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Economy of Iraq vs Panama compared: GDP & Debt

Updated on by Georank

Iraq has a GDP of $254B compared to $90.5B for Panama, ranking 54/197 and 82/197 by economy size, respectively.

Iraq has $137B in government debt (53.9% of GDP), compared to $51.2B (56.6% of GDP) in Panama.

Iraq vs Panama GDP by year

Iraq
Panama
1x
Year GDP, current $
Iraq Panama
2025 $254,367,293,538 $90,462,600,000
2024 $279,641,257,615 $86,523,959,100
2023 $268,881,051,644 $83,812,155,200
2022 $287,372,232,138 $76,479,304,500
2021 $209,691,945,713 $67,396,392,500
2020 $180,898,797,517 $57,059,846,500
2019 $233,636,097,800 $69,778,991,200
2018 $227,367,469,034 $67,316,471,200
2017 $187,217,660,051 $64,327,688,800
2016 $166,743,557,748 $59,760,858,700
2015 $166,774,104,959 $55,767,806,100
2014 $228,415,656,175 $51,427,104,900
2013 $234,637,675,129 $46,949,496,500
2012 $218,002,476,129 $41,595,439,700
2011 $185,749,664,444 $35,687,738,300
2010 $138,516,722,650 $30,231,009,500
2009 $111,657,580,326 $27,791,215,500
2008 $131,614,434,154 $25,721,328,000
2007 $88,837,057,320 $21,717,433,800
2006 $65,147,051,918 $18,659,721,500
2005 $50,065,104,668 $16,623,906,700
2004 $36,633,669,269 $15,100,203,400
2003 $21,921,569,479 $13,603,456,000
2002 $32,928,454,672 $12,800,851,300
2001 $36,176,430,129 $12,252,906,300
2000 $48,364,250,944 $11,966,497,000
1999 $36,881,601,584 $11,660,704,800
1998 $20,617,405,044 $11,019,557,700
1997 $20,764,857,056 $10,058,854,400
1996 $10,433,698,621 $9,197,503,300
1995 $12,894,029,888 $9,573,813,700
1994 $3,991,349,283 $9,365,289,800
1993 $1,031,944,881 $8,782,585,400
1992 $553,671,958 $8,042,337,700
1991 $407,796,350 $7,074,675,500
1990 $180,408,064,516 $6,433,967,000
1989 $65,831,935,484 $5,918,469,800
1988 $62,684,516,129 $5,902,783,400
1987 $56,774,193,548 $6,827,665,300
1986 $47,264,516,129 $6,797,834,200
1985 $48,425,161,290 $6,541,517,100
1984 $46,938,387,097 $6,183,387,100
1983 $40,712,903,226 $5,923,755,900
1982 $42,382,333,333 $5,769,767,900
1981 $37,823,000,000 $5,222,421,500
1980 $52,569,000,000 $4,614,086,400
1979 $37,816,457,839 $3,704,551,600
1978 $23,762,275,652 $3,244,558,600
1977 $19,838,130,715 $2,738,261,900
1976 $17,754,825,601 $2,588,106,000
1975 $13,458,516,763 $2,435,304,100
1974 $11,516,762,614 $2,188,307,600
1973 $5,134,367,778 $1,913,793,400
1972 $4,113,848,002 $1,673,411,700
1971 $3,865,346,535 $1,523,917,200
1970 $3,281,318,687 $1,351,006,400
1969 $3,007,758,797 $1,221,305,700
1968 $2,896,598,841 $1,112,791,100
1967 $2,551,522,656 $1,034,376,400
1966 $2,530,306,096 $928,833,000
1965 $2,335,785,506 $852,485,300
1964 $2,136,408,198 $776,137,500
1963 $1,805,901,510 $722,784,500
1962 $1,784,174,541 $652,120,900
1961 $1,671,960,965 $599,026,300
1960 $1,537,252,193 $537,147,100

Data sources: World Bank | Economy & Growth (1960–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08).

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

GDP per capita in Iraq vs Panama by year

Iraq
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
Panama
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
Iraq Panama
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2025 $5,410 - $19,790 -
2024 $6,074 $14,464 $19,161 $41,369
2023 $5,965 $14,653 $18,797 $39,813
2022 $6,521 $14,391 $17,379 $36,333
2021 $4,868 $12,732 $15,510 $30,933
2020 $4,295 $10,574 $13,291 $27,017
2019 $5,672 $12,249 $16,478 $33,240
2018 $5,647 $12,034 $16,151 $32,464
2017 $4,759 $10,192 $15,695 $33,533
2016 $4,334 $9,079 $14,832 $30,277
2015 $4,440 $9,334 $14,083 $27,245
2014 $6,249 $13,168 $13,213 $24,376
2013 $6,650 $14,669 $12,273 $21,924
2012 $6,478 $14,402 $11,065 $19,473
2011 $5,776 $12,912 $9,662 $17,474
2010 $4,462 $12,186 $8,331 $15,573
2009 $3,715 $11,687 $7,797 $14,766
2008 $4,543 $11,657 $7,348 $14,705
2007 $3,129 $10,783 $6,318 $13,333
2006 $2,277 $10,223 $5,529 $11,685
2005 $1,762 $9,457 $5,018 $10,511
2004 $1,328 $9,290 $4,645 $9,592
2003 $818 $6,068 $4,265 $8,801
2002 $1,266 $9,682 $4,091 $8,370
2001 $1,436 $10,720 $3,992 $8,197
2000 $1,980 $10,628 $3,975 $8,097
1999 $1,560 $9,194 $3,950 $7,749
1998 $901 $7,964 $3,808 $7,408
1997 $936 $6,020 $3,546 $6,895
1996 $485 $5,034 $3,308 $6,421
1995 $619 $4,598 $3,514 $6,182
1994 $198.2 $4,560 $3,508 $6,073
1993 $53.7 $4,509 $3,358 $5,902
1992 $30.3 $3,547 $3,140 $5,582
1991 $23 $2,694 $2,821 $5,150
1990 $10,261 - $2,620 $4,651
1989 $3,791 - $2,462 -
1988 $3,707 - $2,509 -
1987 $3,436 - $2,966 -
1986 $2,940 - $3,019 -
1985 $3,088 - $2,972 -
1984 $3,066 - $2,875 -
1983 $2,743 - $2,819 -
1982 $2,942 - $2,811 -
1981 $2,700 - $2,605 -
1980 $3,868 - $2,357 -
1979 $2,871 - $1,938 -
1978 $1,863 - $1,738 -
1977 $1,609 - $1,503 -
1976 $1,489 - $1,457 -
1975 $1,166 - $1,406 -
1974 $1,031 - $1,296 -
1973 $476 - $1,164 -
1972 $394 - $1,046 -
1971 $384 - $979 -
1970 $337 - $893 -
1969 $320 - $830 -
1968 $319 - $778 -
1967 $290.6 - $745 -
1966 $298.2 - $689 -
1965 $284.8 - $651 -
1964 $269.4 - $611 -
1963 $235.5 - $587 -
1962 $240.7 - $546 -
1961 $232.4 - $516 -
1960 $218.9 - $477 -

Data sources: World Bank | Economy & Growth (1960–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08).

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

Iraq's GDP per capita is $5,410, ranking 119/197, compared to $19,790 in Panama, ranking 62/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), Iraq ranks 115th at $14,464, while Panama ranks 56th at $41,369.

Economic indicators

Iraq Panama
Gross domestic product
$254B
2025
$90.5B
2025
GDP rank
54/197
2025
82/197
2025
GDP growth
-2.16%
2024-2025
4.35%
2024-2025
GDP per capita
$5,410
2025
$19,790
2025
GDP per capita rank
119/197
2025
62/197
2025
GDP per capita, PPP
$14,464
2024
$41,369
2024
GDP per capita PPP rank
115/197
2024
56/197
2024
Government debt
$137B
2025
$51.2B
2025
Debt-to-GDP ratio
53.9%
2025
56.6%
2025
Government debt per person
$2,917
2025
$11,198
2025
Government debt per person rank
108/185
2025
56/185
2025
Average annual personal income after taxes
$6,782
2026
$11,056
2026
Market capitalization of domestic companies n/a
$27.2B
2025
Income share by richest 10%
24.2%
2023
37.6%
2024
Income share by poorest 10%
3.7%
2023
1.2%
2024
Government expenditure, % of GDP
42.7%
2025
20.9%
2025
Consumer prices inflation
0.3%
2024-2025
-0.19%
2024-2025
Unemployment rate
16.2%
2021
8.31%
2025
Population
48531417
4654479

Spending and national debt comparison by year

Iraq
Spending

Debt
Panama
Spending

Debt
1x
Year % of GDP
Iraq Panama
Government spending Government debt Government spending Government debt
2025 42.7% 53.9% 20.9% 56.6%
2024 41.7% 45.2% 23.1% 57.8%
2023 41.2% 42.1% 21.4% 54.4%
2022 33.9% 39% 21.3% 56.2%
2021 36.3% 54.7% 23.7% 58%
2020 41.9% 72.5% 27% 62.4%
2019 34.7% 41.7% 20.5% 42.5%
2018 31.1% 44.4% 21.7% 36.3%
2017 35.5% 55.9% 21.1% 34.3%
2016 42.4% 60.3% 21.3% 34%
2015 43.5% 48.3% 21.4% 34.1%
2014 43.8% 27.6% 22.9% 32.9%
2013 48.2% 32% 23.6% 30.8%
2012 42.9% 34.8% 23% 31.3%
2011 43.4% 40.7% 23.7% 35.9%
2010 49.6% 53.5% 24.4% 38.5%
2009 61.1% 87.4% 22.9% 39.5%
2008 57.3% 74.2% 23% 40.6%
2007 44% 117.1% 22.2% 48.2%
2006 50.3% 143.2% 22.4% 56.1%
2005 63.2% 227.3% 23.2% 61.5%
2004 91.5% 344% 24.4% 61.5%
2003 - - 25.7% 59.9%
2002 - - 25.1% 60.9%
2001 - - 25.2% 62.1%
2000 - - 24.7% 58%
1999 - - 25.2% 60.4%
1998 - - 25.9% 64.3%
1997 - - 24.8% 67.3%
1996 - - 24.3% 73.6%
1995 - - 29.3% 86.7%
1994 - - 28.5% 88.7%
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 (1994–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1960–1993, retrieved 2026-07-08).

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

In 2025, Iraq's government spending was $109B, accounting for 42.7% of its GDP, while Panama spent $18.9B, or 20.9% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 53.9% in Iraq and 56.6% in Panama, ranking 95/185 and 84/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
Iraq

Panama
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
Iraq Panama
2025 -6.41% -3.67%
2024 -3.45% -6.23%
2023 -1.14% -3.9%
2022 8.1% -3.98%
2021 -0.38% -6.45%
2020 -12.8% -9.68%
2019 0.83% -2.74%
2018 7.69% -2.76%
2017 -1.52% -1.8%
2016 -14.4% -1.76%
2015 -12.8% -2.17%
2014 -5.63% -3.04%
2013 -6.06% -2.4%
2012 4.09% -1.32%
2011 4.74% -1.97%
2010 -4.18% -1.69%
2009 -14.9% -0.91%
2008 -0.86% 0.38%
2007 9.98% 3.17%
2006 10.7% 0.53%
2005 4.07% -2.29%
2004 -35.4% -4.54%
2003 - -2.41%
2002 - -1.03%
2001 - -0.45%
2000 - 2.22%
1999 - -0.71%
1998 - -1.23%
1997 - 1.39%
1996 - 2.81%
1995 - 2.61%
1994 - 2.4%
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 (1994–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1946–1993, retrieved 2026-07-08).

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

In 2025, Iraq's government deficit, the difference between spending and revenue, was $16.3B, equivalent to 6.41% of GDP. This compares to Panama's deficit of $3.32B, or 3.67% of GDP.

Over the past 22 years, Iraq recorded a fiscal deficit in 14 of those years, while Panama ran a deficit in 19 years. On average, Iraq posted an annual deficit equal to 3.17% of GDP, compared to deficit of 2.69% of GDP for Panama.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
Iraq

Panama
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
Iraq Panama
2025 0.3% -0.19%
2024 2.61% 0.69%
2023 4.36% 1.49%
2022 4.99% 2.86%
2021 6.04% 1.63%
2020 0.57% -1.55%
2019 -0.2% -0.36%
2018 0.37% 0.76%
2017 0.18% 0.88%
2016 0.56% 0.74%
2015 1.39% 0.14%
2014 2.24% 2.63%
2013 1.88% 4.03%
2012 6.09% 5.7%
2011 5.6% 5.88%
2010 2.43% 3.49%
2009 6.87% 2.41%
2008 12.7% 8.76%
2007 -10.1% 4.17%
2006 53.2% 2.46%
2005 37% 2.86%
2004 27% 0.47%
2003 33.6% 0.39%
2002 19.3% 1.01%
2001 16.4% 0.31%
2000 4.98% 1.5%
1999 12.6% 1.25%
1998 14.8% 0.56%
1997 23.1% 1.32%

Data sources: World Bank | Economy & Growth (1997–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08).

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

Over the past 29 years, Iraq has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 10%, compared with 1.94% in Panama. In 2025, inflation was 0.3% in Iraq and -0.19% in Panama.

Balance of trade

Iraq Panama
Current account balance
$8.37B
2024
-$169M
2025
Current account balance ranking
27/190
2024
91/190
2025
Current account balance, % of GDP
+2.99%
2024
-0.19%
2025
Goods imports
$74.3B
2024
$28.2B
2025
Goods exports
$101B
2024
$18.6B
2025
Service imports
$30.2B
2024
$5.91B
2025
Service exports
$10.2B
2024
$20.2B
2025
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
37.4%
2024
39.3%
2024
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
39.8%
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.

Iraq Panama
Economic freedom 15.6 64.9
Economic freedom ranking 196/197 70/197
Property rights 8.3 56.7
Government integrity 20.2 37.4
Judicial effectiveness 5.8 49.6
Tax burden 85.5 86.1
Government spending 65.3 85.5
Fiscal health 95.7 51.8
Business freedom 42.8 72.6
Labor freedom 60.6 60.9
Monetary freedom 68.6 78.2
Trade freedom 40 80.2
Investment freedom 10 60
Financial freedom 10 60

Economic freedom comparison by year

Iraq
Panama
1x
Year Economic freedom index
Iraq Panama
2026 - 64.9
2025 - 65.5
2024 - 64.1
2023 - 63.8
2022 - 65.4
2021 - 66.2
2020 - 67.2
2019 - 67.2
2018 - 67
2017 - 66.3
2016 - 64.8
2015 - 64.1
2014 - 63.4
2013 - 62.5
2012 - 65.2
2011 - 64.9
2010 - 64.8
2009 - 64.7
2008 - 64.7
2007 - 64.6
2006 - 65.6
2005 - 64.3
2004 - 65.3
2003 - 68.4
2002 15.6 68.5
2001 17.2 70.6
2000 17.2 71.6
1999 17.2 72.6
1998 17.2 72.6
1997 17.2 72.4
1996 17.2 71.8
1995 - 71.6

Data sources: The Heritage Foundation | Economic Freedom Index (1995–2026, retrieved 2026-07-08).

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

The Economic Freedom Index for Iraq is 15.6, ranking 196/197, 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

Iraq Panama
Services, % of GDP
52.3%
2025
70%
2025
Industry, % of GDP
45.4%
2025
24.9%
2025
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
3.41%
2025
2.62%
2025
GNI, Atlas method
$267B
2025
$87.5B
2025
GNI per capita, PPP
$14,290
2025
$41,770
2025
Total reserves including gold
$101B
2024
$6.24B
2025
Total reserves ranking
30/177
2024
93/177
2025
Net foreign direct investment
$8.09B
2024
-$1.81B
2025
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
-$7.65B
2024
$2.09B
2024
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
$439M
2024
$84.3M
2024
Servicing debt to the IMF, % of GNI
1.22%
2024
n/a
Poverty at national poverty lines
17.5%
2023
21.7%
2023
Gross capital formation, % of GDP
19.1%
2024
33.5%
2024

GDP per capita map

1x

Data sources: World Bank | Economy & Growth (1985–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08); U.S. Census Bureau (1985–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08).

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

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Data sources:

  1. World Bank | Economy & Growth (1960–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  2. International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1994–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  3. International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1946–1993, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  4. The Heritage Foundation | Economic Freedom Index (1995–2026, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  5. U.S. Census Bureau (1985–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  6. United Nations | World Population Prospects (2026, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  7. LivingCost (2026, retrieved 2026-07-08)

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.