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Economy of Ghana vs Panama compared: GDP & Debt

Updated on by Georank team

Ghana has a GDP of $82.3B compared to $86.5B for Panama, ranking 80/197 and 78/197 by economy size, respectively.

Ghana has $57.9B in government debt (70.3% of GDP), compared to $49.6B (57.4% of GDP) in Panama.

Ghana vs Panama GDP by year

Ghana
Panama
1x
Year GDP, current $
Ghana Panama
2024 $82,308,110,386 $86,523,959,132
2023 $80,547,146,878 $83,812,155,244
2022 $73,919,003,210 $76,479,304,471
2021 $79,514,204,730 $67,396,392,506
2020 $70,008,243,860 $57,059,846,522
2019 $68,352,629,246 $69,778,991,193
2018 $67,259,353,966 $67,316,471,181
2017 $60,385,409,435 $64,327,688,826
2016 $56,144,179,398 $59,760,858,718
2015 $49,436,806,230 $55,767,806,073
2014 $54,678,533,806 $51,427,104,882
2013 $62,845,721,960 $46,949,496,479
2012 $41,271,701,061 $41,595,439,721
2011 $39,336,668,081 $35,687,738,252
2010 $32,197,655,567 $30,231,009,533
2009 $26,048,720,006 $27,791,215,547
2008 $28,679,383,241 $25,721,327,955
2007 $24,827,339,138 $21,717,433,808
2006 $20,885,037,597 $18,659,721,513
2005 $10,744,568,381 $16,623,906,739
2004 $8,881,417,907 $15,100,203,362
2003 $7,632,723,556 $13,603,456,003
2002 $6,166,197,848 $12,800,851,271
2001 $5,314,872,854 $12,252,906,341
2000 $4,982,850,662 $11,966,497,049
1999 $7,718,109,982 $11,660,704,777
1998 $7,482,069,162 $11,019,557,689
1997 $6,891,443,192 $10,058,854,386
1996 $6,932,991,739 $9,197,503,323
1995 $6,464,382,808 $9,573,813,700
1994 $5,446,383,727 $9,365,289,800
1993 $5,968,922,939 $8,782,585,400
1992 $6,416,103,926 $8,042,337,700
1991 $6,603,185,268 $7,074,675,500
1990 $5,889,106,573 $6,433,967,000
1989 $5,251,858,440 $5,918,469,800
1988 $5,197,765,032 $5,902,783,400
1987 $5,074,829,932 $6,827,665,300
1986 $5,735,677,434 $6,797,834,200
1985 $4,504,306,723 $6,541,517,100
1984 $4,412,279,843 $6,183,387,100
1983 $4,057,275,132 $5,923,755,900
1982 $4,035,994,398 $5,769,767,900
1981 $4,222,441,860 $5,222,421,500
1980 $4,445,228,216 $4,614,086,400
1979 $4,020,227,920 $3,704,551,600
1978 $3,662,478,185 $3,244,558,600
1977 $3,189,428,571 $2,738,261,900
1976 $2,765,254,237 $2,588,106,000
1975 $2,810,106,383 $2,435,304,100
1974 $2,894,409,938 $2,188,307,600
1973 $3,006,766,758 $1,913,793,400
1972 $2,112,293,280 $1,673,411,700
1971 $2,417,108,578 $1,523,917,200
1970 $2,215,028,588 $1,351,006,400
1969 $1,962,050,556 $1,221,305,700
1968 $1,666,909,518 $1,112,791,100
1967 $1,747,187,645 $1,034,376,400
1966 $2,126,300,672 $928,833,000
1965 $2,053,462,968 $852,485,300
1964 $1,731,296,200 $776,137,500
1963 $1,540,797,589 $722,784,500
1962 $1,382,515,654 $652,120,900
1961 $1,302,674,325 $599,026,300
1960 $1,217,230,095 $537,147,100

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

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

GDP per capita in Ghana vs Panama by year

Ghana
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
Panama
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
Ghana Panama
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2024 $2,391 $8,020 $19,161 $41,369
2023 $2,384 $7,556 $18,797 $39,813
2022 $2,230 $7,208 $17,379 $36,333
2021 $2,445 $6,608 $15,510 $30,933
2020 $2,195 $6,047 $13,291 $27,017
2019 $2,187 $6,003 $16,478 $33,240
2018 $2,195 $5,536 $16,151 $32,464
2017 $2,012 $5,171 $15,695 $33,533
2016 $1,912 $5,011 $14,832 $30,277
2015 $1,723 $5,191 $14,083 $27,245
2014 $1,950 $5,517 $13,213 $24,376
2013 $2,295 $5,215 $12,273 $21,924
2012 $1,544 $4,934 $11,065 $19,473
2011 $1,507 $4,381 $9,662 $17,474
2010 $1,264 $3,855 $8,331 $15,573
2009 $1,048 $3,617 $7,797 $14,766
2008 $1,183 $3,516 $7,348 $14,705
2007 $1,050 $3,241 $6,318 $13,333
2006 $906 $3,103 $5,529 $11,685
2005 $479 $2,904 $5,018 $10,511
2004 $406 $2,729 $4,645 $9,592
2003 $358 $2,584 $4,265 $8,801
2002 $297.5 $2,475 $4,091 $8,370
2001 $263.5 $2,397 $3,992 $8,197
2000 $253.7 $2,315 $3,975 $8,097
1999 $403 $2,239 $3,950 $7,749
1998 $400 $2,167 $3,808 $7,408
1997 $378 $2,097 $3,546 $6,895
1996 $389 $2,026 $3,308 $6,421
1995 $372 $1,947 $3,514 $6,182
1994 $321 $1,875 $3,508 $6,073
1993 $360 $1,821 $3,358 $5,902
1992 $396 $1,739 $3,140 $5,582
1991 $418 $1,678 $2,821 $5,150
1990 $383 $1,581 $2,620 $4,651
1989 $350 - $2,462 -
1988 $355 - $2,509 -
1987 $355 - $2,966 -
1986 $411 - $3,019 -
1985 $330 - $2,972 -
1984 $330 - $2,875 -
1983 $311 - $2,819 -
1982 $319 - $2,811 -
1981 $344 - $2,605 -
1980 $372 - $2,357 -
1979 $347 - $1,938 -
1978 $326 - $1,738 -
1977 $292.3 - $1,503 -
1976 $261 - $1,457 -
1975 $273 - $1,406 -
1974 $289.4 - $1,296 -
1973 $310 - $1,164 -
1972 $223.8 - $1,046 -
1971 $263.4 - $979 -
1970 $248.2 - $893 -
1969 $225.8 - $830 -
1968 $196.7 - $778 -
1967 $211.2 - $745 -
1966 $263.3 - $689 -
1965 $260.5 - $651 -
1964 $225 - $611 -
1963 $205 - $587 -
1962 $188.4 - $546 -
1961 $181.9 - $516 -
1960 $174.9 - $477 -

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

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

Ghana's GDP per capita is $2,391, ranking 151/197, compared to $19,161 in Panama, ranking 60/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), Ghana ranks 140th at $8,020, while Panama ranks 56th at $41,369.

Economic indicators

Ghana Panama
Gross domestic product
$82.3B
2024
$86.5B
2024
GDP rank
80/197
2024
78/197
2024
GDP growth
5.59%
2023-2024
2.75%
2023-2024
GDP per capita
$2,391
2024
$19,161
2024
GDP per capita rank
151/197
2024
60/197
2024
GDP per capita, PPP
$8,020
2024
$41,369
2024
GDP per capita PPP rank
140/197
2024
56/197
2024
Government debt
$57.9B
2024
$49.6B
2024
Debt-to-GDP ratio
70.3%
2024
57.4%
2024
Government debt per person
$1,682
2024
$10,995
2024
Government debt per person rank
123/185
2024
51/185
2024
Average annual personal income after taxes
$2,110
2026
$10,196
2026
Market capitalization of domestic companies
$7.58B
2024
$18.3B
2024
Income share by richest 10%
32.2%
2016
37.6%
2024
Income share by poorest 10%
1.6%
2016
1.2%
2024
Government expenditure, % of GDP
23.2%
2024
23.1%
2024
Consumer prices inflation
22.8%
2023-2024
0.69%
2023-2024
Central bank interest rate
25%
2025
n/a
Unemployment rate
2.87%
2022
8.61%
2024
Population
35885254
4642198

Spending and national debt comparison by year

Ghana
Spending

Debt
Panama
Spending

Debt
1x
Year % of GDP
Ghana Panama
Government spending Government debt Government spending Government debt
2024 23.2% 70.3% 23.1% 57.4%
2023 18.5% 79.1% 21.4% 51.2%
2022 27.5% 92.7% 21.3% 52.7%
2021 27.2% 86.9% 23.8% 54.4%
2020 31.5% 79.1% 27.5% 61.5%
2019 22.5% 62.9% 20.6% 39.8%
2018 20.9% 62% 21.8% 35.6%
2017 17.6% 57% 21.2% 33.6%
2016 19.9% 55.9% 21.3% 33.6%
2015 18.6% 53.9% 21.4% 34.2%
2014 21% 50.1% 23% 34.7%
2013 21.6% 42.9% 23.4% 33.7%
2012 22.1% 35.5% 22.8% 34%
2011 19.5% 31.2% 23.5% 35.6%
2010 19% 32.9% 24.2% 38.1%
2009 16.6% 25.4% 22.7% 39.1%
2008 16.6% 23.2% 22.7% 40%
2007 16.8% 21.1% 21.8% 47.4%
2006 14.4% 17.3% 21.9% 54.7%
2005 12.9% 31.7% 22.4% 59.3%
2004 13.7% 38.4% 23.3% 58.8%
2003 12.1% 49.3% 24.2% 56.5%
2002 10.7% 54.1% 23.5% 57%
2001 13.8% 57.8% 23.4% 57.8%
2000 12% 74.5% 22.8% 53.6%
1999 11.1% 51.7% 23% 55.1%
1998 11.8% 37.6% 23.4% 58.1%
1997 12% 45.2% 22.2% 60.2%
1996 12.4% 42.9% 21.5% 65%
1995 13% 47.6% 25.9% 76.6%
1994 12.7% 50.6% 25.2% 78.3%
1993 12.1% 34.1% 33.8% 83.6%
1992 9.2% 21.3% 27.8% 91.2%
1991 7.09% 17.3% 20.9% 103.7%
1990 6.59% 17.8% 41.5% 112.7%
1989 7.24% 23% 43% 104.4%
1988 7.23% 23.5% 41.8% 105%
1987 7.32% 26.8% 40.1% 92.2%
1986 7.29% 18.2% 38.6% 84%
1985 6.08% 14.4% 39.7% 82.5%
1984 4.64% 13% 44% 82.5%
1983 3.49% 9.21% 44.6% 86.6%
1982 4.73% 8.51% 48% 80.9%
1981 5.74% 8.77% 30.7% 68.7%
1980 7.51% 9.75% 30.5% 69.4%
1979 9.14% 11.5% 35% 78.9%
1978 6.54% 11.4% 27.6% 83.1%
1977 10.5% 20.7% 16.9% 77.7%
1976 12.8% 26% 15.9% 69.7%
1975 13.2% 21.8% 15.3% 52.6%
1974 9.52% 21.8% 15.3% 37.6%
1973 9.35% 25.4% 14.4% 32.6%
1972 11.4% 29.8% 15.6% 29.5%
1971 11.7% 29.5% 15% 26.2%
1970 12.2% 31.9% 22.4% 25.7%
1969 11.2% 31.4% 20.5% 23.2%
1968 12.3% 34.5% 14.2% 18%
1967 11.5% 33.9% 14.9% 17.8%
1966 9.12% 29.8% 14% 17.9%
1965 14.2% 30.2% 13.2% 18.7%
1964 15.8% 30.8% 14.1% 20%
1963 15.3% 30.5% 19.1% 22.6%
1962 12.5% 11.8% 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/ghana/panama | CC BY

In 2024, Ghana's government spending was $19.1B, accounting for 23.2% of its GDP, while Panama spent $20B, or 23.1% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 70.3% in Ghana and 57.4% in Panama, ranking 57/185 and 88/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
Ghana

Panama
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
Ghana Panama
2024 -7.31% -7.42%
2023 -3.37% -3.9%
2022 -11.8% -3.98%
2021 -12% -6.48%
2020 -17.4% -10.2%
2019 -7.52% -2.89%
2018 -6.79% -2.88%
2017 -3.97% -1.92%
2016 -6.75% -1.89%
2015 -4.01% -2.3%
2014 -7.81% -3.21%
2013 -9.12% -2.38%
2012 -8.36% -1.31%
2011 -5.47% -1.96%
2010 -7.13% -1.68%
2009 -5.05% -0.9%
2008 -5.56% 0.37%
2007 -4.91% 3.12%
2006 -3.11% 0.51%
2005 -1.87% -2.21%
2004 -2.02% -4.33%
2003 -1.99% -2.27%
2002 -2.73% -0.96%
2001 -3.64% -0.42%
2000 -3.98% 2.05%
1999 -5.64% -0.65%
1998 -5.27% -1.11%
1997 -6.14% 1.24%
1996 -5.61% 2.48%
1995 -4.52% 2.3%
1994 -4.99% 2.12%
1993 -5.39% -9.4%
1992 -4.5% -2.62%
1991 -1.47% -0.6%
1990 -1.93% -3.65%
1989 -0.81% -13.6%
1988 -1.08% -13.5%
1987 -0.92% -1.7%
1986 -1.26% -1%
1985 -1.19% -2.57%
1984 -0.98% -7.56%
1983 -1.13% -7.62%
1982 -2.03% -13.3%
1981 -3.8% -6.77%
1980 -4.73% -5.17%
1979 -3.61% -12.1%
1978 -1.21% -5.21%
1977 -4.68% -1.61%
1976 -5.53% -2.65%
1975 -4.05% -0.74%
1974 -2.06% -0.6%
1973 -2.64% -0.01%
1972 -2.19% -1.17%
1971 0.13% -0.51%
1970 -2.35% -8.02%
1969 -2.67% -7.56%
1968 -2.34% -1.5%
1967 -2.32% -1.97%
1966 -1.29% -1.18%
1965 -3.29% -1.17%
1964 -3.72% -2.51%
1963 -5.66% -6.71%
1962 -5.04% -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) | Public Finances in Modern History (1946–1993, retrieved 2026-02-20); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20).

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

In 2024, Ghana's government deficit, the difference between spending and revenue, was $6.02B, equivalent to 7.31% of GDP. This compares to Panama's deficit of $6.42B, or 7.42% of GDP.

Over the past 63 years, Ghana recorded a fiscal deficit in 62 of those years, while Panama ran a deficit in 55 years. On average, Ghana posted an annual deficit equal to 4.31% of GDP, compared to deficit of 3.18% of GDP for Panama.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
Ghana

Panama
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
Ghana Panama
2024 22.8% 0.69%
2023 38.1% 1.49%
2022 31.3% 2.86%
2021 9.97% 1.63%
2020 9.89% -1.55%
2019 7.14% -0.36%
2018 7.81% 0.76%
2017 12.4% 0.88%
2016 17.5% 0.74%
2015 17.1% 0.14%
2014 15.5% 2.63%
2013 11.7% 4.03%
2012 11.2% 5.7%
2011 8.73% 5.88%
2010 10.7% 3.49%
2009 19.2% 2.41%
2008 16.5% 8.76%
2007 10.7% 4.17%
2006 11.7% 2.46%
2005 15.4% 2.86%
2004 18% 0.47%
2003 29.8% 0.39%
2002 9.36% 1.01%
2001 41.5% 0.31%
2000 40.2% 1.5%
1999 4.87% 1.25%
1998 14.6% 0.56%
1997 27.9% 1.32%

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

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

Over the past 28 years, Ghana has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 17.6%, compared with 2.02% in Panama. In 2024, inflation was 22.8% in Ghana and 0.69% in Panama.

Top exports between countries

Ghana
Export category Export value
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $5.65M
Machinery & equipment $264K
Raw materials & minerals $5K
Textiles & consumer goods $2K
Panama
Export category Export value
Chemicals & pharma $440K
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $132K
Machinery & equipment $120K
Textiles & consumer goods $45K
Precious metals & jewellery $18K
Raw materials & minerals $12K
Metals $8K
Miscellaneous $4K
Wood & paper products $4K

Balance of trade

Ghana Panama
Current account balance
$1.68B
2024
$1.67B
2024
Current account balance ranking
49/190
2024
51/190
2024
Current account balance, % of GDP
+2.04%
2024
+1.93%
2024
Goods imports
$15.4B
2024
$25.1B
2024
Goods exports
$19.2B
2024
$19.1B
2024
Service imports
$11.5B
2024
$5.75B
2024
Service exports
$9.27B
2024
$18.3B
2024
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
34.3%
2024
39.3%
2024
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
35.5%
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.

Ghana Panama
Economic freedom 57.3 64.9
Economic freedom ranking 118/197 70/197
Property rights 50.2 56.7
Government integrity 45.4 37.4
Judicial effectiveness 57.5 49.6
Tax burden 79.4 86.1
Government spending 84 85.5
Fiscal health 10.1 51.8
Business freedom 64.5 72.6
Labor freedom 54.9 60.9
Monetary freedom 56.7 78.2
Trade freedom 65.2 80.2
Investment freedom 60 60
Financial freedom 60 60

Economic freedom comparison by year

Ghana
Panama
1x
Year Economic freedom index
Ghana Panama
2026 57.3 64.9
2025 56 65.5
2024 55.8 64.1
2023 58 63.8
2022 59.8 65.4
2021 59.2 66.2
2020 59.4 67.2
2019 57.5 67.2
2018 56 67
2017 56.2 66.3
2016 63 64.8
2015 63 64.1
2014 64.2 63.4
2013 61.3 62.5
2012 60.7 65.2
2011 59.4 64.9
2010 60.2 64.8
2009 58.1 64.7
2008 57 64.7
2007 57.6 64.6
2006 55.6 65.6
2005 56.5 64.3
2004 59.1 65.3
2003 58.2 68.4
2002 57.2 68.5
2001 58 70.6
2000 58.1 71.6
1999 57.9 72.6
1998 57 72.6
1997 56.7 72.4
1996 57.7 71.8
1995 55.6 71.6

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

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

The Economic Freedom Index for Ghana is 57.3, ranking 118/197, 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

Ghana Panama
Services, % of GDP
40.9%
2024
69.3%
2024
Industry, % of GDP
31.5%
2024
25.5%
2024
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
20.9%
2024
2.68%
2024
GNI, Atlas method
$79.5B
2024
$81.3B
2024
GNI per capita, PPP
$7,720
2024
$39,260
2024
Total reserves including gold
$3.62B
2023
$6.86B
2024
Total reserves ranking
112/177
2023
88/177
2024
Net foreign direct investment
-$1.76B
2024
-$2.38B
2024
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
$1.77B
2024
$3.24B
2024
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
$5.37M
2024
$865M
2024
Servicing debt to the IMF, % of GNI
3.45%
2024
n/a
Poverty at national poverty lines
23.4%
2016
21.7%
2023
Gross capital formation, % of GDP
10%
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/ghana/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) | Public Finances in Modern History (1946–1993, retrieved 2026-02-20)
  3. International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2024, 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 (2019–2024, 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.