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Economy of Bahamas vs Panama compared: GDP & Debt

Updated on by Georank

The Bahamas has a GDP of $15.8B compared to $90.5B for Panama, ranking 145/197 and 82/197 by economy size, respectively.

The Bahamas has $11.7B in government debt (73.8% of GDP), compared to $51.2B (56.6% of GDP) in Panama.

Bahamas vs Panama GDP by year

Bahamas
Panama
1x
Year GDP, current $
Bahamas Panama
2025 - $90,462,600,000
2024 $15,832,800,000 $86,523,959,100
2023 $15,271,300,000 $83,812,155,200
2022 $13,896,800,000 $76,479,304,500
2021 $12,037,000,000 $67,396,392,500
2020 $10,363,200,000 $57,059,846,500
2019 $13,277,000,000 $69,778,991,200
2018 $12,819,200,000 $67,316,471,200
2017 $12,446,900,000 $64,327,688,800
2016 $11,880,900,000 $59,760,858,700
2015 $11,837,600,000 $55,767,806,100
2014 $11,139,100,000 $51,427,104,900
2013 $10,475,300,000 $46,949,496,500
2012 $10,720,400,000 $41,595,439,700
2011 $10,070,450,000 $35,687,738,300
2010 $10,095,760,000 $30,231,009,500
2009 $9,981,960,000 $27,791,215,500
2008 $10,526,000,000 $25,721,328,000
2007 $10,618,340,000 $21,717,433,800
2006 $10,167,250,000 $18,659,721,500
2005 $9,836,200,000 $16,623,906,700
2004 $9,055,290,000 $15,100,203,400
2003 $8,870,090,000 $13,603,456,000
2002 $8,881,160,000 $12,800,851,300
2001 $8,317,830,000 $12,252,906,300
2000 $8,076,470,000 $11,966,497,000
1999 $7,683,870,000 $11,660,704,800
1998 $6,833,220,000 $11,019,557,700
1997 $6,332,360,000 $10,058,854,400
1996 $3,609,000,000 $9,197,503,300
1995 $3,429,000,000 $9,573,813,700
1994 $3,259,000,000 $9,365,289,800
1993 $3,092,000,000 $8,782,585,400
1992 $3,109,000,000 $8,042,337,700
1991 $3,111,160,000 $7,074,675,500
1990 $3,166,000,000 $6,433,967,000
1989 $3,062,000,000 $5,918,469,800
1988 $2,817,900,000 $5,902,783,400
1987 $2,713,999,900 $6,827,665,300
1986 $2,472,500,000 $6,797,834,200
1985 $2,320,699,900 $6,541,517,100
1984 $2,041,100,000 $6,183,387,100
1983 $1,732,800,000 $5,923,755,900
1982 $1,578,300,000 $5,769,767,900
1981 $1,426,500,000 $5,222,421,500
1980 $1,335,300,000 $4,614,086,400
1979 $1,139,800,100 $3,704,551,600
1978 $832,400,000 $3,244,558,600
1977 $713,000,000 $2,738,261,900
1976 $642,100,000 $2,588,106,000
1975 $596,200,000 $2,435,304,100
1974 $632,400,000 $2,188,307,600
1973 $670,900,000 $1,913,793,400
1972 $590,900,000 $1,673,411,700
1971 $573,400,000 $1,523,917,200
1970 $539,500,000 $1,351,006,400
1969 $538,700,000 $1,221,305,700
1968 $453,800,000 $1,112,791,100
1967 $398,000,000 $1,034,376,400
1966 $346,800,000 $928,833,000
1965 $300,272,048 $852,485,300
1964 $266,560,043 $776,137,500
1963 $237,650,038 $722,784,500
1962 $212,170,034 $652,120,900
1961 $190,022,030 $599,026,300
1960 $169,736,027 $537,147,100

Data sources: World Bank | Economy & Growth (1960–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08).

GeoRank.org/economy/bahamas/panama | CC BY

GDP per capita in Bahamas vs Panama by year

Bahamas
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
Panama
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
Bahamas Panama
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2025 - - $19,790 -
2024 $39,455 $41,198 $19,161 $41,369
2023 $38,232 $39,090 $18,797 $39,813
2022 $34,957 $36,791 $17,379 $36,333
2021 $30,368 $31,065 $15,510 $30,933
2020 $26,179 $27,205 $13,291 $27,017
2019 $33,640 $36,116 $16,478 $33,240
2018 $32,642 $35,228 $16,151 $32,464
2017 $31,875 $34,282 $15,695 $33,533
2016 $30,617 $32,285 $14,832 $30,277
2015 $30,719 $32,138 $14,083 $27,245
2014 $29,137 $31,726 $13,213 $24,376
2013 $27,643 $30,294 $12,273 $21,924
2012 $28,552 $31,036 $11,065 $19,473
2011 $27,091 $30,074 $9,662 $17,474
2010 $27,473 $29,625 $8,331 $15,573
2009 $27,513 $29,197 $7,797 $14,766
2008 $29,392 $30,679 $7,348 $14,705
2007 $30,052 $31,232 $6,318 $13,333
2006 $29,185 $30,402 $5,529 $11,685
2005 $28,602 $29,143 $5,018 $10,511
2004 $26,650 $27,660 $4,645 $9,592
2003 $26,429 $27,031 $4,265 $8,801
2002 $26,782 $27,171 $4,091 $8,370
2001 $25,372 $26,351 $3,992 $8,197
2000 $24,940 $25,422 $3,975 $8,097
1999 $24,041 $24,184 $3,950 $7,749
1998 $21,667 $22,556 $3,808 $7,408
1997 $20,368 $21,606 $3,546 $6,895
1996 $11,784 $21,287 $3,308 $6,421
1995 $11,375 $20,377 $3,514 $6,182
1994 $10,991 $19,441 $3,508 $6,073
1993 $10,613 $18,781 $3,358 $5,902
1992 $10,873 $18,636 $3,140 $5,582
1991 $11,082 $19,296 $2,821 $5,150
1990 $11,473 $19,817 $2,620 $4,651
1989 $11,291 - $2,462 -
1988 $10,576 - $2,509 -
1987 $10,361 - $2,966 -
1986 $9,601 - $3,019 -
1985 $9,167 - $2,972 -
1984 $8,202 - $2,875 -
1983 $7,081 - $2,819 -
1982 $6,559 - $2,811 -
1981 $6,029 - $2,605 -
1980 $5,743 - $2,357 -
1979 $4,994 - $1,938 -
1978 $3,720 - $1,738 -
1977 $3,253 - $1,503 -
1976 $2,993 - $1,457 -
1975 $2,841 - $1,406 -
1974 $3,080 - $1,296 -
1973 $3,341 - $1,164 -
1972 $3,014 - $1,046 -
1971 $3,004 - $979 -
1970 $2,916 - $893 -
1969 $3,027 - $830 -
1968 $2,668 - $778 -
1967 $2,453 - $745 -
1966 $2,239 - $689 -
1965 $2,030 - $651 -
1964 $1,883 - $611 -
1963 $1,759 - $587 -
1962 $1,651 - $546 -
1961 $1,555 - $516 -
1960 $1,459 - $477 -

Data sources: World Bank | Economy & Growth (1960–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08).

GeoRank.org/economy/bahamas/panama | CC BY

The Bahamas' GDP per capita is $39,455, ranking 30/197, compared to $19,790 in Panama, ranking 62/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), the Bahamas ranks 57th at $41,198, while Panama ranks 56th at $41,369.

Economic indicators

Bahamas Panama
Gross domestic product
$15.8B
2024
$90.5B
2025
GDP rank
145/197
2024
82/197
2025
GDP growth
3.38%
2023-2024
4.35%
2024-2025
GDP per capita
$39,455
2024
$19,790
2025
GDP per capita rank
30/197
2024
62/197
2025
GDP per capita, PPP
$41,198
2024
$41,369
2024
GDP per capita PPP rank
57/197
2024
56/197
2024
Government debt
$11.7B
2024
$51.2B
2025
Debt-to-GDP ratio
73.8%
2025
56.6%
2025
Government debt per person
$29,123
2024
$11,198
2025
Government debt per person rank
25/185
2024
56/185
2025
Average annual personal income after taxes
$36,621
2026
$11,056
2026
Market capitalization of domestic companies n/a
$27.2B
2025
Income share by richest 10% n/a
37.6%
2024
Income share by poorest 10% n/a
1.2%
2024
Government expenditure, % of GDP
21.5%
2025
20.9%
2025
Consumer prices inflation
0.41%
2023-2024
-0.19%
2024-2025
Central bank interest rate
4%
2016
n/a
Unemployment rate
10.3%
2023
8.31%
2025
Population
405486
4654479

Spending and national debt comparison by year

Bahamas
Spending

Debt
Panama
Spending

Debt
1x
Year % of GDP
Bahamas Panama
Government spending Government debt Government spending Government debt
2025 21.5% 73.8% 20.9% 56.6%
2024 21% 73.8% 23.1% 57.8%
2023 23.2% 78.3% 21.4% 54.4%
2022 25.6% 84.7% 21.3% 56.2%
2021 28.9% 90.7% 23.7% 58%
2020 24.8% 71.9% 27% 62.4%
2019 20.3% 60.3% 20.5% 42.5%
2018 19.4% 61.5% 21.7% 36.3%
2017 23.1% 54.6% 21.1% 34.3%
2016 19.4% 51.1% 21.3% 34%
2015 18.4% 49.9% 21.4% 34.1%
2014 18.1% 47.7% 22.9% 32.9%
2013 18.1% 44.2% 23.6% 30.8%
2012 17% 37.6% 23% 31.3%
2011 17.1% 35.3% 23.7% 35.9%
2010 15.4% 33.9% 24.4% 38.5%
2009 15.2% 30.1% 22.9% 39.5%
2008 14.3% 25.3% 23% 40.6%
2007 13.6% 23.5% 22.2% 48.2%
2006 13.2% 23.2% 22.4% 56.1%
2005 12.9% 23% 23.2% 61.5%
2004 12.5% 21.6% 24.4% 61.5%
2003 11.8% 20.8% 25.7% 59.9%
2002 11.6% 19.4% 25.1% 60.9%
2001 11.4% 18.5% 25.2% 62.1%
2000 11.6% 19.2% 24.7% 58%
1999 9.3% 19.8% 25.2% 60.4%
1998 12% 20.8% 25.9% 64.3%
1997 12.9% 21.5% 24.8% 67.3%
1996 11.5% 20.7% 24.3% 73.6%
1995 11.5% 21% 29.3% 86.7%
1994 11.7% 20.9% 28.5% 88.7%
1993 11.5% 19.7% 33.8% 83.6%
1992 11.8% 17.9% 27.8% 91.2%
1991 11.9% 15.3% 20.9% 103.7%
1990 11.4% 13.2% 41.5% 112.7%
1989 - - 43% 104.4%
1988 - - 41.8% 105%
1987 - - 40.1% 92.2%
1986 - - 38.6% 84%
1985 - - 39.7% 82.5%
1984 - - 44% 82.5%
1983 - - 44.6% 86.6%
1982 - - 48% 80.9%
1981 - - 30.7% 68.7%
1980 - - 30.5% 69.4%
1979 - - 35% 78.9%
1978 - - 27.6% 83.1%
1977 - - 16.9% 77.7%
1976 - - 15.9% 69.7%
1975 - - 15.3% 52.6%
1974 - - 15.3% 37.6%
1973 - - 14.4% 32.6%
1972 - - 15.6% 29.5%
1971 - - 15% 26.2%
1970 - - 22.4% 25.7%
1969 - - 20.5% 23.2%
1968 - - 14.2% 18%
1967 - - 14.9% 17.8%
1966 - - 14% 17.9%
1965 - - 13.2% 18.7%
1964 - - 14.1% 20%
1963 - - 19.1% 22.6%
1962 - - 16.4% 19.8%
1961 - - 18.9% 20.5%
1960 - - 16.6% 21%

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1960–1993, retrieved 2026-07-08).

GeoRank.org/economy/bahamas/panama | CC BY

In 2025, the Bahamas' government spending was $3.32B, accounting for 21.5% of its GDP, while Panama spent $18.9B, or 20.9% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 73.8% in the Bahamas and 56.6% in Panama, ranking 52/185 and 84/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
Bahamas

Panama
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
Bahamas Panama
2025 -0.49% -3.67%
2024 -1.2% -6.23%
2023 -3.65% -3.9%
2022 -5.53% -3.98%
2021 -11.9% -6.45%
2020 -7.11% -9.68%
2019 -1.68% -2.74%
2018 -3.28% -2.76%
2017 -6.05% -1.8%
2016 -2.61% -1.76%
2015 -3.34% -2.17%
2014 -4.51% -3.04%
2013 -5.1% -2.4%
2012 -3.25% -1.32%
2011 -2.87% -1.97%
2010 -2.57% -1.69%
2009 -2.39% -0.91%
2008 -0.82% 0.38%
2007 -0.77% 3.17%
2006 -0.44% 0.53%
2005 -1.16% -2.29%
2004 -1.95% -4.54%
2003 -1.63% -2.41%
2002 -1.67% -1.03%
2001 0.3% -0.45%
2000 0.09% 2.22%
1999 1.78% -0.71%
1998 -0.43% -1.23%
1997 -1.6% 1.39%
1996 -0.15% 2.81%
1995 0.18% 2.61%
1994 -0.4% 2.4%
1993 -1.05% -9.4%
1992 -2.23% -2.62%
1991 -2.27% -0.6%
1990 -2.64% -3.65%
1989 - -13.6%
1988 - -13.5%
1987 - -1.7%
1986 - -1%
1985 - -2.57%
1984 - -7.56%
1983 - -7.62%
1982 - -13.3%
1981 - -6.77%
1980 - -5.17%
1979 - -12.1%
1978 - -5.21%
1977 - -1.61%
1976 - -2.65%
1975 - -0.74%
1974 - -0.6%
1973 - -0.01%
1972 - -1.17%
1971 - -0.51%
1970 - -8.02%
1969 - -7.56%
1968 - -1.5%
1967 - -1.97%
1966 - -1.18%
1965 - -1.17%
1964 - -2.51%
1963 - -6.71%
1962 - -3.01%
1961 - -5.45%
1960 - -3.05%
1959 - -3.79%
1958 - -1.62%
1957 - -0.89%
1956 - -3.69%
1955 - -1.33%
1954 - -0.2%
1953 - -0.55%
1952 - -3.84%
1951 - -2.54%
1950 - -3.89%
1949 - -1%
1948 - -1.21%
1947 - -1.94%
1946 - -3.19%

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1946–1993, retrieved 2026-07-08).

GeoRank.org/economy/bahamas/panama | CC BY

In 2024, the Bahamas' government deficit, the difference between spending and revenue, was $190M, equivalent to 1.2% of GDP. This compares to Panama's deficit of $5.39B, or 6.23% of GDP.

Over the past 35 years, the Bahamas recorded a fiscal deficit in 31 of those years, while Panama ran a deficit in 27 years. On average, the Bahamas posted an annual deficit equal to 2.4% of GDP, compared to deficit of 1.89% of GDP for Panama.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
Bahamas

Panama
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
Bahamas Panama
2025 - -0.19%
2024 0.41% 0.69%
2023 3.05% 1.49%
2022 5.61% 2.86%
2021 2.9% 1.63%
2020 0.04% -1.55%
2019 2.49% -0.36%
2018 2.27% 0.76%
2017 1.52% 0.88%
2016 -0.35% 0.74%
2015 1.86% 0.14%
2014 1.51% 2.63%
2013 0.72% 4.03%
2012 1.97% 5.7%
2011 3.2% 5.88%
2010 1.34% 3.49%
2009 2.06% 2.41%
2008 4.49% 8.76%
2007 2.49% 4.17%
2006 2.39% 2.46%
2005 1.59% 2.86%
2004 0.98% 0.47%
2003 3.03% 0.39%
2002 2.17% 1.01%
2001 2.04% 0.31%
2000 1.61% 1.5%
1999 1.25% 1.25%
1998 1.34% 0.56%
1997 0.54% 1.32%

Data sources: World Bank | Economy & Growth (1997–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08).

GeoRank.org/economy/bahamas/panama | CC BY

Over the past 28 years, the Bahamas has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 1.95%, compared with 2.02% in Panama. In 2024, inflation was 0.41% in the Bahamas and -0.19% in Panama.

Top exports between countries

Bahamas
Export category Export value
Machinery & equipment $475K
Wood & paper products $12K
Precious metals & jewellery $9K
Metals $3K
Panama
Export category Export value
Chemicals & pharma $26.3M
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $11.3M
Machinery & equipment $4.13M
Textiles & consumer goods $2.04M
Raw materials & minerals $1.9M
Metals $368K
Miscellaneous $187K
Wood & paper products $158K
Raw agricultural goods $24K
Precious metals & jewellery $13K

Balance of trade

Bahamas Panama
Current account balance
-$1.05B
2024
-$169M
2025
Current account balance ranking
120/190
2024
91/190
2025
Current account balance, % of GDP
-6.65%
2024
-0.19%
2025
Goods imports
$4.6B
2024
$28.2B
2025
Goods exports
$874M
2024
$18.6B
2025
Service imports
$2.47B
2024
$5.91B
2025
Service exports
$5.9B
2024
$20.2B
2025
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
41.5%
2024
39.3%
2024
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
37.8%
2024
44.4%
2024

Economic freedom indices

The indices of economic freedom below are issued by the Heritage Foundation. Higher scores indicate stronger economic health.

Bahamas Panama
Economic freedom 65.1 64.9
Economic freedom ranking 66/197 70/197
Property rights 62.7 56.7
Government integrity 67.1 37.4
Judicial effectiveness 79.8 49.6
Tax burden 96.1 86.1
Government spending 83.8 85.5
Fiscal health 9.1 51.8
Business freedom 69.4 72.6
Labor freedom 66.5 60.9
Monetary freedom 77.2 78.2
Trade freedom 59.4 80.2
Investment freedom 50 60
Financial freedom 60 60

Economic freedom comparison by year

Bahamas
Panama
1x
Year Economic freedom index
Bahamas Panama
2026 65.1 64.9
2025 63.2 65.5
2024 62.5 64.1
2023 62.6 63.8
2022 68.7 65.4
2021 64.6 66.2
2020 64.5 67.2
2019 62.9 67.2
2018 63.3 67
2017 61.1 66.3
2016 70.9 64.8
2015 68.7 64.1
2014 69.8 63.4
2013 70.1 62.5
2012 68 65.2
2011 68 64.9
2010 67.3 64.8
2009 70.3 64.7
2008 71.1 64.7
2007 72 64.6
2006 72.3 65.6
2005 72.6 64.3
2004 72.1 65.3
2003 73.5 68.4
2002 74.4 68.5
2001 74.8 70.6
2000 73.9 71.6
1999 74.7 72.6
1998 74.5 72.6
1997 74.5 72.4
1996 74 71.8
1995 71.8 71.6

Data sources: The Heritage Foundation | Economic Freedom Index (1995–2026, retrieved 2026-07-08).

GeoRank.org/economy/bahamas/panama | CC BY

The Economic Freedom Index for the Bahamas is 65.1, ranking 66/197, compared to 64.9 for Panama, ranking 70/197. The chart above displays a comparison of annual changes in economic freedom indexes.

Other economic metrics

Bahamas Panama
Services, % of GDP
77.2%
2024
70%
2025
Industry, % of GDP
9.63%
2024
24.9%
2025
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
0.51%
2024
2.62%
2025
GNI, Atlas method
$14.9B
2024
$87.5B
2025
GNI per capita, PPP
$39,610
2024
$41,770
2025
Total reserves including gold
$2.63B
2024
$6.24B
2025
Total reserves ranking
123/177
2024
93/177
2025
Net foreign direct investment
-$77.6M
2024
-$1.81B
2025
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
$241M
2024
$2.09B
2024
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
$163M
2024
$84.3M
2024
Poverty at national poverty lines
9.3%
2020
21.7%
2023
Gross capital formation, % of GDP
26.8%
2024
33.5%
2024

GDP per capita map

1x

Data sources: World Bank | Economy & Growth (1985–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08); U.S. Census Bureau (1985–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08).

GeoRank.org/economy/bahamas/panama | CC BY

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Data sources:

  1. World Bank | Economy & Growth (1960–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  2. International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  3. International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1946–1993, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  4. The Heritage Foundation | Economic Freedom Index (1995–2026, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  5. U.S. Census Bureau (1985–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  6. TradeMap (2023–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  7. United Nations | World Population Prospects (2026, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  8. LivingCost (2026, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  9. Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) (2020, retrieved 2026-07-08)

Creative Commons Attribution (CC BY) — you’re free to copy, share, remix, adapt, and use even commercially as long as you give appropriate credit and clearly indicate if you made changes. Other sources may be subject to different license terms.

The current account balance is the sum of net trade in goods and services, net earnings from cross-border investments, and net transfer payments. It reflects a country's economic transactions with the rest of the world and is a fundamental component of the balance of payments. A surplus indicates that a country exports more than it imports, while a deficit shows the opposite.

Gross National Income (GNI) measures a country's total income. It encompasses income earned by residents, businesses, and foreign sources, defined as employee compensation and investment profits. GNI adds product taxes not included elsewhere and subtracts subsidies. It accounts for income from residents working abroad but excludes earnings from foreigners within the country.

A negative value for Net Foreign Direct Investment indicates a country is a net receiver of investments, as foreign inflows exceed outflows after Balance of Payments adjustments. A positive value indicates a net provider, with outflows exceeding inflows. Inflows are credits (increasing foreign claims on domestic assets), while outflows are debits (increasing domestic assets abroad).

Foreign direct investment (FDI, net inflows) shows how much capital foreign investors bring into a country after accounting for any funds that flow back in the opposite direction. It represents the net value of overseas companies establishing, expanding, or financing businesses in the reporting country. A positive number means more capital entered the country than was withdrawn, while a negative number means foreign investors pulled out more than they invested.

Foreign direct investment (FDI, net outflows) shows how much capital residents of a country invest abroad after accounting for any funds that flow back in the opposite direction. It represents the net value of domestic companies establishing, expanding, or financing businesses in other countries. A positive number means more capital was invested abroad than withdrawn, while a negative number means residents pulled back more than they invested.

Formerly gross domestic investment, gross capital formation measures the share of a country’s economic output invested in fixed assets, including buildings, machinery, and infrastructure. It indicates how much of the economy is devoted to building productive capacity.