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Economy of Panama vs Papua New Guinea compared: GDP & Debt

Updated on by Georank team

Panama has a GDP of $86.5B compared to $31.8B for Papua New Guinea, ranking 78/197 and 110/197 by economy size, respectively.

Panama has $49.6B in government debt (57.4% of GDP), compared to $16.6B (52.1% of GDP) in Papua New Guinea.

Panama vs Papua New Guinea GDP by year

Panama
Papua New Guinea
1x
Year GDP, current $
Panama Papua New Guinea
2024 $86,523,959,132 $31,800,428,266
2023 $83,812,155,244 $30,816,367,067
2022 $76,479,304,471 $31,653,185,953
2021 $67,396,392,506 $26,109,413,521
2020 $57,059,846,522 $23,848,447,850
2019 $69,778,991,193 $24,750,626,030
2018 $67,316,471,181 $24,109,780,708
2017 $64,327,688,826 $22,742,699,138
2016 $59,760,858,718 $20,758,876,953
2015 $55,767,806,073 $21,723,437,010
2014 $51,427,104,882 $23,210,823,987
2013 $46,949,496,479 $21,261,338,065
2012 $41,595,439,721 $21,295,168,666
2011 $35,687,738,252 $17,985,138,066
2010 $30,231,009,533 $14,250,786,675
2009 $27,791,215,547 $11,619,456,449
2008 $25,721,327,955 $11,670,892,801
2007 $21,717,433,808 $9,545,028,944
2006 $18,659,721,513 $8,354,911,041
2005 $16,623,906,739 $4,865,892,972
2004 $15,100,203,362 $3,927,157,867
2003 $13,603,456,003 $3,536,411,824
2002 $12,800,851,271 $2,999,511,040
2001 $12,252,906,341 $3,081,024,212
2000 $11,966,497,049 $3,521,339,699
1999 $11,660,704,777 $3,477,038,204
1998 $11,019,557,689 $3,789,443,015
1997 $10,058,854,386 $4,936,615,299
1996 $9,197,503,323 $5,155,311,077
1995 $9,573,813,700 $4,636,057,476
1994 $9,365,289,800 $5,502,786,070
1993 $8,782,585,400 $4,974,550,286
1992 $8,042,337,700 $4,377,980,510
1991 $7,074,675,500 $3,787,394,958
1990 $6,433,967,000 $3,219,729,083
1989 $5,918,469,800 $3,546,472,566
1988 $5,902,783,400 $3,656,177,881
1987 $6,827,665,300 $3,143,851,794
1986 $6,797,834,200 $2,647,995,602
1985 $6,541,517,100 $2,423,339,172
1984 $6,183,387,100 $2,552,662,617
1983 $5,923,755,900 $2,562,351,551
1982 $5,769,767,900 $2,368,719,683
1981 $5,222,421,500 $2,498,190,847
1980 $4,614,086,400 $2,545,808,456
1979 $3,704,551,600 $2,293,760,511
1978 $3,244,558,600 $1,947,878,831
1977 $2,738,261,900 $1,640,746,619
1976 $2,588,106,000 $1,511,843,235
1975 $2,435,304,100 $1,356,603,608
1974 $2,188,307,600 $1,467,417,672
1973 $1,913,793,400 $1,299,079,410
1972 $1,673,411,700 $858,761,926
1971 $1,523,917,200 $717,750,278
1970 $1,351,006,400 $645,568,215
1969 $1,221,305,700 $551,263,864
1968 $1,112,791,100 $485,184,190
1967 $1,034,376,400 $441,728,183
1966 $928,833,000 $390,992,063
1965 $852,485,300 $344,176,055
1964 $776,137,500 $305,312,049
1963 $722,784,500 $275,968,044
1962 $652,120,900 $261,184,042
1961 $599,026,300 $244,832,039
1960 $537,147,100 $230,496,037

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

GeoRank.org/economy/panama/papua-new-guinea | CC BY

GDP per capita in Panama vs Papua New Guinea by year

Panama
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
Papua New Guinea
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
Panama Papua New Guinea
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2024 $19,161 $41,369 $3,007 $4,875
2023 $18,797 $39,813 $2,966 $4,668
2022 $17,379 $36,333 $3,102 $4,420
2021 $15,510 $30,933 $2,608 $3,977
2020 $13,291 $27,017 $2,430 $3,900
2019 $16,478 $33,240 $2,576 $4,060
2018 $16,151 $32,464 $2,566 $3,910
2017 $15,695 $33,533 $2,478 $3,923
2016 $14,832 $30,277 $2,316 $3,813
2015 $14,083 $27,245 $2,485 $3,670
2014 $13,213 $24,376 $2,723 $3,500
2013 $12,273 $21,924 $2,561 $3,110
2012 $11,065 $19,473 $2,635 $3,026
2011 $9,662 $17,474 $2,288 $2,919
2010 $8,331 $15,573 $1,867 $2,912
2009 $7,797 $14,766 $1,569 $2,692
2008 $7,348 $14,705 $1,625 $2,583
2007 $6,318 $13,333 $1,371 $2,622
2006 $5,529 $11,685 $1,238 $2,444
2005 $5,018 $10,511 $744 $2,322
2004 $4,645 $9,592 $621 $2,187
2003 $4,265 $8,801 $577 $2,142
2002 $4,091 $8,370 $506 $2,125
2001 $3,992 $8,197 $538 $2,168
2000 $3,975 $8,097 $636 $2,196
1999 $3,950 $7,749 $650 $2,280
1998 $3,808 $7,408 $733 $2,285
1997 $3,546 $6,895 $990 $2,432
1996 $3,308 $6,421 $1,071 $2,578
1995 $3,514 $6,182 $998 $2,436
1994 $3,508 $6,073 $1,228 $2,558
1993 $3,358 $5,902 $1,151 $2,451
1992 $3,140 $5,582 $1,051 $2,100
1991 $2,821 $5,150 $942 $1,869
1990 $2,620 $4,651 $826 $1,703
1989 $2,462 - $934 -
1988 $2,509 - $985 -
1987 $2,966 - $865 -
1986 $3,019 - $745 -
1985 $2,972 - $697 -
1984 $2,875 - $750 -
1983 $2,819 - $769 -
1982 $2,811 - $726 -
1981 $2,605 - $781 -
1980 $2,357 - $813 -
1979 $1,938 - $748 -
1978 $1,738 - $648 -
1977 $1,503 - $558 -
1976 $1,457 - $525 -
1975 $1,406 - $482 -
1974 $1,296 - $533 -
1973 $1,164 - $483 -
1972 $1,046 - $327 -
1971 $979 - $279.7 -
1970 $893 - $257.6 -
1969 $830 - $225.3 -
1968 $778 - $202.9 -
1967 $745 - $189 -
1966 $689 - $171.1 -
1965 $651 - $153.9 -
1964 $611 - $139.5 -
1963 $587 - $128.9 -
1962 $546 - $124.7 -
1961 $516 - $119.7 -
1960 $477 - $115.5 -

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

GeoRank.org/economy/panama/papua-new-guinea | CC BY

Panama's GDP per capita is $19,161, ranking 60/197, compared to $3,007 in Papua New Guinea, ranking 140/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), Panama ranks 56th at $41,369, while Papua New Guinea ranks 159th at $4,875.

Economic indicators

Panama Papua New Guinea
Gross domestic product
$86.5B
2024
$31.8B
2024
GDP rank
78/197
2024
110/197
2024
GDP growth
2.75%
2023-2024
3.8%
2023-2024
GDP per capita
$19,161
2024
$3,007
2024
GDP per capita rank
60/197
2024
140/197
2024
GDP per capita, PPP
$41,369
2024
$4,875
2024
GDP per capita PPP rank
56/197
2024
159/197
2024
Government debt
$49.6B
2024
$16.6B
2024
Debt-to-GDP ratio
57.4%
2024
52.1%
2024
Government debt per person
$10,995
2024
$1,566
2024
Government debt per person rank
51/185
2024
129/185
2024
Average annual personal income after taxes
$10,196
2026
$2,362
2026
Market capitalization of domestic companies
$18.3B
2024
$1.68B
2017
Income share by richest 10%
37.6%
2024
31%
2009
Income share by poorest 10%
1.2%
2024
1.9%
2009
Government expenditure, % of GDP
23.1%
2024
20.4%
2024
Consumer prices inflation
0.69%
2023-2024
0.6%
2023-2024
Central bank interest rate n/a
5%
2025
Unemployment rate
8.61%
2024
2.69%
2022
Population
4642198
11002753

Spending and national debt comparison by year

Panama
Spending

Debt
Papua New Guinea
Spending

Debt
1x
Year % of GDP
Panama Papua New Guinea
Government spending Government debt Government spending Government debt
2024 23.1% 57.4% 20.4% 52.1%
2023 21.4% 51.2% 22.3% 53.9%
2022 21.3% 52.7% 21.9% 48.2%
2021 23.8% 54.4% 22% 52.6%
2020 27.5% 61.5% 23.5% 48.7%
2019 20.6% 39.8% 21.3% 38.2%
2018 21.8% 35.6% 20.3% 36.7%
2017 21.2% 33.6% 18.4% 32.5%
2016 21.3% 33.6% 20.9% 33.7%
2015 21.4% 34.2% 22.8% 29.9%
2014 23% 34.7% 27.1% 26.9%
2013 23.4% 33.7% 27.6% 24.9%
2012 22.8% 34% 22.4% 19.1%
2011 23.5% 35.6% 19.7% 16.3%
2010 24.2% 38.1% 18.4% 17.3%
2009 22.7% 39.1% 24.7% 21.7%
2008 22.7% 40% 19.8% 21.6%
2007 21.8% 47.4% 18% 22.2%
2006 21.9% 54.7% 19.4% 26%
2005 22.4% 59.3% 20.6% 31.6%
2004 23.3% 58.8% 19.4% 37.2%
2003 24.2% 56.5% 18.7% 40.4%
2002 23.5% 57% 20.8% 48.4%
2001 23.4% 57.8% 21.6% 47.7%
2000 22.8% 53.6% 20.5% 42.3%
1999 23% 55.1% 21.4% 41.8%
1998 23.4% 58.1% 20% 45.7%
1997 22.2% 60.2% 20.6% 43.9%
1996 21.5% 65% 17.6% 37.8%
1995 25.9% 76.6% 17.1% 36.6%
1994 25.2% 78.3% 19.3% 40.1%
1993 33.8% 83.6% 23.5% 30%
1992 27.8% 91.2% 22.8% 30.4%
1991 20.9% 103.7% 22.4% -
1990 41.5% 112.7% 24.5% -
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/panama/papua-new-guinea | CC BY

In 2024, Panama's government spending was $20B, accounting for 23.1% of its GDP, while Papua New Guinea spent $6.48B, or 20.4% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 57.4% in Panama and 52.1% in Papua New Guinea, ranking 88/185 and 100/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
Panama

Papua New Guinea
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
Panama Papua New Guinea
2024 -7.42% -3.23%
2023 -3.9% -4.34%
2022 -3.98% -5.25%
2021 -6.48% -6.84%
2020 -10.2% -8.85%
2019 -2.89% -4.98%
2018 -2.88% -2.58%
2017 -1.92% -2.47%
2016 -1.89% -4.75%
2015 -2.3% -4.55%
2014 -3.21% -6.27%
2013 -2.38% -6.87%
2012 -1.31% -1.19%
2011 -1.96% 2.22%
2010 -1.68% 3.06%
2009 -0.9% -5.48%
2008 0.37% 2.73%
2007 3.12% 6.9%
2006 0.51% 5.34%
2005 -2.21% 2.85%
2004 -4.33% 2.03%
2003 -2.27% 0.19%
2002 -0.96% -1.75%
2001 -0.42% -1.33%
2000 2.05% 0.3%
1999 -0.65% -1.94%
1998 -1.11% -0.16%
1997 1.24% 0.67%
1996 2.48% 2.05%
1995 2.3% 1.08%
1994 2.12% -1.01%
1993 -9.4% -4.9%
1992 -2.62% -4.33%
1991 -0.6% -0.62%
1990 -3.65% -2.04%
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/panama/papua-new-guinea | CC BY

In 2024, Panama's government deficit, the difference between spending and revenue, was $6.42B, equivalent to 7.42% of GDP. This compares to Papua New Guinea's deficit of $1.03B, or 3.23% of GDP.

Over the past 35 years, Panama recorded a fiscal deficit in 27 of those years, while Papua New Guinea ran a deficit in 23 years. On average, Panama posted an annual deficit equal to 1.98% of GDP, compared to deficit of 1.61% of GDP for Papua New Guinea.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
Panama

Papua New Guinea
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
Panama Papua New Guinea
2024 0.69% 0.6%
2023 1.49% 2.3%
2022 2.86% 5.25%
2021 1.63% 4.48%
2020 -1.55% 4.87%
2019 -0.36% 3.93%
2018 0.76% 4.37%
2017 0.88% 5.42%
2016 0.74% 6.67%
2015 0.14% 6%
2014 2.63% 5.22%
2013 4.03% 4.96%
2012 5.7% 4.54%
2011 5.88% 4.44%
2010 3.49% 6.01%
2009 2.41% 6.92%
2008 8.76% 10.8%
2007 4.17% 0.91%
2006 2.46% 2.37%
2005 2.86% 1.78%
2004 0.47% 2.16%
2003 0.39% 14.7%
2002 1.01% 11.8%
2001 0.31% 9.3%
2000 1.5% 15.6%
1999 1.25% 14.9%
1998 0.56% 13.6%
1997 1.32% 3.96%

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

GeoRank.org/economy/panama/papua-new-guinea | CC BY

Over the past 28 years, Panama has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 2.02%, compared with 6.35% in Papua New Guinea. In 2024, inflation was 0.69% in Panama and 0.6% in Papua New Guinea.

Top exports between countries

Panama
Export category Export value
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $5K
Papua New Guinea
Export category Export value
Miscellaneous $82K

Balance of trade

Panama Papua New Guinea
Current account balance
$1.67B
2024
$4.77B
2024
Current account balance ranking
51/190
2024
33/190
2024
Current account balance, % of GDP
+1.93%
2024
+15%
2024
Goods imports
$25.1B
2024
$4.69B
2024
Goods exports
$19.1B
2024
$13.4B
2024
Service imports
$5.75B
2024
$2.4B
2024
Service exports
$18.3B
2024
$75.2M
2024
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
39.3%
2024
58.9%
2004
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
44.4%
2024
72.2%
2004

Economic freedom indices

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

Panama Papua New Guinea
Economic freedom 64.9 54.3
Economic freedom ranking 70/197 134/197
Property rights 56.7 45
Government integrity 37.4 30.8
Judicial effectiveness 49.6 41.1
Tax burden 86.1 70.9
Government spending 85.5 86.1
Fiscal health 51.8 65.3
Business freedom 72.6 34.2
Labor freedom 60.9 65.1
Monetary freedom 78.2 77.4
Trade freedom 80.2 80.2
Investment freedom 60 25
Financial freedom 60 30

Economic freedom comparison by year

Panama
Papua New Guinea
1x
Year Economic freedom index
Panama Papua New Guinea
2026 64.9 54.3
2025 65.5 52.5
2024 64.1 49.4
2023 63.8 51.7
2022 65.4 54.6
2021 66.2 58.9
2020 67.2 58.4
2019 67.2 58.4
2018 67 55.7
2017 66.3 50.9
2016 64.8 53.2
2015 64.1 53.1
2014 63.4 53.9
2013 62.5 53.6
2012 65.2 53.8
2011 64.9 52.6
2010 64.8 53.5
2009 64.7 54.8
2008 64.7 -
2007 64.6 -
2006 65.6 -
2005 64.3 -
2004 65.3 -
2003 68.4 -
2002 68.5 -
2001 70.6 57.2
2000 71.6 55.8
1999 72.6 56.3
1998 72.6 55.2
1997 72.4 56.7
1996 71.8 58.6
1995 71.6 -

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

GeoRank.org/economy/panama/papua-new-guinea | CC BY

The Economic Freedom Index for Panama is 64.9, ranking 70/197, compared to 54.3 for Papua New Guinea, ranking 134/197. The chart above displays a comparison of annual changes in economic freedom indexes.

Other economic metrics

Panama Papua New Guinea
Services, % of GDP
69.3%
2024
41.5%
2024
Industry, % of GDP
25.5%
2024
37.2%
2024
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
2.68%
2024
17.2%
2024
GNI, Atlas method
$81.3B
2024
$30.7B
2024
GNI per capita, PPP
$39,260
2024
$4,580
2024
Total reserves including gold
$6.86B
2024
$3.9B
2023
Total reserves ranking
88/177
2024
107/177
2023
Net foreign direct investment
-$2.38B
2024
$968M
2024
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
$3.24B
2024
-$198M
2024
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
$865M
2024
$770M
2024
Servicing debt to the IMF, % of GNI n/a
19.7%
2024
Poverty at national poverty lines
21.7%
2023
39.9%
2009
Gross capital formation, % of GDP
33.5%
2024
20%
2004

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/panama/papua-new-guinea | 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 (2020–2021, 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.

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.