Formal Borrowing Statistics in Laos (2026)
As of the 2024 data, 6.5% of adults in Laos borrowed from a formal financial institution, per World Bank Global Findex. Down from 9.1% in 2021 to 6.5% in 2024 (−2.6 percentage points). Laos ranks #16 of 16 economies in East Asia & Pacific on this measure, and #119 of 142 globally.
Key Statistics
- Latest value (2024)
- 6.5% (2024)
- Formal Borrowing in Laos as of 2024, the most recent observation in World Bank Global Findex data.
- Change since 2021
- −2.6 pp (2024)
- Down from 9.1% in 2021 to 6.5% in 2024 (−2.6 percentage points).
- Earliest value in this dataset (2017)
- 8.6% (2017)
- Earliest observation in this dataset, which covers 1990 onward (the source series may begin earlier). Down from 8.6% in 2017 to 6.5% in 2024.
- Peak value (2021)
- 9.1% (2021)
- Highest value in the available series; the 2024 value is 6.5%.
- Rank in East Asia & Pacific
- #16 of 16 (2024)
- Laos ranks 16 of 16 countries in East Asia & Pacific with data, based on each country's latest value.
- Global rank
- #119 of 142 (2024)
- Laos ranks 119 of 142 countries with data globally.
- East Asia & Pacific average
- 33.4% (2024)
- Laos (6.5%) is below the average of 33.4% across the 16 countries in East Asia & Pacific with data.
- Internet use in Laos (2024)
- 65.6% (2024)
- 65.6% of the population in Laos used the internet in 2024 (World Bank); shown for context only.
- Population (2024)
- 7.8 million (2024)
- Laos had a population of 7.8 million in 2024 (World Bank); shown for scale only.
Trend, 2017–2024
| Year | % of adults (age 15+) | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 6.5% | −2.6 pp |
| 2021 | 9.1% | +0.5 pp |
| 2017 | 8.6% | — |
Frequently asked questions
What share of adults in Laos borrowed from a formal financial institution?
6.5% of adults in Laos borrowed from a formal financial institution in 2024, according to World Bank Global Findex data.
How recent is the formal borrowing data for Laos?
The most recent observation is from 2024. World Bank Global Findex data is reported with a lag, so 2024 is the latest available year for Laos.
Where does the formal borrowing data for Laos come from?
The data comes from the World Bank Global Findex (indicator fin22a). The latest observation for Laos is from 2024; the snapshot was retrieved on 2026-06-10.
How has formal borrowing in Laos changed over time?
World Bank Global Findex data show a decline from 8.6% in 2017 to 6.5% in 2024.
How does Laos compare with other countries in East Asia & Pacific?
Laos ranks 16 of 16 countries in East Asia & Pacific with data, with 6.5% versus a regional average of 33.4% (latest values per country).
Source & methodology
Source: World Bank Global Findex, indicator
fin22a, retrieved .
Figures are shown exactly as published in the source dataset; only the change column of the trend table is computed from adjacent published values.Read more on the methodology page. All figures are estimates and projections; this is not financial advice.
Last updated .