Laos: Trade balance, percent of GDP

The latest value from 2016 is -8.67 percent, an increase from -17.89 percent in 2015. In comparison, the world average is -5.01 percent, based on data from 172 countries. Historically, the average for Laos from 1984 to 2016 is -12.83 percent. The minimum value, -22.43 percent, was reached in 2012 while the maximum of -3.58 percent was recorded in 1984. See the global rankings for that indicator or use the country comparator to compare trends over time.

The trade balance for Laos and other countries is calculated as the difference between the exports and imports of goods and services, as percent of GDP. A positive number means trade surplus and a negative number means trade deficit.

Definition: 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 as a percentage of Gross Domestic Product (GDP) which is the total income earned through the production of goods and services in an economic territory during an accounting period.