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Economy of Namibia vs Panama compared: GDP & Debt

Updated on by Georank

Namibia has a GDP of $15.1B compared to $90.5B for Panama, ranking 146/197 and 82/197 by economy size, respectively.

Namibia has $10.6B in government debt (70.2% of GDP), compared to $51.2B (56.6% of GDP) in Panama.

Namibia vs Panama GDP by year

Namibia
Panama
1x
Year GDP, current $
Namibia Panama
2025 $15,080,340,654 $90,462,600,000
2024 $13,641,190,683 $86,523,959,100
2023 $12,522,012,874 $83,812,155,200
2022 $12,569,449,123 $76,479,304,500
2021 $12,402,486,184 $67,396,392,500
2020 $10,583,748,542 $57,059,846,500
2019 $12,541,928,303 $69,778,991,200
2018 $13,682,019,076 $67,316,471,200
2017 $12,895,153,371 $64,327,688,800
2016 $10,722,018,732 $59,760,858,700
2015 $11,335,161,084 $55,767,806,100
2014 $12,435,430,970 $51,427,104,900
2013 $12,043,307,277 $46,949,496,500
2012 $13,042,053,592 $41,595,439,700
2011 $12,523,359,441 $35,687,738,300
2010 $11,431,412,421 $30,231,009,500
2009 $8,938,847,189 $27,791,215,500
2008 $8,607,431,497 $25,721,328,000
2007 $8,839,536,476 $21,717,433,800
2006 $8,001,779,551 $18,659,721,500
2005 $7,248,374,838 $16,623,906,700
2004 $6,609,205,995 $15,100,203,400
2003 $4,926,439,384 $13,603,456,000
2002 $3,349,169,826 $12,800,851,300
2001 $3,557,341,215 $12,252,906,300
2000 $3,922,232,165 $11,966,497,000
1999 $3,868,551,730 $11,660,704,800
1998 $3,873,109,866 $11,019,557,700
1997 $4,154,989,950 $10,058,854,400
1996 $3,989,163,197 $9,197,503,300
1995 $3,978,514,206 $9,573,813,700
1994 $3,666,503,530 $9,365,289,800
1993 $3,251,188,833 $8,782,585,400
1992 $3,429,521,699 $8,042,337,700
1991 $2,996,869,281 $7,074,675,500
1990 $2,789,921,854 $6,433,967,000
1989 $2,535,135,798 $5,918,469,800
1988 $2,495,094,746 $5,902,783,400
1987 $2,300,068,217 $6,827,665,300
1986 $1,809,048,527 $6,797,834,200
1985 $1,608,237,350 $6,541,517,100
1984 $1,951,260,038 $6,183,387,100
1983 $2,297,400,688 $5,923,755,900
1982 $2,118,710,248 $5,769,767,900
1981 $2,249,908,578 $5,222,421,500
1980 $2,421,990,338 $4,614,086,400
1979 - $3,704,551,600
1978 - $3,244,558,600
1977 - $2,738,261,900
1976 - $2,588,106,000
1975 - $2,435,304,100
1974 - $2,188,307,600
1973 - $1,913,793,400
1972 - $1,673,411,700
1971 - $1,523,917,200
1970 - $1,351,006,400
1969 - $1,221,305,700
1968 - $1,112,791,100
1967 - $1,034,376,400
1966 - $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 (1960–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08).

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

GDP per capita in Namibia vs Panama by year

Namibia
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
Panama
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
Namibia Panama
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2025 $4,876 - $19,790 -
2024 $4,502 $11,687 $19,161 $41,369
2023 $4,226 $11,251 $18,797 $39,813
2022 $4,350 $10,663 $17,379 $36,333
2021 $4,413 $9,709 $15,510 $30,933
2020 $3,879 $9,354 $13,291 $27,017
2019 $4,732 $9,609 $16,478 $33,240
2018 $5,309 $9,854 $16,151 $32,464
2017 $5,144 $9,888 $15,695 $33,533
2016 $4,396 $10,200 $14,832 $30,277
2015 $4,774 $10,466 $14,083 $27,245
2014 $5,378 $10,365 $13,213 $24,376
2013 $5,347 $9,699 $12,273 $21,924
2012 $5,943 $9,364 $11,065 $19,473
2011 $5,835 $9,002 $9,662 $17,474
2010 $5,418 $8,538 $8,331 $15,573
2009 $4,303 $8,079 $7,797 $14,766
2008 $4,205 $8,125 $7,348 $14,705
2007 $4,379 $7,875 $6,318 $13,333
2006 $4,017 $7,374 $5,529 $11,685
2005 $3,686 $6,767 $5,018 $10,511
2004 $3,403 $6,480 $4,645 $9,592
2003 $2,569 $5,693 $4,265 $8,801
2002 $1,772 $5,433 $4,091 $8,370
2001 $1,916 $5,196 $3,992 $8,197
2000 $2,157 $5,129 $3,975 $8,097
1999 $2,178 $4,961 $3,950 $7,749
1998 $2,235 $4,852 $3,808 $7,408
1997 $2,460 $4,764 $3,546 $6,895
1996 $2,423 $4,612 $3,308 $6,421
1995 $2,483 $4,509 $3,514 $6,182
1994 $2,356 $4,376 $3,508 $6,073
1993 $2,155 $4,345 $3,358 $5,902
1992 $2,347 $4,452 $3,140 $5,582
1991 $2,117 $4,192 $2,821 $5,150
1990 $2,037 $3,875 $2,620 $4,651
1989 $1,967 - $2,462 -
1988 $2,063 - $2,509 -
1987 $1,969 - $2,966 -
1986 $1,599 - $3,019 -
1985 $1,466 - $2,972 -
1984 $1,830 - $2,875 -
1983 $2,214 - $2,819 -
1982 $2,097 - $2,811 -
1981 $2,267 - $2,605 -
1980 $2,468 - $2,357 -
1979 - - $1,938 -
1978 - - $1,738 -
1977 - - $1,503 -
1976 - - $1,457 -
1975 - - $1,406 -
1974 - - $1,296 -
1973 - - $1,164 -
1972 - - $1,046 -
1971 - - $979 -
1970 - - $893 -
1969 - - $830 -
1968 - - $778 -
1967 - - $745 -
1966 - - $689 -
1965 - - $651 -
1964 - - $611 -
1963 - - $587 -
1962 - - $546 -
1961 - - $516 -
1960 - - $477 -

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

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

Namibia's GDP per capita is $4,876, ranking 125/197, compared to $19,790 in Panama, ranking 62/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), Namibia ranks 128th at $11,687, while Panama ranks 56th at $41,369.

Economic indicators

Namibia Panama
Gross domestic product
$15.1B
2025
$90.5B
2025
GDP rank
146/197
2025
82/197
2025
GDP growth
1.73%
2024-2025
4.35%
2024-2025
GDP per capita
$4,876
2025
$19,790
2025
GDP per capita rank
125/197
2025
62/197
2025
GDP per capita, PPP
$11,687
2024
$41,369
2024
GDP per capita PPP rank
128/197
2024
56/197
2024
Government debt
$10.6B
2025
$51.2B
2025
Debt-to-GDP ratio
70.2%
2025
56.6%
2025
Government debt per person
$3,425
2025
$11,198
2025
Government debt per person rank
97/185
2025
56/185
2025
Average annual personal income after taxes
$3,433
2026
$11,056
2026
Market capitalization of domestic companies
$2.48B
2024
$27.2B
2025
Income share by richest 10%
47.2%
2015
37.6%
2024
Income share by poorest 10%
1%
2015
1.2%
2024
Government expenditure, % of GDP
39.4%
2025
20.9%
2025
Consumer prices inflation
3.5%
2024-2025
-0.19%
2024-2025
Central bank interest rate
6.5%
2025
n/a
Unemployment rate
19.9%
2018
8.31%
2025
Population
3185686
4654479

Spending and national debt comparison by year

Namibia
Spending

Debt
Panama
Spending

Debt
1x
Year % of GDP
Namibia Panama
Government spending Government debt Government spending Government debt
2025 39.4% 70.2% 20.9% 56.6%
2024 39.6% 69.8% 23.1% 57.8%
2023 37% 67.9% 21.4% 54.4%
2022 36.6% 70.1% 21.3% 56.2%
2021 39.3% 69.6% 23.7% 58%
2020 41.5% 64.3% 27% 62.4%
2019 37.4% 57.6% 20.5% 42.5%
2018 36.3% 48.7% 21.7% 36.3%
2017 38.1% 43.8% 21.1% 34.3%
2016 41.8% 45.8% 21.3% 34%
2015 43.7% 42.1% 21.4% 34.1%
2014 41.8% 27.6% 22.9% 32.9%
2013 38.3% 26.1% 23.6% 30.8%
2012 35% 24.6% 23% 31.3%
2011 38.5% 27.4% 23.7% 35.9%
2010 33.5% 16.3% 24.4% 38.5%
2009 32% 15.9% 22.9% 39.5%
2008 28.4% 19.1% 23% 40.6%
2007 26.1% 19.4% 22.2% 48.2%
2006 27.4% 26.1% 22.4% 56.1%
2005 27.7% 26.9% 23.2% 61.5%
2004 28.4% 29.2% 24.4% 61.5%
2003 31.1% 27.1% 25.7% 59.9%
2002 29.8% 22.2% 25.1% 60.9%
2001 30.7% 24.4% 25.2% 62.1%
2000 30.1% 20.9% 24.7% 58%
1999 31.8% 21.8% 25.2% 60.4%
1998 31.3% 19.6% 25.9% 64.3%
1997 30.9% 17.7% 24.8% 67.3%
1996 30.4% 18.7% 24.3% 73.6%
1995 29.6% 18% 29.3% 86.7%
1994 28.7% 16.4% 28.5% 88.7%
1993 32.4% 17.2% 33.8% 83.6%
1992 32.8% 14.1% 27.8% 91.2%
1991 33% 11.8% 20.9% 103.7%
1990 30.2% 12.9% 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 (1990–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1960–1993, retrieved 2026-07-08).

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

In 2025, Namibia's government spending was $5.94B, accounting for 39.4% of its GDP, while Panama spent $18.9B, or 20.9% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 70.2% in Namibia and 56.6% in Panama, ranking 57/185 and 84/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
Namibia

Panama
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
Namibia Panama
2025 -6.46% -3.67%
2024 -3.84% -6.23%
2023 -3.14% -3.9%
2022 -6.33% -3.98%
2021 -8.68% -6.45%
2020 -8.07% -9.68%
2019 -5.49% -2.74%
2018 -5.09% -2.76%
2017 -4.99% -1.8%
2016 -9.3% -1.76%
2015 -8.3% -2.17%
2014 -6.44% -3.04%
2013 -4.69% -2.4%
2012 -3.1% -1.32%
2011 -7.09% -1.97%
2010 -4.98% -1.69%
2009 -0.4% -0.91%
2008 3.48% 0.38%
2007 6.01% 3.17%
2006 3.41% 0.53%
2005 -0.31% -2.29%
2004 -2.67% -4.54%
2003 -4.47% -2.41%
2002 -1.38% -1.03%
2001 -2.01% -0.45%
2000 -0.79% 2.22%
1999 -1.88% -0.71%
1998 -2.76% -1.23%
1997 -2.38% 1.39%
1996 -3.7% 2.81%
1995 -1.74% 2.61%
1994 -0.57% 2.4%
1993 -2.73% -9.4%
1992 -2.55% -2.62%
1991 -1.59% -0.6%
1990 1.08% -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 (1990–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1946–1993, retrieved 2026-07-08).

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

In 2025, Namibia's government deficit, the difference between spending and revenue, was $974M, equivalent to 6.46% of GDP. This compares to Panama's deficit of $3.32B, or 3.67% of GDP.

Over the past 36 years, Namibia recorded a fiscal deficit in 32 of those years, while Panama ran a deficit in 28 years. On average, Namibia posted an annual deficit equal to 3.17% of GDP, compared to deficit of 1.94% of GDP for Panama.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
Namibia

Panama
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
Namibia Panama
2025 3.5% -0.19%
2024 4.2% 0.69%
2023 5.9% 1.49%
2022 6.1% 2.86%
2021 3.6% 1.63%
2020 2.2% -1.55%
2019 3.7% -0.36%
2018 4.3% 0.76%
2017 6.1% 0.88%
2016 6.7% 0.74%
2015 3.4% 0.14%
2014 5.3% 2.63%
2013 5.6% 4.03%
2012 6.7% 5.7%
2011 5% 5.88%
2010 4.9% 3.49%
2009 9.5% 2.41%
2008 9.1% 8.76%
2007 6.5% 4.17%
2006 5% 2.46%
2005 2.3% 2.86%
2004 4.1% 0.47%
2003 7.2% 0.39%
2002 12.7% 1.01%
2001 10.2% 0.31%
2000 10.2% 1.5%
1999 9.4% 1.25%
1998 6.6% 0.56%
1997 9.7% 1.32%

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | World Economic Outlook (1997–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08); World Bank | Economy & Growth (1997–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08).

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

Over the past 29 years, Namibia has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 6.2%, compared with 1.94% in Panama. In 2025, inflation was 3.5% in Namibia and -0.19% in Panama.

Top exports between countries

Namibia
Export category Export value
Raw materials & minerals $2.98M
Miscellaneous $346K
Machinery & equipment $109K
Animal & marine products $59K
Chemicals & pharma $43K
Metals $26K
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $22K
Textiles & consumer goods $13K
Precious metals & jewellery $10K
Wood & paper products $2K
Panama
Export category Export value
Raw materials & minerals $866K

Balance of trade

Namibia Panama
Current account balance
-$1.83B
2024
-$169M
2025
Current account balance ranking
138/190
2024
91/190
2025
Current account balance, % of GDP
-13.4%
2024
-0.19%
2025
Goods imports
$6.77B
2024
$28.2B
2025
Goods exports
$4.67B
2024
$18.6B
2025
Service imports
$2.47B
2024
$5.91B
2025
Service exports
$1.29B
2024
$20.2B
2025
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
63.9%
2025
39.3%
2024
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
44.7%
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.

Namibia Panama
Economic freedom 60.2 64.9
Economic freedom ranking 95/197 70/197
Property rights 63.1 56.7
Government integrity 51.5 37.4
Judicial effectiveness 67.2 49.6
Tax burden 66.4 86.1
Government spending 57.1 85.5
Fiscal health 60.5 51.8
Business freedom 58 72.6
Labor freedom 62.7 60.9
Monetary freedom 76.1 78.2
Trade freedom 69.8 80.2
Investment freedom 50 60
Financial freedom 40 60

Economic freedom comparison by year

Namibia
Panama
1x
Year Economic freedom index
Namibia Panama
2026 60.2 64.9
2025 58.7 65.5
2024 57.5 64.1
2023 57.7 63.8
2022 59.2 65.4
2021 62.6 66.2
2020 60.9 67.2
2019 58.7 67.2
2018 58.5 67
2017 62.5 66.3
2016 61.9 64.8
2015 59.6 64.1
2014 59.4 63.4
2013 60.3 62.5
2012 61.9 65.2
2011 62.7 64.9
2010 62.2 64.8
2009 62.4 64.7
2008 61.4 64.7
2007 63.5 64.6
2006 60.7 65.6
2005 61.4 64.3
2004 62.4 65.3
2003 67.3 68.4
2002 65.1 68.5
2001 64.8 70.6
2000 66.7 71.6
1999 66.1 72.6
1998 66.1 72.6
1997 61.6 72.4
1996 - 71.8
1995 - 71.6

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

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

The Economic Freedom Index for Namibia is 60.2, ranking 95/197, 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

Namibia Panama
Services, % of GDP
55%
2025
70%
2025
Industry, % of GDP
28.9%
2025
24.9%
2025
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
6.99%
2025
2.62%
2025
GNI, Atlas method
$13.4B
2025
$87.5B
2025
GNI per capita, PPP
$11,260
2025
$41,770
2025
Total reserves including gold
$3.1B
2025
$6.24B
2025
Total reserves ranking
119/177
2025
93/177
2025
Net foreign direct investment
-$1.89B
2024
-$1.81B
2025
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
$1.93B
2024
$2.09B
2024
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
$44.4M
2024
$84.3M
2024
Poverty at national poverty lines
17.4%
2015
21.7%
2023
Gross capital formation, % of GDP
18.7%
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/namibia/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 (1946–1993, 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. TradeMap (2023–2025, 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.

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.