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Economy of Bahrain vs Panama compared: GDP & Debt

Updated on by Georank team

Bahrain has a GDP of $47.1B compared to $86.5B for Panama, ranking 96/197 and 78/197 by economy size, respectively.

Bahrain has $62.8B in government debt (133.4% of GDP), compared to $49.6B (57.4% of GDP) in Panama.

Bahrain vs Panama GDP by year

Bahrain
Panama
1x
Year GDP, current $
Bahrain Panama
2024 $47,109,734,309 $86,523,959,132
2023 $46,192,260,638 $83,812,155,244
2022 $46,458,191,489 $76,479,304,471
2021 $40,840,212,766 $67,396,392,506
2020 $35,837,632,979 $57,059,846,522
2019 $40,446,808,511 $69,778,991,193
2018 $39,567,978,723 $67,316,471,181
2017 $37,204,813,830 $64,327,688,826
2016 $33,884,680,851 $59,760,858,718
2015 $32,523,297,872 $55,767,806,073
2014 $34,772,526,596 $51,427,104,882
2013 $33,823,324,468 $46,949,496,479
2012 $31,963,404,255 $41,595,439,721
2011 $29,914,680,851 $35,687,738,252
2010 $26,805,984,043 $30,231,009,533
2009 $22,938,218,085 $27,791,215,547
2008 $25,710,904,255 $25,721,327,955
2007 $21,730,000,000 $21,717,433,808
2006 $18,504,760,638 $18,659,721,513
2005 $15,968,723,404 $16,623,906,739
2004 $13,150,159,574 $15,100,203,362
2003 $11,074,813,830 $13,603,456,003
2002 $9,593,510,638 $12,800,851,271
2001 $8,976,196,809 $12,252,906,341
2000 $9,062,898,936 $11,966,497,049
1999 $7,528,469,149 $11,660,704,777
1998 $7,031,309,043 $11,019,557,689
1997 $7,219,407,713 $10,058,854,386
1996 $6,938,166,755 $9,197,503,323
1995 $6,651,180,851 $9,573,813,700
1994 $6,330,627,926 $9,365,289,800
1993 $5,913,001,064 $8,782,585,400
1992 $5,402,232,447 $8,042,337,700
1991 $5,248,911,170 $7,074,675,500
1990 $4,809,511,005 $6,433,967,000
1989 $4,393,093,963 $5,918,469,800
1988 $4,209,834,173 $5,902,783,400
1987 $3,856,922,694 $6,827,665,300
1986 $3,470,746,843 $6,797,834,200
1985 $4,152,376,484 $6,541,517,100
1984 $4,440,874,566 $6,183,387,100
1983 $4,247,030,468 $5,923,755,900
1982 $4,145,421,080 $5,769,767,900
1981 $3,943,109,532 $5,222,421,500
1980 $3,493,834,468 $4,614,086,400
1979 $2,710,160,739 $3,704,551,600
1978 $2,272,042,965 $3,244,558,600
1977 $1,989,060,283 $2,738,261,900
1976 $1,581,709,519 $2,588,106,000
1975 $1,099,107,601 $2,435,304,100
1974 $1,042,176,884 $2,188,307,600
1973 $761,132,545 $1,913,793,400
1972 $534,081,184 $1,673,411,700
1971 $422,181,562 $1,523,917,200
1970 $391,577,364 $1,351,006,400
1969 - $1,221,305,700
1968 - $1,112,791,100
1967 - $1,034,376,400
1966 - $928,833,000
1965 - $852,485,300
1964 - $776,137,500
1963 - $722,784,500
1962 - $652,120,900
1961 - $599,026,300
1960 - $537,147,100

Data sources: World Bank | Economy & Growth (1960–2024, retrieved 2026-04-06).

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

GDP per capita in Bahrain vs Panama by year

Bahrain
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
Panama
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
Bahrain Panama
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2024 $29,654 $66,941 $19,161 $41,369
2023 $29,290 $64,171 $18,797 $39,813
2022 $30,471 $61,678 $17,379 $36,333
2021 $27,148 $54,955 $15,510 $30,933
2020 $24,343 $53,436 $13,291 $27,017
2019 $27,260 $56,600 $16,478 $33,240
2018 $26,324 $51,993 $16,151 $32,464
2017 $24,785 $50,185 $15,695 $33,533
2016 $23,800 $47,429 $14,832 $30,277
2015 $23,734 $48,034 $14,083 $27,245
2014 $26,452 $54,299 $13,213 $24,376
2013 $26,990 $56,310 $12,273 $21,924
2012 $26,439 $56,713 $11,065 $19,473
2011 $25,033 $52,677 $9,662 $17,474
2010 $21,819 $49,255 $8,331 $15,573
2009 $19,465 $48,626 $7,797 $14,766
2008 $23,299 $50,330 $7,348 $14,705
2007 $20,908 $49,347 $6,318 $13,333
2006 $19,267 $48,009 $5,529 $11,685
2005 $17,966 $47,268 $5,018 $10,511
2004 $15,964 $46,317 $4,645 $9,592
2003 $14,486 $45,427 $4,265 $8,801
2002 $13,501 $45,091 $4,091 $8,370
2001 $13,573 $46,162 $3,992 $8,197
2000 $14,214 $45,688 $3,975 $8,097
1999 $12,123 $43,561 $3,950 $7,749
1998 $11,625 $42,281 $3,808 $7,408
1997 $12,255 $40,965 $3,546 $6,895
1996 $12,092 $40,106 $3,308 $6,421
1995 $11,901 $38,839 $3,514 $6,182
1994 $11,629 $37,579 $3,508 $6,073
1993 $11,152 $37,870 $3,358 $5,902
1992 $10,460 $33,648 $3,140 $5,582
1991 $10,434 $31,657 $2,821 $5,150
1990 $9,343 $26,902 $2,620 $4,651
1989 $8,833 - $2,462 -
1988 $8,772 - $2,509 -
1987 $8,333 - $2,966 -
1986 $7,777 - $3,019 -
1985 $9,649 - $2,972 -
1984 $10,697 - $2,875 -
1983 $10,599 - $2,819 -
1982 $10,712 - $2,811 -
1981 $10,557 - $2,605 -
1980 $9,733 - $2,357 -
1979 $7,891 - $1,938 -
1978 $6,926 - $1,738 -
1977 $6,358 - $1,503 -
1976 $5,310 - $1,457 -
1975 $3,880 - $1,406 -
1974 $3,874 - $1,296 -
1973 $2,981 - $1,164 -
1972 $2,206 - $1,046 -
1971 $1,830 - $979 -
1970 $1,742 - $893 -
1969 - - $830 -
1968 - - $778 -
1967 - - $745 -
1966 - - $689 -
1965 - - $651 -
1964 - - $611 -
1963 - - $587 -
1962 - - $546 -
1961 - - $516 -
1960 - - $477 -

Data sources: World Bank | Economy & Growth (1960–2024, retrieved 2026-04-06).

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

Bahrain's GDP per capita is $29,654, ranking 42/197, compared to $19,161 in Panama, ranking 60/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), Bahrain ranks 26th at $66,941, while Panama ranks 56th at $41,369.

Economic indicators

Bahrain Panama
Gross domestic product
$47.1B
2024
$86.5B
2024
GDP rank
96/197
2024
78/197
2024
GDP growth
2.6%
2023-2024
2.75%
2023-2024
GDP per capita
$29,654
2024
$19,161
2024
GDP per capita rank
42/197
2024
60/197
2024
GDP per capita, PPP
$66,941
2024
$41,369
2024
GDP per capita PPP rank
26/197
2024
56/197
2024
Government debt
$62.8B
2024
$49.6B
2024
Debt-to-GDP ratio
133.4%
2024
57.4%
2024
Government debt per person
$39,552
2024
$10,995
2024
Government debt per person rank
14/185
2024
51/185
2024
Average annual personal income after taxes
$23,253
2026
$10,196
2026
Market capitalization of domestic companies
$20.4B
2024
$18.3B
2024
Income share by richest 10% n/a
37.6%
2024
Income share by poorest 10% n/a
1.2%
2024
Government expenditure, % of GDP
29.1%
2024
23.1%
2024
Consumer prices inflation
0.92%
2023-2024
0.69%
2023-2024
Central bank interest rate
4.25%
2025
n/a
Unemployment rate
1.2%
2012
8.61%
2024
Population
1669503
4642198

Spending and national debt comparison by year

Bahrain
Spending

Debt
Panama
Spending

Debt
1x
Year % of GDP
Bahrain Panama
Government spending Government debt Government spending Government debt
2024 29.1% 133.4% 23.1% 57.4%
2023 29.1% 123% 21.4% 51.2%
2022 28.4% 111.6% 21.3% 52.7%
2021 30.6% 122.3% 23.8% 54.4%
2020 34.6% 125.7% 27.5% 61.5%
2019 31.2% 97.1% 20.6% 39.8%
2018 32.1% 90.4% 21.8% 35.6%
2017 30.7% 84% 21.2% 33.6%
2016 33.3% 77.4% 21.3% 33.6%
2015 34.8% 63.2% 21.4% 34.2%
2014 27.3% 42.6% 23% 34.7%
2013 32% 42.3% 23.4% 33.7%
2012 31.1% 34.8% 22.8% 34%
2011 30.2% 31.6% 23.5% 35.6%
2010 31.1% 28.8% 24.2% 38.1%
2009 24.6% 20.5% 22.7% 39.1%
2008 22.7% 12.1% 22.7% 40%
2007 22.4% 15.7% 21.8% 47.4%
2006 23.1% 19.4% 21.9% 54.7%
2005 23.9% 23.2% 22.4% 59.3%
2004 25% 28.2% 23.3% 58.8%
2003 28.1% 31.1% 24.2% 56.5%
2002 30.6% 27.2% 23.5% 57%
2001 26.5% 25% 23.4% 57.8%
2000 22.2% 24.7% 22.8% 53.6%
1999 27.1% 24.7% 23% 55.1%
1998 25.7% 20% 23.4% 58.1%
1997 31% 14.8% 22.2% 60.2%
1996 22.7% 13.1% 21.5% 65%
1995 25.1% 13.6% 25.9% 76.6%
1994 26.1% 5.62% 25.2% 78.3%
1993 26.7% 5.95% 33.8% 83.6%
1992 29.4% 6.45% 27.8% 91.2%
1991 28.5% 6.71% 20.9% 103.7%
1990 32.4% 7.24% 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 (1990–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1960–1993, retrieved 2026-02-20).

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

In 2024, Bahrain's government spending was $13.7B, accounting for 29.1% of its GDP, while Panama spent $20B, or 23.1% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 133.4% in Bahrain and 57.4% in Panama, ranking 9/185 and 88/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
Bahrain

Panama
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
Bahrain Panama
2024 -10.6% -7.42%
2023 -9.67% -3.9%
2022 -6.02% -3.98%
2021 -10.6% -6.48%
2020 -17.3% -10.2%
2019 -8.57% -2.89%
2018 -11.3% -2.88%
2017 -13.4% -1.92%
2016 -16.6% -1.89%
2015 -17.5% -2.3%
2014 -3.32% -3.21%
2013 -8.55% -2.38%
2012 -5.77% -1.31%
2011 -4.9% -1.96%
2010 -9.29% -1.68%
2009 -5.36% -0.9%
2008 4.08% 0.37%
2007 1.52% 3.12%
2006 2.24% 0.51%
2005 2.8% -2.21%
2004 0.24% -4.33%
2003 -1.7% -2.27%
2002 -3.27% -0.96%
2001 0.7% -0.42%
2000 7.33% 2.05%
1999 -4.85% -0.65%
1998 -5.49% -1.11%
1997 -6.39% 1.24%
1996 0.24% 2.48%
1995 -3.99% 2.3%
1994 -5.18% 2.12%
1993 -2.77% -9.4%
1992 -5.41% -2.62%
1991 -3.47% -0.6%
1990 -6.79% -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 (1990–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1946–1993, retrieved 2026-02-20).

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

In 2024, Bahrain's government deficit, the difference between spending and revenue, was $5B, equivalent to 10.6% of GDP. This compares to Panama's deficit of $6.42B, or 7.42% of GDP.

Over the past 35 years, Bahrain recorded a fiscal deficit in 27 of those years, while Panama ran a deficit in 27 years. On average, Bahrain posted an annual deficit equal to 5.39% of GDP, compared to deficit of 1.98% of GDP for Panama.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
Bahrain

Panama
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
Bahrain Panama
2024 0.92% 0.69%
2023 0.07% 1.49%
2022 3.63% 2.86%
2021 -0.61% 1.63%
2020 -2.32% -1.55%
2019 1.01% -0.36%
2018 2.09% 0.76%
2017 1.39% 0.88%
2016 2.79% 0.74%
2015 1.85% 0.14%
2014 2.65% 2.63%
2013 3.3% 4.03%
2012 2.76% 5.7%
2011 -0.4% 5.88%
2010 1.96% 3.49%
2009 2.8% 2.41%
2008 3.53% 8.76%
2007 3.26% 4.17%
2006 2.01% 2.46%
2005 2.59% 2.86%
2004 2.35% 0.47%
2003 1.59% 0.39%
2002 -0.5% 1.01%
2001 -1.21% 0.31%
2000 -0.7% 1.5%
1999 -1.29% 1.25%
1998 -0.37% 0.56%
1997 2.43% 1.32%

Data sources: World Bank | Economy & Growth (1997–2024, retrieved 2026-04-06).

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

Over the past 28 years, Bahrain has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 1.34%, compared with 2.02% in Panama. In 2024, inflation was 0.92% in Bahrain and 0.69% in Panama.

Top exports between countries

Bahrain
Export category Export value
Machinery & equipment $239K
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $62K
Animal & marine products $30K
Chemicals & pharma $18K
Raw agricultural goods $10K
Metals $5K
Textiles & consumer goods $5K
Raw materials & minerals $1K
Wood & paper products $1K
Panama
Export category Export value
Raw agricultural goods $5K
Textiles & consumer goods $1K

Balance of trade

Bahrain Panama
Current account balance
$2.28B
2024
$1.67B
2024
Current account balance ranking
44/190
2024
51/190
2024
Current account balance, % of GDP
+4.84%
2024
+1.93%
2024
Goods imports
$20.7B
2024
$25.1B
2024
Goods exports
$24.3B
2024
$19.1B
2024
Service imports
$12.4B
2024
$5.75B
2024
Service exports
$17B
2024
$18.3B
2024
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
70.1%
2024
39.3%
2024
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
87.7%
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.

Bahrain Panama
Economic freedom 65.7 64.9
Economic freedom ranking 63/197 70/197
Property rights 60.9 56.7
Government integrity 45.9 37.4
Judicial effectiveness 30 49.6
Tax burden 99.9 86.1
Government spending 75 85.5
Fiscal health 0 51.8
Business freedom 75.9 72.6
Labor freedom 55.5 60.9
Monetary freedom 88.8 78.2
Trade freedom 86.8 80.2
Investment freedom 90 60
Financial freedom 80 60

Economic freedom comparison by year

Bahrain
Panama
1x
Year Economic freedom index
Bahrain Panama
2026 65.7 64.9
2025 65.6 65.5
2024 63.4 64.1
2023 62.5 63.8
2022 62 65.4
2021 69.9 66.2
2020 66.3 67.2
2019 66.4 67.2
2018 67.7 67
2017 68.5 66.3
2016 74.3 64.8
2015 73.4 64.1
2014 75.1 63.4
2013 75.5 62.5
2012 75.2 65.2
2011 77.7 64.9
2010 76.3 64.8
2009 74.8 64.7
2008 72.2 64.7
2007 71.2 64.6
2006 71.6 65.6
2005 71.2 64.3
2004 75.1 65.3
2003 76.3 68.4
2002 75.6 68.5
2001 75.9 70.6
2000 75.7 71.6
1999 75.2 72.6
1998 75.6 72.6
1997 76.1 72.4
1996 76.4 71.8
1995 76.2 71.6

Data sources: The Heritage Foundation | Economic Freedom Index (1995–2026, retrieved 2026-03-09).

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

The Economic Freedom Index for Bahrain is 65.7, ranking 63/197, 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

Bahrain Panama
Services, % of GDP
53.2%
2024
69.3%
2024
Industry, % of GDP
42.3%
2024
25.5%
2024
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
0.25%
2024
2.68%
2024
GNI, Atlas method
$44.6B
2024
$81.3B
2024
GNI per capita, PPP
$62,230
2024
$39,260
2024
Total reserves including gold
$4.95B
2024
$6.86B
2024
Total reserves ranking
102/177
2024
88/177
2024
Net foreign direct investment
-$2.43B
2024
-$2.38B
2024
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
$2.7B
2024
$3.24B
2024
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
$275M
2024
$865M
2024
Poverty at national poverty lines n/a
21.7%
2023
Gross capital formation, % of GDP
28.4%
2024
33.5%
2024

GDP per capita map

1x

Data sources: World Bank | Economy & Growth (1985–2024, retrieved 2026-04-06); U.S. Census Bureau (1985–2024, retrieved 2026-02-08).

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

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Data sources:

  1. World Bank | Economy & Growth (1960–2024, retrieved 2026-04-06)
  2. International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20)
  3. International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1946–1993, retrieved 2026-02-20)
  4. The Heritage Foundation | Economic Freedom Index (1995–2026, retrieved 2026-03-09)
  5. U.S. Census Bureau (1985–2024, retrieved 2026-02-08)
  6. TradeMap (2020–2024, retrieved 2026-02-08)
  7. United Nations | World Population Prospects (2026, retrieved 2026-03-10)
  8. LivingCost (2026, retrieved 2025-10-14)

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.