Consumption in Panama

Panama - Consumption
GDP growth records slowest increase since Q1 2021 in Q3
According to a preliminary estimate, GDP growth moderated to 9.5% year on year in the third quarter, from 9.8% in the second quarter. Q3's reading marked the softest growth since Q1 2021.
The services sector grew 10.5% annually in the third quarter, decelerating from the second quarter's 12.2% increase and marking the worst result since Q1 2021. Meanwhile, the industrial sector gained steam, growing 9.5% in Q3 (Q2: +8.6% yoy). Agricultural sector growth edged up to 4.8% in Q3, from the 4.5% increase in the prior quarter.
In Q4, available data suggests economic activity slowing further as lingering base effects work their way out of the series. As a regional trade hub, the country should continue to be affected by the global slowdown. That said, declining inflation throughout the quarter bodes positively for consumer spending, while the recovery in tourist arrivals should continue to support growth ahead.
On the outlook, analysts at the EIU stated:
“After Panama's GDP recovered fully from the 2020 recession in 2022, a slowing global economy will dampen growth in 2023. Infrastructure, transport, tourism and rising output from the Cobre Panamá copper mine will drive expansion thereafter; the country's services-oriented model will help to deliver average annual GDP growth of 4% in 2024-27.”
FocusEconomics Consensus Forecast panelists foresee the economy expanding 4.3% in 2023, which is down 0.1 percentage points from last month’s forecast. For 2024, the economy is seen growing 4.7%.
Panama - Consumption Data
2015 | 2016 | 2017 | 2018 | 2019 | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Consumption (annual variation in %) | 3.6 | 7.6 | 3.7 | 3.2 | - |
Panama Consumption Chart

Source: General Controllership of the Republic of Panama and FocusEconomics calculations.
Panama Facts
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Economic News
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Panama: Inflation increases in December to the highest rate since July
January 13, 2023
Inflation increased to 2.1% in December from November’s 1.5%.
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Panama: GDP growth records slowest increase since Q1 2021 in Q3
December 21, 2022
According to a preliminary estimate, GDP growth moderated to 9.5% year on year in the third quarter, from 9.8% in the second quarter.
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Panama: Economic activity growth slows in September but remains rapid
November 21, 2022
Economic activity rose 12.2% in year-on-year terms in September, which was a deterioration from August's 12.9% increase.
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Panama: Inflation falls to lowest level since June 2021 in October
November 15, 2022
Inflation came in at 1.7% in October, which was down from September’s 1.9%.
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Panama: Economic activity expands at fastest pace in six months in August
October 19, 2022
Economic activity rose 12.8% year on year in August (July: +3.6% yoy).