Updated
Overview
Vietnam has 13 times the population of Laos: 101.60 million people against 7.87 million (2025).
Vietnam's economy is 28 times the size of Laos's, at $514.70B versus $18.30B.
Per person, Vietnam is the wealthier of the two: $5,066 against $2,325 in GDP per capita.
Population
GDP (nominal)
GDP per capita
The full table
| Indicator | Vietnam | Laos | Years | Factbook, Jan 2026 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Economy | ||||
| GDP (nominal) | Higher: $514.70B | $18.30B | 2025 | $476.39B / $16.50B |
| GDP per capita | Higher: $5,066 | $2,325 | 2025 | — / — |
| GDP growth | Higher: 8.0% | 4.5% | 2025 | — / — |
| Inflation | Lower: 3.3% | 7.7% | 2025 | 3.6% / 23.1% |
| Unemployment | 1.5% | Lower: 1.2% | 2025 | — / — |
| Price level (US=100) | 29 | 23 | 2024 | — / — |
| Avg monthly earnings | Higher: $355 | $178 | 2024 / 2022 | — / — |
| Minimum wage | Higher: $205 | $79 | 2024 | — / — |
| Big Mac price | $2.89 | — | — | — / — |
| People | ||||
| Population | 101.60 million | 7.87 million | 2025 | 106.69 million / 7.95 million |
| Population growth | 0.6% | 1.3% | 2025 | — / — |
| Median age | 33.4 yrs | 24.9 yrs | 2025 | — / — |
| Fertility rate | 1.88 | 2.36 | 2025 | — / — |
| Life expectancy | Higher: 74.7 yrs | 69.2 yrs | 2024 | — / — |
| Urban population | 39% | 40% | 2025 | — / — |
| Internet users | Higher: 84% | 66% | 2024 | — / — |
| Geography | ||||
| Area | 331,212 km² | 236,800 km² | — | — / — |
| Population density | 306.7/km² | 33.2/km² | 2025 | — / — |
| Environment | ||||
| CO2 emissions | 371 Mt | Lower: 24 Mt | 2024 | — / — |
| CO2 per capita | 3.7 t | Lower: 3.1 t | 2024 | — / — |
| Military | ||||
| Military spending | $5.50B | $22.68M | 2018 / 2013 | — / — |
| Military spending (% GDP) | 1.8% | 0.2% | 2018 / 2013 | — / — |
| Armed forces personnel | 522,000 | 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
Vietnam is growing much faster: 8.0% annual GDP growth versus 4.5%.
Laos runs the hotter price environment: 7.7% inflation versus 3.3%.
Average monthly earnings favour Vietnam: $355 against $178 (ILOSTAT, latest available years).
People and society
Laos is the far younger society: median age 24.9 versus 33.4 years.
Life expectancy is 5.5 years longer in Vietnam (74.7 vs 69.2).
Internet adoption is higher in Vietnam (84% vs 66% of the population).
Geography
By land area, Vietnam is 40% larger than Laos: 331,212 km² versus 236,800 km².
The two share a land border, which shapes their trade, migration, and security relationship.
Vietnam is far more densely settled: 307 people per km² against 33.
Military
Vietnam spends 243 times as much on defence as Laos: $5.50B versus $22.68M (World Bank/SIPRI data).
Relative to its economy, Vietnam carries the heavier military burden: 1.8% of GDP versus 0.2%.
Vietnam fields the larger armed forces: 522,000 personnel against 129,000 (note: personnel data lags; observation years shown in the table).
Frequently asked
- Is Vietnam bigger than Laos?
- Vietnam is larger by land area. Vietnam covers 331,212 km² while Laos covers 236,800 km², so Vietnam is 40% larger than the other.
- Which has more people, Vietnam or Laos?
- Vietnam has the larger population: 101.60 million versus 7.87 million (World Bank, 2025).
- Is Vietnam richer than Laos?
- Measured by GDP per capita, Vietnam is richer: $5,066 against $2,325. Total GDP tells the same story: $514.70B for Vietnam versus $18.30B for Laos.
- Who spends more on their military, Vietnam or Laos?
- Vietnam spends more: $5.50B versus $22.68M per year (World Bank, SIPRI-derived data; observation years vary).