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Economy of Gambia vs Panama compared: GDP & Debt

Updated on by Georank team

The Gambia has a GDP of $2.4B compared to $86.5B for Panama, ranking 174/197 and 78/197 by economy size, respectively.

The Gambia has $1.92B in government debt (80% of GDP), compared to $49.6B (57.4% of GDP) in Panama.

Gambia vs Panama GDP by year

Gambia
Panama
1x
Year GDP, current $
Gambia Panama
2024 $2,404,888,749 $86,523,959,132
2023 $2,382,262,185 $83,812,155,244
2022 $2,204,734,528 $76,479,304,471
2021 $2,014,158,842 $67,396,392,506
2020 $1,812,170,891 $57,059,846,522
2019 $1,813,609,692 $69,778,991,193
2018 $1,670,671,328 $67,316,471,181
2017 $1,504,909,463 $64,327,688,826
2016 $1,484,578,886 $59,760,858,718
2015 $1,378,176,609 $55,767,806,073
2014 $1,229,461,721 $51,427,104,882
2013 $1,375,609,453 $46,949,496,479
2012 $1,415,004,738 $41,595,439,721
2011 $1,409,693,597 $35,687,738,252
2010 $1,543,294,927 $30,231,009,533
2009 $1,450,142,509 $27,791,215,547
2008 $1,561,766,956 $25,721,327,955
2007 $1,279,703,047 $21,717,433,808
2006 $1,054,112,488 $18,659,721,513
2005 $1,027,701,068 $16,623,906,739
2004 $961,900,651 $15,100,203,362
2003 $487,038,685 $13,603,456,003
2002 $578,235,309 $12,800,851,271
2001 $687,410,645 $12,252,906,341
2000 $782,913,872 $11,966,497,049
1999 $814,724,032 $11,660,704,777
1998 $840,285,265 $11,019,557,689
1997 $803,633,342 $10,058,854,386
1996 $848,239,446 $9,197,503,323
1995 $785,999,865 $9,573,813,700
1994 $746,493,952 $9,365,289,800
1993 $755,040,974 $8,782,585,400
1992 $714,254,256 $8,042,337,700
1991 $690,311,081 $7,074,675,500
1990 $317,083,695 $6,433,967,000
1989 $284,120,329 $5,918,469,800
1988 $266,672,212 $5,902,783,400
1987 $220,626,484 $6,827,665,300
1986 $185,646,987 $6,797,834,200
1985 $225,726,359 $6,541,517,100
1984 $177,340,880 $6,183,387,100
1983 $213,448,585 $5,923,755,900
1982 $216,050,552 $5,769,767,900
1981 $218,767,743 $5,222,421,500
1980 $241,083,090 $4,614,086,400
1979 $207,112,628 $3,704,551,600
1978 $171,833,086 $3,244,558,600
1977 $138,093,099 $2,738,261,900
1976 $112,190,829 $2,588,106,000
1975 $115,179,719 $2,435,304,100
1974 $95,796,022 $2,188,307,600
1973 $75,187,749 $1,913,793,400
1972 $59,160,569 $1,673,411,700
1971 $55,728,663 $1,523,917,200
1970 $52,296,084 $1,351,006,400
1969 $45,168,072 $1,221,305,700
1968 $41,160,066 $1,112,791,100
1967 $46,695,007 $1,034,376,400
1966 $44,212,081 $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/gambia/panama | CC BY

GDP per capita in Gambia vs Panama by year

Gambia
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
Panama
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
Gambia Panama
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2024 $871 $3,476 $19,161 $41,369
2023 $883 $3,289 $18,797 $39,813
2022 $836 $3,067 $17,379 $36,333
2021 $782 $2,778 $15,510 $30,933
2020 $720 $2,531 $13,291 $27,017
2019 $738 $2,422 $16,478 $33,240
2018 $696 $2,277 $16,151 $32,464
2017 $643 $2,039 $15,695 $33,533
2016 $650 $2,013 $14,832 $30,277
2015 $620 $1,990 $14,083 $27,245
2014 $568 $1,934 $13,213 $24,376
2013 $654 $2,007 $12,273 $21,924
2012 $693 $2,065 $11,065 $19,473
2011 $711 $2,064 $9,662 $17,474
2010 $801 $2,267 $8,331 $15,573
2009 $775 $2,177 $7,797 $14,766
2008 $859 $2,088 $7,348 $14,705
2007 $725 $1,985 $6,318 $13,333
2006 $615 $1,931 $5,529 $11,685
2005 $616 $1,938 $5,018 $10,511
2004 $593 $1,979 $4,645 $9,592
2003 $309 $1,850 $4,265 $8,801
2002 $377 $1,744 $4,091 $8,370
2001 $460 $1,823 $3,992 $8,197
2000 $538 $1,731 $3,975 $8,097
1999 $575 $1,649 $3,950 $7,749
1998 $610 $1,572 $3,808 $7,408
1997 $600 $1,544 $3,546 $6,895
1996 $652 $1,489 $3,308 $6,421
1995 $622 $1,472 $3,514 $6,182
1994 $608 $1,473 $3,508 $6,073
1993 $635 $1,487 $3,358 $5,902
1992 $623 $1,462 $3,140 $5,582
1991 $628 $1,440 $2,821 $5,150
1990 $301 $1,409 $2,620 $4,651
1989 $280.9 - $2,462 -
1988 $274.9 - $2,509 -
1987 $237 - $2,966 -
1986 $207.7 - $3,019 -
1985 $262.8 - $2,972 -
1984 $214.8 - $2,875 -
1983 $268.6 - $2,819 -
1982 $282.1 - $2,811 -
1981 $296 - $2,605 -
1980 $338 - $2,357 -
1979 $300 - $1,938 -
1978 $257.6 - $1,738 -
1977 $213.8 - $1,503 -
1976 $179.3 - $1,457 -
1975 $189.8 - $1,406 -
1974 $162.6 - $1,296 -
1973 $131.4 - $1,164 -
1972 $106.5 - $1,046 -
1971 $103.3 - $979 -
1970 $99.8 - $893 -
1969 $88.7 - $830 -
1968 $83.1 - $778 -
1967 $97 - $745 -
1966 $94.4 - $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/gambia/panama | CC BY

The Gambia's GDP per capita is $871, ranking 183/197, compared to $19,161 in Panama, ranking 60/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), the Gambia ranks 172nd at $3,476, while Panama ranks 56th at $41,369.

Economic indicators

Gambia Panama
Gross domestic product
$2.4B
2024
$86.5B
2024
GDP rank
174/197
2024
78/197
2024
GDP growth
5.55%
2023-2024
2.75%
2023-2024
GDP per capita
$871
2024
$19,161
2024
GDP per capita rank
183/197
2024
60/197
2024
GDP per capita, PPP
$3,476
2024
$41,369
2024
GDP per capita PPP rank
172/197
2024
56/197
2024
Government debt
$1.92B
2024
$49.6B
2024
Debt-to-GDP ratio
80%
2024
57.4%
2024
Government debt per person
$697
2024
$10,995
2024
Government debt per person rank
155/185
2024
51/185
2024
Average annual personal income after taxes
$741
2026
$10,196
2026
Market capitalization of domestic companies n/a
$18.3B
2024
Income share by richest 10%
30.5%
2020
37.6%
2024
Income share by poorest 10%
2.6%
2020
1.2%
2024
Government expenditure, % of GDP
25.8%
2024
23.1%
2024
Consumer prices inflation
11.6%
2023-2024
0.69%
2023-2024
Central bank interest rate
17%
2023
n/a
Unemployment rate
6.48%
2023
8.61%
2024
Population
2902554
4642198

Spending and national debt comparison by year

Gambia
Spending

Debt
Panama
Spending

Debt
1x
Year % of GDP
Gambia Panama
Government spending Government debt Government spending Government debt
2024 25.8% 80% 23.1% 57.4%
2023 24.9% 80.2% 21.4% 51.2%
2022 24.6% 83.9% 21.3% 52.7%
2021 21.5% 83.1% 23.8% 54.4%
2020 25.3% 85.9% 27.5% 61.5%
2019 23.9% 83% 20.6% 39.8%
2018 19% 83.6% 21.8% 35.6%
2017 23.6% 87% 21.2% 33.6%
2016 19.4% 80.7% 21.3% 33.6%
2015 19.6% 69.4% 21.4% 34.2%
2014 19% 71.1% 23% 34.7%
2013 17.2% 58.2% 23.4% 33.7%
2012 19.1% 49.5% 22.8% 34%
2011 16.5% 49.2% 23.5% 35.6%
2010 14.6% 42.9% 24.2% 38.1%
2009 14.4% 38.9% 22.7% 39.1%
2008 11.6% 39.5% 22.7% 40%
2007 11.2% 38% 21.8% 47.4%
2006 14% 87.3% 21.9% 54.7%
2005 12.9% 82.6% 22.4% 59.3%
2004 12.4% 81.3% 23.3% 58.8%
2003 9.3% 91.7% 24.2% 56.5%
2002 8.59% 93.9% 23.5% 57%
2001 9.68% 75.2% 23.4% 57.8%
2000 9.54% 73.3% 22.8% 53.6%
1999 - - 23% 55.1%
1998 - - 23.4% 58.1%
1997 - - 22.2% 60.2%
1996 - - 21.5% 65%
1995 - - 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 (1960–1993, retrieved 2026-02-20).

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

In 2024, the Gambia's government spending was $621M, accounting for 25.8% of its GDP, while Panama spent $20B, or 23.1% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 80% in the Gambia and 57.4% in Panama, ranking 45/185 and 88/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
Gambia

Panama
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
Gambia Panama
2024 -4.08% -7.42%
2023 -3.69% -3.9%
2022 -5.72% -3.98%
2021 -4.77% -6.48%
2020 -2.37% -10.2%
2019 -2.75% -2.89%
2018 -3.92% -2.88%
2017 -4.35% -1.92%
2016 -6.22% -1.89%
2015 -5.38% -2.3%
2014 -3.94% -3.21%
2013 -5.11% -2.38%
2012 -2.85% -1.31%
2011 -3.03% -1.96%
2010 -2.93% -1.68%
2009 -1.65% -0.9%
2008 -0.45% 0.37%
2007 0.27% 3.12%
2006 -3.19% 0.51%
2005 -3.33% -2.21%
2004 -1.77% -4.33%
2003 -1.73% -2.27%
2002 0.06% -0.96%
2001 -2.52% -0.42%
2000 -0.09% 2.05%
1999 - -0.65%
1998 - -1.11%
1997 - 1.24%
1996 - 2.48%
1995 - 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/gambia/panama | CC BY

In 2024, the Gambia's government deficit, the difference between spending and revenue, was $98.2M, equivalent to 4.08% of GDP. This compares to Panama's deficit of $6.42B, or 7.42% of GDP.

Over the past 25 years, the Gambia recorded a fiscal deficit in 23 of those years, while Panama ran a deficit in 21 years. On average, the Gambia posted an annual deficit equal to 3.02% of GDP, compared to deficit of 2.38% of GDP for Panama.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
Gambia

Panama
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
Gambia Panama
2024 11.6% 0.69%
2023 17% 1.49%
2022 11.5% 2.86%
2021 7.37% 1.63%
2020 5.93% -1.55%
2019 7.12% -0.36%
2018 6.52% 0.76%
2017 8.03% 0.88%
2016 7.23% 0.74%
2015 6.81% 0.14%
2014 5.95% 2.63%
2013 5.7% 4.03%
2012 4.25% 5.7%
2011 4.8% 5.88%
2010 5.05% 3.49%
2009 4.56% 2.41%
2008 4.44% 8.76%
2007 5.37% 4.17%
2006 2.06% 2.46%
2005 4.84% 2.86%
2004 14.2% 0.47%
2003 17% 0.39%
2002 8.61% 1.01%
2001 4.49% 0.31%
2000 0.84% 1.5%
1999 3.81% 1.25%
1998 1.11% 0.56%
1997 2.78% 1.32%

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

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

Over the past 28 years, the Gambia has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 6.75%, compared with 2.02% in Panama. In 2024, inflation was 11.6% in the Gambia and 0.69% in Panama.

Top exports between countries

Gambia
Export category Export value
Animal & marine products $19K
Panama
Export category Export value
Textiles & consumer goods $40K
Machinery & equipment $15K

Balance of trade

Gambia Panama
Current account balance
-$99.8M
2024
$1.67B
2024
Current account balance ranking
88/190
2024
51/190
2024
Current account balance, % of GDP
-4.15%
2024
+1.93%
2024
Goods imports
$1.39B
2024
$25.1B
2024
Goods exports
$363M
2024
$19.1B
2024
Service imports
$161M
2024
$5.75B
2024
Service exports
$485M
2024
$18.3B
2024
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
33.4%
2024
39.3%
2024
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
8.75%
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.

Gambia Panama
Economic freedom 56.3 64.9
Economic freedom ranking 123/197 70/197
Property rights 55.4 56.7
Government integrity 40.5 37.4
Judicial effectiveness 45.8 49.6
Tax burden 79.2 86.1
Government spending 81.1 85.5
Fiscal health 54.8 51.8
Business freedom 50.1 72.6
Labor freedom 46.4 60.9
Monetary freedom 57.3 78.2
Trade freedom 64.8 80.2
Investment freedom 50 60
Financial freedom 50 60

Economic freedom comparison by year

Gambia
Panama
1x
Year Economic freedom index
Gambia Panama
2026 56.3 64.9
2025 56.8 65.5
2024 58.2 64.1
2023 57.9 63.8
2022 58 65.4
2021 58.8 66.2
2020 56.3 67.2
2019 52.4 67.2
2018 52.3 67
2017 53.4 66.3
2016 57.1 64.8
2015 57.5 64.1
2014 59.5 63.4
2013 58.8 62.5
2012 58.8 65.2
2011 57.4 64.9
2010 55.1 64.8
2009 55.8 64.7
2008 56.9 64.7
2007 57.7 64.6
2006 57.3 65.6
2005 56.5 64.3
2004 55.3 65.3
2003 56.3 68.4
2002 57.7 68.5
2001 56.6 70.6
2000 52.7 71.6
1999 52.1 72.6
1998 53.4 72.6
1997 52.9 72.4
1996 - 71.8
1995 - 71.6

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

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

The Economic Freedom Index for the Gambia is 56.3, ranking 123/197, 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

Gambia Panama
Services, % of GDP
56.8%
2024
69.3%
2024
Industry, % of GDP
15.3%
2024
25.5%
2024
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
20.4%
2024
2.68%
2024
GNI, Atlas method
$2.43B
2024
$81.3B
2024
GNI per capita, PPP
$3,430
2024
$39,260
2024
Total reserves including gold
$629M
2024
$6.86B
2024
Total reserves ranking
151/177
2024
88/177
2024
Net foreign direct investment
-$232M
2024
-$2.38B
2024
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
$232M
2024
$3.24B
2024
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
-$665K
2024
$865M
2024
Servicing debt to the IMF, % of GNI
3.25%
2024
n/a
Poverty at national poverty lines
53.4%
2020
21.7%
2023
Gross capital formation, % of GDP
29.9%
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/gambia/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 (1946–1993, 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 (2020–2023, 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.