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Economy of Libya vs Panama compared: GDP & Debt

Updated on by Georank team

Libya has a GDP of $48.5B compared to $86.5B for Panama, ranking 95/197 and 78/197 by economy size, respectively.

Libya vs Panama GDP by year

Libya
Panama
1x
Year GDP, current $
Libya Panama
2024 $48,487,151,215 $86,523,959,132
2023 $44,027,664,915 $83,812,155,244
2022 $43,246,297,922 $76,479,304,471
2021 $35,217,995,647 $67,396,392,506
2020 $46,854,285,441 $57,059,846,522
2019 $69,254,496,472 $69,778,991,193
2018 $76,686,029,772 $67,316,471,181
2017 $67,157,452,182 $64,327,688,826
2016 $49,912,073,701 $59,760,858,718
2015 $48,717,501,321 $55,767,806,073
2014 $57,372,355,592 $51,427,104,882
2013 $75,351,107,029 $46,949,496,479
2012 $92,540,938,129 $41,595,439,721
2011 $48,169,263,294 $35,687,738,252
2010 $75,380,825,062 $30,231,009,533
2009 $60,808,562,033 $27,791,215,547
2008 $86,710,767,415 $25,721,327,955
2007 $68,032,978,391 $21,717,433,808
2006 $60,094,231,607 $18,659,721,513
2005 $47,334,691,241 $16,623,906,739
2004 $33,122,307,692 $15,100,203,362
2003 $26,265,625,000 $13,603,456,003
2002 $20,481,889,764 $12,800,851,271
2001 $34,112,093,927 $12,252,906,341
2000 $38,270,954,138 $11,966,497,049
1999 $35,975,860,857 $11,660,704,777
1998 $27,251,301,398 $11,019,557,689
1997 $30,700,897,875 $10,058,854,386
1996 $27,884,615,385 $9,197,503,323
1995 $25,541,379,187 $9,573,813,700
1994 $28,610,549,763 $9,365,289,800
1993 $30,660,051,911 $8,782,585,400
1992 $33,887,047,909 $8,042,337,700
1991 $31,991,821,265 $7,074,675,500
1990 $28,904,183,602 $6,433,967,000
1989 $25,156,707,899 $5,918,469,800
1988 $24,308,959,591 $5,902,783,400
1987 $26,697,659,335 $6,827,665,300
1986 $24,180,400,959 $6,797,834,200
1985 $31,530,566,324 $6,541,517,100
1984 $29,476,109,153 $6,183,387,100
1983 $33,200,520,140 $5,923,755,900
1982 $33,760,146,991 $5,769,767,900
1981 $36,374,353,880 $5,222,421,500
1980 $40,953,924,949 $4,614,086,400
1979 $30,536,429,497 $3,704,551,600
1978 $22,136,422,643 $3,244,558,600
1977 $22,428,297,108 $2,738,261,900
1976 $19,096,943,017 $2,588,106,000
1975 $14,710,912,458 $2,435,304,100
1974 $15,112,543,717 $2,188,307,600
1973 $8,625,889,430 $1,913,793,400
1972 $6,299,395,544 $1,673,411,700
1971 $5,260,185,125 $1,523,917,200
1970 $4,601,649,451 $1,351,006,400
1969 $4,380,987,481 $1,221,305,700
1968 $3,850,623,095 $1,112,791,100
1967 $2,726,986,913 $1,034,376,400
1966 $2,312,438,536 $928,833,000
1965 $1,804,979,680 $852,485,300
1964 $1,341,395,421 $776,137,500
1963 $892,327,911 $722,784,500
1962 $619,725,785 $652,120,900
1961 $443,905,612 $599,026,300
1960 $401,644,249 $537,147,100

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

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

GDP per capita in Libya vs Panama by year

Libya
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
Panama
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
Libya Panama
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2024 $6,569 $14,304 $19,161 $41,369
2023 $6,027 $13,847 $18,797 $39,813
2022 $5,987 $12,266 $17,379 $36,333
2021 $4,936 $12,642 $15,510 $30,933
2020 $6,650 $10,955 $13,291 $27,017
2019 $9,963 $16,194 $16,478 $33,240
2018 $11,197 $18,879 $16,151 $32,464
2017 $9,966 $18,026 $15,695 $33,533
2016 $7,526 $16,961 $14,832 $30,277
2015 $7,458 $17,903 $14,083 $27,245
2014 $8,926 $17,510 $13,213 $24,376
2013 $11,952 $21,151 $12,273 $21,924
2012 $14,976 $26,826 $11,065 $19,473
2011 $7,594 $15,698 $9,662 $17,474
2010 $11,601 $30,234 $8,331 $15,573
2009 $9,551 $29,027 $7,797 $14,766
2008 $13,906 $30,812 $7,348 $14,705
2007 $11,145 $30,929 $6,318 $13,333
2006 $10,049 $28,936 $5,529 $11,685
2005 $8,079 $26,903 $5,018 $10,511
2004 $5,774 $23,813 $4,645 $9,592
2003 $4,674 $22,663 $4,265 $8,801
2002 $3,718 $20,061 $4,091 $8,370
2001 $6,313 $20,332 $3,992 $8,197
2000 $7,214 $20,617 $3,975 $8,097
1999 $6,895 $19,769 $3,950 $7,749
1998 $5,301 $19,639 $3,808 $7,408
1997 $6,062 $20,439 $3,546 $6,895
1996 $5,591 $19,392 $3,308 $6,421
1995 $5,205 $18,952 $3,514 $6,182
1994 $5,933 $19,318 $3,508 $6,073
1993 $6,478 $18,904 $3,358 $5,902
1992 $7,303 $19,572 $3,140 $5,582
1991 $7,040 $20,085 $2,821 $5,150
1990 $6,502 $17,173 $2,620 $4,651
1989 $5,793 - $2,462 -
1988 $5,736 - $2,509 -
1987 $6,465 - $2,966 -
1986 $6,019 - $3,019 -
1985 $8,087 - $2,972 -
1984 $7,811 - $2,875 -
1983 $8,927 - $2,819 -
1982 $9,064 - $2,811 -
1981 $10,044 - $2,605 -
1980 $11,960 - $2,357 -
1979 $9,443 - $1,938 -
1978 $7,252 - $1,738 -
1977 $7,783 - $1,503 -
1976 $7,018 - $1,457 -
1975 $5,721 - $1,406 -
1974 $6,214 - $1,296 -
1973 $3,727 - $1,164 -
1972 $2,830 - $1,046 -
1971 $2,443 - $979 -
1970 $2,210 - $893 -
1969 $2,175 - $830 -
1968 $1,972 - $778 -
1967 $1,437 - $745 -
1966 $1,251 - $689 -
1965 $1,001 - $651 -
1964 $765 - $611 -
1963 $528 - $587 -
1962 $382 - $546 -
1961 $285.3 - $516 -
1960 $269 - $477 -

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

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

Libya's GDP per capita is $6,569, ranking 107/197, compared to $19,161 in Panama, ranking 60/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), Libya ranks 118th at $14,304, while Panama ranks 56th at $41,369.

Economic indicators

Libya Panama
Gross domestic product
$48.5B
2024
$86.5B
2024
GDP rank
95/197
2024
78/197
2024
GDP growth
1.9%
2023-2024
2.75%
2023-2024
GDP per capita
$6,569
2024
$19,161
2024
GDP per capita rank
107/197
2024
60/197
2024
GDP per capita, PPP
$14,304
2024
$41,369
2024
GDP per capita PPP rank
118/197
2024
56/197
2024
Government debt n/a
$49.6B
2024
Debt-to-GDP ratio n/a
57.4%
2024
Government debt per person n/a
$10,995
2024
Government debt per person rank n/a
51/185
2024
Average annual personal income after taxes
$3,172
2026
$10,196
2026
Market capitalization of domestic companies n/a
$18.3B
2024
Income share by richest 10% n/a
37.6%
2024
Income share by poorest 10% n/a
1.2%
2024
Government expenditure, % of GDP
94.8%
2024
23.1%
2024
Consumer prices inflation
2.13%
2023-2024
0.69%
2023-2024
Unemployment rate
30%
2004
8.61%
2024
Population
7559873
4642198

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
Libya

Panama
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
Libya Panama
2024 -25.1% -7.42%
2023 8.22% -3.9%
2022 23.6% -3.98%
2021 14.8% -6.48%
2020 -22.3% -10.2%
2019 11.9% -2.89%
2018 9.39% -2.88%
2017 -11.1% -1.92%
2016 -29.3% -1.89%
2015 -28.5% -2.3%
2014 -30.5% -3.21%
2013 -16.3% -2.38%
2012 24.6% -1.31%
2011 -11.5% -1.96%
2010 11.5% -1.68%
2009 -5.46% -0.9%
2008 27.7% 0.37%
2007 28.4% 3.12%
2006 29.1% 0.51%
2005 30.4% -2.21%
2004 11.3% -4.33%
2003 6.17% -2.27%
2002 6.99% -0.96%
2001 0.07% -0.42%
2000 13.6% 2.05%
1999 5.69% -0.65%
1998 -2.36% -1.11%
1997 -2.1% 1.24%
1996 11.3% 2.48%
1995 3.8% 2.3%
1994 -2.67% 2.12%
1993 -5.77% -9.4%
1992 0.11% -2.62%
1991 8.41% -0.6%
1990 3.36% -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 (1990–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1946–1993, retrieved 2026-02-20).

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

In 2024, Libya's government deficit, the difference between spending and revenue, was $12.1B, equivalent to 25.1% of GDP. This compares to Panama's deficit of $6.42B, or 7.42% of GDP.

Over the past 35 years, Libya recorded a fiscal deficit in 13 of those years, while Panama ran a deficit in 27 years. On average, Libya posted an annual surplus equal to 2.79% of GDP, compared to deficit of 1.98% of GDP for Panama.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
Libya

Panama
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
Libya Panama
2024 2.13% 0.69%
2023 2.37% 1.49%
2022 4.51% 2.86%
2021 2.87% 1.63%
2020 1.45% -1.55%
2019 -2.16% -0.36%
2018 13.2% 0.76%
2017 25.8% 0.88%
2016 25.9% 0.74%
2015 10.4% 0.14%
2014 2.43% 2.63%
2013 2.61% 4.03%
2012 6.06% 5.7%
2011 15.5% 5.88%
2010 2.8% 3.49%
2009 2.46% 2.41%
2008 10.4% 8.76%
2007 6.25% 4.17%
2006 1.46% 2.46%
2005 2.65% 2.86%
2004 -2.2% 0.47%
2003 -2.19% 0.39%
2002 -9.8% 1.01%
2001 -8.81% 0.31%
2000 -2.9% 1.5%
1999 2.65% 1.25%
1998 3.71% 0.56%
1997 3.55% 1.32%

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

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

Over the past 28 years, Libya has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 4.39%, compared with 2.02% in Panama. In 2024, inflation was 2.13% in Libya and 0.69% in Panama.

Top exports between countries

Libya
Export category Export value
Panama
Export category Export value
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $133K
Machinery & equipment $20K

Balance of trade

Libya Panama
Current account balance
$1.86B
2023
$1.67B
2024
Current account balance ranking
46/190
2023
51/190
2024
Current account balance, % of GDP
+4.24%
2023
+1.93%
2024
Goods imports
$23.2B
2023
$25.1B
2024
Goods exports
$37.1B
2023
$19.1B
2024
Service imports
$10.1B
2023
$5.75B
2024
Service exports
$642M
2023
$18.3B
2024
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
56.8%
2024
39.3%
2024
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
72%
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.

Libya Panama
Economic freedom 35.9 64.9
Economic freedom ranking 189/197 70/197
Property rights 6.3 56.7
Government integrity 10.3 37.4
Judicial effectiveness 4.9 49.6
Tax burden 95 86.1
Government spending 0 85.5
Fiscal health 19.9 51.8
Business freedom 32.4 72.6
Labor freedom 48.2 60.9
Monetary freedom 75.2 78.2
Trade freedom 80 80.2
Investment freedom 5 60
Financial freedom 20 60

Economic freedom comparison by year

Libya
Panama
1x
Year Economic freedom index
Libya 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 35.9 65.2
2011 38.6 64.9
2010 40.2 64.8
2009 43.5 64.7
2008 38.7 64.7
2007 37 64.6
2006 33.2 65.6
2005 32.8 64.3
2004 31.5 65.3
2003 34.6 68.4
2002 35.4 68.5
2001 34 70.6
2000 34.7 71.6
1999 32.3 72.6
1998 32 72.6
1997 28.9 72.4
1996 31.7 71.8
1995 - 71.6

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

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

The Economic Freedom Index for Libya is 35.9, ranking 189/197, 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

Libya Panama
Services, % of GDP
28.3%
2024
69.3%
2024
Industry, % of GDP
73.5%
2024
25.5%
2024
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
2.39%
2024
2.68%
2024
GNI, Atlas method
$50.9B
2024
$81.3B
2024
GNI per capita, PPP
$15,400
2024
$39,260
2024
Total reserves including gold
$92.9B
2024
$6.86B
2024
Total reserves ranking
29/177
2024
88/177
2024
Net foreign direct investment
-$795M
2023
-$2.38B
2024
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
$0
2024
$3.24B
2024
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
-$56.5M
2024
$865M
2024
Poverty at national poverty lines
7.4%
2005
21.7%
2023
Gross capital formation, % of GDP
14.3%
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/libya/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 (1990–2024, 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. Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) (2004–2005, retrieved 2026-02-20)
  7. TradeMap (2021–2023, retrieved 2026-02-08)
  8. United Nations | World Population Prospects (2026, retrieved 2026-03-10)
  9. 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.

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.