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Economy of Panama vs Paraguay compared: GDP & Debt

Updated on by Georank

Panama has a GDP of $90.5B compared to $49.3B for Paraguay, ranking 82/197 and 97/197 by economy size, respectively.

Panama has $51.2B in government debt (56.6% of GDP), compared to $18.8B (38.1% of GDP) in Paraguay.

Panama vs Paraguay GDP by year

Panama
Paraguay
1x
Year GDP, current $
Panama Paraguay
2025 $90,462,600,000 $49,278,227,554
2024 $86,523,959,100 $44,738,819,362
2023 $83,812,155,200 $43,140,465,596
2022 $76,479,304,500 $41,841,201,627
2021 $67,396,392,500 $39,937,357,256
2020 $57,059,846,500 $35,432,178,068
2019 $69,778,991,200 $37,925,338,329
2018 $67,316,471,200 $40,225,448,341
2017 $64,327,688,800 $38,997,129,474
2016 $59,760,858,700 $36,089,700,223
2015 $55,767,806,100 $36,211,447,840
2014 $51,427,104,900 $40,377,929,296
2013 $46,949,496,500 $38,501,122,141
2012 $41,595,439,700 $33,271,921,136
2011 $35,687,738,300 $33,756,238,767
2010 $30,231,009,500 $27,260,886,405
2009 $27,791,215,500 $22,355,151,162
2008 $25,721,328,000 $24,615,267,664
2007 $21,717,433,800 $17,856,393,235
2006 $18,659,721,500 $13,429,430,050
2005 $16,623,906,700 $10,737,500,188
2004 $15,100,203,400 $9,624,440,836
2003 $13,603,456,000 $7,691,367,471
2002 $12,800,851,300 $7,196,260,657
2001 $12,252,906,300 $8,495,806,432
2000 $11,966,497,000 $8,855,705,140
1999 $11,660,704,800 $8,837,070,236
1998 $11,019,557,700 $9,260,481,572
1997 $10,058,854,400 $9,965,225,678
1996 $9,197,503,300 $9,788,391,781
1995 $9,573,813,700 $9,062,131,475
1994 $9,365,289,800 $7,870,982,005
1993 $8,782,585,400 $7,249,533,620
1992 $8,042,337,700 $7,157,424,031
1991 $7,074,675,500 $6,984,367,763
1990 $6,433,967,000 $5,812,114,523
1989 $5,918,469,800 $4,757,732,200
1988 $5,902,783,400 $4,255,683,528
1987 $6,827,665,300 $3,971,044,724
1986 $6,797,834,200 $3,723,993,943
1985 $6,541,517,100 $3,282,449,236
1984 $6,183,387,100 $4,502,462,807
1983 $5,923,755,900 $5,673,248,726
1982 $5,769,767,900 $5,419,411,765
1981 $5,222,421,500 $5,624,515,873
1980 $4,614,086,400 $4,448,087,302
1979 $3,704,551,600 $3,416,777,778
1978 $3,244,558,600 $2,559,857,143
1977 $2,738,261,900 $2,092,158,730
1976 $2,588,106,000 $1,698,960,317
1975 $2,435,304,100 $1,511,420,635
1974 $2,188,307,600 $1,333,475,397
1973 $1,913,793,400 $995,531,746
1972 $1,673,411,700 $769,039,683
1971 $1,523,917,200 $664,571,429
1970 $1,351,006,400 $594,611,111
1969 $1,221,305,700 $556,293,651
1968 $1,112,791,100 $517,650,794
1967 $1,034,376,400 $492,674,603
1966 $928,833,000 $465,888,889
1965 $852,485,300 $443,587,302
1964 $776,137,500 $408,349,206
1963 $722,784,500 $383,904,762
1962 $652,120,900 $360,698,413
1961 $599,026,300 $322,053,713
1960 $537,147,100 $288,884,368

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

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

GDP per capita in Panama vs Paraguay by year

Panama
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
Paraguay
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
Panama Paraguay
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2025 $19,790 - $7,027 -
2024 $19,161 $41,369 $6,457 $18,524
2023 $18,797 $39,813 $6,303 $17,564
2022 $17,379 $36,333 $6,189 $16,347
2021 $15,510 $30,933 $5,975 $15,406
2020 $13,291 $27,017 $5,365 $14,309
2019 $16,478 $33,240 $5,821 $14,150
2018 $16,151 $32,464 $6,258 $14,139
2017 $15,695 $33,533 $6,152 $13,977
2016 $14,832 $30,277 $5,775 $13,329
2015 $14,083 $27,245 $5,879 $12,679
2014 $13,213 $24,376 $6,652 $12,607
2013 $12,273 $21,924 $6,436 $12,137
2012 $11,065 $19,473 $5,642 $10,954
2011 $9,662 $17,474 $5,805 $11,442
2010 $8,331 $15,573 $4,751 $10,893
2009 $7,797 $14,766 $3,942 $9,802
2008 $7,348 $14,705 $4,385 $9,867
2007 $6,318 $13,333 $3,212 $9,179
2006 $5,529 $11,685 $2,439 $8,561
2005 $5,018 $10,511 $1,971 $8,007
2004 $4,645 $9,592 $1,786 $7,686
2003 $4,265 $8,801 $1,444 $7,276
2002 $4,091 $8,370 $1,368 $6,924
2001 $3,992 $8,197 $1,638 $6,916
2000 $3,975 $8,097 $1,736 $6,937
1999 $3,950 $7,749 $1,766 $7,080
1998 $3,808 $7,408 $1,890 $7,227
1997 $3,546 $6,895 $2,079 $7,299
1996 $3,308 $6,421 $2,088 $7,040
1995 $3,514 $6,182 $1,979 $6,966
1994 $3,508 $6,073 $1,760 $6,542
1993 $3,358 $5,902 $1,662 $6,234
1992 $3,140 $5,582 $1,683 $5,952
1991 $2,821 $5,150 $1,685 $5,873
1990 $2,620 $4,651 $1,440 $5,637
1989 $2,462 - $1,211 -
1988 $2,509 - $1,114 -
1987 $2,966 - $1,069 -
1986 $3,019 - $1,031 -
1985 $2,972 - $935 -
1984 $2,875 - $1,319 -
1983 $2,819 - $1,710 -
1982 $2,811 - $1,680 -
1981 $2,605 - $1,793 -
1980 $2,357 - $1,457 -
1979 $1,938 - $1,149 -
1978 $1,738 - $883 -
1977 $1,503 - $740 -
1976 $1,457 - $616 -
1975 $1,406 - $562 -
1974 $1,296 - $508 -
1973 $1,164 - $389 -
1972 $1,046 - $308 -
1971 $979 - $272.1 -
1970 $893 - $249 -
1969 $830 - $238.2 -
1968 $778 - $226.8 -
1967 $745 - $220.9 -
1966 $689 - $213.9 -
1965 $651 - $208.7 -
1964 $611 - $197 -
1963 $587 - $189.9 -
1962 $546 - $182.8 -
1961 $516 - $167.1 -
1960 $477 - $153.4 -

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

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

Panama's GDP per capita is $19,790, ranking 62/197, compared to $7,027 in Paraguay, ranking 105/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), Panama ranks 56th at $41,369, while Paraguay ranks 102nd at $18,524.

Economic indicators

Panama Paraguay
Gross domestic product
$90.5B
2025
$49.3B
2025
GDP rank
82/197
2025
97/197
2025
GDP growth
4.35%
2024-2025
6.64%
2024-2025
GDP per capita
$19,790
2025
$7,027
2025
GDP per capita rank
62/197
2025
105/197
2025
GDP per capita, PPP
$41,369
2024
$18,524
2024
GDP per capita PPP rank
56/197
2024
102/197
2024
Government debt
$51.2B
2025
$18.8B
2025
Debt-to-GDP ratio
56.6%
2025
38.1%
2025
Government debt per person
$11,198
2025
$2,679
2025
Government debt per person rank
56/185
2025
111/185
2025
Average annual personal income after taxes
$11,056
2026
$6,874
2026
Market capitalization of domestic companies
$27.2B
2025
$313M
1999
Income share by richest 10%
37.6%
2024
35%
2024
Income share by poorest 10%
1.2%
2024
2%
2024
Government expenditure, % of GDP
20.9%
2025
19.6%
2025
Consumer prices inflation
-0.19%
2024-2025
4.04%
2024-2025
Central bank interest rate n/a
5.75%
2026
Unemployment rate
8.31%
2025
4.63%
2025
Population
4654479
7138671

Spending and national debt comparison by year

Panama
Spending

Debt
Paraguay
Spending

Debt
1x
Year % of GDP
Panama Paraguay
Government spending Government debt Government spending Government debt
2025 20.9% 56.6% 19.6% 38.1%
2024 23.1% 57.8% 20.9% 44.6%
2023 21.4% 54.4% 21.5% 41%
2022 21.3% 56.2% 20.2% 40.6%
2021 23.7% 58% 20.5% 37.5%
2020 27% 62.4% 22.6% 36.9%
2019 20.5% 42.5% 20.1% 25.8%
2018 21.7% 36.3% 18.5% 22.3%
2017 21.1% 34.3% 18.1% 19.8%
2016 21.3% 34% 17.7% 19.4%
2015 21.4% 34.1% 18% 18.6%
2014 22.9% 32.9% 17.1% 15.6%
2013 23.6% 30.8% 17.1% 13.5%
2012 23% 31.3% 17.6% 12.3%
2011 23.7% 35.9% 14.7% 11.1%
2010 24.4% 38.5% 13.3% 13%
2009 22.9% 39.5% 14.3% 14.9%
2008 23% 40.6% 11.8% 16%
2007 22.2% 48.2% 13.1% 16.8%
2006 22.4% 56.1% 14.1% 21%
2005 23.2% 61.5% 14% 28.3%
2004 24.4% 61.5% 14% 36%
2003 25.7% 59.9% 14.6% 37.5%
2002 25.1% 60.9% 17.6% 50.5%
2001 25.2% 62.1% 19% 37.1%
2000 24.7% 58% 19.6% 33.6%
1999 25.2% 60.4% 19.2% 32%
1998 25.9% 64.3% 18% 22.1%
1997 24.8% 67.3% 18.1% 18%
1996 24.3% 73.6% 16.9% 16.8%
1995 29.3% 86.7% 15.7% 17.6%
1994 28.5% 88.7% 14.5% 18.7%
1993 33.8% 83.6% 12.9% 26.6%
1992 27.8% 91.2% 13% 34.4%
1991 20.9% 103.7% 11.4% 49.4%
1990 41.5% 112.7% 10.5% 67%
1989 43% 104.4% 11.8% 52.9%
1988 41.8% 105% 9.75% 58.9%
1987 40.1% 92.2% 10.1% 68.7%
1986 38.6% 84% 9.25% 57.1%
1985 39.7% 82.5% 11.4% 54.7%
1984 44% 82.5% 13% 31%
1983 44.6% 86.6% 13% 22.6%
1982 48% 80.9% 13.2% 21.3%
1981 30.7% 68.7% 13.3% 17.4%
1980 30.5% 69.4% 11.6% 17.4%
1979 35% 78.9% 11.7% 19.7%
1978 27.6% 83.1% 11.9% 20.9%
1977 16.9% 77.7% 11.2% 18.8%
1976 15.9% 69.7% 9.8% 14.1%
1975 15.3% 52.6% 10.5% 12.6%
1974 15.3% 37.6% 9.44% 12.5%
1973 14.4% 32.6% 11.2% 15.4%
1972 15.6% 29.5% 12.5% 18.2%
1971 15% 26.2% 12.3% 18.9%
1970 22.4% 25.7% 13.3% 19.2%
1969 20.5% 23.2% 14% -
1968 14.2% 18% 13.5% -
1967 14.9% 17.8% 12.2% -
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/panama/paraguay | CC BY

In 2025, Panama's government spending was $18.9B, accounting for 20.9% of its GDP, while Paraguay spent $9.66B, or 19.6% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 56.6% in Panama and 38.1% in Paraguay, ranking 84/185 and 138/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
Panama

Paraguay
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
Panama Paraguay
2025 -3.67% -1.69%
2024 -6.23% -2.1%
2023 -3.9% -3.81%
2022 -3.98% -2.65%
2021 -6.45% -3.39%
2020 -9.68% -5.72%
2019 -2.74% -2.44%
2018 -2.76% -1.01%
2017 -1.8% -0.44%
2016 -1.76% -0.37%
2015 -2.17% -0.44%
2014 -3.04% -0.27%
2013 -2.4% -1.16%
2012 -1.32% -0.58%
2011 -1.97% 1.29%
2010 -1.69% 1.54%
2009 -0.91% 0.59%
2008 0.38% 2.29%
2007 3.17% 1.27%
2006 0.53% 0.91%
2005 -2.29% 0.74%
2004 -4.54% 1.33%
2003 -2.41% -0.07%
2002 -1.03% -1.89%
2001 -0.45% 0.07%
2000 2.22% -0.55%
1999 -0.71% 2.67%
1998 -1.23% 4.28%
1997 1.39% 3%
1996 2.81% 2.43%
1995 2.61% 2.78%
1994 2.4% 4.59%
1993 -9.4% 4.27%
1992 -2.62% 3.1%
1991 -0.6% 3.41%
1990 -3.65% 7.56%
1989 -13.6% 5.48%
1988 -13.5% 3.01%
1987 -1.7% 2.68%
1986 -1% 3.08%
1985 -2.57% 0.85%
1984 -7.56% -0.42%
1983 -7.62% 0.27%
1982 -13.3% 1.52%
1981 -6.77% 0.15%
1980 -5.17% 3.4%
1979 -12.1% 4.13%
1978 -5.21% -3.42%
1977 -1.61% -0.19%
1976 -2.65% -0.06%
1975 -0.74% -1.24%
1974 -0.6% 1.67%
1973 -0.01% -0.91%
1972 -1.17% -2.51%
1971 -0.51% -1.25%
1970 -8.02% -1.26%
1969 -7.56% -1.62%
1968 -1.5% -2.34%
1967 -1.97% -1.7%
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) | Public Finances in Modern History (1946–1993, retrieved 2026-07-08); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08).

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

In 2025, Panama's government deficit, the difference between spending and revenue, was $3.32B, equivalent to 3.67% of GDP. This compares to Paraguay's deficit of $832M, or 1.69% of GDP.

Over the past 59 years, Panama recorded a fiscal deficit in 51 of those years, while Paraguay ran a deficit in 29 years. On average, Panama posted an annual deficit equal to 3.16% of GDP, compared to surplus of 0.49% of GDP for Paraguay.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
Panama

Paraguay
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
Panama Paraguay
2025 -0.19% 4.04%
2024 0.69% 3.84%
2023 1.49% 4.63%
2022 2.86% 9.77%
2021 1.63% 4.79%
2020 -1.55% 1.77%
2019 -0.36% 2.76%
2018 0.76% 3.98%
2017 0.88% 3.6%
2016 0.74% 4.09%
2015 0.14% 3.13%
2014 2.63% 5.03%
2013 4.03% 2.68%
2012 5.7% 3.68%
2011 5.88% 8.25%
2010 3.49% 4.65%
2009 2.41% 2.59%
2008 8.76% 10.2%
2007 4.17% 8.13%
2006 2.46% 9.59%
2005 2.86% 6.81%
2004 0.47% 4.32%
2003 0.39% 14.2%
2002 1.01% 10.5%
2001 0.31% 7.27%
2000 1.5% 8.98%
1999 1.25% 6.75%
1998 0.56% 11.6%
1997 1.32% 6.95%

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

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

Over the past 29 years, Panama has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 1.94%, compared with 6.16% in Paraguay. In 2025, inflation was -0.19% in Panama and 4.04% in Paraguay.

Top exports between countries

Panama
Export category Export value
Machinery & equipment $28.8M
Chemicals & pharma $28.1M
Textiles & consumer goods $6.99M
Precious metals & jewellery $4.65M
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $1.71M
Raw materials & minerals $805K
Animal & marine products $409K
Metals $246K
Wood & paper products $167K
Miscellaneous $165K
Paraguay
Export category Export value
Chemicals & pharma $11.6M
Machinery & equipment $1.64M
Animal & marine products $859K
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $770K
Textiles & consumer goods $449K
Raw agricultural goods $151K
Wood & paper products $37K
Metals $1K

Balance of trade

Panama Paraguay
Current account balance
-$169M
2025
-$1.57B
2025
Current account balance ranking
91/190
2025
131/190
2025
Current account balance, % of GDP
-0.19%
2025
-3.18%
2025
Goods imports
$28.2B
2025
$17.5B
2025
Goods exports
$18.6B
2025
$15.4B
2025
Service imports
$5.91B
2025
$2.75B
2025
Service exports
$20.2B
2025
$3.72B
2025
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
39.3%
2024
39.3%
2025
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
44.4%
2024
37.2%
2025

Economic freedom indices

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

Panama Paraguay
Economic freedom 64.9 66.4
Economic freedom ranking 70/197 61/197
Property rights 56.7 44.2
Government integrity 37.4 27.3
Judicial effectiveness 49.6 38.4
Tax burden 86.1 95.9
Government spending 85.5 86.9
Fiscal health 51.8 83
Business freedom 72.6 72
Labor freedom 60.9 44.1
Monetary freedom 78.2 76.5
Trade freedom 80.2 78.4
Investment freedom 60 80
Financial freedom 60 70

Economic freedom comparison by year

Panama
Paraguay
1x
Year Economic freedom index
Panama Paraguay
2026 64.9 66.4
2025 65.5 65.2
2024 64.1 60.1
2023 63.8 61
2022 65.4 62.9
2021 66.2 62.6
2020 67.2 63
2019 67.2 61.8
2018 67 62.1
2017 66.3 62.4
2016 64.8 61.5
2015 64.1 61.1
2014 63.4 62
2013 62.5 61.1
2012 65.2 61.8
2011 64.9 62.3
2010 64.8 61.3
2009 64.7 61
2008 64.7 60
2007 64.6 58.3
2006 65.6 55.6
2005 64.3 53.4
2004 65.3 56.7
2003 68.4 58.2
2002 68.5 59.6
2001 70.6 60.3
2000 71.6 64
1999 72.6 63.7
1998 72.6 65.2
1997 72.4 67.3
1996 71.8 67.1
1995 71.6 65.9

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

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

The Economic Freedom Index for Panama is 64.9, ranking 70/197, compared to 66.4 for Paraguay, ranking 61/197. The chart above displays a comparison of annual changes in economic freedom indexes.

Other economic metrics

Panama Paraguay
Services, % of GDP
70%
2025
48.1%
2025
Industry, % of GDP
24.9%
2025
32.3%
2025
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
2.62%
2025
11.6%
2025
GNI, Atlas method
$87.5B
2025
$47.4B
2025
GNI per capita, PPP
$41,770
2025
$19,390
2025
Total reserves including gold
$6.24B
2025
$9.57B
2024
Total reserves ranking
93/177
2025
82/177
2024
Net foreign direct investment
-$1.81B
2025
-$945M
2025
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
$2.09B
2024
$1.1B
2024
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
$84.3M
2024
$166M
2024
Servicing debt to the IMF, % of GNI n/a
4.58%
2024
Poverty at national poverty lines
21.7%
2023
20.1%
2024
Gross capital formation, % of GDP
33.5%
2024
25.3%
2025

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/panama/paraguay | 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 (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.