Panama GDP Growth Rate (2026)
Panama has a service-driven Central American economy supported by logistics, finance, construction, trade, and the Panama Canal. This page examines its GDP growth trend, historical performance, regional position, and outlook.
GDP Growth Rate 2026
+3.8%
Annual real GDP growth
World Rank
#60
Out of 195 countries
Change vs 2025
-0.5 pp
2025: +4.3%
North America Rank
#2
Out of 23 countries
1. Panama GDP Growth Rate in 2026
Panamanian economic growth is influenced by canal activity, logistics, construction, investment, financial services, and domestic demand. Global trade conditions are especially important.
2. Panama GDP Growth Rate Trends (1980–2026)
Panama’s growth history has been shaped by infrastructure development, canal expansion, foreign investment, and a rapidly growing service sector. International trade has remained central.
3. Panama GDP Growth Rate (Historical Data)
| Year | GDP Growth Rate | Change (pp) |
|---|---|---|
| 2026 | +3.8% | -0.5 pp |
| 2025 | +4.3% | +1.6 pp |
| 2024 | +2.7% | -4.5 pp |
| 2023 | +7.2% | -3.8 pp |
| 2022 | +11.0% | -5.5 pp |
| 2021 | +16.5% | +34.3 pp |
| 2020 | -17.8% | -20.9 pp |
| 2019 | +3.1% | -0.8 pp |
| 2018 | +3.9% | -1.8 pp |
| 2017 | +5.7% | +1.1 pp |
| 2016 | +4.6% | -0.7 pp |
| 2015 | +5.3% | +0.7 pp |
| 2014 | +4.6% | -1.7 pp |
| 2013 | +6.3% | -3.3 pp |
| 2012 | +9.6% | -2.3 pp |
| 2011 | +11.9% | +5.8 pp |
| 2010 | +6.1% | +4.5 pp |
| 2009 | +1.6% | -8.6 pp |
| 2008 | +10.2% | -3.0 pp |
| 2007 | +13.2% | +3.3 pp |
| 2006 | +9.9% | +1.6 pp |
| 2005 | +8.3% | +0.1 pp |
| 2004 | +8.2% | +3.1 pp |
| 2003 | +5.1% | +2.6 pp |
| 2002 | +2.5% | +1.6 pp |
| 2001 | +0.9% | -3.3 pp |
| 2000 | +4.2% | -1.0 pp |
| 1999 | +5.2% | -3.2 pp |
| 1998 | +8.4% | +0.7 pp |
| 1997 | +7.7% | +0.3 pp |
| 1996 | +7.4% | +5.6 pp |
| 1995 | +1.8% | -1.0 pp |
| 1994 | +2.8% | -2.7 pp |
| 1993 | +5.5% | -2.7 pp |
| 1992 | +8.2% | -1.2 pp |
| 1991 | +9.4% | +1.3 pp |
| 1990 | +8.1% | +6.5 pp |
| 1989 | +1.6% | +15.0 pp |
| 1988 | -13.4% | -11.6 pp |
| 1987 | -1.8% | -5.4 pp |
| 1986 | +3.6% | -1.3 pp |
| 1985 | +4.9% | +2.2 pp |
| 1984 | +2.7% | +7.2 pp |
| 1983 | -4.5% | -9.8 pp |
| 1982 | +5.3% | -3.9 pp |
| 1981 | +9.2% | +4.7 pp |
| 1980 | +4.5% | — |
4. Panama GDP Growth Performance
Current Growth Rate
+3.8%
(2026 to 2026)
5-Year Average
+5.8%
(2022 to 2026)
10-Year Average
+4.0%
(2017 to 2026)
20-Year Average
+5.7%
(2007 to 2026)
The economy benefits from its strategic location, logistics hub, and international financial services. Canal constraints and weaker construction activity can affect momentum.
5. Panama GDP Growth Rate vs North America and World
Panama
+3.8%
North America Average
+2.2%
World Average
+2.8%
0.0%
1.9%
3.8%
Annual real GDP growth (%)
Panama’s GDP growth rate is approximately
1.7 pp
above the
North America average
and
1.0 pp
above the world average.
6. Panama GDP Growth Rate Ranking in North America
| Rank | Country | GDP Growth Rate |
|---|---|---|
| #1 | Guatemala | +3.9% |
| #2 | Nicaragua | +3.8% |
| #3 | Panama | +3.8% |
| #4 | Dominican Republic | +3.7% |
| #5 | Costa Rica | +3.6% |
| #6 | El Salvador | +3.3% |
| #7 | Honduras | +3.3% |
| #8 | Dominica | +3.1% |
| #9 | Grenada | +3.1% |
7. Top 10 Fastest-Growing Countries in the World (2026)
8. GDP Growth Rate and Economy Size in Panama
Panama GDP (Nominal)
$95.0 Billion
(2026)
Panama GDP Growth Rate
+3.8%
(2026)
Panama often grows faster than many Latin American economies due to investment and trade-related services. Its high exposure to global commerce also creates external sensitivity.
Explore more:
Panama GDP
9. Panama GDP Growth Rate Forecast
The outlook depends on canal activity, investment, logistics, construction, and global trade. Water availability and external slowdowns remain important risks.
| Year | GDP Growth Rate | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 2027 | +4.5% | +0.7 pp |
| 2028 | +4.5% | 0.0 pp |
| 2029 | +4.8% | +0.3 pp |
| 2030 | +4.5% | -0.3 pp |
10. Panama GDP Growth Rate: Key Findings
Panama GDP growth rate is estimated at +3.8% in 2026.
It ranks #60 globally and #2 in North America by annual GDP growth rate.
The growth rate slowed by 0.5 percentage points compared with 2025.
The 5-year average GDP growth rate is +5.8%.
The 10-year average GDP growth rate is +4.0%.
The current rate is 1.7 percentage points above the North America average.
The current rate is 1.0 percentage points above the world average.
The forecast GDP growth rate is +4.5% in 2030, 0.7 percentage points above the 2026 rate.
11. What Is GDP Growth Rate?
GDP growth rate measures the percentage change in a country’s real gross domestic product from one period to the next, usually year over year.
GDP Growth Rate
=
(Real GDPₜ − Real GDPₜ₋₁)
÷
Real GDPₜ₋₁ × 100
A positive rate indicates economic expansion, while a negative rate indicates contraction. Real GDP growth is preferred for growth comparisons because it adjusts for price changes.
12. Methodology and Data Sources
Primary Source:
International Monetary Fund (IMF)
Additional Source:
World Bank
Measure:
Annual percentage change in real GDP
Unit:
Percent (%)
Comparisons:
Year-to-year rate differences are shown in percentage points (pp)
Update Frequency:
Annually and when new forecasts are released
Last Updated:
September 2026
13. Panama GDP Growth Rate FAQs
Panama GDP growth rate is estimated at +3.8% in 2026.
Panama ranks #60 globally and #2 in North America by annual GDP growth rate.
The economy is expanding, with real GDP growth of approximately +3.8% in 2026.
Panama GDP growth rate was +5.3% in 2015.
Panama GDP growth rate is 1.7 percentage points above the North America average.
15. Explore GDP Growth Rate
Disclaimer:
All data are estimates based on IMF, World Bank,
United Nations and related economic datasets.
Figures may differ from official national statistics.