The skyline in Panama City, Panama

Panamá Economy

Panama's economy in numbers:

Nominal GDP of USD 76.5 billion in 2022.

GDP per capita of USD 17,411 compared to the global average of USD 10,589.

Average real GDP growth of 4.9% over the last decade.

Share of the region's population
Share of the region's GDP

Economic structure:

In 2021, services accounted for 70% of overall GDP, manufacturing 5%, other industrial activity 22%, and agriculture 3%. Looking at GDP by expenditure, private consumption accounted for 54% of GDP in 2020, government consumption 17%, fixed investment 24%, and net exports 5%.

GDP by economic sector
GDP by type of expenditure

International trade:

In 2021, manufactured products made up 3% of total merchandise exports, mineral fuels 0%, food 14%, ores and metals 80% and agricultural raw materials 1%, with other categories accounting for 2% of the total. In the same period, manufactured products made up 64% of total merchandise imports, mineral fuels 17%, food 18%, ores and metals 1% and agricultural raw materials 0%, with other goods accounting for 0% of the total. Total exports were worth USD 21 billion in 2022, while total imports were USD 30 billion.

Key exports
Key imports
Key export partners
Key import partners

Economic growth:

The economy recorded average annual growth of 4.9% in the decade to 2022. To read more about GDP growth in Panama, go to our dedicated page.

Fiscal policy:

Panama's fiscal deficit averaged 3.4% of GDP in the decade to 2021. Find out more on our dedicated page.

Unemployment:

The unemployment rate averaged 6.5% in the decade to 2021. For more information on Panama's unemployment click here.

Inflation:

Inflation averaged 1.6% in the decade to 2022. Go to our Panama inflation page for extra insight.

Exchange Rate:

From end-2012 to end-2022 the balboa stayed on the same level vs the U.S. dollar. For more info on the balboa, click here.
The economy likely fared worse in 2023 than in 2022, with growth slowing year on year in January–October. Panama Canal activity was curbed by restrictions imposed due to the protracted drought amid the El Niño weather event: In November, traffic fell by over 20% year on year, and toll revenues shrank for the first time in 11 months. Protests that erupted in Q3 due to environmental and economic concerns over the Cobre Panama copper mine deal also hit activity, causing the mine’s closure and up to USD 80 million in lost activity daily. Growth is likely easing further in Q1 2024 due to protests, suspended mining activity and the extension of Panama Canal restrictions until April. In politics, former President Martinelli was disqualified from running in the 5 May general elections due to a decade-long jail term for corruption. The decision should boost confidence in Panama’s institutions.
Projections out to 2033.

42 indicators covered including both annual and quarterly frequencies.

Consensus Forecasts based on a panel of 23 expert analysts.

Want to get insight on the economic outlook for Panama in the coming years? FocusEconomics collects projections out to 2033 on 42 economic indicators for Panama from a panel of 23 analysts at the leading national, regional and global forecast institutions. These projections are then validated by our in-house team of economists and data analysts, and averaged to provide one Consensus Forecast you can rely on for each indicator. This means you avoid the risk of relying on out of date, biased or outlier forecasts. Our Consensus Forecasts can be visualized in whichever way best suits your needs, including via interactive online dashboards , direct data delivery and executive-style reports which combine analysts' projections with timely written analysis from our in-house team of economists on the latest developments in the Panama economy. To download a sample report on the Panama's economy, click here . To get in touch with our team for more information, fill in the form at the bottom of this page .

Panamá Datos económicos

2018 2019 2020 2021 2022
Población (millones) 4.2 4.2 4.3 4.3 4.4
PIB (en millones de dólares) 65 67 54 64 -
PIB per cápita (USD) 15,660 15,833 12,614 14,666 -
Crecimiento económico (PIB nominal, var. anual) 4.7 2.6 -19.2 17.8 -
Crecimiento económico (PIB, var. anual) 3.7 3.0 -18.0 15.3 -
Consumo privado (% var. anual) 2.3 2.3 -14.6 9.2 -
Consumo público (var. anual) 7.5 4.7 15.2 9.8 -
Inversión fija (% var. anual) 0.9 -0.4 -49.5 29.6 -
Exportaciones (G&S, % var. anual) 5.0 -0.2 -20.8 22.9 -
Importaciones (G&S, % var. anual) 2.8 -1.3 -33.0 23.3 -
Industria (var. anual %) 2.66 2.74 -31.91 35.96 -
Desempleo (% de la población activa, eop) 6.0 7.1 18.5 11.3 -
Saldo fiscal (% del PIB) -2.9 -2.9 -10.2 -6.8 -
Deuda pública (% del PIB) 39.4 46.4 68.5 63.7 -
Inflación (IPC, % var. anual, eop) 0.2 -0.1 -1.6 2.6 2.1
Inflación (IPC, % var. anual, aop) 0.8 -0.4 -1.6 1.6 2.9
Inflación (IPP, % var. anual, aop) - -1.1 -0.3 2.3 3.2
Balanza por cuenta corriente (en millones de dólares) -5 -4 0 -2 -
Balanza por cuenta corriente (% del PIB) -8.1 -6.0 -0.3 -3.2 -
Balanza comercial de mercancías (en millones de USD) -9 -8 -3 -4 -
Exportaciones de mercancías (en millones de dólares) 15 15 12 17 -
Importaciones de mercancías (en millones de dólares) 24 22 14 20 -
Exportaciones de mercancías (% var. anual) 6.8 -0.7 -20.8 43.9 -
Importaciones de mercancías (% var. anual) 7.5 -7.4 -35.1 40.8 -
Inversión extranjera directa (en millones de dólares) 5 4 1 2 -
Reservas internacionales (en millones de dólares) 2 3 10 - -
Reservas internacionales (meses de importaciones) 1.1 1.9 8.0 - -
Deuda externa (en millones de dólares) 99 104 113 120 -
Deuda externa (% del PIB) 152.6 155.5 209.4 188.3 -

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