Updated
Overview
Cambodia has 2.3 times the population of Laos: 17.85 million people against 7.87 million (2025).
Cambodia's economy is 2.8 times the size of Laos's, at $51.27B versus $18.30B.
Per person, Cambodia is the wealthier of the two: $2,872 against $2,325 in GDP per capita.
Population
GDP (nominal)
GDP per capita
The full table
| Indicator | Cambodia | Laos | Years | Factbook, Jan 2026 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Economy | ||||
| GDP (nominal) | Higher: $51.27B | $18.30B | 2025 | $46.35B / $16.50B |
| GDP per capita | Higher: $2,872 | $2,325 | 2025 | — / — |
| GDP growth | Higher: 5.3% | 4.5% | 2025 | — / — |
| Inflation | Lower: 2.4% | 7.7% | 2025 | 2.1% / 23.1% |
| Unemployment | Lower: 0.3% | 1.2% | 2025 | — / — |
| Price level (US=100) | 34 | 23 | 2025 / 2024 | — / — |
| Avg monthly earnings | Higher: $279 | $178 | 2023 / 2022 | — / — |
| Minimum wage | — | $79 | — / 2024 | — / — |
| People | ||||
| Population | 17.85 million | 7.87 million | 2025 | 17.23 million / 7.95 million |
| Population growth | 1.2% | 1.3% | 2025 | — / — |
| Median age | 26.2 yrs | 24.9 yrs | 2025 | — / — |
| Fertility rate | 2.51 | 2.36 | 2025 | — / — |
| Life expectancy | Higher: 70.8 yrs | 69.2 yrs | 2024 | — / — |
| Urban population | 41% | 40% | 2025 | — / — |
| Internet users | Higher: 68% | 66% | 2024 | — / — |
| Geography | ||||
| Area | 181,035 km² | 236,800 km² | — | — / — |
| Population density | 98.6/km² | 33.2/km² | 2025 | — / — |
| Environment | ||||
| CO2 emissions | Lower: 22 Mt | 24 Mt | 2024 | — / — |
| CO2 per capita | Lower: 1.2 t | 3.1 t | 2024 | — / — |
| Military | ||||
| Military spending | $720.54M | $22.68M | 2024 / 2013 | — / — |
| Military spending (% GDP) | 1.5% | 0.2% | 2024 / 2013 | — / — |
| Armed forces personnel | 191,000 | 129,000 | 2020 | — / — |
Sources by row: World Bank WDI, IMF WEO, UN WPP 2024, ILOSTAT, The Economist. Emphasis marks the stronger figure where one direction is meaningfully better.
Reading the numbers
Economy
Cambodia is growing faster: 5.3% annual GDP growth versus 4.5%.
Laos runs the hotter price environment: 7.7% inflation versus 2.4%.
Day-to-day prices are noticeably lower in Laos: a price level of 23 versus 34 on a US=100 scale.
Average monthly earnings favour Cambodia: $279 against $178 (ILOSTAT, latest available years).
People and society
Demographically the two are similar, with median ages of 26.2 (Cambodia) and 24.9 (Laos).
Life expectancy is 1.6 years longer in Cambodia (70.8 vs 69.2).
Geography
By land area, Cambodia is 24% smaller than Laos: 181,035 km² versus 236,800 km².
The two share a land border, which shapes their trade, migration, and security relationship.
Cambodia is far more densely settled: 99 people per km² against 33.
Military
Cambodia spends 32 times as much on defence as Laos: $720.54M versus $22.68M (World Bank/SIPRI data).
Relative to its economy, Cambodia carries the heavier military burden: 1.5% of GDP versus 0.2%.
Cambodia fields the larger armed forces: 191,000 personnel against 129,000 (note: personnel data lags; observation years shown in the table).
Frequently asked
- Is Cambodia bigger than Laos?
- Laos is larger by land area. Cambodia covers 181,035 km² while Laos covers 236,800 km², so Laos is 31% larger than the other.
- Which has more people, Cambodia or Laos?
- Cambodia has the larger population: 17.85 million versus 7.87 million (World Bank, 2025).
- Is Cambodia richer than Laos?
- Measured by GDP per capita, Cambodia is richer: $2,872 against $2,325. Total GDP tells the same story: $51.27B for Cambodia versus $18.30B for Laos.
- Who spends more on their military, Cambodia or Laos?
- Cambodia spends more: $720.54M versus $22.68M per year (World Bank, SIPRI-derived data; observation years vary).