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Economy of Kenya vs Panama compared: GDP & Debt

Updated on by Georank

Kenya has a GDP of $136B compared to $90.5B for Panama, ranking 62/197 and 82/197 by economy size, respectively.

Kenya has $94.3B in government debt (69.3% of GDP), compared to $51.2B (56.6% of GDP) in Panama.

Kenya vs Panama GDP by year

Kenya
Panama
1x
Year GDP, current $
Kenya Panama
2025 $135,941,278,879 $90,462,600,000
2024 $120,397,537,850 $86,523,959,100
2023 $107,500,884,685 $83,812,155,200
2022 $114,448,978,153 $76,479,304,500
2021 $109,703,658,905 $67,396,392,500
2020 $100,657,505,751 $57,059,846,500
2019 $100,378,436,207 $69,778,991,200
2018 $92,202,979,985 $67,316,471,200
2017 $82,036,510,877 $64,327,688,800
2016 $74,815,144,164 $59,760,858,700
2015 $70,120,446,897 $55,767,806,100
2014 $68,285,796,514 $51,427,104,900
2013 $61,671,440,408 $46,949,496,500
2012 $56,396,704,672 $41,595,439,700
2011 $46,869,473,151 $35,687,738,300
2010 $45,405,615,064 $30,231,009,500
2009 $42,347,217,913 $27,791,215,500
2008 $35,895,153,328 $25,721,328,000
2007 $31,958,195,182 $21,717,433,800
2006 $25,825,512,284 $18,659,721,500
2005 $18,737,895,513 $16,623,906,700
2004 $16,095,337,094 $15,100,203,400
2003 $14,904,517,650 $13,603,456,000
2002 $13,147,736,899 $12,800,851,300
2001 $12,986,007,426 $12,252,906,300
2000 $12,705,350,098 $11,966,497,000
1999 $12,896,010,459 $11,660,704,800
1998 $14,093,998,844 $11,019,557,700
1997 $13,115,764,358 $10,058,854,400
1996 $12,045,865,396 $9,197,503,300
1995 $9,046,320,255 $9,573,813,700
1994 $7,148,148,564 $9,365,289,800
1993 $5,751,786,643 $8,782,585,400
1992 $8,209,120,763 $8,042,337,700
1991 $8,151,488,783 $7,074,675,500
1990 $8,572,359,038 $6,433,967,000
1989 $8,283,114,514 $5,918,469,800
1988 $8,355,380,879 $5,902,783,400
1987 $7,970,820,369 $6,827,665,300
1986 $7,239,126,568 $6,797,834,200
1985 $6,135,034,214 $6,541,517,100
1984 $6,191,437,070 $6,183,387,100
1983 $5,979,198,314 $5,923,755,900
1982 $6,431,579,357 $5,769,767,900
1981 $6,854,491,706 $5,222,421,500
1980 $7,265,315,820 $4,614,086,400
1979 $6,234,391,113 $3,704,551,600
1978 $5,303,735,111 $3,244,558,600
1977 $4,494,378,764 $2,738,261,900
1976 $3,474,542,392 $2,588,106,000
1975 $3,259,345,083 $2,435,304,100
1974 $2,969,958,812 $2,188,307,600
1973 $2,509,001,324 $1,913,793,400
1972 $2,107,279,157 $1,673,411,700
1971 $1,778,391,289 $1,523,917,200
1970 $1,603,447,359 $1,351,006,400
1969 $1,458,379,417 $1,221,305,700
1968 $1,353,295,459 $1,112,791,100
1967 $1,232,559,507 $1,034,376,400
1966 $1,164,519,674 $928,833,000
1965 $997,919,321 $852,485,300
1964 $998,759,334 $776,137,500
1963 $926,589,349 $722,784,500
1962 $868,111,401 $652,120,900
1961 $792,959,473 $599,026,300
1960 $791,265,459 $537,147,100

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

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

GDP per capita in Kenya vs Panama by year

Kenya
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
Panama
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
Kenya Panama
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2025 $2,363 - $19,790 -
2024 $2,133 $6,644 $19,161 $41,369
2023 $1,943 $6,317 $18,797 $39,813
2022 $2,110 $5,883 $17,379 $36,333
2021 $2,061 $5,339 $15,510 $30,933
2020 $1,928 $4,793 $13,291 $27,017
2019 $1,960 $4,687 $16,478 $33,240
2018 $1,836 $4,412 $16,151 $32,464
2017 $1,667 $4,177 $15,695 $33,533
2016 $1,554 $3,917 $14,832 $30,277
2015 $1,489 $3,678 $14,083 $27,245
2014 $1,483 $3,359 $13,213 $24,376
2013 $1,371 $3,106 $12,273 $21,924
2012 $1,285 $2,847 $11,065 $19,473
2011 $1,096 $2,750 $9,662 $17,474
2010 $1,092 $2,635 $8,331 $15,573
2009 $1,048 $2,480 $7,797 $14,766
2008 $916 $2,459 $7,348 $14,705
2007 $840 $2,481 $6,318 $13,333
2006 $700 $2,330 $5,529 $11,685
2005 $523 $2,189 $5,018 $10,511
2004 $464 $2,066 $4,645 $9,592
2003 $443 $1,975 $4,265 $8,801
2002 $403 $1,940 $4,091 $8,370
2001 $411 $1,961 $3,992 $8,197
2000 $415 $1,907 $3,975 $8,097
1999 $434 $1,910 $3,950 $7,749
1998 $488 $1,895 $3,808 $7,408
1997 $467 $1,865 $3,546 $6,895
1996 $441 $1,875 $3,308 $6,421
1995 $340 $1,818 $3,514 $6,182
1994 $276.4 $1,754 $3,508 $6,073
1993 $229 $1,723 $3,358 $5,902
1992 $337 $1,728 $3,140 $5,582
1991 $345 $1,756 $2,821 $5,150
1990 $374 $1,729 $2,620 $4,651
1989 $374 - $2,462 -
1988 $391 - $2,509 -
1987 $387 - $2,966 -
1986 $364 - $3,019 -
1985 $320 - $2,972 -
1984 $334 - $2,875 -
1983 $335 - $2,819 -
1982 $374 - $2,811 -
1981 $413 - $2,605 -
1980 $454 - $2,357 -
1979 $403 - $1,938 -
1978 $355 - $1,738 -
1977 $311 - $1,503 -
1976 $248.9 - $1,457 -
1975 $241.2 - $1,406 -
1974 $227.2 - $1,296 -
1973 $198.6 - $1,164 -
1972 $172.6 - $1,046 -
1971 $150.9 - $979 -
1970 $141 - $893 -
1969 $133.3 - $830 -
1968 $128.7 - $778 -
1967 $121.9 - $745 -
1966 $119.8 - $689 -
1965 $106.9 - $651 -
1964 $111.3 - $611 -
1963 $107.4 - $587 -
1962 $104.6 - $546 -
1961 $99.3 - $516 -
1960 $102.8 - $477 -

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

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

Kenya's GDP per capita is $2,363, ranking 154/197, compared to $19,790 in Panama, ranking 62/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), Kenya ranks 149th at $6,644, while Panama ranks 56th at $41,369.

Economic indicators

Kenya Panama
Gross domestic product
$136B
2025
$90.5B
2025
GDP rank
62/197
2025
82/197
2025
GDP growth
4.63%
2024-2025
4.35%
2024-2025
GDP per capita
$2,363
2025
$19,790
2025
GDP per capita rank
154/197
2025
62/197
2025
GDP per capita, PPP
$6,644
2024
$41,369
2024
GDP per capita PPP rank
149/197
2024
56/197
2024
Government debt
$94.3B
2025
$51.2B
2025
Debt-to-GDP ratio
69.3%
2025
56.6%
2025
Government debt per person
$1,638
2025
$11,198
2025
Government debt per person rank
126/185
2025
56/185
2025
Average annual personal income after taxes
$2,538
2026
$11,056
2026
Market capitalization of domestic companies
$22.8B
2025
$27.2B
2025
Income share by richest 10%
30.9%
2022
37.6%
2024
Income share by poorest 10%
2.9%
2022
1.2%
2024
Government expenditure, % of GDP
24%
2025
20.9%
2025
Consumer prices inflation
4.07%
2024-2025
-0.19%
2024-2025
Central bank interest rate
8.75%
2026
n/a
Unemployment rate
5.44%
2022
8.31%
2025
Population
59218766
4654479

Spending and national debt comparison by year

Kenya
Spending

Debt
Panama
Spending

Debt
1x
Year % of GDP
Kenya Panama
Government spending Government debt Government spending Government debt
2025 24% 69.3% 20.9% 56.6%
2024 23.2% 67.3% 23.1% 57.8%
2023 22.6% 73.4% 21.4% 54.4%
2022 23.1% 67.8% 21.3% 56.2%
2021 24% 68.2% 23.7% 58%
2020 24.8% 68% 27% 62.4%
2019 24.4% 59.1% 20.5% 42.5%
2018 24.5% 56.4% 21.7% 36.3%
2017 25.2% 53.9% 21.1% 34.3%
2016 25.3% 50.4% 21.3% 34%
2015 23.8% 45.8% 21.4% 34.1%
2014 23.4% 41.3% 22.9% 32.9%
2013 23.2% 39.8% 23.6% 30.8%
2012 22.1% 37.6% 23% 31.3%
2011 20.1% 35.7% 23.7% 35.9%
2010 21.5% 36.7% 24.4% 38.5%
2009 20.3% 36% 22.9% 39.5%
2008 18.9% 34.3% 23% 40.6%
2007 18.1% 34.2% 22.2% 48.2%
2006 17.3% 37.1% 22.4% 56.1%
2005 16.2% 37.4% 23.2% 61.5%
2004 15.4% 40.8% 24.4% 61.5%
2003 16% 43.8% 25.7% 59.9%
2002 15.7% 42% 25.1% 60.9%
2001 14.9% 41.3% 25.2% 62.1%
2000 14.1% 43.1% 24.7% 58%
1999 13.7% 38.4% 25.2% 60.4%
1998 15.3% 38.5% 25.9% 64.3%
1997 15.6% 36% 24.8% 67.3%
1996 15.2% 40.5% 24.3% 73.6%
1995 17.3% 52.1% 29.3% 86.7%
1994 18.8% 57% 28.5% 88.7%
1993 18.9% 61.6% 33.8% 83.6%
1992 17.6% 41.2% 27.8% 91.2%
1991 16.4% 43% 20.9% 103.7%
1990 17.2% 37.6% 41.5% 112.7%
1989 16.3% 33.4% 43% 104.4%
1988 15.9% 33.9% 41.8% 105%
1987 15.5% 36.3% 40.1% 92.2%
1986 15.3% 31.3% 38.6% 84%
1985 15.6% 28.8% 39.7% 82.5%
1984 14.9% 25.6% 44% 82.5%
1983 14.6% 26.1% 44.6% 86.6%
1982 16.2% 26.9% 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 (1990–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1960–1997, retrieved 2026-07-08).

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

In 2025, Kenya's government spending was $32.6B, accounting for 24% of its GDP, while Panama spent $18.9B, or 20.9% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 69.3% in Kenya and 56.6% in Panama, ranking 59/185 and 84/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
Kenya

Panama
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
Kenya Panama
2025 -6.41% -3.67%
2024 -5.74% -6.23%
2023 -5.61% -3.9%
2022 -6.01% -3.98%
2021 -7.2% -6.45%
2020 -8.13% -9.68%
2019 -7.4% -2.74%
2018 -6.91% -2.76%
2017 -7.37% -1.8%
2016 -7.45% -1.76%
2015 -6.68% -2.17%
2014 -5.75% -3.04%
2013 -5.25% -2.4%
2012 -5.29% -1.32%
2011 -3.64% -1.97%
2010 -3.67% -1.69%
2009 -3.12% -0.91%
2008 -1.95% 0.38%
2007 -0.95% 3.17%
2006 -0.43% 0.53%
2005 -0.19% -2.29%
2004 0.5% -4.54%
2003 -0.73% -2.41%
2002 -1.29% -1.03%
2001 -0.53% -0.45%
2000 0.38% 2.22%
1999 0.84% -0.71%
1998 -0.03% -1.23%
1997 -0.91% 1.39%
1996 -0.49% 2.81%
1995 -0.23% 2.61%
1994 -4.14% 2.4%
1993 -8.57% -9.4%
1992 -8.28% -2.62%
1991 -6.56% -0.6%
1990 -3.28% -3.65%
1989 -2.39% -13.6%
1988 -1.97% -13.5%
1987 -2.27% -1.7%
1986 -2.98% -1%
1985 -3.05% -2.57%
1984 -2.55% -7.56%
1983 -2.17% -7.62%
1982 -3.07% -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 (1990–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1946–1993, retrieved 2026-07-08).

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

In 2025, Kenya's government deficit, the difference between spending and revenue, was $8.72B, equivalent to 6.41% of GDP. This compares to Panama's deficit of $3.32B, or 3.67% of GDP.

Over the past 44 years, Kenya recorded a fiscal deficit in 41 of those years, while Panama ran a deficit in 36 years. On average, Kenya posted an annual deficit equal to 3.61% of GDP, compared to deficit of 2.97% of GDP for Panama.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
Kenya

Panama
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
Kenya Panama
2025 4.07% -0.19%
2024 4.49% 0.69%
2023 7.67% 1.49%
2022 7.66% 2.86%
2021 6.11% 1.63%
2020 5.41% -1.55%
2019 5.24% -0.36%
2018 4.69% 0.76%
2017 8.01% 0.88%
2016 6.3% 0.74%
2015 6.58% 0.14%
2014 6.88% 2.63%
2013 5.72% 4.03%
2012 9.38% 5.7%
2011 14% 5.88%
2010 3.96% 3.49%
2009 9.23% 2.41%
2008 26.2% 8.76%
2007 9.76% 4.17%
2006 14.5% 2.46%
2005 10.3% 2.86%
2004 11.6% 0.47%
2003 9.82% 0.39%
2002 1.96% 1.01%
2001 5.74% 0.31%
2000 9.98% 1.5%
1999 5.74% 1.25%
1998 6.72% 0.56%
1997 11.4% 1.32%

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

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

Over the past 29 years, Kenya has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 8.25%, compared with 1.94% in Panama. In 2025, inflation was 4.07% in Kenya and -0.19% in Panama.

Top exports between countries

Kenya
Export category Export value
Textiles & consumer goods $1.28M
Raw agricultural goods $63K
Raw materials & minerals $23K
Animal & marine products $9K
Chemicals & pharma $3K
Metals $1K
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $1K
Wood & paper products $1K
Panama
Export category Export value
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $61K
Textiles & consumer goods $43K
Chemicals & pharma $25K
Raw materials & minerals $20K
Wood & paper products $15K
Machinery & equipment $13K

Balance of trade

Kenya Panama
Current account balance
-$1.55B
2024
-$169M
2025
Current account balance ranking
130/190
2024
91/190
2025
Current account balance, % of GDP
-1.29%
2024
-0.19%
2025
Goods imports
$22.2B
2024
$28.2B
2025
Goods exports
$12.5B
2024
$18.6B
2025
Service imports
$5.64B
2024
$5.91B
2025
Service exports
$8.04B
2024
$20.2B
2025
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
21.8%
2025
39.3%
2024
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
15.8%
2025
44.4%
2024

Economic freedom indices

The indices of economic freedom below are issued by the Heritage Foundation. Higher scores indicate stronger economic health.

Kenya Panama
Economic freedom 55.5 64.9
Economic freedom ranking 128/197 70/197
Property rights 40.2 56.7
Government integrity 32.7 37.4
Judicial effectiveness 47 49.6
Tax burden 76.3 86.1
Government spending 84.1 85.5
Fiscal health 36.2 51.8
Business freedom 61.5 72.6
Labor freedom 56.5 60.9
Monetary freedom 75.1 78.2
Trade freedom 52 80.2
Investment freedom 55 60
Financial freedom 50 60

Economic freedom comparison by year

Kenya
Panama
1x
Year Economic freedom index
Kenya Panama
2026 55.5 64.9
2025 54.8 65.5
2024 53.6 64.1
2023 52.5 63.8
2022 52.6 65.4
2021 54.9 66.2
2020 55.3 67.2
2019 55.1 67.2
2018 54.7 67
2017 53.5 66.3
2016 57.5 64.8
2015 55.6 64.1
2014 57.1 63.4
2013 55.9 62.5
2012 57.5 65.2
2011 57.4 64.9
2010 57.5 64.8
2009 58.7 64.7
2008 59.3 64.7
2007 59.6 64.6
2006 59.7 65.6
2005 57.9 64.3
2004 57.7 65.3
2003 58.6 68.4
2002 58.2 68.5
2001 57.6 70.6
2000 59.7 71.6
1999 58.2 72.6
1998 58.4 72.6
1997 60.1 72.4
1996 56.4 71.8
1995 54.5 71.6

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

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

The Economic Freedom Index for Kenya is 55.5, ranking 128/197, 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

Kenya Panama
Services, % of GDP
55.1%
2025
70%
2025
Industry, % of GDP
16.3%
2025
24.9%
2025
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
23.2%
2025
2.62%
2025
GNI, Atlas method
$127B
2025
$87.5B
2025
GNI per capita, PPP
$6,910
2025
$41,770
2025
Total reserves including gold
$12.4B
2025
$6.24B
2025
Total reserves ranking
76/177
2025
93/177
2025
Net foreign direct investment
-$45.8M
2024
-$1.81B
2025
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
$463M
2024
$2.09B
2024
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
$418M
2024
$84.3M
2024
Servicing debt to the IMF, % of GNI
4.82%
2024
n/a
Poverty at national poverty lines
39.8%
2022
21.7%
2023
Gross capital formation, % of GDP
17%
2025
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/kenya/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 (1990–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  3. International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1946–1997, 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. TradeMap (2021–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  7. United Nations | World Population Prospects (2026, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  8. 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.