Lao PDR FDI Outflows
Foreign direct investment, net outflows as % of GDP BM.KLT.DINV.WD.GD.ZS
Lao PDR's fdi outflows was -0.07% in 2025, ranked 147th globally. This represents a 152,236.8% decrease from 2024. Data from World Bank, covering 1984–2025.
Overview
Lao PDR's fdi outflows stood at -0.07% in 2025, a decline of +0.07% from 2022. Based on recent trends, this figure is projected to reach -0.07% by 2025. Lao PDR ranked 147th globally.
Lao PDR’s foreign‑direct investment (FDI) outflows have been persistently negative, registering a 2025 outflow of –0.07 % of GDP, which places the country 147th in the World Bank ranking. The modest decline from the earliest recorded –0.06 % in 1984 masks a more volatile history: the all‑time peak of 0.57 % in 2000 was followed by a sharp reversal to the trough of –0.31 % in 2008, after which outflows have hovered near zero. Compared with peer economies of similar rank, Lao PDR’s outflow level aligns with Cameroon (–0.07 %) and Guyana (–0.07 %), suggesting a regional pattern of limited outward investment. The sustained negative balance reflects constrained domestic capital formation and limited overseas project pipelines. Should the government expand incentives for outward investment and improve access to international financing, the trajectory could shift toward modest positive outflows in the coming years.
Data & projection
| Year | FDI Outflows | YoY change | Rank |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025* trend | -0.07% | - | - |
| 2025 | -0.07% | −0.07% | #147 |
| 2022 | 0.00% | +0.00% | #33 |
| 2019 | 0.00% | −0.00% | #33 |
| 2018 | 0.00% | −0.06% | #41 |
| 2017 | 0.06% | −0.04% | #48 |
| 2016 | 0.10% | −0.18% | #51 |
| 2015 | 0.28% | +0.22% | #69 |
| 2014 | 0.05% | +0.29% | #42 |
| 2013 | -0.24% | −0.07% | #17 |
| 2012 | -0.17% | −0.17% | #19 |
| 2011 | 0.00% | −0.46% | #25 |
| 2010 | 0.47% | +0.43% | #75 |
| 2009 | 0.04% | +0.35% | #45 |
| 2008 | -0.31% | −0.82% | #12 |
| 2007 | 0.51% | +0.51% | #70 |
Detected Pattern
Analysis
Lao PDR matched the Export Boom Cycle pattern in 2023. Historically, 71% of countries showing this pattern (546 out of 768) saw fdi outflows improve within 24 months. View full analysis →
Frequently Asked Questions
Lao PDR's fdi outflows was -0.07% in 2025. Ranked 147th globally. This represents a 152,236.8% decrease from the previous year.
Lao PDR's fdi outflows peaked at 0.57% in 2000.
The lowest fdi outflows in Lao PDR was -0.31% in 2008.
Lao PDR ranks 147th globally in fdi outflows as of 2025.
The World Bank indicator code is BM.KLT.DINV.WD.GD.ZS. Data sourced from World Bank.
Lao PDR's fdi outflows is projected to reach -0.07% by 2025 based on trend extrapolation.
The fdi outflows of Lao PDR in 2025 was -0.07%. This ranks 147th in the world.
Cite this page
@misc{historysaid_lao-pdr_fdi-outflows,
title = {Lao PDR FDI Outflows},
url = {https://historysaid.com/lao-pdr/fdi-outflows/},
publisher = {HistorySaid},
year = {2026}
}