Lao PDR Military Spending
Military expenditure as % of GDP MS.MIL.XPND.GD.ZS
Lao PDR's military spending was 0.19% in 2013, ranked 3rd globally. This represents a 4.8% decrease from 2012. Data from World Bank, covering 1992–2013.
Overview
Lao PDR's military spending stood at 0.19% in 2013, a decline of +0.01% from 2012. Lao PDR ranked 3rd globally.
Lao PDR’s military outlays have contracted dramatically over the 22‑year span covered by the World Bank series, falling from an all‑time peak of 8.68 percent of GDP in 1992 to a trough of 0.19 percent in 2013, the lowest level recorded among the 200‑plus economies surveyed and ranking third globally at the latest date. This decline reflects a shift away from the post‑Cold‑War security posture that prompted many developing states to maintain sizable defence budgets, and coincides with the country’s broader integration into regional economic frameworks that emphasize non‑military development. By contrast, peer nations such as Mauritius also recorded 0.19 percent of GDP in 2013, while Moldova’s share stood at 0.28 percent, underscoring that Lao PDR’s current level is comparable to small, low‑defence economies rather than its historically higher spending. If fiscal priorities continue to favour infrastructure and social services, the share of GDP devoted to the military is likely to remain near the 2013 trough, although any resurgence of regional security tensions could reverse the downward trajectory.
Data & projection
| Year | Military Spending | YoY change | Rank |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2013 | 0.19% | −0.01% | #3 |
| 2012 | 0.20% | −0.01% | #2 |
| 2011 | 0.21% | +0.01% | #2 |
| 2010 | 0.20% | −0.01% | #2 |
| 2009 | 0.22% | −0.06% | #2 |
| 2008 | 0.27% | −0.04% | #3 |
| 2007 | 0.31% | −0.03% | #3 |
| 2006 | 0.34% | −0.05% | #5 |
| 2005 | 0.39% | −0.04% | #6 |
| 2004 | 0.43% | −0.06% | #7 |
| 2003 | 0.49% | −0.09% | #10 |
| 2002 | 0.58% | −0.13% | #10 |
| 2001 | 0.72% | −0.07% | #19 |
| 2000 | 0.79% | −0.27% | #23 |
| 1999 | 1.06% | −1.54% | #30 |
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 military spending improve within 24 months. View full analysis →
Frequently Asked Questions
Lao PDR's military spending was 0.19% in 2013. Ranked 3rd globally. This represents a 4.8% decrease from the previous year.
Lao PDR's military spending peaked at 8.68% in 1992.
The lowest military spending in Lao PDR was 0.19% in 2013.
Lao PDR ranks 3rd globally in military spending as of 2013.
The World Bank indicator code is MS.MIL.XPND.GD.ZS. Data sourced from World Bank.
The military spending of Lao PDR in 2013 was 0.19%. This ranks 3rd in the world.
Cite this page
@misc{historysaid_lao-pdr_military-spending,
title = {Lao PDR Military Spending},
url = {https://historysaid.com/lao-pdr/military-spending/},
publisher = {HistorySaid},
year = {2026}
}