Lao PDR Interest Payments to Revenue
Interest payments as % of revenue GC.XPN.INTP.RV.ZS
Lao PDR's interest payments to revenue was 10.41% in 2025, ranked 36th globally. This represents a 12.1% decrease from 2024. Data from World Bank, covering 2008–2025.
Overview
Lao PDR's interest payments to revenue stood at 10.41% in 2025, a decline of +1.44pp from 2022. Based on recent trends, this figure is projected to reach 10.41% by 2025. Lao PDR ranked 36th globally.
Lao PDR’s interest payments to revenue have risen sharply over the 16‑year span from 4.69% in 2008 to 10.41% in 2025, placing the country 36th globally. The upward trajectory accelerated after the all‑time trough of 3.21% in 2011, climbing to an all‑time peak of 11.95% in 2020 before easing slightly to the current level. This pattern mirrors the experience of peer economies such as the United Kingdom, which recorded a comparable share of 10.32% in the same year, suggesting that rising debt service burdens are not confined to a single region. The increase reflects higher borrowing costs and expanding public debt, which together compress fiscal space for development spending. If debt issuance slows and interest rates stabilize, the share of interest payments to revenue could plateau or decline; however, continued fiscal deficits or external shocks could sustain upward pressure on the ratio.
Data & projection
| Year | Interest Payments to Revenue | YoY change | Rank |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025* trend | 10.41% | - | - |
| 2025 | 10.41% | −1.44pp | #36 |
| 2022 | 11.85% | +3.87pp | #86 |
| 2021 | 7.98% | −3.97pp | #80 |
| 2020 | 11.95% | +0.63pp | #104 |
| 2019 | 11.32% | +0.83pp | #101 |
| 2018 | 10.49% | +2.15pp | #99 |
| 2017 | 8.33% | +1.70pp | #96 |
| 2016 | 6.63% | +1.91pp | #74 |
| 2015 | 4.72% | +0.78pp | #60 |
| 2014 | 3.94% | −1.19pp | #54 |
| 2013 | 5.13% | +1.65pp | #60 |
| 2012 | 3.48% | +0.26pp | #45 |
| 2011 | 3.21% | −0.07pp | #40 |
| 2010 | 3.29% | +0.06pp | #39 |
| 2009 | 3.23% | −1.46pp | #37 |
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 interest payments to revenue improve within 24 months. View full analysis →
Frequently Asked Questions
Lao PDR's interest payments to revenue was 10.41% in 2025. Ranked 36th globally. This represents a 12.1% decrease from the previous year.
Lao PDR's interest payments to revenue peaked at 11.95% in 2020.
The lowest interest payments to revenue in Lao PDR was 3.21% in 2011.
Lao PDR ranks 36th globally in interest payments to revenue as of 2025.
The World Bank indicator code is GC.XPN.INTP.RV.ZS. Data sourced from World Bank.
Lao PDR's interest payments to revenue is projected to reach 10.41% by 2025 based on trend extrapolation.
The interest payments to revenue of Lao PDR in 2025 was 10.41%. This ranks 36th in the world.
Cite this page
@misc{historysaid_lao-pdr_interest-to-revenue,
title = {Lao PDR Interest Payments to Revenue},
url = {https://historysaid.com/lao-pdr/interest-to-revenue/},
publisher = {HistorySaid},
year = {2026}
}