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Economy of Panama vs Rwanda compared: GDP & Debt

Updated on by Georank

Panama has a GDP of $90.5B compared to $16.4B for Rwanda, ranking 82/197 and 142/197 by economy size, respectively.

Panama has $51.2B in government debt (56.6% of GDP), compared to $10.6B (64.6% of GDP) in Rwanda.

Panama vs Rwanda GDP by year

Panama
Rwanda
1x
Year GDP, current $
Panama Rwanda
2025 $90,462,600,000 $16,372,132,990
2024 $86,523,959,100 $15,111,064,182
2023 $83,812,155,200 $14,806,501,437
2022 $76,479,304,500 $13,747,404,814
2021 $67,396,392,500 $11,252,894,910
2020 $57,059,846,500 $10,487,146,253
2019 $69,778,991,200 $10,519,272,170
2018 $67,316,471,200 $9,650,161,136
2017 $64,327,688,800 $9,164,345,443
2016 $59,760,858,700 $8,596,812,241
2015 $55,767,806,100 $8,447,064,079
2014 $51,427,104,900 $8,129,984,484
2013 $46,949,496,500 $7,714,276,920
2012 $41,595,439,700 $7,556,673,276
2011 $35,687,738,300 $6,802,676,034
2010 $30,231,009,500 $6,052,276,078
2009 $27,791,215,500 $5,603,399,015
2008 $25,721,328,000 $5,120,655,375
2007 $21,717,433,800 $4,017,977,507
2006 $18,659,721,500 $3,274,207,945
2005 $16,623,906,700 $2,933,819,766
2004 $15,100,203,400 $2,376,496,067
2003 $13,603,456,000 $2,138,237,279
2002 $12,800,851,300 $1,966,003,468
2001 $12,252,906,300 $1,966,600,715
2000 $11,966,497,000 $2,068,836,754
1999 $11,660,704,800 $2,157,108,263
1998 $11,019,557,700 $1,989,343,546
1997 $10,058,854,400 $1,851,558,197
1996 $9,197,503,300 $1,382,334,879
1995 $9,573,813,700 $1,293,535,193
1994 $9,365,289,800 $753,636,370
1993 $8,782,585,400 $1,971,525,712
1992 $8,042,337,700 $2,029,026,962
1991 $7,074,675,500 $1,911,600,237
1990 $6,433,967,000 $2,550,185,679
1989 $5,918,469,800 $2,405,022,593
1988 $5,902,783,400 $2,395,492,687
1987 $6,827,665,300 $2,157,432,668
1986 $6,797,834,200 $1,944,710,684
1985 $6,541,517,100 $1,715,626,331
1984 $6,183,387,100 $1,587,413,084
1983 $5,923,755,900 $1,479,687,587
1982 $5,769,767,900 $1,407,243,139
1981 $5,222,421,500 $1,407,062,527
1980 $4,614,086,400 $1,254,765,642
1979 $3,704,551,600 $1,109,346,131
1978 $3,244,558,600 $905,709,076
1977 $2,738,261,900 $746,650,613
1976 $2,588,106,000 $637,753,853
1975 $2,435,304,100 $571,863,500
1974 $2,188,307,600 $308,458,423
1973 $1,913,793,400 $290,746,157
1972 $1,673,411,700 $246,457,838
1971 $1,523,917,200 $222,952,504
1970 $1,351,006,400 $219,900,006
1969 $1,221,305,700 $188,700,037
1968 $1,112,791,100 $172,200,018
1967 $1,034,376,400 $159,560,018
1966 $928,833,000 $124,525,703
1965 $852,485,300 $148,799,980
1964 $776,137,500 $129,999,994
1963 $722,784,500 $128,000,000
1962 $652,120,900 $125,000,008
1961 $599,026,300 $122,000,016
1960 $537,147,100 $119,000,024

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

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

GDP per capita in Panama vs Rwanda by year

Panama
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
Rwanda
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
Panama Rwanda
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2025 $19,790 - $1,124 -
2024 $19,161 $41,369 $1,060 $3,711
2023 $18,797 $39,813 $1,061 $3,399
2022 $17,379 $36,333 $1,007 $3,099
2021 $15,510 $30,933 $843 $2,733
2020 $13,291 $27,017 $803 $2,285
2019 $16,478 $33,240 $823 $2,336
2018 $16,151 $32,464 $773 $2,125
2017 $15,695 $33,533 $751 $1,968
2016 $14,832 $30,277 $721 $1,866
2015 $14,083 $27,245 $726 $1,781
2014 $13,213 $24,376 $715 $1,678
2013 $12,273 $21,924 $695 $1,512
2012 $11,065 $19,473 $698 $1,455
2011 $9,662 $17,474 $643 $1,413
2010 $8,331 $15,573 $587 $1,314
2009 $7,797 $14,766 $557 $1,241
2008 $7,348 $14,705 $522 $1,191
2007 $6,318 $13,333 $421 $1,079
2006 $5,529 $11,685 $352 $1,002
2005 $5,018 $10,511 $324 $914
2004 $4,645 $9,592 $269.5 $832
2003 $4,265 $8,801 $249 $775
2002 $4,091 $8,370 $234 $760
2001 $3,992 $8,197 $237.3 $670
2000 $3,975 $8,097 $251.9 $609
1999 $3,950 $7,749 $264.7 $554
1998 $3,808 $7,408 $246.2 $528
1997 $3,546 $6,895 $238.7 $500
1996 $3,308 $6,421 $206 $499
1995 $3,514 $6,182 $228 $514
1994 $3,508 $6,073 $111 $311
1993 $3,358 $5,902 $247 $521
1992 $3,140 $5,582 $264.1 $575
1991 $2,821 $5,150 $254 $542
1990 $2,620 $4,651 $346 $549
1989 $2,462 - $335 -
1988 $2,509 - $344 -
1987 $2,966 - $320 -
1986 $3,019 - $297.7 -
1985 $2,972 - $271.6 -
1984 $2,875 - $259.9 -
1983 $2,819 - $250.6 -
1982 $2,811 - $246.4 -
1981 $2,605 - $254.6 -
1980 $2,357 - $234.4 -
1979 $1,938 - $213.8 -
1978 $1,738 - $179.9 -
1977 $1,503 - $152.7 -
1976 $1,457 - $134.4 -
1975 $1,406 - $124.1 -
1974 $1,296 - $68.9 -
1973 $1,164 - $66.9 -
1972 $1,046 - $58.4 -
1971 $979 - $54.4 -
1970 $893 - $55.2 -
1969 $830 - $48.9 -
1968 $778 - $46 -
1967 $745 - $44 -
1966 $689 - $35.4 -
1965 $651 - $43.5 -
1964 $611 - $39 -
1963 $587 - $39.3 -
1962 $546 - $39.2 -
1961 $516 - $39.3 -
1960 $477 - $39.4 -

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

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

Panama's GDP per capita is $19,790, ranking 62/197, compared to $1,124 in Rwanda, ranking 178/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), Panama ranks 56th at $41,369, while Rwanda ranks 168th at $3,711.

Economic indicators

Panama Rwanda
Gross domestic product
$90.5B
2025
$16.4B
2025
GDP rank
82/197
2025
142/197
2025
GDP growth
4.35%
2024-2025
9.38%
2024-2025
GDP per capita
$19,790
2025
$1,124
2025
GDP per capita rank
62/197
2025
178/197
2025
GDP per capita, PPP
$41,369
2024
$3,711
2024
GDP per capita PPP rank
56/197
2024
168/197
2024
Government debt
$51.2B
2025
$10.6B
2025
Debt-to-GDP ratio
56.6%
2025
64.6%
2025
Government debt per person
$11,198
2025
$726
2025
Government debt per person rank
56/185
2025
155/185
2025
Average annual personal income after taxes
$11,056
2026
$1,614
2026
Market capitalization of domestic companies
$27.2B
2025
$3.2B
2025
Income share by richest 10%
37.6%
2024
33.4%
2023
Income share by poorest 10%
1.2%
2024
3.1%
2023
Government expenditure, % of GDP
20.9%
2025
24.1%
2025
Consumer prices inflation
-0.19%
2024-2025
5.91%
2024-2025
Central bank interest rate n/a
6.75%
2025
Unemployment rate
8.31%
2025
5.36%
2025
Population
4654479
15062056

Spending and national debt comparison by year

Panama
Spending

Debt
Rwanda
Spending

Debt
1x
Year % of GDP
Panama Rwanda
Government spending Government debt Government spending Government debt
2025 20.9% 56.6% 24.1% 64.6%
2024 23.1% 57.8% 27.1% 63.4%
2023 21.4% 54.4% 26.2% 61.4%
2022 21.3% 56.2% 28.7% 59%
2021 23.7% 58% 31% 66.2%
2020 27% 62.4% 32.5% 66.7%
2019 20.5% 42.5% 27.7% 52.8%
2018 21.7% 36.3% 26.3% 49.2%
2017 21.1% 34.3% 25.3% 46.1%
2016 21.3% 34% 25.4% 41.5%
2015 21.4% 34.1% 26.9% 33.5%
2014 22.9% 32.9% 27.8% 29.5%
2013 23.6% 30.8% 26.5% 27%
2012 23% 31.3% 24.9% 19.3%
2011 23.7% 35.9% 25% 18.9%
2010 24.4% 38.5% 24.1% 19%
2009 22.9% 39.5% 22.6% 18.7%
2008 23% 40.6% 22.7% 18.5%
2007 22.2% 48.2% 22.7% 22.4%
2006 22.4% 56.1% 20.9% 22.8%
2005 23.2% 61.5% 20.2% 59.8%
2004 24.4% 61.5% 18.1% 82.1%
2003 25.7% 59.9% 18.8% 80.7%
2002 25.1% 60.9% 20.7% 93.4%
2001 25.2% 62.1% 19.3% 85.2%
2000 24.7% 58% 18.5% 87.2%
1999 25.2% 60.4% 22.7% 79.5%
1998 25.9% 64.3% 16.6% 71.1%
1997 24.8% 67.3% 17.2% 73.3%
1996 24.3% 73.6% 19.8% 84.6%
1995 29.3% 86.7% 18.3% 102.2%
1994 28.5% 88.7% 13.5% -
1993 33.8% 83.6% 20.6% -
1992 27.8% 91.2% 21.8% -
1991 20.9% 103.7% - -
1990 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 (1992–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1960–1993, retrieved 2026-07-08).

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

In 2025, Panama's government spending was $18.9B, accounting for 20.9% of its GDP, while Rwanda spent $3.95B, or 24.1% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 56.6% in Panama and 64.6% in Rwanda, ranking 84/185 and 68/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
Panama

Rwanda
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
Panama Rwanda
2025 -3.67% -4.49%
2024 -6.23% -6.19%
2023 -3.9% -4.88%
2022 -3.98% -5.56%
2021 -6.45% -6.89%
2020 -9.68% -9.26%
2019 -2.74% -5%
2018 -2.76% -2.57%
2017 -1.8% -2.54%
2016 -1.76% -2.3%
2015 -2.17% -2.71%
2014 -3.04% -3.97%
2013 -2.4% -1.29%
2012 -1.32% -2.41%
2011 -1.97% -0.87%
2010 -1.69% -0.65%
2009 -0.91% 0.26%
2008 0.38% 0.84%
2007 3.17% -1.58%
2006 0.53% -0.03%
2005 -2.29% 1.14%
2004 -4.54% 2.31%
2003 -2.41% -1.25%
2002 -1.03% -2.06%
2001 -0.45% -1.83%
2000 2.22% -0.22%
1999 -0.71% -4.48%
1998 -1.23% -2.63%
1997 1.39% -2.25%
1996 2.81% -5.08%
1995 2.61% -2.07%
1994 2.4% -9.68%
1993 -9.4% -6.7%
1992 -2.62% -7.31%
1991 -0.6% -
1990 -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 (1992–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1946–1993, retrieved 2026-07-08).

GeoRank.org/economy/panama/rwanda | 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 Rwanda's deficit of $736M, or 4.49% of GDP.

Over the past 34 years, Panama recorded a fiscal deficit in 26 of those years, while Rwanda ran a deficit in 30 years. On average, Panama posted an annual deficit equal to 1.93% of GDP, compared to deficit of 3.06% of GDP for Rwanda.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
Panama

Rwanda
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
Panama Rwanda
2025 -0.19% 5.91%
2024 0.69% 1.77%
2023 1.49% 19.8%
2022 2.86% 17.7%
2021 1.63% -0.39%
2020 -1.55% 9.85%
2019 -0.36% 3.35%
2018 0.76% -0.31%
2017 0.88% 8.28%
2016 0.74% 7.17%
2015 0.14% 2.53%
2014 2.63% 2.35%
2013 4.03% 5.92%
2012 5.7% 10.3%
2011 5.88% 3.08%
2010 3.49% -0.25%
2009 2.41% 12.9%
2008 8.76% 15.4%
2007 4.17% 9.08%
2006 2.46% 8.88%
2005 2.86% 9.01%
2004 0.47% 12.3%
2003 0.39% 7.45%
2002 1.01% 1.99%
2001 0.31% 3.34%
2000 1.5% 3.9%
1999 1.25% -2.41%
1998 0.56% 6.21%
1997 1.32% 12%

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

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

Over the past 29 years, Panama has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 1.94%, compared with 6.8% in Rwanda. In 2025, inflation was -0.19% in Panama and 5.91% in Rwanda.

Top exports between countries

Panama
Export category Export value
Textiles & consumer goods $2K
Rwanda
Export category Export value
Textiles & consumer goods $9K
Wood & paper products $2K
Chemicals & pharma $1K
Precious metals & jewellery $1K

Balance of trade

Panama Rwanda
Current account balance
-$169M
2025
-$1.81B
2024
Current account balance ranking
91/190
2025
136/190
2024
Current account balance, % of GDP
-0.19%
2025
-12%
2024
Goods imports
$28.2B
2025
$5.55B
2024
Goods exports
$18.6B
2025
$3.2B
2024
Service imports
$5.91B
2025
$991M
2024
Service exports
$20.2B
2025
$1.08B
2024
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
39.3%
2024
35.1%
2025
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
44.4%
2024
21.6%
2025

Economic freedom indices

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

Panama Rwanda
Economic freedom 64.9 56.5
Economic freedom ranking 70/197 121/197
Property rights 56.7 60.3
Government integrity 37.4 53.9
Judicial effectiveness 49.6 27.5
Tax burden 86.1 80.6
Government spending 85.5 75.7
Fiscal health 51.8 37.5
Business freedom 72.6 60.1
Labor freedom 60.9 49.1
Monetary freedom 78.2 72.3
Trade freedom 80.2 61.8
Investment freedom 60 60
Financial freedom 60 40

Economic freedom comparison by year

Panama
Rwanda
1x
Year Economic freedom index
Panama Rwanda
2026 64.9 56.5
2025 65.5 54.8
2024 64.1 51.6
2023 63.8 52.2
2022 65.4 57.1
2021 66.2 68.3
2020 67.2 70.9
2019 67.2 71.1
2018 67 69.1
2017 66.3 67.6
2016 64.8 63.1
2015 64.1 64.8
2014 63.4 64.7
2013 62.5 64.1
2012 65.2 64.9
2011 64.9 62.7
2010 64.8 59.1
2009 64.7 54.2
2008 64.7 54.2
2007 64.6 52.4
2006 65.6 52.8
2005 64.3 51.7
2004 65.3 53.3
2003 68.4 47.8
2002 68.5 50.4
2001 70.6 45.4
2000 71.6 42.3
1999 72.6 39.8
1998 72.6 39.1
1997 72.4 38.3
1996 71.8 -
1995 71.6 -

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

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

The Economic Freedom Index for Panama is 64.9, ranking 70/197, compared to 56.5 for Rwanda, ranking 121/197. The chart above displays a comparison of annual changes in economic freedom indexes.

Other economic metrics

Panama Rwanda
Services, % of GDP
70%
2025
52.3%
2025
Industry, % of GDP
24.9%
2025
22%
2025
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
2.62%
2025
20.3%
2025
GNI, Atlas method
$87.5B
2025
$16.7B
2025
GNI per capita, PPP
$41,770
2025
$4,070
2025
Total reserves including gold
$6.24B
2025
$1.96B
2025
Total reserves ranking
93/177
2025
128/177
2025
Net foreign direct investment
-$1.81B
2025
-$560M
2024
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
$2.09B
2024
$573M
2024
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
$84.3M
2024
$13.2M
2024
Servicing debt to the IMF, % of GNI n/a
2.91%
2024
Poverty at national poverty lines
21.7%
2023
27.4%
2023
Gross capital formation, % of GDP
33.5%
2024
34.1%
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/rwanda | 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 (1992–2025, 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 (2022–2025, 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.