Lao PDR Reserves in Months of Imports
Total reserves in months of imports FI.RES.TOTL.MO
Lao PDR's reserves in months of imports was 2.4 in 2025, ranked 104th globally. This represents a 11.3% increase from 2024. Data from World Bank, covering 1988–2025.
Overview
Lao PDR's reserves in months of imports stood at 2.4 in 2025, a rise of +0.2 from 2023. Based on recent trends, this figure is projected to reach 2.4 by 2025. Lao PDR ranked 104th globally.
Lao PDR’s reserves in months of imports have risen from a historic trough of 0.04 in 1988 to an all‑time peak of 7.29 in 2007, reflecting a gradual accumulation of foreign‑exchange buffers over the past four decades. By 2025 the country held reserves equal to 2.41 months of import cover, placing it 104th worldwide and virtually level with Hungary’s 2.42 months and São Tomé and Principe’s 2.40 months. The modest decline from the 2007 high suggests that while the Lao economy has maintained a cushion sufficient to meet short‑term external financing needs, it has not sustained the elevated levels achieved during the pre‑global‑financial‑crisis period. The 37‑year coverage series shows that the reserve ratio has stabilized around the two‑month mark, a threshold often considered the minimum for macro‑economic stability in low‑income economies. Continued export diversification, fiscal consolidation, or external inflows could lift the reserve ratio above the current level, whereas persistent current‑account deficits would risk a downward shift in the trend.
Data & projection
| Year | Reserves in Months of Imports | YoY change | Rank |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026* trend | 2.4 | - | - |
| 2025* trend | 2.4 | - | - |
| 2025 | 2.4 | +0.2 | #104 |
| 2023 | 2.2 | +0.2 | #114 |
| 2022 | 2.0 | −1.0 | #124 |
| 2021 | 3.0 | −0.2 | #121 |
| 2020 | 3.2 | +1.7 | #122 |
| 2019 | 1.5 | +0.1 | #140 |
| 2018 | 1.4 | −0.4 | #142 |
| 2017 | 1.8 | +0.2 | #135 |
| 2016 | 1.6 | −0.2 | #141 |
| 2015 | 1.8 | −0.5 | #137 |
| 2014 | 2.3 | −0.7 | #130 |
| 2013 | 3.0 | −0.9 | #110 |
| 2012 | 3.9 | −1.1 | #84 |
| 2011 | 5.0 | −0.9 | #50 |
| 2010 | 5.9 | −1.4 | #47 |
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 reserves in months of imports improve within 24 months. View full analysis →
Frequently Asked Questions
Lao PDR's reserves in months of imports was 2.4 in 2025. Ranked 104th globally. This represents a 11.3% increase from the previous year.
Lao PDR's reserves in months of imports peaked at 7.3 in 2007.
The lowest reserves in months of imports in Lao PDR was 0.0 in 1988.
Lao PDR ranks 104th globally in reserves in months of imports as of 2025.
The World Bank indicator code is FI.RES.TOTL.MO. Data sourced from World Bank.
Lao PDR's reserves in months of imports is projected to reach 2.4 by 2025 based on trend extrapolation.
The reserves in months of imports of Lao PDR in 2025 was 2.4. This ranks 104th in the world.
Cite this page
@misc{historysaid_lao-pdr_reserves-months-imports,
title = {Lao PDR Reserves in Months of Imports},
url = {https://historysaid.com/lao-pdr/reserves-months-imports/},
publisher = {HistorySaid},
year = {2026}
}