 52.25%2013: 44.6%2014: 52.21%2015: 64.66%2016: 60.44%2017: 61.74%2018: 64.62%2019: 64.45%2020: 60.51%2021: 74.2%2022: 99.83%2023: 101.11%2024: 109.37%2025: 124.13%
Change over the period: +112.4 pp Annual average: 2.74 pp

Comparison, 2025

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

Laos 124.13%
World 43.89%
South-Eastern Asia computed 100.39%
Merchandise trade (% of GDP) — Laos, by year Laos All countries CSV XLSX
Year % Change, pp
2025 124.13 +14.76 pp
2024 109.37 +8.26 pp
2023 101.11 +1.28 pp
2022 99.83 +25.63 pp
2021 74.2 +13.7 pp
2020 60.51 −3.94 pp
2019 64.45 −0.17 pp
2018 64.62 +2.88 pp
2017 61.74 +1.3 pp
2016 60.44 −4.22 pp
2015 64.66 +12.45 pp
2014 52.21 +7.61 pp
2013 44.6 −7.65 pp
2012 52.25 −0.25 pp
2011 52.5 −0.86 pp
2010 53.37 +10.29 pp
2009 43.08 −2.73 pp
2008 45.81 −1.31 pp
2007 47.12 −9.09 pp
2006 56.21 +3.75 pp
2005 52.46 +6.99 pp
2004 45.47 +6.08 pp
2003 39.39 −3.15 pp
2002 42.54 −4.39 pp
2001 46.93 −3.04 pp
2000 49.97 −7.51 pp
1999 57.48 −14.62 pp
1998 72.1 +11.14 pp
1997 60.96 +6.9 pp
1996 54.06 +3.03 pp
1995 51.03 −5 pp
1994 56.04 +5.35 pp
1993 50.69 +14.95 pp
1992 35.73 +9.76 pp
1991 25.97 −4.53 pp
1990 30.5 −4.23 pp
1989 34.73 −8.01 pp
1988 42.74 +17.17 pp
1987 25.57 +12.01 pp
1986 13.56 +3.13 pp
1985 10.44 −1.29 pp
1984 11.72

About the indicator

The sum of exports and imports of goods as a percent of GDP. It differs from trade openness in that services are not counted here, and the difference between the two indicators is exactly what shows the weight of services in a country's foreign trade. The highest values come not from large exporters but from transshipment economies — Singapore, Hong Kong, Luxembourg — where goods are brought in to be sent out again, and both flows are counted in full.

Important: Goods only. The value can exceed 100% of GDP: exports and imports are counted at the full value of the goods while GDP is counted as value added, so in transshipment economies the values run to several hundred percent.

Source: World Development Indicators (World Bank), license CC BY 4.0.