Military spending in Laos
Laos: Military spending was 26.46 million constant 2022 US$ in 2016. ◆ Volatile
Military spending in Laos, 1954–2016
Source: Barnum et al. - Global Military Spending Dataset (2025) – with minor processing by Our World in Data. Measured in constant 2022 US$.
Analysis
In 2016, military spending in Laos stood at 26.46 million constant 2022 US$.
The figure is down 3.1% on the previous year and up 47.7% over ten years.
Over the whole period, military spending in Laos peaked at 197.94 million constant 2022 US$ in 1992 and was at its lowest, 687,576 constant 2022 US$, in 1959.
That places Laos 166th out of 172 countries with data for 2016, putting it in the bottom quarter.
The series is highly variable year to year, so single readings are best treated with caution.
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1950s | 1.74 million constant 2022 US$ | 687,576 constant 2022 US$ | 6.21 million constant 2022 US$ | 6 |
| 1960s | 153.07 million constant 2022 US$ | 64.32 million constant 2022 US$ | 193.40 million constant 2022 US$ | 10 |
| 1970s | 106.31 million constant 2022 US$ | 73.68 million constant 2022 US$ | 143.27 million constant 2022 US$ | 10 |
| 1980s | 100.78 million constant 2022 US$ | 80.00 million constant 2022 US$ | 121.01 million constant 2022 US$ | 10 |
| 1990s | 132.32 million constant 2022 US$ | 33.00 million constant 2022 US$ | 197.94 million constant 2022 US$ | 10 |
| 2000s | 20.31 million constant 2022 US$ | 17.21 million constant 2022 US$ | 27.51 million constant 2022 US$ | 10 |
| 2010s | 24.12 million constant 2022 US$ | 19.32 million constant 2022 US$ | 27.30 million constant 2022 US$ | 7 |
Countries ranked near Laos
- 163 Guinea-Bissau 29.97 million constant 2022 US$ compare
- 164 Mauritius 28.93 million constant 2022 US$ compare
- 165 Sierra Leone 28.24 million constant 2022 US$ compare
- 167 Gambia 18.64 million constant 2022 US$ compare
- 168 Haiti 16.61 million constant 2022 US$ compare
- 169 Cape Verde 14.40 million constant 2022 US$ compare
More reference data data for Laos
- Spring temperature anomalies 0.2805 °C (2026)
- Summer temperature anomalies 0.8819 °C (2026)
- Temperature anomalies by month -0.3578 °C (2026)
- Universal right to vote in practice 2 (2025)
- Autumn temperature anomalies 0.4679 °C (2025)
- Winter temperature anomalies 0.95 °C (2025)
- Consumer price index 317.16 2010 = 100 (2025)
- Universal right to vote 2 (2025)
- Competitive elections 0 (2025)
- Men's universal right to vote 1 (2025)
Frequently asked questions
- What is military spending in Laos?
- Military spending in Laos was 26.46 million constant 2022 US$ in 2016, according to Barnum et al. - Global Military Spending Dataset (2025) – with minor processing by Our World in Data.
- What is the highest military spending recorded in Laos?
- The highest recorded value was 197.94 million constant 2022 US$ in 1992.
- What is the lowest military spending recorded in Laos?
- The lowest recorded value was 687,576 constant 2022 US$ in 1959.
- How does Laos rank for military spending?
- Laos ranks 166th out of 172 countries with data for 2016.
- Is military spending rising or falling in Laos?
- Over the last ten years it is up 47.7%. The long-run trend across the full record is volatile.
- Where does this Laos data come from?
- The figures come from Barnum et al. - Global Military Spending Dataset (2025) – with minor processing by Our World in Data, published as part of Military spending. Statizoid updates them automatically from the source API.
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About this data
This data is expressed in US dollars. It is adjusted for inflation but does not account for differences in the cost of living between countries.