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Economy of Namibia vs Panama compared: GDP & Debt

Updated on by Georank team

Namibia has a GDP of $13.4B compared to $86.5B for Panama, ranking 147/197 and 78/197 by economy size, respectively.

Namibia has $9.05B in government debt (67.7% of GDP), compared to $49.6B (57.4% of GDP) in Panama.

Namibia vs Panama GDP by year

Namibia
Panama
1x
Year GDP, current $
Namibia Panama
2024 $13,372,354,512 $86,523,959,132
2023 $12,408,271,449 $83,812,155,244
2022 $12,569,449,123 $76,479,304,471
2021 $12,402,486,184 $67,396,392,506
2020 $10,583,748,542 $57,059,846,522
2019 $12,541,928,303 $69,778,991,193
2018 $13,682,019,076 $67,316,471,181
2017 $12,895,153,371 $64,327,688,826
2016 $10,722,018,732 $59,760,858,718
2015 $11,335,161,084 $55,767,806,073
2014 $12,435,430,970 $51,427,104,882
2013 $12,043,307,277 $46,949,496,479
2012 $13,042,053,592 $41,595,439,721
2011 $12,523,359,441 $35,687,738,252
2010 $11,431,412,421 $30,231,009,533
2009 $8,938,847,189 $27,791,215,547
2008 $8,607,431,497 $25,721,327,955
2007 $8,839,536,476 $21,717,433,808
2006 $8,001,779,551 $18,659,721,513
2005 $7,248,374,838 $16,623,906,739
2004 $6,609,205,995 $15,100,203,362
2003 $4,926,439,384 $13,603,456,003
2002 $3,349,169,826 $12,800,851,271
2001 $3,557,341,215 $12,252,906,341
2000 $3,922,232,165 $11,966,497,049
1999 $3,868,551,730 $11,660,704,777
1998 $3,873,109,866 $11,019,557,689
1997 $4,154,989,950 $10,058,854,386
1996 $3,989,163,197 $9,197,503,323
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 (1960–2024, retrieved 2026-04-06).

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
2024 $4,413 $11,687 $19,161 $41,369
2023 $4,188 $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 (1960–2024, retrieved 2026-04-06).

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

Namibia's GDP per capita is $4,413, ranking 126/197, compared to $19,161 in Panama, ranking 60/197. 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
$13.4B
2024
$86.5B
2024
GDP rank
147/197
2024
78/197
2024
GDP growth
3.71%
2023-2024
2.75%
2023-2024
GDP per capita
$4,413
2024
$19,161
2024
GDP per capita rank
126/197
2024
60/197
2024
GDP per capita, PPP
$11,687
2024
$41,369
2024
GDP per capita PPP rank
128/197
2024
56/197
2024
Government debt
$9.05B
2024
$49.6B
2024
Debt-to-GDP ratio
67.7%
2024
57.4%
2024
Government debt per person
$2,988
2024
$10,995
2024
Government debt per person rank
100/185
2024
51/185
2024
Average annual personal income after taxes
$6,197
2026
$10,196
2026
Market capitalization of domestic companies
$2.48B
2024
$18.3B
2024
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
39.9%
2024
23.1%
2024
Consumer prices inflation
4.2%
2023-2024
0.69%
2023-2024
Central bank interest rate
6.5%
2025
n/a
Unemployment rate
19.9%
2018
8.61%
2024
Population
3173089
4642198

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
2024 39.9% 67.7% 23.1% 57.4%
2023 37% 67.2% 21.4% 51.2%
2022 36.6% 69.4% 21.3% 52.7%
2021 39.3% 69.6% 23.8% 54.4%
2020 41.5% 64.3% 27.5% 61.5%
2019 37.4% 57.6% 20.6% 39.8%
2018 36.3% 48.7% 21.8% 35.6%
2017 38.1% 43.8% 21.2% 33.6%
2016 41.8% 45.8% 21.3% 33.6%
2015 43.7% 42.1% 21.4% 34.2%
2014 41.8% 27.6% 23% 34.7%
2013 38.3% 26.1% 23.4% 33.7%
2012 35% 24.6% 22.8% 34%
2011 38.5% 27.4% 23.5% 35.6%
2010 33.5% 16.3% 24.2% 38.1%
2009 32% 15.9% 22.7% 39.1%
2008 28.4% 19.1% 22.7% 40%
2007 26.1% 19.4% 21.8% 47.4%
2006 27.4% 26.1% 21.9% 54.7%
2005 27.7% 26.9% 22.4% 59.3%
2004 28.4% 29.2% 23.3% 58.8%
2003 31.1% 27.1% 24.2% 56.5%
2002 29.8% 22.2% 23.5% 57%
2001 30.7% 24.4% 23.4% 57.8%
2000 30.1% 20.9% 22.8% 53.6%
1999 31.8% 21.8% 23% 55.1%
1998 31.3% 19.6% 23.4% 58.1%
1997 30.9% 17.7% 22.2% 60.2%
1996 30.4% 18.7% 21.5% 65%
1995 29.6% 18% 25.9% 76.6%
1994 28.7% 16.4% 25.2% 78.3%
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 (1990–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1960–1993, retrieved 2026-02-20).

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

In 2024, Namibia's government spending was $5.34B, accounting for 39.9% of its GDP, while Panama spent $20B, or 23.1% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 67.7% in Namibia and 57.4% in Panama, ranking 61/185 and 88/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
Namibia

Panama
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
Namibia Panama
2024 -3.59% -7.42%
2023 -3.14% -3.9%
2022 -6.33% -3.98%
2021 -8.68% -6.48%
2020 -8.07% -10.2%
2019 -5.49% -2.89%
2018 -5.09% -2.88%
2017 -4.99% -1.92%
2016 -9.3% -1.89%
2015 -8.3% -2.3%
2014 -6.44% -3.21%
2013 -4.69% -2.38%
2012 -3.1% -1.31%
2011 -7.09% -1.96%
2010 -4.98% -1.68%
2009 -0.4% -0.9%
2008 3.48% 0.37%
2007 6.01% 3.12%
2006 3.41% 0.51%
2005 -0.31% -2.21%
2004 -2.67% -4.33%
2003 -4.47% -2.27%
2002 -1.38% -0.96%
2001 -2.01% -0.42%
2000 -0.79% 2.05%
1999 -1.88% -0.65%
1998 -2.76% -1.11%
1997 -2.38% 1.24%
1996 -3.7% 2.48%
1995 -1.74% 2.3%
1994 -0.57% 2.12%
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 (1990–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1946–1993, retrieved 2026-02-20).

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

In 2024, Namibia's government deficit, the difference between spending and revenue, was $480M, equivalent to 3.59% of GDP. This compares to Panama's deficit of $6.42B, or 7.42% of GDP.

Over the past 35 years, Namibia recorded a fiscal deficit in 31 of those years, while Panama ran a deficit in 27 years. On average, Namibia posted an annual deficit equal to 3.06% of GDP, compared to deficit of 1.98% of GDP for Panama.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
Namibia

Panama
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
Namibia Panama
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 (1997–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20); World Bank | Economy & Growth (1997–2024, retrieved 2026-04-06).

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

Over the past 28 years, Namibia has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 6.29%, compared with 2.02% in Panama. In 2024, inflation was 4.2% in Namibia and 0.69% in Panama.

Top exports between countries

Namibia
Export category Export value
Raw materials & minerals $805K
Miscellaneous $216K
Machinery & equipment $109K
Textiles & consumer goods $71K
Animal & marine products $59K
Metals $45K
Chemicals & pharma $43K
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $16K
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
-$1.89M
2024
$1.67B
2024
Current account balance ranking
78/190
2024
51/190
2024
Current account balance, % of GDP
-0.01%
2024
+1.93%
2024
Goods imports
$6.77B
2024
$25.1B
2024
Goods exports
$4.67B
2024
$19.1B
2024
Service imports
$2.47B
2024
$5.75B
2024
Service exports
$1.29B
2024
$18.3B
2024
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
68%
2024
39.3%
2024
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
41.6%
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.

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 2026-03-09).

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
54.5%
2024
69.3%
2024
Industry, % of GDP
28.9%
2024
25.5%
2024
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
7.29%
2024
2.68%
2024
GNI, Atlas method
$12.8B
2024
$81.3B
2024
GNI per capita, PPP
$11,300
2024
$39,260
2024
Total reserves including gold
$3.36B
2024
$6.86B
2024
Total reserves ranking
115/177
2024
88/177
2024
Net foreign direct investment
-$1.93M
2024
-$2.38B
2024
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
$1.97B
2024
$3.24B
2024
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
$44.5M
2024
$865M
2024
Poverty at national poverty lines
17.4%
2015
21.7%
2023
Gross capital formation, % of GDP
25.6%
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/namibia/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. TradeMap (2023–2024, 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.

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.