Lao PDR: Export value index (2015 = 100)

Key figures

What the numbers say

In 2024, Lao PDR's export value index (2015 = 100) rose 31.9 on 2023 (from 231.4 to 263.3).

Across the 18 yearly changes before that (2006 to 2023), the average change was +11.99 and a typical year strayed about 10.3 from that (the standard deviation). This year's change was 1.9 standard deviations above that average, so it was larger than a typical year, though not out of the range seen before.

On record, the biggest yearly rise was 42.3 in 2021 and the biggest yearly fall was 0.9 in 2009. The numbers show how large and when, not why; for the cause, look at what happened in that country in those years.

From 2015 to 2024 the straight-line trend is upward, about 18.05 a year. A straight line explains 98% of the movement over 10 observed years.

Worked out from the yearly values above. How the checks work: standard deviation, z-scores and straight-line trends.

A straight-line projection, tested first

Extending that straight line gives about 307.96 for 2027. We show this only because the same method, fitted on earlier years, predicted 2022 to 2024 better than "no change" would have: its average miss was 20.85, against 30.07 for assuming no change. Treat it as a continuation of the recent pattern, not a forecast of events: it cannot see a recession, a policy change or a revision to the data.

See how a linear trend forecast works and the guide on forecasting without fooling yourself.

How it compares

In 2024, Lao PDR had the 21st highest value of the 204 economies reporting that year. Higher is not always better: for some indicators the lowest value is the one to aim for. See the full ranking.

Closest to Lao PDR in the 2024 ranking

• Northern Mariana Islands — 18th of 204: 286.4
• Kyrgyz Republic — 19th of 204: 285.1
• São Tomé and Principe — 20th of 204: 264.3
• Burkina Faso — 22nd of 204: 259.4
• Senegal — 23rd of 204: 253.3
• Viet Nam — 24th of 204: 249.8

What this measures

Export values are the current value of exports (f.o.b.) converted to U.S. dollars and expressed as a percentage of the average for the base period (2015). UNCTAD's export value indexes are reported for most economies.

All 20 values

Export value index (2015 = 100) in nearby economies

• American Samoa — 107.4 (2024)
• Australia — 181.6 (2024)
• Brunei Darussalam — 177.3 (2024)
• Cambodia — 311.6 (2024)
• China — 157.3 (2024)
• Fiji — 127 (2024)
• French Polynesia — 124.7 (2024)
• Guam — 145.1 (2024)
• Hong Kong SAR, China — 126.5 (2024)
• Indonesia — 176.1 (2024)
• Japan — 113.1 (2024)

More trade data for Lao PDR

• Import volume index (2015 = 100) — 115 (2024)
• Import value index (2015 = 100) — 150.3 (2024)
• Net barter terms of trade index (2015 = 100) — 155 (2024)
• Export volume index (2015 = 100) — 129.9 (2024)
• Tariff rate, applied, simple mean, manufactured products (%) — 2.49% (2022)
• Tariff rate, most favored nation, simple mean, manufactured products (%) — 7.85% (2022)
• Tariff rate, applied, weighted mean, manufactured products (%) — 1.03% (2022)
• Tariff rate, most favored nation, weighted mean, manufactured products (%) — 8.77% (2022)
• Tariff rate, applied, simple mean, all products (%)

Reading data like this

• Where to find free public data, and how to check it before you trust it — 2 min read
• Data analysis examples: 6 worked from one dataset — 3 min read
• Real change or random noise? A plain guide to reading your numbers — 2 min read

Questions people ask

What is Lao PDR's export value index (2015 = 100)?

263.3 in 2024, according to the World Bank (World Development Indicators).

How has it changed since 2005?

It is up 1,599% from 15.5 in 2005 (16.08% a year on average, compounded). The highest value was 263.3 in 2024 and the lowest 15.5 in 2005.

How does Lao PDR rank?

21st highest of 204 economies with data for 2024.

Source

World Bank, World Development Indicators, indicator TX.VAL.MRCH.XD.WD, licensed CC BY 4.0. Original source: UN Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD) Figures are fetched from the World Bank API and refreshed monthly; see the series on data.worldbank.org. The full definition and method are in the World Bank's metadata glossary. Comparisons use the same World Bank release.

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