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Economy of Ecuador vs Panama compared: GDP & Debt

Updated on by Georank team

Ecuador has a GDP of $125B compared to $86.5B for Panama, ranking 62/197 and 78/197 by economy size, respectively.

Ecuador has $67B in government debt (53.8% of GDP), compared to $49.6B (57.4% of GDP) in Panama.

Ecuador vs Panama GDP by year

Ecuador
Panama
1x
Year GDP, current $
Ecuador Panama
2024 $124,676,074,700 $86,523,959,132
2023 $121,147,057,000 $83,812,155,244
2022 $116,133,121,000 $76,479,304,471
2021 $107,179,074,000 $67,396,392,506
2020 $95,865,473,000 $57,059,846,522
2019 $107,595,830,000 $69,778,991,193
2018 $107,478,961,000 $67,316,471,181
2017 $104,467,486,000 $64,327,688,826
2016 $97,671,433,000 $59,760,858,718
2015 $97,209,558,000 $55,767,806,073
2014 $102,717,794,000 $51,427,104,882
2013 $96,570,334,000 $46,949,496,479
2012 $87,735,048,000 $41,595,439,721
2011 $78,986,648,000 $35,687,738,252
2010 $68,151,329,000 $30,231,009,533
2009 $60,094,978,000 $27,791,215,547
2008 $61,139,438,000 $25,721,327,955
2007 $49,848,725,000 $21,717,433,808
2006 $45,690,762,000 $18,659,721,513
2005 $40,278,849,000 $16,623,906,739
2004 $35,194,947,000 $15,100,203,362
2003 $30,965,208,000 $13,603,456,003
2002 $27,054,197,000 $12,800,851,271
2001 $23,127,055,000 $12,252,906,341
2000 $17,539,454,727 $11,966,497,049
1999 $19,645,272,636 $11,660,704,777
1998 $27,981,896,948 $11,019,557,689
1997 $28,162,053,027 $10,058,854,386
1996 $25,226,393,197 $9,197,503,323
1995 $24,432,884,442 $9,573,813,700
1994 $22,708,673,337 $9,365,289,800
1993 $18,938,717,359 $8,782,585,400
1992 $18,094,238,119 $8,042,337,700
1991 $16,988,535,268 $7,074,675,500
1990 $15,239,272,612 $6,433,967,000
1989 $13,890,823,705 $5,918,469,800
1988 $13,051,881,851 $5,902,783,400
1987 $13,945,426,859 $6,827,665,300
1986 $15,314,138,472 $6,797,834,200
1985 $17,149,088,413 $6,541,517,100
1984 $16,912,509,092 $6,183,387,100
1983 $17,152,477,037 $5,923,755,900
1982 $19,929,846,396 $5,769,767,900
1981 $21,810,759,354 $5,222,421,500
1980 $17,881,508,242 $4,614,086,400
1979 $14,175,160,902 $3,704,551,600
1978 $11,922,497,876 $3,244,558,600
1977 $11,026,342,618 $2,738,261,900
1976 $9,091,921,030 $2,588,106,000
1975 $7,731,674,472 $2,435,304,100
1974 $6,599,257,044 $2,188,307,600
1973 $3,891,754,150 $1,913,793,400
1972 $3,185,986,087 $1,673,411,700
1971 $2,754,219,271 $1,523,917,200
1970 $2,862,503,139 $1,351,006,400
1969 $3,112,165,727 $1,221,305,700
1968 $2,582,179,864 $1,112,791,100
1967 $2,553,595,172 $1,034,376,400
1966 $2,429,308,639 $928,833,000
1965 $2,387,047,396 $852,485,300
1964 $2,244,146,103 $776,137,500
1963 $1,824,343,871 $722,784,500
1962 $1,518,207,703 $652,120,900
1961 $1,753,850,955 $599,026,300
1960 $2,069,464,937 $537,147,100

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

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

GDP per capita in Ecuador vs Panama by year

Ecuador
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
Panama
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
Ecuador Panama
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2024 $6,875 $15,840 $19,161 $41,369
2023 $6,738 $15,919 $18,797 $39,813
2022 $6,516 $15,198 $17,379 $36,333
2021 $6,061 $13,507 $15,510 $30,933
2020 $5,464 $11,527 $13,291 $27,017
2019 $6,205 $12,543 $16,478 $33,240
2018 $6,304 $12,187 $16,151 $32,464
2017 $6,233 $11,793 $15,695 $33,533
2016 $5,918 $10,881 $14,832 $30,277
2015 $5,976 $10,878 $14,083 $27,245
2014 $6,406 $11,836 $13,213 $24,376
2013 $6,109 $11,296 $12,273 $21,924
2012 $5,634 $10,245 $11,065 $19,473
2011 $5,154 $9,769 $9,662 $17,474
2010 $4,520 $8,969 $8,331 $15,573
2009 $4,053 $8,662 $7,797 $14,766
2008 $4,195 $8,663 $7,348 $14,705
2007 $3,479 $8,112 $6,318 $13,333
2006 $3,244 $7,885 $5,529 $11,685
2005 $2,909 $7,457 $5,018 $10,511
2004 $2,586 $6,980 $4,645 $9,592
2003 $2,316 $6,475 $4,265 $8,801
2002 $2,059 $6,282 $4,091 $8,370
2001 $1,791 $5,999 $3,992 $8,197
2000 $1,382 $5,728 $3,975 $8,097
1999 $1,575 $5,638 $3,950 $7,749
1998 $2,284 $5,940 $3,808 $7,408
1997 $2,341 $5,793 $3,546 $6,895
1996 $2,136 $5,560 $3,308 $6,421
1995 $2,108 $5,469 $3,514 $6,182
1994 $1,997 $5,339 $3,508 $6,073
1993 $1,698 $5,112 $3,358 $5,902
1992 $1,655 $4,998 $3,140 $5,582
1991 $1,587 $4,887 $2,821 $5,150
1990 $1,455 $4,632 $2,620 $4,651
1989 $1,356 - $2,462 -
1988 $1,304 - $2,509 -
1987 $1,426 - $2,966 -
1986 $1,604 - $3,019 -
1985 $1,842 - $2,972 -
1984 $1,864 - $2,875 -
1983 $1,940 - $2,819 -
1982 $2,314 - $2,811 -
1981 $2,601 - $2,605 -
1980 $2,190 - $2,357 -
1979 $1,783 - $1,938 -
1978 $1,541 - $1,738 -
1977 $1,465 - $1,503 -
1976 $1,242 - $1,457 -
1975 $1,086 - $1,406 -
1974 $954 - $1,296 -
1973 $579 - $1,164 -
1972 $488 - $1,046 -
1971 $434 - $979 -
1970 $465 - $893 -
1969 $521 - $830 -
1968 $445 - $778 -
1967 $454 - $745 -
1966 $445 - $689 -
1965 $450 - $651 -
1964 $436 - $611 -
1963 $365 - $587 -
1962 $312 - $546 -
1961 $371 - $516 -
1960 $451 - $477 -

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

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

Ecuador's GDP per capita is $6,875, ranking 103/197, compared to $19,161 in Panama, ranking 60/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), Ecuador ranks 110th at $15,840, while Panama ranks 56th at $41,369.

Economic indicators

Ecuador Panama
Gross domestic product
$125B
2024
$86.5B
2024
GDP rank
62/197
2024
78/197
2024
GDP growth
-2%
2023-2024
2.75%
2023-2024
GDP per capita
$6,875
2024
$19,161
2024
GDP per capita rank
103/197
2024
60/197
2024
GDP per capita, PPP
$15,840
2024
$41,369
2024
GDP per capita PPP rank
110/197
2024
56/197
2024
Government debt
$67B
2024
$49.6B
2024
Debt-to-GDP ratio
53.8%
2024
57.4%
2024
Government debt per person
$3,695
2024
$10,995
2024
Government debt per person rank
93/185
2024
51/185
2024
Average annual personal income after taxes
$5,894
2026
$10,196
2026
Market capitalization of domestic companies
$747M
2000
$18.3B
2024
Income share by richest 10%
33.4%
2024
37.6%
2024
Income share by poorest 10%
1.5%
2024
1.2%
2024
Government expenditure, % of GDP
38.1%
2024
23.1%
2024
Consumer prices inflation
1.55%
2023-2024
0.69%
2023-2024
Unemployment rate
3.39%
2024
8.61%
2024
Population
18487749
4642198

Spending and national debt comparison by year

Ecuador
Spending

Debt
Panama
Spending

Debt
1x
Year % of GDP
Ecuador Panama
Government spending Government debt Government spending Government debt
2024 38.1% 53.8% 23.1% 57.4%
2023 39.5% 54.3% 21.4% 51.2%
2022 38.9% 57.2% 21.3% 52.7%
2021 37.5% 61.8% 23.8% 54.4%
2020 40.2% 63.6% 27.5% 61.5%
2019 39.8% 52.1% 20.6% 39.8%
2018 40.9% 49.5% 21.8% 35.6%
2017 40.5% 47.4% 21.2% 33.6%
2016 44.1% 46.1% 21.3% 33.6%
2015 44.1% 36.4% 21.4% 34.2%
2014 45.9% 28.2% 23% 34.7%
2013 46.7% 23.4% 23.4% 33.7%
2012 43.2% 19.3% 22.8% 34%
2011 39.6% 18.6% 23.5% 35.6%
2010 35.4% 18.4% 24.2% 38.1%
2009 34.3% 19.7% 22.7% 39.1%
2008 35.6% 24.9% 22.7% 40%
2007 24.7% 29.6% 21.8% 47.4%
2006 21.7% 33.1% 21.9% 54.7%
2005 22% 35.8% 22.4% 59.3%
2004 21.3% 40.2% 23.3% 58.8%
2003 21.3% 47.2% 24.2% 56.5%
2002 22.8% 55% 23.5% 57%
2001 21.4% 63.8% 23.4% 57.8%
2000 24.3% 92.2% 22.8% 53.6%
1999 24.1% 105.2% 23% 55.1%
1998 21.5% 70.3% 23.4% 58.1%
1997 22% 61.5% 22.2% 60.2%
1996 22.7% 69.3% 21.5% 65%
1995 22% 70.5% 25.9% 76.6%
1994 - - 25.2% 78.3%
1993 - - 33.8% 83.6%
1992 - - 27.8% 91.2%
1991 - - 20.9% 103.7%
1990 - - 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 (1994–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1960–2000, retrieved 2026-02-20).

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

In 2024, Ecuador's government spending was $47.5B, accounting for 38.1% of its GDP, while Panama spent $20B, or 23.1% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 53.8% in Ecuador and 57.4% in Panama, ranking 98/185 and 88/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
Ecuador

Panama
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
Ecuador Panama
2024 -1.28% -7.42%
2023 -3.48% -3.9%
2022 0.04% -3.98%
2021 -1.59% -6.48%
2020 -7.38% -10.2%
2019 -3.47% -2.89%
2018 -2.8% -2.88%
2017 -5.77% -1.92%
2016 -10.3% -1.89%
2015 -6.87% -2.3%
2014 -8.11% -3.21%
2013 -8.17% -2.38%
2012 -2.83% -1.31%
2011 -0.13% -1.96%
2010 -1.39% -1.68%
2009 -3.71% -0.9%
2008 0.57% 0.37%
2007 2.66% 3.12%
2006 2.92% 0.51%
2005 0.66% -2.21%
2004 1.94% -4.33%
2003 1.05% -2.27%
2002 0.74% -0.96%
2001 0.03% -0.42%
2000 -0.32% 2.05%
1999 -4.82% -0.65%
1998 -5.1% -1.11%
1997 -2.83% 1.24%
1996 -3.44% 2.48%
1995 -2.02% 2.3%
1994 - 2.12%
1993 - -9.4%
1992 - -2.62%
1991 - -0.6%
1990 - -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 (1994–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1946–1993, retrieved 2026-02-20).

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

In 2024, Ecuador's government deficit, the difference between spending and revenue, was $1.59B, equivalent to 1.28% of GDP. This compares to Panama's deficit of $6.42B, or 7.42% of GDP.

Over the past 30 years, Ecuador recorded a fiscal deficit in 21 of those years, while Panama ran a deficit in 23 years. On average, Ecuador posted an annual deficit equal to 2.51% of GDP, compared to deficit of 1.84% of GDP for Panama.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
Ecuador

Panama
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
Ecuador Panama
2024 1.55% 0.69%
2023 2.22% 1.49%
2022 3.47% 2.86%
2021 0.13% 1.63%
2020 -0.34% -1.55%
2019 0.27% -0.36%
2018 -0.22% 0.76%
2017 0.42% 0.88%
2016 1.73% 0.74%
2015 3.97% 0.14%
2014 3.59% 2.63%
2013 2.72% 4.03%
2012 5.1% 5.7%
2011 4.47% 5.88%
2010 3.55% 3.49%
2009 5.16% 2.41%
2008 8.4% 8.76%
2007 2.28% 4.17%
2006 3.3% 2.46%
2005 2.17% 2.86%
2004 2.74% 0.47%
2003 7.93% 0.39%
2002 12.5% 1.01%
2001 37.7% 0.31%
2000 96.1% 1.5%
1999 52.2% 1.25%
1998 36.1% 0.56%
1997 30.7% 1.32%

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

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

Over the past 28 years, Ecuador has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 11.8%, compared with 2.02% in Panama. In 2024, inflation was 1.55% in Ecuador and 0.69% in Panama.

Top exports between countries

Ecuador
Export category Export value
Raw materials & minerals $6.18B
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $41.5M
Machinery & equipment $21.7M
Chemicals & pharma $12.8M
Wood & paper products $11.6M
Textiles & consumer goods $8.11M
Miscellaneous $5.23M
Metals $4.67M
Raw agricultural goods $2.8M
Animal & marine products $935K
Panama
Export category Export value
Chemicals & pharma $159M
Machinery & equipment $144M
Textiles & consumer goods $109M
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $14.6M
Precious metals & jewellery $12.7M
Raw materials & minerals $4.21M
Metals $3.38M
Wood & paper products $2.49M
Miscellaneous $942K
Animal & marine products $830K

Balance of trade

Ecuador Panama
Current account balance
$7.06B
2024
$1.67B
2024
Current account balance ranking
27/190
2024
51/190
2024
Current account balance, % of GDP
+5.66%
2024
+1.93%
2024
Goods imports
$27.9B
2024
$25.1B
2024
Goods exports
$34.7B
2024
$19.1B
2024
Service imports
$6.18B
2024
$5.75B
2024
Service exports
$3.86B
2024
$18.3B
2024
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
26.9%
2024
39.3%
2024
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
30.3%
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.

Ecuador Panama
Economic freedom 55.6 64.9
Economic freedom ranking 127/197 70/197
Property rights 33.2 56.7
Government integrity 33 37.4
Judicial effectiveness 48.1 49.6
Tax burden 74.2 86.1
Government spending 54.9 85.5
Fiscal health 90.3 51.8
Business freedom 64.3 72.6
Labor freedom 56.9 60.9
Monetary freedom 76.3 78.2
Trade freedom 66.4 80.2
Investment freedom 30 60
Financial freedom 40 60

Economic freedom comparison by year

Ecuador
Panama
1x
Year Economic freedom index
Ecuador Panama
2026 55.6 64.9
2025 55.8 65.5
2024 55 64.1
2023 55 63.8
2022 54.3 65.4
2021 52.4 66.2
2020 51.3 67.2
2019 46.9 67.2
2018 48.5 67
2017 49.3 66.3
2016 48.6 64.8
2015 49.2 64.1
2014 48 63.4
2013 46.9 62.5
2012 48.3 65.2
2011 47.1 64.9
2010 49.3 64.8
2009 52.5 64.7
2008 55.2 64.7
2007 55.3 64.6
2006 54.6 65.6
2005 52.9 64.3
2004 54.4 65.3
2003 54.1 68.4
2002 53.1 68.5
2001 55.1 70.6
2000 59.8 71.6
1999 62.9 72.6
1998 62.8 72.6
1997 61 72.4
1996 60.1 71.8
1995 57.7 71.6

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

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

The Economic Freedom Index for Ecuador is 55.6, ranking 127/197, 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

Ecuador Panama
Services, % of GDP
57.2%
2024
69.3%
2024
Industry, % of GDP
26.5%
2024
25.5%
2024
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
9.48%
2024
2.68%
2024
GNI, Atlas method
$117B
2024
$81.3B
2024
GNI per capita, PPP
$15,410
2024
$39,260
2024
Total reserves including gold
$6.91B
2024
$6.86B
2024
Total reserves ranking
87/177
2024
88/177
2024
Net foreign direct investment
-$438M
2024
-$2.38B
2024
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
$443M
2024
$3.24B
2024
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
$0
2024
$865M
2024
Servicing debt to the IMF, % of GNI
7%
2024
n/a
Poverty at national poverty lines
28%
2024
21.7%
2023
Gross capital formation, % of GDP
18.5%
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/ecuador/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 (1994–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20)
  3. International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1946–2000, 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.