Updated
Overview
China has 179 times the population of Laos: 1.41 billion people against 7.87 million (2025).
China's economy is 1,065 times the size of Laos's, at $19.50T versus $18.30B.
Per person, China is the wealthier of the two: $13,862 against $2,325 in GDP per capita.
Population
GDP (nominal)
GDP per capita
The full table
| Indicator | China | Laos | Years | Factbook, Jan 2026 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Economy | ||||
| GDP (nominal) | Higher: $19.50T | $18.30B | 2025 | $18.74T / $16.50B |
| GDP per capita | Higher: $13,862 | $2,325 | 2025 | — / — |
| GDP growth | Higher: 5.0% | 4.5% | 2025 | — / — |
| Inflation | Lower: 0.1% | 7.7% | 2025 | 0.2% / 23.1% |
| Unemployment | 4.6% | Lower: 1.2% | 2025 | — / — |
| Price level (US=100) | 47 | 23 | 2025 / 2024 | — / — |
| Avg monthly earnings | Higher: $807 | $178 | 2022 | — / — |
| Minimum wage | Higher: $268 | $79 | 2024 | — / — |
| Big Mac price | $3.91 | — | — | — / — |
| People | ||||
| Population | 1.41 billion | 7.87 million | 2025 | 1.41 billion / 7.95 million |
| Population growth | -0.2% | 1.3% | 2025 | — / — |
| Median age | 40.1 yrs | 24.9 yrs | 2025 | — / — |
| Fertility rate | 1.02 | 2.36 | 2025 | — / — |
| Life expectancy | Higher: 78.0 yrs | 69.2 yrs | 2024 | — / — |
| Urban population | 66% | 40% | 2025 | — / — |
| Internet users | Higher: 92% | 66% | 2025 / 2024 | — / — |
| Geography | ||||
| Area | 9,596,960 km² | 236,800 km² | — | — / — |
| Population density | 146.6/km² | 33.2/km² | 2025 | — / — |
| Environment | ||||
| CO2 emissions | 12,289 Mt | Lower: 24 Mt | 2024 | — / — |
| CO2 per capita | 8.7 t | Lower: 3.1 t | 2024 | — / — |
| Military | ||||
| Military spending | $313.66B | $22.68M | 2024 / 2013 | — / — |
| Military spending (% GDP) | 1.7% | 0.2% | 2024 / 2013 | — / — |
| Armed forces personnel | 2.5 million | 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
Both economies are growing at a similar pace (5.0% for China, 4.5% for Laos).
Laos runs the hotter price environment: 7.7% inflation versus 0.1%.
Day-to-day prices are noticeably lower in Laos: a price level of 23 versus 47 on a US=100 scale.
Average monthly earnings favour China: $807 against $178 (ILOSTAT, latest available years).
People and society
Laos is the far younger society: median age 24.9 versus 40.1 years.
Life expectancy is 8.8 years longer in China (78.0 vs 69.2).
China is considerably more urbanized: 66% of people live in cities, against 40%.
Internet adoption is higher in China (92% vs 66% of the population).
Geography
By land area, China is 41 times the size of Laos: 9,596,960 km² versus 236,800 km².
The two share a land border, which shapes their trade, migration, and security relationship.
China is far more densely settled: 147 people per km² against 33.
Military
China spends 13,831 times as much on defence as Laos: $313.66B versus $22.68M (World Bank/SIPRI data).
Relative to its economy, China carries the heavier military burden: 1.7% of GDP versus 0.2%.
China fields the larger armed forces: 2.5 million personnel against 129,000 (note: personnel data lags; observation years shown in the table).
Frequently asked
- Is China bigger than Laos?
- China is larger by land area. China covers 9,596,960 km² while Laos covers 236,800 km², so China is 41 times the size of the other.
- Which has more people, China or Laos?
- China has the larger population: 1.41 billion versus 7.87 million (World Bank, 2025).
- Is China richer than Laos?
- Measured by GDP per capita, China is richer: $13,862 against $2,325. Total GDP tells the same story: $19.50T for China versus $18.30B for Laos.
- Who spends more on their military, China or Laos?
- China spends more: $313.66B versus $22.68M per year (World Bank, SIPRI-derived data; observation years vary).