Updated
Overview
Myanmar (Burma) has 7.0 times the population of Laos: 54.85 million people against 7.87 million (2025).
Myanmar (Burma)'s economy is 4.5 times the size of Laos's, at $81.67B versus $18.30B.
Per person, Laos is the wealthier of the two: $2,325 against $1,489 in GDP per capita.
Population
GDP (nominal)
GDP per capita
The full table
| Indicator | Myanmar (Burma) | Laos | Years | Factbook, Jan 2026 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Economy | ||||
| GDP (nominal) | Higher: $81.67B | $18.30B | 2025 | $74.08B / $16.50B |
| GDP per capita | $1,489 | Higher: $2,325 | 2025 | — / — |
| GDP growth | -2.0% | Higher: 4.5% | 2025 | — / — |
| Inflation | 8.8% | Lower: 7.7% | 2019 / 2025 | — / 23.1% |
| Unemployment | 3.0% | Lower: 1.2% | 2025 | — / — |
| Price level (US=100) | — | 23 | — / 2024 | — / — |
| Avg monthly earnings | $136 | Higher: $178 | 2020 / 2022 | — / — |
| Minimum wage | Higher: $90 | $79 | 2020 / 2024 | — / — |
| People | ||||
| Population | 54.85 million | 7.87 million | 2025 | 57.93 million / 7.95 million |
| Population growth | 0.6% | 1.3% | 2025 | — / — |
| Median age | 30.1 yrs | 24.9 yrs | 2025 | — / — |
| Fertility rate | 2.08 | 2.36 | 2025 | — / — |
| Life expectancy | 67.1 yrs | Higher: 69.2 yrs | 2024 | — / — |
| Urban population | 31% | 40% | 2025 | — / — |
| Internet users | 45% | Higher: 66% | 2020 / 2024 | — / — |
| Geography | ||||
| Area | 676,578 km² | 236,800 km² | — | — / — |
| Population density | 81.1/km² | 33.2/km² | 2025 | — / — |
| Environment | ||||
| CO2 emissions | 32 Mt | Lower: 24 Mt | 2024 | — / — |
| CO2 per capita | Lower: 0.6 t | 3.1 t | 2024 | — / — |
| Military | ||||
| Military spending | $5.01B | $22.68M | 2024 / 2013 | — / — |
| Military spending (% GDP) | 6.8% | 0.2% | 2024 / 2013 | — / — |
| Armed forces personnel | 463,000 | 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
Laos grew while the other economy contracted: 4.5% against -2.0%.
Inflation is comparable in both: 8.8% in Myanmar (Burma) and 7.7% in Laos.
Average monthly earnings favour Laos: $178 against $136 (ILOSTAT, latest available years).
People and society
Laos is the younger society: median age 24.9 versus 30.1 years.
Life expectancy is 2.1 years longer in Laos (69.2 vs 67.1).
Internet adoption is higher in Laos (66% vs 45% of the population).
Geography
By land area, Myanmar (Burma) is 2.9 times the size of Laos: 676,578 km² versus 236,800 km².
The two share a land border, which shapes their trade, migration, and security relationship.
Myanmar (Burma) is far more densely settled: 81 people per km² against 33.
Military
Myanmar (Burma) spends 221 times as much on defence as Laos: $5.01B versus $22.68M (World Bank/SIPRI data).
Relative to its economy, Myanmar (Burma) carries the heavier military burden: 6.8% of GDP versus 0.2%.
Myanmar (Burma) fields the larger armed forces: 463,000 personnel against 129,000 (note: personnel data lags; observation years shown in the table).
Frequently asked
- Is Myanmar (Burma) bigger than Laos?
- Myanmar (Burma) is larger by land area. Myanmar (Burma) covers 676,578 km² while Laos covers 236,800 km², so Myanmar (Burma) is 2.9 times the size of the other.
- Which has more people, Myanmar (Burma) or Laos?
- Myanmar (Burma) has the larger population: 54.85 million versus 7.87 million (World Bank, 2025).
- Is Myanmar (Burma) richer than Laos?
- Measured by GDP per capita, Laos is richer: $2,325 against $1,489. Total GDP tells a different story: $81.67B for Myanmar (Burma) versus $18.30B for Laos.
- Who spends more on their military, Myanmar (Burma) or Laos?
- Myanmar (Burma) spends more: $5.01B versus $22.68M per year (World Bank, SIPRI-derived data; observation years vary).