Photo: Brian Gratwicke derivative work: Jjtkk · CC BY 2.0 · via Wikimedia Commons, shown in greyscale
Topic 02 of 18 · Country Index 2026
Panama: Economy & Innovation
What does an economy do for the people inside it?
Panama is placed 63rd of 176 countries on economy & innovation in the Country Index 2026, from 4 of its 4 key statistics. Readings behind it: GDP per Capita (PPP) 37,516 (2025); Firms with a Bank Loan or Line of Credit 43.84 (2025).
Share
Economy & Innovation
63rd
of 176 countries placed
Placed from 4 of 4 key statistics
- 37,516GDP per Capita (PPP), 2025GDP per capita (constant 2021 international $, PPP)
- 43.84Firms with a Bank Loan or Line of Credit, 2025Firms with a bank loan or line of credit (%)
- 0.361Economic Complexity Index, 2024ECI score (standardised, roughly −3 to +3)
- 64.1Account Ownership at a Financial Institution, 2024Adults with an account (% of population aged 15+)
01The evidence
The 4 key statistics that decide it
Only these place Panama on economy & innovation — one vote each. Every value is the publisher’s own, read at the edition the Country Index 2026 used — or, for a survey-based key, each country’s latest reading; the grey ticks are every other country it was compared with, lowest on the left.
37,516
GDP per capita (constant 2021 international $, PPP)
Higher is better
Panama: 37,516. Across the 185 countries in this edition, values run from 1,067 (Burundi) to 139,593 (Singapore); the world median is 17,265.
- World median
- 17,265
- Best in Central America
- 37,516 Panama
- Land neighbours
- Colombia 18,779 · Costa Rica 28,443
Key 2 of 4
Firms with a Bank Loan or Line of Credit
World Bank Group
Latest reading per country, 2016–2025 · Panama’s is from 2025 · CC BY 4.0
43.84
Firms with a bank loan or line of credit (%)
Higher is better
Panama: 43.84. Across the 179 countries at their latest reading, values run from 2.113 (Pakistan) to 88.52 (Israel); the world median is 35.95.
- World median
- 35.95
- Best in Central America
- 68.26 Guatemala
- Land neighbours
- Colombia 49.06 · Costa Rica 50.8
Key 3 of 4
Economic Complexity Index
Growth Lab at Harvard University
2024 edition · data for 2024 · CC0 1.0
0.361
ECI score (standardised, roughly −3 to +3)
Higher is better
Ranked 57th of 145 by Growth Lab at Harvard University
Panama: 0.361. Across the 145 countries in this edition, values run from -3.53 (Chad) to 1.729 (Japan); the world median is 0.131.
- World median
- 0.131
- Best in Central America
- 0.942 Mexico
- Land neighbours
- Colombia 0.233 · Costa Rica 0.334
Key 4 of 4
Account Ownership at a Financial Institution
World Bank Group
2024 edition · data for 2024 · CC BY 4.0
64.1
Adults with an account (% of population aged 15+)
Higher is better
Panama: 64.1. Across the 139 countries in this edition, values run from 14.83 (Niger) to 99.85 (Iceland); the world median is 72.83.
- World median
- 72.83
- Best in Central America
- 71.35 Costa Rica
- Land neighbours
- Colombia 57.06 · Costa Rica 71.35
02Over time
Which way Panama is moving
Each key’s published value, edition by edition, beside the world median. The Country Index 2026 is the first edition of the standing, so the standing itself has no history to chart yet.
GDP per Capita (PPP)
GDP per capita (constant 2021 international $, PPP) · higher is better
PanamaWorld median
Panama rose from 14,573 in 2000 to 37,516 in 2025; the world median went from 10,589 to 17,265.
Every year’s figures
Year Panama World median 2025 37,516 17,265 2024 36,395 18,108 2023 35,873 17,686 2022 33,915 16,933 2021 30,933 16,260 2020 26,882 15,631 2019 33,164 16,761 2018 32,681 16,349 2017 31,980 16,129 2016 30,765 15,512 2015 29,933 14,857 2014 28,932 14,475 2013 28,135 14,681 2012 26,927 14,631 2011 24,999 13,916 2010 22,739 14,101 2009 21,823 13,655 2008 21,868 14,030 2007 20,209 13,755 2006 18,190 12,983 2005 16,868 12,023 2004 15,875 11,608 2003 14,958 11,183 2002 14,507 11,144 2001 14,428 10,907 2000 14,573 10,589 Economic Complexity Index
ECI score (standardised, roughly −3 to +3) · higher is better
PanamaWorld median
Panama fell from 0.383 in 2000 to 0.361 in 2024; the world median went from 0.016 to 0.131.
Every year’s figures
Year Panama World median 2024 0.361 0.1310 2023 0.133 0.0710 2022 0.149 0.0580 2021 0.187 0.0010 2020 0.752 0.0470 2019 0.718 0.0300 2018 0.706 -0.0150 2017 0.733 0.0080 2016 0.763 -0.0660 2015 0.787 -0.0600 2014 0.762 -0.0190 2013 0.801 0.0140 2012 0.789 0.0060 2011 0.783 -0.0140 2010 0.688 -0.0020 2009 0.686 0.0990 2008 0.641 0.0700 2007 0.538 -0.0080 2006 0.512 0.0740 2005 0.299 0.0510 2004 0.326 0.0505 2003 0.240 0.0450 2002 0.396 0.0100 2001 0.411 0.0470 2000 0.383 0.0160 Account Ownership at a Financial Institution
Adults with an account (% of population aged 15+) · higher is better
PanamaWorld median
Panama rose from 24.93 in 2011 to 64.1 in 2024; the world median went from 37.03 to 72.83.
Every year’s figures
Year Panama World median 2024 64 73 2021 45 74 2017 46 59 2014 44 52 2011 25 37
03In context
Panama beside its neighbours
A position reads best beside the countries around it. Every position below is a place among all 176 countries on economy & innovation, never a place within the region.
Panama and the countries it borders
Standing among all 176; the key columns are the publishers’ own values.
| Country | Standing | GDP per Capita (PPP)GDP per capita (constant 2021 international $, PPP) | Firms with a Bank Loan or Line of CreditFirms with a bank loan or line of credit (%) | Economic Complexity IndexECI score (standardised, roughly −3 to +3) | Account Ownership at a Financial InstitutionAdults with an account (% of population aged 15+) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 Costa Rica | =57th | 28,443 | 50.8 | 0.334 | 71.35 |
| Panama | 63rd | 37,516 | 43.84 | 0.361 | 64.1 |
 Colombia | =77th | 18,779 | 49.06 | 0.233 | 57.06 |
“—”: no published reading in that edition. What a standing is
Across Central America
Every country in the sub-region, by its place among all 176.
Placed either side on economy & innovation
The countries immediately above and below Panama in the topic’s list.
04Context, no vote
Where Panama is ahead of the world, and behind
54 more statistics filed under economy & innovation, published in full and deliberately given no vote in the standing. Select a row for the publisher, the rank and the links.
Ahead of the world median15
Statistics on which Panama does better than the middle country measured.
Crop Production IndexFAO · 2022 · world median 106.23130.95106.23▲ Improved since 2012
Panama: 130.95 · world median 106.23 · Crop production index (2014–2016 = 100). Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), 2022 edition, data for 2022.
Published values in that edition run from 53.79 to 189.93; higher is better.
Position 22nd of 195 · derived.
Adjusted Net SavingsWorld Bank Group · 2021 · world median 8.38919.428.389▼ Worsened since 2011
Panama: 19.42 · world median 8.389 · Adjusted net savings, including particulate emission damage (% of GNI). World Bank Group, 2021 edition, data for 2021.
Published values in that edition run from -81.62 to 32.18; higher is better.
Position 17th of 118 · derived.
Liner Shipping Connectivity IndexUNCTAD · 2026 · world median 56.21220.2956.21No real change since 2016
Panama: 220.29 · world median 56.21 · LSCI (index, average Q1 2023 = 100). UN Trade and Development (UNCTAD), 2026 edition, data for 2026.
Published values in that edition run from 4.13 to 1,319; higher is better.
Ranked 24th of 175 by UNCTAD.
Water-Use EfficiencyFAO · 2023 · world median 16.159.3316.1No real change since 2013
Panama: 59.33 · world median 16.1 · Value added per cubic metre of freshwater withdrawn (constant US$ per m³). Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), 2023 edition, data for 2023.
Published values in that edition run from 0.38 to 1,378; higher is better.
Food Production IndexFAO · 2022 · world median 106.08115.45106.08▲ Improved since 2012
Panama: 115.45 · world median 106.08 · Food production index (2014–2016 = 100). Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), 2022 edition, data for 2022.
Published values in that edition run from 71.08 to 177.49; higher is better.
Position 57th of 195 · derived.
Productive Capacities IndexUNCTAD · 2022 · world median 46.6752.9346.67No real change since 2012
Panama: 52.93 · world median 46.67 · Productive Capacities Index (1–100). UN Trade and Development (UNCTAD), 2022 edition, data for 2022.
Published values in that edition run from 17.8 to 71.02; higher is better.
Position 63rd of 195 · derived.
Historical GDP per Capita (Maddison)GGDC · 2022 · world median 12,89023,55712,890▲ Improved since 2012
Panama: 23,557 · world median 12,890 · GDP per capita (2011 international $). Maddison Project, Groningen Growth and Development Centre (GGDC), 2022 edition, data for 2022.
Published values in that edition run from 596.39 to 149,171; higher is better.
Position 54th of 166 · derived.
Comprehensive Wealth per CapitaWorld Bank Group · 2020 · world median 46,48693,35646,486▲ Improved since 2010
Panama: 93,356 · world median 46,486 · National comprehensive wealth per person (real chained 2019 US$). World Bank Group, 2020 edition, data for 2020.
Published values in that edition run from 4,276 to 1,246,092; higher is better.
Position 49th of 150 · derived.
GDP GrowthWorld Bank Group · 2025 · world median 3.3964.353.396▼ Worsened since 2015
Panama: 4.35 · world median 3.396 · GDP growth (annual %). World Bank Group, 2025 edition, data for 2025.
Published values in that edition run from -5.847 to 19.34; higher is better.
Position 63rd of 186 · derived.
Total Factor Productivity LevelGGDC · 2023 · world median 0.6270.740.627▼ Worsened since 2013
Panama: 0.74 · world median 0.627 · TFP level at current PPPs (USA = 1). Groningen Growth and Development Centre (GGDC), 2023 edition, data for 2023.
Published values in that edition run from 0.052 to 1.192; higher is better.
World Energy Trilemma IndexWorld Energy Council · 2023 · world median 63.86763.8No earlier reading
Panama: 67 · world median 63.8 · Trilemma score (0–100). World Energy Council, 2023 edition, data for 2023.
Published values in that edition run from 27.7 to 83.2; higher is better.
Ranked 38th of 99 by World Energy Council.
Actual Individual Consumption per Capita (PPP)World Bank Group · 2021 · world median 12,80016,87012,800▼ Worsened since 2017
Panama: 16,870 · world median 12,800 · Actual individual consumption per capita (PPP, current international $). World Bank Group, 2021 edition, data for 2021.
Published values in that edition run from 688.7 to 52,654; higher is better.
Position 68th of 173 · derived.
Logistics Performance IndexWorld Bank Group · 2023 · world median 2.93.12.9▼ Worsened since 2014
Panama: 3.1 · world median 2.9 · LPI score (1–5). World Bank Group, 2023 edition, data for 2023.
Published values in that edition run from 1.9 to 4.3; higher is better.
Ranked 57th of 139 by World Bank Group.
Frontier Technology Readiness IndexUNCTAD · 2023 · world median 0.4850.520.485▼ Worsened since 2013
Panama: 0.52 · world median 0.485 · Frontier Technology Readiness Index (0–1). UN Trade and Development (UNCTAD), 2023 edition, data for 2023.
Published values in that edition run from 0 to 1; higher is better.
Position 77th of 170 · derived.
Average Monthly Earnings of EmployeesILO · 2024 · world median 1,6361,7271,636No real change since 2014
Panama: 1,727 · world median 1,636 · Average monthly earnings of employees (2021 PPP $). International Labour Organization (ILO), 2024 edition, data for 2024.
Published values in that edition run from 193.28 to 9,307; higher is better.
Position 37th of 75 · derived.
Behind the world median18
Statistics on which Panama does worse than the middle country measured.
Livestock Production IndexFAO · 2022 · world median 107.06106.53107.06▼ Worsened since 2012
Panama: 106.53 · world median 107.06 · Livestock production index (2014–2016 = 100). Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), 2022 edition, data for 2022.
Published values in that edition run from 35.52 to 190.08; higher is better.
Position 100th of 194 · derived.
Regulatory QualityWorld Bank Group · 2025 · world median -0.093-0.121-0.093▼ Worsened since 2015
Panama: -0.121 · world median -0.093 · Regulatory Quality (−2.5 to 2.5). World Bank Group, 2025 edition, data for 2025.
Published values in that edition run from -2.106 to 2.113; higher is better.
Position 108th of 209 · derived.
Government AI Readiness IndexOxford Insights · 2025 · world median 40.1939.340.19▼ Worsened since 2020
Panama: 39.3 · world median 40.19 · AI readiness score (0–100). Oxford Insights, 2025 edition, data for 2025.
Published values in that edition run from 12.12 to 88.36; higher is better.
Ranked 102nd of 195 by Oxford Insights.
Firms with an International Quality CertificationWorld Bank Group · 2026 · world median 10.48.06310.4No earlier reading
Panama: 8.063 · world median 10.4 · Firms with an internationally recognised quality certification (%). World Bank Group, 2026 edition, data for 2026.
Published values in that edition run from 0 to 45.77; higher is better.
ICT Goods ExportsUNCTAD · 2024 · world median 0.9750.690.975▼ Worsened since 2014
Panama: 0.69 · world median 0.975 · ICT goods exports (% of total goods exports). UN Trade and Development (UNCTAD), 2024 edition, data for 2024.
Published values in that edition run from 0 to 61.45; higher is better.
Position 70th of 119 · derived.
Global Innovation IndexWorld Intellectual Property Organization · 2025 · world median 28.5225.8828.52▲ Improved since 2022
Panama: 25.88 · world median 28.52 · GII score (0–100). World Intellectual Property Organization, 2025 edition, data for 2025.
Published values in that edition run from 11.94 to 65.96; higher is better.
Ranked 82nd of 139 by World Intellectual Property Organization.
Firms Competing Against Informal FirmsWorld Bank Group · 2026 · world median 41.8148.7541.81No earlier reading
Panama: 48.75 · world median 41.81 · Firms competing against unregistered or informal firms (%). World Bank Group, 2026 edition, data for 2026.
Published values in that edition run from 1.926 to 90.5; lower is better.
Position 72nd of 181 · derived, 1st = worst.
Digitally-Deliverable Services ExportsUNCTAD · 2024 · world median 25.4215.6325.42▼ Worsened since 2014
Panama: 15.63 · world median 25.42 · Digitally-deliverable services exports (% of services exports). UN Trade and Development (UNCTAD), 2024 edition, data for 2024.
Published values in that edition run from 0.377 to 87.15; higher is better.
Position 110th of 170 · derived.
Researchers per Million InhabitantsUIS · 2024 · world median 701.95250.47701.95No earlier reading
Panama: 250.47 · world median 701.95 · Researchers per million inhabitants (full-time equivalent). UNESCO Institute for Statistics (UIS), 2024 edition, data for 2024.
Published values in that edition run from 1.446 to 18,130; higher is better.
Position 97th of 145 · derived.
ICT Services ExportsUNCTAD · 2024 · world median 7.4742.897.474▲ Improved since 2014
Panama: 2.89 · world median 7.474 · ICT services exports (% of services exports). UN Trade and Development (UNCTAD), 2024 edition, data for 2024.
Published values in that edition run from 0 to 56.25; higher is better.
Position 87th of 118 · derived.
Research and Development SpendingUIS · 2023 · world median 0.8140.1580.814▲ Improved since 2013
Panama: 0.158 · world median 0.814 · Gross domestic expenditure on R&D (% of GDP). UNESCO Institute for Statistics (UIS), 2023 edition, data for 2023.
Published values in that edition run from 0.006 to 6.346; higher is better.
Position 71st of 84 · derived.
Gini Index of Disposable Income (SWIID)Frederick Solt, University of Iowa · 2023 · world median 334533▼ Worsened since 2013
Panama: 45 · world median 33 · Gini index of disposable household income (0–100), SWIID estimate. Frederick Solt, University of Iowa, 2023 edition, data for 2023.
Published values in that edition run from 22.3 to 51.2; lower is better.
Position 9th of 79 · derived, 1st = worst.
Informal Output (DGE Model Estimate)World Bank Group (Prospects Group) · 2020 · world median 27.544.0127.5▲ Improved since 2010
Panama: 44.01 · world median 27.5 · Informal output, model estimate (% of official GDP). World Bank Group (Prospects Group), 2020 edition, data for 2020.
Published values in that edition run from 7.91 to 60.43; lower is better.
Management Practices IndexWorld Bank Group · 2026 · world median 52.3937.4752.39No earlier reading
Panama: 37.47 · world median 52.39 · Management practices index, medium and large firms (0–100). World Bank Group, 2026 edition, data for 2026.
Published values in that edition run from 28.07 to 69.29; higher is better.
Position 160th of 169 · derived.
Income Share Held by Lowest 20%World Bank Group · 2023 · world median 7.123.747.12▲ Improved since 2013
Panama: 3.74 · world median 7.12 · Share of national income held by the poorest fifth (%). World Bank Group, 2023 edition, data for 2023.
Published values in that edition run from 3.24 to 11.07; higher is better.
Position 57th of 60 · derived.
Gini IndexWorld Bank Group · 2023 · world median 33.7248.8833.72No real change since 2013
Panama: 48.88 · world median 33.72 · Gini index (0 = perfect equality, 100 = perfect inequality). World Bank Group, 2023 edition, data for 2023.
Published values in that edition run from 23 to 54.58; lower is better.
Position 3rd of 60 · derived, 1st = worst.
Income Share Held by Richest 10%World Bank Group · 2023 · world median 26.1836.926.18No real change since 2013
Panama: 36.9 · world median 26.18 · Share of national income or consumption held by the richest tenth (%). World Bank Group, 2023 edition, data for 2023.
Published values in that edition run from 18.79 to 43.08; lower is better.
Position 3rd of 60 · derived, 1st = worst.
Palma RatioWorld Bank Group · 2023 · world median 1.3323.0461.332No real change since 2013
Panama: 3.046 · world median 1.332 · Palma ratio (income share of the richest 10% ÷ share of the poorest 40%). World Bank Group, 2023 edition, data for 2023.
Published values in that edition run from 0.771 to 4.193; lower is better.
Position 3rd of 60 · derived, 1st = worst.
No better end21
These describe the shape of a country — more is not better or worse, only different — so they are never ahead or behind.
Gross Savings (% of GDP)World Bank Group · 2024 · world median 22.063322.06Moved since 2014
Panama: 33 · world median 22.06 · Gross savings (% of GDP). World Bank Group, 2024 edition, data for 2024.
Published values in that edition run from -21.13 to 47.82.
Position 24th of 146 · derived, counted from the highest value.
Container Port TrafficUNCTAD · 2024 · world median 1,827,7889,570,7671,827,788Moved since 2014
Panama: 9,570,767 · world median 1,827,788 · Container port traffic (TEU, twenty-foot equivalent units). UN Trade and Development (UNCTAD), 2024 edition, data for 2024.
Published values in that edition run from 17,263 to 299,703,800.
Position 23rd of 103 · derived, counted from the highest value.
Services ExportsUNCTAD · 2025 · world median 9.60222.519.602No real change since 2015
Panama: 22.51 · world median 9.602 · Services exports (% of GDP). UN Trade and Development (UNCTAD), 2025 edition, data for 2025.
Published values in that edition run from 0.085 to 166.21.
Statutory Minimum WageILO · 2024 · world median 657.95943.46657.95Moved since 2014
Panama: 943.46 · world median 657.95 · Statutory minimum wage per month (2021 PPP $). International Labour Organization (ILO), 2024 edition, data for 2024.
Published values in that edition run from 4.038 to 3,804.
Complexity Outlook IndexGrowth Lab at Harvard University · 2024 · world median -0.2250.398-0.225Moved since 2014
Panama: 0.398 · world median -0.225 · Complexity Outlook Index (standardised; roughly −2.5 to +3). Growth Lab at Harvard University, 2024 edition, data for 2024.
Published values in that edition run from -1.682 to 2.878.
Tariff Rate, Applied, Weighted Mean, All ProductsWorld Bank Group · 2022 · world median 3.665.933.66Moved since 2012
Panama: 5.93 · world median 3.66 · Applied tariff rate, trade-weighted mean (%). World Bank Group, 2022 edition, data for 2022.
Published values in that edition run from 0 to 29.52.
Total Natural Resources Rents (% of GDP)World Bank Group · 2021 · world median 1.7083.6651.708Moved since 2011
Panama: 3.665 · world median 1.708 · Natural resources rents (% of GDP). World Bank Group, 2021 edition, data for 2021.
Published values in that edition run from 0 to 61.03.
Position 79th of 180 · derived, counted from the highest value.
Statutory Corporate Income Tax RateOECD · 2026 · world median 242524Moved since 2016
Panama: 25 · world median 24 · Combined statutory corporate income tax rate, central and sub-central government (%). OECD, 2026 edition, data for 2026.
Published values in that edition run from 0 to 36.13.
Merchant Fleet by Country of OwnershipUNCTAD · 2026 · world median 275.73907.55275.73Moved since 2016
Panama: 907.55 · world median 275.73 · Merchant fleet owned (thousand dead-weight tons). UN Trade and Development (UNCTAD), 2026 edition, data for 2026.
Published values in that edition run from 0 to 397,071.
Price Level of Household ConsumptionGGDC · 2023 · world median 0.5230.5820.523Moved since 2013
Panama: 0.582 · world median 0.523 · Price level of household consumption (US output price level in 2021 = 1). Groningen Growth and Development Centre (GGDC), 2023 edition, data for 2023.
Published values in that edition run from 0.177 to 65.54.
Creative Goods ExportsUNCTAD · 2024 · world median 1.2351.7011.235Moved since 2014
Panama: 1.701 · world median 1.235 · Creative goods exports (% of merchandise exports). UN Trade and Development (UNCTAD), 2024 edition, data for 2024.
Published values in that edition run from 0 to 37.23.
Scholarly ArticlesOurResearch · 2025 · world median 2,2402,8782,240Moved since 2022
Panama: 2,878 · world median 2,240 · Articles with at least one author at an institution in the country (full counting). OpenAlex (OurResearch), 2025 edition, data for 2025.
Published values in that edition run from 1 to 1,094,890.
Industry Value Added including Construction (% of GDP)World Bank Group · 2025 · world median 24.6524.924.65Moved since 2015
Panama: 24.9 · world median 24.65 · Industry, including construction, value added (% of GDP). World Bank Group, 2025 edition, data for 2025.
Published values in that edition run from 2.228 to 75.09.
Position 77th of 158 · derived, counted from the highest value.
Commodity Export DependenceUNCTAD · 2024 · world median 67.1767.8167.17Moved since 2014
Panama: 67.81 · world median 67.17 · Commodity exports (% of merchandise exports, three-year average). UN Trade and Development (UNCTAD), 2024 edition, data for 2024.
Published values in that edition run from 4.605 to 99.77.
Foreign Direct Investment InflowsUNCTAD · 2025 · world median 1.9681.0091.968Moved since 2015
Panama: 1.009 · world median 1.968 · FDI inflows (% of GDP). UN Trade and Development (UNCTAD), 2025 edition, data for 2025.
Published values in that edition run from -32.97 to 2,221.
Agriculture, Forestry and Fishing Value Added (% of GDP)World Bank Group · 2025 · world median 6.5722.6186.572Moved since 2015
Panama: 2.618 · world median 6.572 · Agriculture, forestry and fishing value added (% of GDP). World Bank Group, 2025 edition, data for 2025.
Published values in that edition run from 0.025 to 47.59.
Position 116th of 158 · derived, counted from the highest value.
Export Concentration IndexUNCTAD · 2025 · world median 0.3060.1360.306Moved since 2015
Panama: 0.136 · world median 0.306 · Export concentration index (0–1, normalised Herfindahl–Hirschman). UN Trade and Development (UNCTAD), 2025 edition, data for 2025.
Published values in that edition run from 0.059 to 0.933.
Terms of Trade IndexUNCTAD · 2025 · world median 103.2387.27103.23Moved since 2015
Panama: 87.27 · world median 103.23 · Terms of trade index (2015 = 100). UN Trade and Development (UNCTAD), 2025 edition, data for 2025.
Published values in that edition run from 38.2 to 1,448.
Inflation, GDP DeflatorWorld Bank Group · 2025 · world median 3.3060.1933.306Moved since 2015
Panama: 0.193 · world median 3.306 · Annual change in the GDP implicit deflator (%). World Bank Group, 2025 edition, data for 2025.
Published values in that edition run from -7.93 to 227.09.
Manufacturing Value Added (% of GDP)World Bank Group · 2025 · world median 11.264.79611.26Moved since 2015
Panama: 4.796 · world median 11.26 · Manufacturing value added (% of GDP). World Bank Group, 2025 edition, data for 2025.
Published values in that edition run from 0.481 to 43.97.
Position 117th of 132 · derived, counted from the highest value.
Tax Revenue (% of GDP)OECD · 2024 · world median 21.8511.3121.85Moved since 2014
Panama: 11.31 · world median 21.85 · Total tax revenue, all levels of government (% of GDP). OECD, 2024 edition, data for 2024.
Published values in that edition run from 3.11 to 45.18.
No current reading for Panama
Business Ready: Operational Efficiency, Business Ready: Public Services, Business Ready: Regulatory Framework, Creative Services Exports (last 2012), Debt Service on External Debt, Exports of Goods and Services (% of GDP) (last 2024), External Debt Stocks (% of GNI), Foreign Value Added Share of Gross Exports, General Government Consumption (last 2024), GNI per Capita (PPP) (last 2024), Gross Capital Formation (% of GDP) (last 2024), Household Consumption (last 2024), Imports of Goods and Services (% of GDP) (last 2024), Interest Payments on External Debt, New Business Density and Trade (% of GDP) (last 2024). Listed rather than hidden, so the page can be checked against it.
“Position · derived” is this site’s ordering of the published values, 1st = best unless the row says otherwise; the publisher ranks no country on it. Rank, position and standing
05Country Index 2026
Economy & Innovation among Panama’s 16 topics
Economy & Innovation is Panama’s 7th best-placed topic of 16. Strongest first, each marker at its share of that topic’s field.
- Energyjoint 42nd of 1653/3 keys
- Peace & Security50th of 1773/4 keys
- Democracy & Civil Liberties60th of 1984/4 keys
- Environment & Sustainability58th of 1863/4 keys
- Food & Agriculturejoint 61st of 1844/4 keys
- Development & Human Capital69th of 1963/3 keys
- Economy & Innovation63rd of 1764/4 keys
- Mobility & Trade64th of 1774/4 keys
- Gender & Equality67th of 1834/4 keys
- Governance & Institutions83rd of 1944/4 keys
- Health & Wellbeing87th of 2003/4 keys
- Digital & Technology100th of 1984/4 keys
- Risk & Resilience141st of 1934/4 keys
- Education & Knowledgejoint 152nd of 1984/4 keys
- Work & Labourjoint 146th of 1824/4 keys
- Poverty & Inequality130th of 1593/3 keys
06The top of the list
Who leads on economy & innovation
The three countries placed highest of 176, and the leaders Panama can most readily be measured against.
1
AustriaWestern Europe
1st of 176 · 4 of 4 keys
Photo: chensiyuan · CC BY-SA 4.0, greyscale
2
JapanEastern Asia
2nd of 176 · 4 of 4 keys
Photo: JurriaanH · CC BY-SA 3.0, greyscale
3
GermanyWestern Europe
3rd of 176 · 4 of 4 keys
Placed highest nearby
Highest in Americas
Canada18th4/4 keysHighest in Central America
Costa Rica=57th4/4 keysThis page
Panama63rd4/4 keys
Positions out of 176 placed on the topic. A country needs readings on enough keys to be placed, and the top of the list is often held on fewer of them.
07Analysis
Charts and analysis about Panama and economy & innovation
On economy & innovation
China Leads Global High-Technology Exports
The world’s ten largest high-technology exporters as a treemap, with the rest of the world beside them. Each country’s figure is its own most recent year, between 2022 and 2024.
On economy & innovation
India vs Pakistan 2025: Comparison of Hunger Index, Happiness, HDI, Rule of Law, Literacy & GDP
India and Pakistan on six published measures: hunger, happiness, human development, rule of law, literacy and GDP per capita, each from its own publisher and year.
On economy & innovation
Countries in Asia with the highest average salaries 2024
Thirteen Asian countries by gross average monthly wage, each carrying its WORLD rank rather than an Asian one — so the numbers skip, from 11th place to 45th.
08Questions
Panama on economy & innovation: questions answered
Every answer is built from the numbers on this page, so none can say something the page does not.
How does Panama rank on economy & innovation?
Panama is placed 63rd of 176 countries on Economy & Innovation in the Country Index 2026, from 4 of its 4 key statistics (GDP per Capita (PPP), Firms with a Bank Loan or Line of Credit, Economic Complexity Index and Account Ownership at a Financial Institution). The position is this site’s ordering of published statistics, not a rank any publisher printed.
What is the latest GDP per Capita (PPP) figure for Panama?
37,516 in 2025 (gDP per capita (constant 2021 international $, PPP)), according to World Bank Group. The world median in the same edition was 17,265.
What is the latest Firms with a Bank Loan or Line of Credit figure for Panama?
43.84 in 2025 (firms with a bank loan or line of credit (%)), according to World Bank Group. The world median in the same edition was 35.95.
How does Panama compare with Colombia on economy & innovation?
Colombia is placed joint 77th of 176, and Panama 63rd. GDP per Capita (PPP): Colombia 18,779, Panama 37,516; Firms with a Bank Loan or Line of Credit: Colombia 49.06, Panama 43.84; Economic Complexity Index: Colombia 0.233, Panama 0.361; Account Ownership at a Financial Institution: Colombia 57.06, Panama 64.1.
How have Panama’s economy & innovation figures changed?
GDP per Capita (PPP) rose from 14,573 in 2000 to 37,516 in 2025; Economic Complexity Index fell from 0.383 in 2000 to 0.361 in 2024; Account Ownership at a Financial Institution rose from 24.93 in 2011 to 64.1 in 2024.
Which economy & innovation statistics are missing for Panama?
No current reading is published for Panama on Business Ready: Operational Efficiency, Business Ready: Public Services, Business Ready: Regulatory Framework, Creative Services Exports, Debt Service on External Debt, Exports of Goods and Services (% of GDP), External Debt Stocks (% of GNI), Foreign Value Added Share of Gross Exports, General Government Consumption, GNI per Capita (PPP), Gross Capital Formation (% of GDP), Household Consumption, Imports of Goods and Services (% of GDP), Interest Payments on External Debt, New Business Density and Trade (% of GDP). They are listed rather than hidden, so the evidence on the page can be checked against it.
09Method
Method, sources and how to cite
What this topic does not measure
The total size of an economy is deliberately left out: a very large economy spread over a very large population is not doing more for each person. Growth rates, trade shares and the structure of output (how much is farming, industry or services) are published here as context, because they describe an economy's shape rather than how well it serves people. Jobs and wages have their own topic, Work & Labour.
How the Economy & Innovation standing is decided
A standing is this site’s ordering, named with its edition — never a publisher’s rank. 4 key statistics vote, one vote each; every country’s published value becomes a place within that key’s own field, the places are averaged, and the average is never published. A country needs 2 of the 4 keys to be placed.
The economy & innovation method, step by stepHow every standing on this site is built
The key statistics and their licences
- GDP per Capita (PPP) — World Bank Group, CC BY 4.0
- Firms with a Bank Loan or Line of Credit — World Bank Group, CC BY 4.0
- Economic Complexity Index — Growth Lab at Harvard University, CC0 1.0
- Account Ownership at a Financial Institution — World Bank Group, CC BY 4.0
The other 54 statistics on this page come from 15 publishers, each named beside its numbers, with every edition and licence on the datasets pages.
The standing itself is part of the Country Index 2026, published under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Photographs
Panama’s banner and the countries placed highest, from their profiles: Wikimedia Commons, shown in greyscale, each used under the licence named.
- Panama (banner) — Brian Gratwicke derivative work: Jjtkk, CC BY 2.0
- Austria — chensiyuan, CC BY-SA 4.0
- Japan — JurriaanH, CC BY-SA 3.0
- Germany — dronepicr, CC BY 2.0
Cite this page
Nations Inquiry (2026). Panama: Economy & Innovation — standing and statistics, Country Index 2026. https://nationsinquiry.com/countries/panama/economy