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Economy of Panama vs Qatar compared: GDP & Debt

Updated on by Georank team

Panama has a GDP of $86.5B compared to $219B for Qatar, ranking 78/197 and 56/197 by economy size, respectively.

Panama has $49.6B in government debt (57.4% of GDP), compared to $90.2B (41.2% of GDP) in Qatar.

Panama vs Qatar GDP by year

Panama
Qatar
1x
Year GDP, current $
Panama Qatar
2024 $86,523,959,132 $219,162,637,363
2023 $83,812,155,244 $217,308,516,484
2022 $76,479,304,471 $235,709,340,659
2021 $67,396,392,506 $179,732,142,857
2020 $57,059,846,522 $144,411,538,462
2019 $69,778,991,193 $176,371,428,571
2018 $67,316,471,181 $183,335,164,835
2017 $64,327,688,826 $161,099,175,824
2016 $59,760,858,718 $151,732,142,857
2015 $55,767,806,073 $161,739,835,165
2014 $51,427,104,882 $206,224,725,275
2013 $46,949,496,479 $198,727,747,253
2012 $41,595,439,721 $186,833,516,484
2011 $35,687,738,252 $167,775,274,725
2010 $30,231,009,533 $123,627,197,802
2009 $27,791,215,547 $97,798,351,648
2008 $25,721,327,955 $115,270,054,945
2007 $21,717,433,808 $79,712,087,912
2006 $18,659,721,513 $60,882,142,857
2005 $16,623,906,739 $44,530,494,505
2004 $15,100,203,362 $31,734,065,934
2003 $13,603,456,003 $23,533,791,209
2002 $12,800,851,271 $19,363,736,264
2001 $12,252,906,341 $17,538,461,538
2000 $11,966,497,049 $17,759,890,110
1999 $11,660,704,777 $12,393,131,868
1998 $11,019,557,689 $10,255,495,027
1997 $10,058,854,386 $11,297,802,115
1996 $9,197,503,323 $9,059,340,385
1995 $9,573,813,700 $8,137,911,978
1994 $9,365,289,800 $7,374,450,769
1993 $8,782,585,400 $7,156,593,654
1992 $8,042,337,700 $7,646,153,984
1991 $7,074,675,500 $6,883,516,484
1990 $6,433,967,000 $7,360,439,423
1989 $5,918,469,800 $6,487,912,088
1988 $5,902,783,400 $6,038,187,033
1987 $6,827,665,300 $5,446,428,681
1986 $6,797,834,200 $5,053,021,951
1985 $6,541,517,100 $6,153,296,456
1984 $6,183,387,100 $6,704,395,824
1983 $5,923,755,900 $6,467,582,308
1982 $5,769,767,900 $7,596,703,214
1981 $5,222,421,500 $8,661,263,764
1980 $4,614,086,400 $7,829,165,262
1979 $3,704,551,600 $5,632,962,997
1978 $3,244,558,600 $4,052,000,413
1977 $2,738,261,900 $3,617,564,638
1976 $2,588,106,000 $3,284,273,987
1975 $2,435,304,100 $2,512,773,166
1974 $2,188,307,600 $2,401,403,227
1973 $1,913,793,400 $793,885,560
1972 $1,673,411,700 $510,262,500
1971 $1,523,917,200 $387,703,106
1970 $1,351,006,400 $301,791,302
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/panama/qatar | CC BY

GDP per capita in Panama vs Qatar by year

Panama
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
Qatar
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
Panama Qatar
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2024 $19,161 $41,369 $76,689 $126,046
2023 $18,797 $39,813 $81,817 $129,368
2022 $17,379 $36,333 $88,701 $122,921
2021 $15,510 $30,933 $71,752 $116,833
2020 $13,291 $27,017 $51,684 $82,149
2019 $16,478 $33,240 $66,841 $107,503
2018 $16,151 $32,464 $71,040 $110,033
2017 $15,695 $33,533 $63,280 $99,358
2016 $14,832 $30,277 $61,254 $89,935
2015 $14,083 $27,245 $68,985 $102,546
2014 $13,213 $24,376 $95,841 $148,389
2013 $12,273 $21,924 $103,697 $169,203
2012 $11,065 $19,473 $108,470 $180,939
2011 $9,662 $17,474 $103,262 $174,620
2010 $8,331 $15,573 $76,463 $151,646
2009 $7,797 $14,766 $60,786 $125,898
2008 $7,348 $14,705 $80,781 $126,015
2007 $6,318 $13,333 $65,954 $124,056
2006 $5,529 $11,685 $62,582 $127,181
2005 $5,018 $10,511 $53,950 $115,250
2004 $4,645 $9,592 $41,036 $110,958
2003 $4,265 $8,801 $31,602 $94,120
2002 $4,091 $8,370 $27,227 $93,177
2001 $3,992 $8,197 $25,871 $89,805
2000 $3,975 $8,097 $27,535 $88,849
1999 $3,950 $7,749 $20,234 $84,690
1998 $3,808 $7,408 $17,665 $84,486
1997 $3,546 $6,895 $20,523 $79,219
1996 $3,308 $6,421 $17,125 $62,331
1995 $3,514 $6,182 $15,823 $60,321
1994 $3,508 $6,073 $14,765 $59,415
1993 $3,358 $5,902 $14,770 $59,125
1992 $3,140 $5,582 $16,280 $60,387
1991 $2,821 $5,150 $15,133 $54,759
1990 $2,620 $4,651 $16,722 $55,659
1989 $2,462 - $15,243 -
1988 $2,509 - $14,682 -
1987 $2,966 - $13,719 -
1986 $3,019 - $13,213 -
1985 $2,972 - $16,815 -
1984 $2,875 - $19,272 -
1983 $2,819 - $19,616 -
1982 $2,811 - $24,385 -
1981 $2,605 - $29,505 -
1980 $2,357 - $28,375 -
1979 $1,938 - $21,777 -
1978 $1,738 - $16,757 -
1977 $1,503 - $16,058 -
1976 $1,457 - $15,710 -
1975 $1,406 - $13,014 -
1974 $1,296 - $13,540 -
1973 $1,164 - $4,905 -
1972 $1,046 - $3,483 -
1971 $979 - $2,952 -
1970 $893 - $2,594 -
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/panama/qatar | CC BY

Panama's GDP per capita is $19,161, ranking 60/197, compared to $76,689 in Qatar, ranking 11/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), Panama ranks 56th at $41,369, while Qatar ranks 5th at $126,046.

Economic indicators

Panama Qatar
Gross domestic product
$86.5B
2024
$219B
2024
GDP rank
78/197
2024
56/197
2024
GDP growth
2.75%
2023-2024
2.36%
2023-2024
GDP per capita
$19,161
2024
$76,689
2024
GDP per capita rank
60/197
2024
11/197
2024
GDP per capita, PPP
$41,369
2024
$126,046
2024
GDP per capita PPP rank
56/197
2024
5/197
2024
Government debt
$49.6B
2024
$90.2B
2024
Debt-to-GDP ratio
57.4%
2024
41.2%
2024
Government debt per person
$10,995
2024
$31,579
2024
Government debt per person rank
51/185
2024
23/185
2024
Average annual personal income after taxes
$10,196
2026
$35,660
2026
Market capitalization of domestic companies
$18.3B
2024
$170M
2024
Number of millionaires n/a
26,163
2025
Number of billionaires n/a
2
2025
Income share by richest 10%
37.6%
2024
25.8%
2017
Income share by poorest 10%
1.2%
2024
2.6%
2017
Government expenditure, % of GDP
23.1%
2024
26%
2024
Consumer prices inflation
0.69%
2023-2024
1.27%
2023-2024
Central bank interest rate n/a
4.1%
2025
Unemployment rate
8.61%
2024
0.13%
2022
Population
4642198
2999260

Spending and national debt comparison by year

Panama
Spending

Debt
Qatar
Spending

Debt
1x
Year % of GDP
Panama Qatar
Government spending Government debt Government spending Government debt
2024 23.1% 57.4% 26% 41.2%
2023 21.4% 51.2% 27.3% 43.7%
2022 21.3% 52.7% 24.3% 42.6%
2021 23.8% 54.4% 29.4% 58.4%
2020 27.5% 61.5% 34.7% 72.6%
2019 20.6% 39.8% 32.5% 62.1%
2018 21.8% 35.6% 28.9% 52.2%
2017 21.2% 33.6% 34.7% 51.6%
2016 21.3% 33.6% 40.1% 46.7%
2015 21.4% 34.2% 38.6% 35.5%
2014 23% 34.7% 32.3% 24.9%
2013 23.4% 33.7% 28.3% 30.9%
2012 22.8% 34% 31% 32.1%
2011 23.5% 35.6% 28.5% 33.5%
2010 24.2% 38.1% 32% 30.4%
2009 22.7% 39.1% 36.4% 36%
2008 22.7% 40% 23.5% 11.4%
2007 21.8% 47.4% 29.5% 9.37%
2006 21.9% 54.7% 29.5% 13.9%
2005 22.4% 59.3% 29% 19.1%
2004 23.3% 58.8% 29.9% 30.1%
2003 24.2% 56.5% 28.5% 38.8%
2002 23.5% 57% 31.6% 47.7%
2001 23.4% 57.8% 32.1% 59.2%
2000 22.8% 53.6% 29.8% 51.6%
1999 23% 55.1% 42.4% 81.8%
1998 23.4% 58.1% 55.1% 76.6%
1997 22.2% 60.2% 47.6% 54.4%
1996 21.5% 65% 55.2% 57.8%
1995 25.9% 76.6% 52.2% 50.2%
1994 25.2% 78.3% 59.8% 54.8%
1993 33.8% 83.6% 62.8% 46.3%
1992 27.8% 91.2% 54.2% 19.9%
1991 20.9% 103.7% 57.5% 21.8%
1990 41.5% 112.7% 50% 12.6%
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/qatar | CC BY

In 2024, Panama's government spending was $20B, accounting for 23.1% of its GDP, while Qatar spent $56.9B, or 26% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 57.4% in Panama and 41.2% in Qatar, ranking 88/185 and 130/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
Panama

Qatar
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
Panama Qatar
2024 -7.42% 0.69%
2023 -3.9% 5.56%
2022 -3.98% 10.4%
2021 -6.48% 0.24%
2020 -10.2% -2.13%
2019 -2.89% 1%
2018 -2.88% 2.26%
2017 -1.92% -6.82%
2016 -1.89% -9.2%
2015 -2.3% 18.4%
2014 -3.21% 13.4%
2013 -2.38% 19.3%
2012 -1.31% 8.55%
2011 -1.96% 5.24%
2010 -1.68% 4.6%
2009 -0.9% 14.1%
2008 0.37% 9.49%
2007 3.12% 10.3%
2006 0.51% 8.39%
2005 -2.21% 9.8%
2004 -4.33% 17.7%
2003 -2.27% 6.71%
2002 -0.96% 7.89%
2001 -0.42% 4.48%
2000 2.05% 4.62%
1999 -0.65% -4.35%
1998 -1.11% -7%
1997 1.24% -9.4%
1996 2.48% -8.73%
1995 2.3% -5.78%
1994 2.12% -11.8%
1993 -9.4% -9.53%
1992 -2.62% -2.74%
1991 -0.6% -2.57%
1990 -3.65% 3.23%
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/qatar | 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 Qatar's surplus of $1.52B, or 0.69% of GDP.

Over the past 35 years, Panama recorded a fiscal deficit in 27 of those years, while Qatar ran a deficit in 12 years. On average, Panama posted an annual deficit equal to 1.98% of GDP, compared to surplus of 3.04% of GDP for Qatar.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
Panama

Qatar
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
Panama Qatar
2024 0.69% 1.27%
2023 1.49% 3.03%
2022 2.86% 5%
2021 1.63% 2.3%
2020 -1.55% -2.54%
2019 -0.36% -0.67%
2018 0.76% 0.26%
2017 0.88% 0.39%
2016 0.74% 2.68%
2015 0.14% 1.81%
2014 2.63% 3.35%
2013 4.03% 3.22%
2012 5.7% 2.32%
2011 5.88% 1.14%
2010 3.49% -2.43%
2009 2.41% -4.86%
2008 8.76% 15.1%
2007 4.17% 13.8%
2006 2.46% 11.8%
2005 2.86% 8.81%
2004 0.47% 6.8%
2003 0.39% 2.26%
2002 1.01% 0.24%
2001 0.31% 1.47%
2000 1.5% 1.65%
1999 1.25% 2.18%
1998 0.56% 2.95%
1997 1.32% 4.83%

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

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

Over the past 28 years, Panama has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 2.02%, compared with 3.15% in Qatar. In 2024, inflation was 0.69% in Panama and 1.27% in Qatar.

Top exports between countries

Panama
Export category Export value
Chemicals & pharma $27K
Raw agricultural goods $16K
Miscellaneous $8K
Textiles & consumer goods $8K
Machinery & equipment $2K
Qatar
Export category Export value
Chemicals & pharma $982K
Machinery & equipment $279K
Metals $34K

Balance of trade

Panama Qatar
Current account balance
$1.67B
2024
$37.9B
2024
Current account balance ranking
51/190
2024
16/190
2024
Current account balance, % of GDP
+1.93%
2024
+17.3%
2024
Goods imports
$25.1B
2024
$32.6B
2024
Goods exports
$19.1B
2024
$95B
2024
Service imports
$5.75B
2024
$37.1B
2024
Service exports
$18.3B
2024
$30.2B
2024
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
39.3%
2024
31.6%
2022
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
44.4%
2024
68.6%
2022

Economic freedom indices

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

Panama Qatar
Economic freedom 64.9 70.2
Economic freedom ranking 70/197 37/197
Property rights 56.7 66.2
Government integrity 37.4 53.5
Judicial effectiveness 49.6 41.5
Tax burden 86.1 99.9
Government spending 85.5 79.9
Fiscal health 51.8 96.6
Business freedom 72.6 68
Labor freedom 60.9 58.5
Monetary freedom 78.2 76
Trade freedom 80.2 81.8
Investment freedom 60 60
Financial freedom 60 60

Economic freedom comparison by year

Panama
Qatar
1x
Year Economic freedom index
Panama Qatar
2026 64.9 70.2
2025 65.5 70.2
2024 64.1 68.8
2023 63.8 68.6
2022 65.4 67.7
2021 66.2 72
2020 67.2 72.3
2019 67.2 72.6
2018 67 72.6
2017 66.3 73.1
2016 64.8 70.7
2015 64.1 70.8
2014 63.4 71.2
2013 62.5 71.3
2012 65.2 71.3
2011 64.9 70.5
2010 64.8 69
2009 64.7 65.8
2008 64.7 62.2
2007 64.6 62.9
2006 65.6 62.4
2005 64.3 63.5
2004 65.3 66.5
2003 68.4 65.9
2002 68.5 61.9
2001 70.6 60
2000 71.6 62
1999 72.6 62
1998 72.6 -
1997 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/panama/qatar | CC BY

The Economic Freedom Index for Panama is 64.9, ranking 70/197, compared to 70.2 for Qatar, ranking 37/197. The chart above displays a comparison of annual changes in economic freedom indexes.

Other economic metrics

Panama Qatar
Services, % of GDP
69.3%
2024
46.1%
2024
Industry, % of GDP
25.5%
2024
58.2%
2024
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
2.68%
2024
0.29%
2024
GNI, Atlas method
$81.3B
2024
$221B
2024
GNI per capita, PPP
$39,260
2024
$121,900
2024
Total reserves including gold
$6.86B
2024
$54B
2024
Total reserves ranking
88/177
2024
40/177
2024
Net foreign direct investment
-$2.38B
2024
$1.1B
2024
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
$3.24B
2024
$460M
2024
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
$865M
2024
$1.56B
2024
Poverty at national poverty lines
21.7%
2023
n/a
Gross capital formation, % of GDP
33.5%
2024
30.6%
2022

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/qatar | CC BY

Compare countries by 7 more topics

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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 (2020–2024, 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.