Panama: Economic activity gains steam in April
Latest reading: Economic activity was up 6.0% on a year-on-year basis in April, following 5.1% growth in the previous month. April’s reading was the strongest since March 2025.
Commercial activity remained the main driver, supported by new car sales, firm retail and wholesale trade, and Colón Free Trade Zone reexports. Transport activity also performed strongly by air and sea, the latter as Panama Canal toll revenues and net tonnage continued to rise—lifted by the rerouting of global energy and commercial traffic following the closure of the Strait of Hormuz. Agriculture, construction, financial intermediation, hospitality, leisure services and manufacturing also contributed positively.
On a month-on-month basis, economic activity fell 2.6% in April, following a 3.3% increase in the previous month.