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Economy of China vs Panama compared: GDP & Debt

Updated on by Georank team

China has a GDP of $18.7T compared to $86.5B for Panama, ranking 2/197 and 78/197 by economy size, respectively.

China has $16.6T in government debt (88.3% of GDP), compared to $49.6B (57.4% of GDP) in Panama.

China vs Panama GDP by year

China
Panama
1x
Year GDP, current $
China Panama
2024 $18,743,803,170,827 $86,523,959,132
2023 $18,270,356,654,533 $83,812,155,244
2022 $18,316,765,021,690 $76,479,304,471
2021 $18,201,698,719,564 $67,396,392,506
2020 $14,996,414,166,715 $57,059,846,522
2019 $14,560,167,101,283 $69,778,991,193
2018 $14,147,765,772,964 $67,316,471,181
2017 $12,537,559,062,283 $64,327,688,826
2016 $11,456,024,084,962 $59,760,858,718
2015 $11,280,814,787,469 $55,767,806,073
2014 $10,674,533,168,257 $51,427,104,882
2013 $9,743,124,247,267 $46,949,496,479
2012 $8,673,664,713,189 $41,595,439,721
2011 $7,671,757,207,851 $35,687,738,252
2010 $6,192,564,874,453 $30,231,009,533
2009 $5,189,577,094,998 $27,791,215,547
2008 $4,667,346,414,522 $25,721,327,955
2007 $3,604,055,822,572 $21,717,433,808
2006 $2,791,498,472,804 $18,659,721,513
2005 $2,317,551,298,052 $16,623,906,739
2004 $1,984,196,551,300 $15,100,203,362
2003 $1,683,903,309,844 $13,603,456,003
2002 $1,489,821,682,051 $12,800,851,271
2001 $1,355,036,590,252 $12,252,906,341
2000 $1,223,754,919,971 $11,966,497,049
1999 $1,103,843,203,576 $11,660,704,777
1998 $1,037,134,141,760 $11,019,557,689
1997 $967,753,570,435 $10,058,854,386
1996 $868,523,936,530 $9,197,503,323
1995 $738,190,896,228 $9,573,813,700
1994 $566,929,539,493 $9,365,289,800
1993 $446,557,291,212 $8,782,585,400
1992 $428,502,354,788 $8,042,337,700
1991 $384,510,452,962 $7,074,675,500
1990 $361,560,229,446 $6,433,967,000
1989 $348,380,566,802 $5,918,469,800
1988 $312,888,888,889 $5,902,783,400
1987 $273,455,156,951 $6,827,665,300
1986 $301,310,144,928 $6,797,834,200
1985 $310,064,625,850 $6,541,517,100
1984 $260,442,857,143 $6,183,387,100
1983 $231,130,268,199 $5,923,755,900
1982 $205,480,916,031 $5,769,767,900
1981 $196,218,253,968 $5,222,421,500
1980 $191,487,500,000 $4,614,086,400
1979 $178,573,913,043 $3,704,551,600
1978 $149,788,617,886 $3,244,558,600
1977 $175,226,595,860 $2,738,261,900
1976 $154,196,810,059 $2,588,106,000
1975 $163,687,619,736 $2,435,304,100
1974 $144,418,433,058 $2,188,307,600
1973 $138,764,340,892 $1,913,793,400
1972 $113,871,930,714 $1,673,411,700
1971 $99,959,013,880 $1,523,917,200
1970 $92,752,930,873 $1,351,006,400
1969 $79,847,786,729 $1,221,305,700
1968 $70,980,323,819 $1,112,791,100
1967 $73,011,350,596 $1,034,376,400
1966 $76,854,053,259 $928,833,000
1965 $70,565,994,356 $852,485,300
1964 $59,821,862,703 $776,137,500
1963 $50,812,227,919 $722,784,500
1962 $47,310,737,754 $652,120,900
1961 $50,162,299,350 $599,026,300
1960 $59,846,235,025 $537,147,100

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

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

GDP per capita in China vs Panama by year

China
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
Panama
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
China Panama
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2024 $13,303 $27,105 $19,161 $41,369
2023 $12,951 $25,179 $18,797 $39,813
2022 $12,971 $23,032 $17,379 $36,333
2021 $12,887 $20,843 $15,510 $30,933
2020 $10,627 $18,267 $13,291 $27,017
2019 $10,343 $17,601 $16,478 $33,240
2018 $10,086 $16,298 $16,151 $32,464
2017 $8,980 $15,022 $15,695 $33,533
2016 $8,255 $14,157 $14,832 $30,277
2015 $8,175 $13,463 $14,083 $27,245
2014 $7,781 $12,942 $13,213 $24,376
2013 $7,147 $12,228 $12,273 $21,924
2012 $6,405 $11,420 $11,065 $19,473
2011 $5,704 $10,457 $9,662 $17,474
2010 $4,629 $9,411 $8,331 $15,573
2009 $3,898 $8,448 $7,797 $14,766
2008 $3,523 $7,713 $7,348 $14,705
2007 $2,735 $6,935 $6,318 $13,333
2006 $2,129 $5,946 $5,529 $11,685
2005 $1,778 $5,148 $5,018 $10,511
2004 $1,531 $4,505 $4,645 $9,592
2003 $1,307 $4,007 $4,265 $8,801
2002 $1,164 $3,591 $4,091 $8,370
2001 $1,065 $3,258 $3,992 $8,197
2000 $969 $2,964 $3,975 $8,097
1999 $881 $2,690 $3,950 $7,749
1998 $835 $2,483 $3,808 $7,408
1997 $787 $2,297 $3,546 $6,895
1996 $713 $2,088 $3,308 $6,421
1995 $613 $1,884 $3,514 $6,182
1994 $476 $1,680 $3,508 $6,073
1993 $379 $1,471 $3,358 $5,902
1992 $368 $1,276 $3,140 $5,582
1991 $334 $1,105 $2,821 $5,150
1990 $319 $991 $2,620 $4,651
1989 $311 - $2,462 -
1988 $284 - $2,509 -
1987 $252.3 - $2,966 -
1986 $282.4 - $3,019 -
1985 $295 - $2,972 -
1984 $251.2 - $2,875 -
1983 $225.9 - $2,819 -
1982 $203.7 - $2,811 -
1981 $197.4 - $2,605 -
1980 $195.1 - $2,357 -
1979 $184.3 - $1,938 -
1978 $156.7 - $1,738 -
1977 $185.7 - $1,503 -
1976 $165.7 - $1,457 -
1975 $178.6 - $1,406 -
1974 $160.4 - $1,296 -
1973 $157.3 - $1,164 -
1972 $132.1 - $1,046 -
1971 $118.8 - $979 -
1970 $113.3 - $893 -
1969 $100.3 - $830 -
1968 $91.6 - $778 -
1967 $96.8 - $745 -
1966 $104.5 - $689 -
1965 $98.7 - $651 -
1964 $85.7 - $611 -
1963 $74.5 - $587 -
1962 $71.1 - $546 -
1961 $76 - $516 -
1960 $89.7 - $477 -

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

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

China's GDP per capita is $13,303, ranking 76/197, compared to $19,161 in Panama, ranking 60/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), China ranks 77th at $27,105, while Panama ranks 56th at $41,369.

Economic indicators

China Panama
Gross domestic product
$18.7T
2024
$86.5B
2024
GDP rank
2/197
2024
78/197
2024
GDP growth
4.98%
2023-2024
2.75%
2023-2024
GDP per capita
$13,303
2024
$19,161
2024
GDP per capita rank
76/197
2024
60/197
2024
GDP per capita, PPP
$27,105
2024
$41,369
2024
GDP per capita PPP rank
77/197
2024
56/197
2024
Government debt
$16.6T
2024
$49.6B
2024
Debt-to-GDP ratio
88.3%
2024
57.4%
2024
Government debt per person
$11,749
2024
$10,995
2024
Government debt per person rank
47/185
2024
51/185
2024
Average annual personal income after taxes
$9,826
2026
$10,196
2026
Market capitalization of domestic companies
$11.8T
2024
$18.3B
2024
Number of millionaires
6,327,000
2025
n/a
Number of billionaires
450
2025
n/a
Income share by richest 10%
28.4%
2022
37.6%
2024
Income share by poorest 10%
3.1%
2022
1.2%
2024
Government expenditure, % of GDP
32.9%
2024
23.1%
2024
Consumer prices inflation
0.2%
2023-2024
0.69%
2023-2024
Central bank interest rate
3.1%
2024
n/a
Unemployment rate
5.11%
2021
8.61%
2024
Population
1402578808
4642198

Spending and national debt comparison by year

China
Spending

Debt
Panama
Spending

Debt
1x
Year % of GDP
China Panama
Government spending Government debt Government spending Government debt
2024 32.9% 88.3% 23.1% 57.4%
2023 32.7% 82% 21.4% 51.2%
2022 32.6% 75.5% 21.3% 52.7%
2021 31.9% 70.1% 23.8% 54.4%
2020 34.8% 69% 27.5% 61.5%
2019 33.6% 59.4% 20.6% 39.8%
2018 32.6% 55.6% 21.8% 35.6%
2017 32% 53.9% 21.2% 33.6%
2016 31.7% 49.7% 21.3% 33.6%
2015 31% 40.8% 21.4% 34.2%
2014 28.4% 39.3% 23% 34.7%
2013 28.1% 36.4% 23.4% 33.7%
2012 27.7% 33.8% 22.8% 34%
2011 26.6% 33.2% 23.5% 35.6%
2010 24.7% 33.3% 24.2% 38.1%
2009 25.2% 34% 22.7% 39.1%
2008 22.2% 26.7% 22.7% 40%
2007 17.9% 28.7% 21.8% 47.4%
2006 18.1% 25.2% 21.9% 54.7%
2005 18% 25.9% 22.4% 59.3%
2004 17.6% 26% 23.3% 58.8%
2003 18% 26.4% 24.2% 56.5%
2002 18.2% 25.6% 23.5% 57%
2001 17.2% 24.3% 23.4% 57.8%
2000 16.1% 22.7% 22.8% 53.6%
1999 14.9% 21.6% 23% 55.1%
1998 12.6% 20.4% 23.4% 58.1%
1997 11.5% 20.4% 22.2% 60.2%
1996 11% 21.2% 21.5% 65%
1995 11.1% 21.4% 25.9% 76.6%
1994 12.4% - 25.2% 78.3%
1993 13.4% - 33.8% 83.6%
1992 14.6% - 27.8% 91.2%
1991 16.5% - 20.9% 103.7%
1990 18.2% - 41.5% 112.7%
1989 18.6% - 43% 104.4%
1988 20.9% 4.46% 41.8% 105%
1987 23.4% 3.6% 40.1% 92.2%
1986 25.6% 3.24% 38.6% 84%
1985 25.8% 3.31% 39.7% 82.5%
1984 26.9% 0.97% 44% 82.5%
1983 28.3% - 44.6% 86.6%
1982 27.9% - 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/china/panama | CC BY

In 2024, China's government spending was $6.18T, accounting for 32.9% of its GDP, while Panama spent $20B, or 23.1% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 88.3% in China and 57.4% in Panama, ranking 34/185 and 88/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
China

Panama
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
China Panama
2024 -7.34% -7.42%
2023 -6.71% -3.9%
2022 -7.32% -3.98%
2021 -5.9% -6.48%
2020 -9.56% -10.2%
2019 -6% -2.89%
2018 -4.2% -2.88%
2017 -3.34% -1.92%
2016 -3.33% -1.89%
2015 -2.5% -2.3%
2014 -0.67% -3.21%
2013 -0.82% -2.38%
2012 -0.3% -1.31%
2011 -0.1% -1.96%
2010 -0.36% -1.68%
2009 -1.72% -0.9%
2008 -0.02% 0.37%
2007 0.06% 3.12%
2006 -1.13% 0.51%
2005 -1.38% -2.21%
2004 -1.49% -4.33%
2003 -2.36% -2.27%
2002 -2.84% -0.96%
2001 -2.56% -0.42%
2000 -2.81% 2.05%
1999 -2.3% -0.65%
1998 -1.08% -1.11%
1997 -0.73% 1.24%
1996 -0.73% 2.48%
1995 -0.94% 2.3%
1994 -1.68% 2.12%
1993 -0.89% -9.4%
1992 -1.22% -2.62%
1991 -1.04% -0.6%
1990 -0.72% -3.65%
1989 -0.91% -13.6%
1988 -2.22% -13.5%
1987 -2.08% -1.7%
1986 -1.82% -1%
1985 -0.45% -2.57%
1984 -1.44% -7.56%
1983 -1.61% -7.62%
1982 -1.33% -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/china/panama | CC BY

In 2024, China's government deficit, the difference between spending and revenue, was $1.38T, equivalent to 7.34% of GDP. This compares to Panama's deficit of $6.42B, or 7.42% of GDP.

Over the past 43 years, China recorded a fiscal deficit in 42 of those years, while Panama ran a deficit in 35 years. On average, China posted an annual deficit equal to 2.28% of GDP, compared to deficit of 3.03% of GDP for Panama.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
China

Panama
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
China Panama
2024 0.2% 0.69%
2023 0.2% 1.49%
2022 2% 2.86%
2021 0.9% 1.63%
2020 2.5% -1.55%
2019 2.9% -0.36%
2018 2.1% 0.76%
2017 1.6% 0.88%
2016 2% 0.74%
2015 1.5% 0.14%
2014 2% 2.63%
2013 2.7% 4.03%
2012 2.6% 5.7%
2011 5.4% 5.88%
2010 3.3% 3.49%
2009 -0.7% 2.41%
2008 5.9% 8.76%
2007 4.7% 4.17%
2006 1.5% 2.46%
2005 1.8% 2.86%
2004 3.9% 0.47%
2003 1.1% 0.39%
2002 -0.8% 1.01%
2001 0.7% 0.31%
2000 0.4% 1.5%
1999 -1.4% 1.25%
1998 -0.8% 0.56%
1997 2.8% 1.32%

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | World Economic Outlook (1997–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20); World Bank | Economy & Growth (1997–2024, retrieved 2026-04-06).

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

Over the past 28 years, China has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 1.82%, compared with 2.02% in Panama. In 2024, inflation was 0.2% in China and 0.69% in Panama.

Top exports between countries

China
Export category Export value
Machinery & equipment $6.45B
Textiles & consumer goods $2.5B
Raw materials & minerals $2B
Metals $804M
Chemicals & pharma $712M
Wood & paper products $86.2M
Miscellaneous $64M
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $61M
Precious metals & jewellery $41M
Raw agricultural goods $14.7M
Panama
Export category Export value
Raw materials & minerals $1.26B
Chemicals & pharma $203M
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $37.3M
Animal & marine products $6.27M
Raw agricultural goods $5.72M
Wood & paper products $3.27M
Metals $1.46M
Textiles & consumer goods $917K
Machinery & equipment $364K
Precious metals & jewellery $270K

Balance of trade

China Panama
Current account balance
$424B
2024
$1.67B
2024
Current account balance ranking
1/190
2024
51/190
2024
Current account balance, % of GDP
+2.26%
2024
+1.93%
2024
Goods imports
$2.64T
2024
$25.1B
2024
Goods exports
$3.41T
2024
$19.1B
2024
Service imports
$613B
2024
$5.75B
2024
Service exports
$384B
2024
$18.3B
2024
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
17.2%
2024
39.3%
2024
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
20%
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.

China Panama
Economic freedom 48.3 64.9
Economic freedom ranking 170/197 70/197
Property rights 40.9 56.7
Government integrity 42.3 37.4
Judicial effectiveness 38.6 49.6
Tax burden 69.3 86.1
Government spending 67.8 85.5
Fiscal health 4.4 51.8
Business freedom 68.7 72.6
Labor freedom 57.9 60.9
Monetary freedom 76.1 78.2
Trade freedom 73.4 80.2
Investment freedom 20 60
Financial freedom 20 60

Economic freedom comparison by year

China
Panama
1x
Year Economic freedom index
China Panama
2026 48.3 64.9
2025 49 65.5
2024 48.5 64.1
2023 48.3 63.8
2022 48 65.4
2021 58.4 66.2
2020 59.5 67.2
2019 58.4 67.2
2018 57.8 67
2017 57.4 66.3
2016 52 64.8
2015 52.7 64.1
2014 52.5 63.4
2013 51.9 62.5
2012 51.2 65.2
2011 52 64.9
2010 51 64.8
2009 53.2 64.7
2008 53.1 64.7
2007 52 64.6
2006 53.6 65.6
2005 53.7 64.3
2004 52.5 65.3
2003 52.6 68.4
2002 52.8 68.5
2001 52.6 70.6
2000 56.4 71.6
1999 54.8 72.6
1998 53.1 72.6
1997 51.7 72.4
1996 51.3 71.8
1995 52 71.6

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

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

The Economic Freedom Index for China is 48.3, ranking 170/197, 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

China Panama
Services, % of GDP
56.7%
2024
69.3%
2024
Industry, % of GDP
36.5%
2024
25.5%
2024
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
6.78%
2024
2.68%
2024
GNI, Atlas method
$19.3T
2024
$81.3B
2024
GNI per capita, PPP
$26,920
2024
$39,260
2024
Total reserves including gold
$3.46T
2024
$6.86B
2024
Total reserves ranking
1/177
2024
88/177
2024
Net foreign direct investment
$154B
2024
-$2.38B
2024
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
$18.6B
2024
$3.24B
2024
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
$172B
2024
$865M
2024
Servicing debt to the IMF, % of GNI
1.89%
2024
n/a
Poverty at national poverty lines
0%
2020
21.7%
2023
Gross capital formation, % of GDP
40.6%
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/china/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 (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.

Principal and interest payments to the IMF in currency, goods, or services on long-term debt expressed as a share of GNI.

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.