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Economy of Panama vs Sierra Leone compared: GDP & Debt

Updated on by Georank team

Panama has a GDP of $86.5B compared to $6.97B for Sierra Leone, ranking 78/197 and 160/197 by economy size, respectively.

Panama has $49.6B in government debt (57.4% of GDP), compared to $2.91B (41.7% of GDP) in Sierra Leone.

Panama vs Sierra Leone GDP by year

Panama
Sierra Leone
1x
Year GDP, current $
Panama Sierra Leone
2024 $86,523,959,132 $6,971,127,235
2023 $83,812,155,244 $6,415,852,767
2022 $76,479,304,471 $7,121,125,278
2021 $67,396,392,506 $7,166,931,485
2020 $57,059,846,522 $6,688,307,703
2019 $69,778,991,193 $6,523,577,594
2018 $67,316,471,181 $6,390,514,689
2017 $64,327,688,826 $5,749,846,528
2016 $59,760,858,718 $6,084,297,211
2015 $55,767,806,073 $6,788,352,975
2014 $51,427,104,882 $7,686,138,791
2013 $46,949,496,479 $7,502,762,863
2012 $41,595,439,721 $6,141,666,509
2011 $35,687,738,252 $4,861,632,885
2010 $30,231,009,533 $4,262,805,967
2009 $27,791,215,547 $3,953,403,098
2008 $25,721,327,955 $4,157,895,298
2007 $21,717,433,808 $3,632,957,611
2006 $18,659,721,513 $3,263,697,467
2005 $16,623,906,739 $2,545,275,313
2004 $15,100,203,362 $2,237,350,687
2003 $13,603,456,003 $2,142,618,046
2002 $12,800,851,271 $1,933,863,911
2001 $12,252,906,341 $1,681,473,894
2000 $11,966,497,049 $635,866,404
1999 $11,660,704,777 $669,386,624
1998 $11,019,557,689 $672,368,187
1997 $10,058,854,386 $850,232,760
1996 $9,197,503,323 $941,709,423
1995 $9,573,813,700 $870,740,292
1994 $9,365,289,800 $911,853,802
1993 $8,782,585,400 $768,867,883
1992 $8,042,337,700 $679,940,814
1991 $7,074,675,500 $779,981,987
1990 $6,433,967,000 $649,644,098
1989 $5,918,469,800 $932,974,420
1988 $5,902,783,400 $1,055,083,933
1987 $6,827,665,300 $660,106,336
1986 $6,797,834,200 $490,181,457
1985 $6,541,517,100 $856,890,459
1984 $6,183,387,100 $1,087,471,862
1983 $5,923,755,900 $995,104,305
1982 $5,769,767,900 $1,295,361,886
1981 $5,222,421,500 $1,114,830,472
1980 $4,614,086,400 $1,100,685,845
1979 $3,704,551,600 $1,109,374,911
1978 $3,244,558,600 $960,728,339
1977 $2,738,261,900 $691,777,584
1976 $2,588,106,000 $594,895,942
1975 $2,435,304,100 $679,336,344
1974 $2,188,307,600 $648,590,643
1973 $1,913,793,400 $575,230,724
1972 $1,673,411,700 $465,381,340
1971 $1,523,917,200 $419,549,305
1970 $1,351,006,400 $434,410,974
1969 $1,221,305,700 $408,690,163
1968 $1,112,791,100 $329,859,732
1967 $1,034,376,400 $348,795,303
1966 $928,833,000 $375,479,850
1965 $852,485,300 $359,379,856
1964 $776,137,500 $371,847,461
1963 $722,784,500 $348,547,279
1962 $652,120,900 $342,721,416
1961 $599,026,300 $327,834,191
1960 $537,147,100 $322,009,962

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

GeoRank.org/economy/panama/sierra-leone | CC BY

GDP per capita in Panama vs Sierra Leone by year

Panama
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
Sierra Leone
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
Panama Sierra Leone
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2024 $19,161 $41,369 $807 $3,522
2023 $18,797 $39,813 $758 $3,368
2022 $17,379 $36,333 $860 $3,144
2021 $15,510 $30,933 $885 $2,849
2020 $13,291 $27,017 $845 $2,719
2019 $16,478 $33,240 $844 $2,704
2018 $16,151 $32,464 $846 $2,640
2017 $15,695 $33,533 $779 $2,501
2016 $14,832 $30,277 $844 $2,635
2015 $14,083 $27,245 $965 $2,560
2014 $13,213 $24,376 $1,118 $2,762
2013 $12,273 $21,924 $1,117 $2,701
2012 $11,065 $19,473 $938 $2,317
2011 $9,662 $17,474 $761 $2,043
2010 $8,331 $15,573 $685 $1,900
2009 $7,797 $14,766 $653 $1,814
2008 $7,348 $14,705 $705 $1,824
2007 $6,318 $13,333 $632 $1,770
2006 $5,529 $11,685 $580 $1,698
2005 $5,018 $10,511 $463 $1,615
2004 $4,645 $9,592 $418 $1,541
2003 $4,265 $8,801 $414 $1,458
2002 $4,091 $8,370 $389 $1,360
2001 $3,992 $8,197 $358 $1,121
2000 $3,975 $8,097 $143.7 $1,242
1999 $3,950 $7,749 $155 $1,167
1998 $3,808 $7,408 $156.5 $1,180
1997 $3,546 $6,895 $199.9 $1,157
1996 $3,308 $6,421 $224.3 $1,225
1995 $3,514 $6,182 $208.4 $1,187
1994 $3,508 $6,073 $218.5 $1,266
1993 $3,358 $5,902 $185 $1,269
1992 $3,140 $5,582 $163.2 $1,220
1991 $2,821 $5,150 $183.7 $1,445
1990 $2,620 $4,651 $154.8 $1,382
1989 $2,462 - $231.3 -
1988 $2,509 - $268.2 -
1987 $2,966 - $172.4 -
1986 $3,019 - $131.5 -
1985 $2,972 - $235.5 -
1984 $2,875 - $306 -
1983 $2,819 - $285.8 -
1982 $2,811 - $380 -
1981 $2,605 - $334 -
1980 $2,357 - $336 -
1979 $1,938 - $346 -
1978 $1,738 - $305 -
1977 $1,503 - $224.2 -
1976 $1,457 - $196.4 -
1975 $1,406 - $228.4 -
1974 $1,296 - $222.1 -
1973 $1,164 - $200.6 -
1972 $1,046 - $165.4 -
1971 $979 - $151.8 -
1970 $893 - $160.2 -
1969 $830 - $153.6 -
1968 $778 - $126.3 -
1967 $745 - $136.1 -
1966 $689 - $149.3 -
1965 $651 - $145.6 -
1964 $611 - $153.4 -
1963 $587 - $146.3 -
1962 $546 - $146.3 -
1961 $516 - $142.3 -
1960 $477 - $142 -

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

GeoRank.org/economy/panama/sierra-leone | CC BY

Panama's GDP per capita is $19,161, ranking 60/197, compared to $807 in Sierra Leone, ranking 186/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), Panama ranks 56th at $41,369, while Sierra Leone ranks 171st at $3,522.

Economic indicators

Panama Sierra Leone
Gross domestic product
$86.5B
2024
$6.97B
2024
GDP rank
78/197
2024
160/197
2024
GDP growth
2.75%
2023-2024
4.29%
2023-2024
GDP per capita
$19,161
2024
$807
2024
GDP per capita rank
60/197
2024
186/197
2024
GDP per capita, PPP
$41,369
2024
$3,522
2024
GDP per capita PPP rank
56/197
2024
171/197
2024
Government debt
$49.6B
2024
$2.91B
2024
Debt-to-GDP ratio
57.4%
2024
41.7%
2024
Government debt per person
$10,995
2024
$337
2024
Government debt per person rank
51/185
2024
174/185
2024
Average annual personal income after taxes
$10,196
2026
$2,915
2026
Market capitalization of domestic companies
$18.3B
2024
n/a
Income share by richest 10%
37.6%
2024
29.4%
2018
Income share by poorest 10%
1.2%
2024
3.4%
2018
Government expenditure, % of GDP
23.1%
2024
15.6%
2024
Consumer prices inflation
0.69%
2023-2024
28.4%
2023-2024
Central bank interest rate n/a
18.8%
2025
Unemployment rate
8.61%
2024
3.19%
2018
Population
4642198
9049533

Spending and national debt comparison by year

Panama
Spending

Debt
Sierra Leone
Spending

Debt
1x
Year % of GDP
Panama Sierra Leone
Government spending Government debt Government spending Government debt
2024 23.1% 57.4% 15.6% 41.7%
2023 21.4% 51.2% 15.4% 49.5%
2022 21.3% 52.7% 16.7% 54%
2021 23.8% 54.4% 16.8% 47.1%
2020 27.5% 61.5% 15.6% 46.4%
2019 20.6% 39.8% 13.3% 45.3%
2018 21.8% 35.6% 13.7% 44.2%
2017 21.2% 33.6% 15% 44.2%
2016 21.3% 33.6% 14.9% 38.9%
2015 21.4% 34.2% 13.1% 28.4%
2014 23% 34.7% 13.5% 26.8%
2013 23.4% 33.7% 11.4% 22.3%
2012 22.8% 34% 13.5% 24.1%
2011 23.5% 35.6% 13.2% 25.8%
2010 24.2% 38.1% 12.5% 28.9%
2009 22.7% 39.1% 11.3% 31.1%
2008 22.7% 40% 10.3% 46.1%
2007 21.8% 47.4% 8.1% 26.4%
2006 21.9% 54.7% 9.97% 61.9%
2005 22.4% 59.3% 10.9% 78.9%
2004 23.3% 58.8% 11.1% 93.2%
2003 24.2% 56.5% 11.7% 99.8%
2002 23.5% 57% 12.6% 99.8%
2001 23.4% 57.8% 12% 113.5%
2000 22.8% 53.6% 10.3% -
1999 23% 55.1% - -
1998 23.4% 58.1% - -
1997 22.2% 60.2% - -
1996 21.5% 65% - -
1995 25.9% 76.6% - -
1994 25.2% 78.3% - -
1993 33.8% 83.6% - -
1992 27.8% 91.2% - -
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 (1994–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1960–1993, retrieved 2026-02-20).

GeoRank.org/economy/panama/sierra-leone | CC BY

In 2024, Panama's government spending was $20B, accounting for 23.1% of its GDP, while Sierra Leone spent $1.09B, or 15.6% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 57.4% in Panama and 41.7% in Sierra Leone, ranking 88/185 and 128/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
Panama

Sierra Leone
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
Panama Sierra Leone
2024 -7.42% -4.53%
2023 -3.9% -4.99%
2022 -3.98% -5.93%
2021 -6.48% -4.35%
2020 -10.2% -3.5%
2019 -2.89% -1.95%
2018 -2.88% -3.57%
2017 -1.92% -5.61%
2016 -1.89% -5.41%
2015 -2.3% -2.86%
2014 -3.21% -2.77%
2013 -2.38% -1.74%
2012 -1.31% -3.41%
2011 -1.96% -2.78%
2010 -1.68% -3.09%
2009 -0.9% -1.51%
2008 0.37% -2.22%
2007 3.12% 12.6%
2006 0.51% -0.93%
2005 -2.21% -1.17%
2004 -4.33% -1.46%
2003 -2.27% -2.78%
2002 -0.96% -3.03%
2001 -0.42% -3.22%
2000 2.05% -1.94%
1999 -0.65% -
1998 -1.11% -
1997 1.24% -
1996 2.48% -
1995 2.3% -
1994 2.12% -
1993 -9.4% -
1992 -2.62% -
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 (1994–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1946–1993, retrieved 2026-02-20).

GeoRank.org/economy/panama/sierra-leone | 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 Sierra Leone's deficit of $316M, or 4.53% of GDP.

Over the past 25 years, Panama recorded a fiscal deficit in 21 of those years, while Sierra Leone ran a deficit in 24 years. On average, Panama posted an annual deficit equal to 2.38% of GDP, compared to deficit of 2.49% of GDP for Sierra Leone.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
Panama

Sierra Leone
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
Panama Sierra Leone
2024 0.69% 28.4%
2023 1.49% 47.7%
2022 2.86% 27.2%
2021 1.63% 11.9%
2020 -1.55% 13.4%
2019 -0.36% 14.8%
2018 0.76% 16%
2017 0.88% 18.2%
2016 0.74% 10.9%
2015 0.14% 6.7%
2014 2.63% 4.6%
2013 4.03% 5.5%
2012 5.7% 6.6%
2011 5.88% 6.8%
2010 3.49% 7.2%
2009 2.41% 7.5%
2008 8.76% 8.2%
2007 4.17% 17%
2006 2.46% 10.5%
2005 2.86% 13.7%
2004 0.47% 12.9%
2003 0.39% 4%
2002 1.01% 0.1%
2001 0.31% 2.6%
2000 1.5% -0.9%
1999 1.25% 34.1%
1998 0.56% 36%
1997 1.32% 14.6%

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/panama/sierra-leone | CC BY

Over the past 28 years, Panama has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 2.02%, compared with 13.8% in Sierra Leone. In 2024, inflation was 0.69% in Panama and 28.4% in Sierra Leone.

Balance of trade

Panama Sierra Leone
Current account balance
$1.67B
2024
-$606M
2023
Current account balance ranking
51/190
2024
109/190
2023
Current account balance, % of GDP
+1.93%
2024
-9.45%
2023
Goods imports
$25.1B
2024
$1.92B
2023
Goods exports
$19.1B
2024
$1.34B
2023
Service imports
$5.75B
2024
$348M
2023
Service exports
$18.3B
2024
$42.5M
2023
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
39.3%
2024
23.3%
2024
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
44.4%
2024
17.3%
2024

Economic freedom indices

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

Panama Sierra Leone
Economic freedom 64.9 49.6
Economic freedom ranking 70/197 165/197
Property rights 56.7 32.9
Government integrity 37.4 35.8
Judicial effectiveness 49.6 42
Tax burden 86.1 88.2
Government spending 85.5 92.4
Fiscal health 51.8 54.1
Business freedom 72.6 44.8
Labor freedom 60.9 38.2
Monetary freedom 78.2 53.6
Trade freedom 80.2 63.6
Investment freedom 60 30
Financial freedom 60 20

Economic freedom comparison by year

Panama
Sierra Leone
1x
Year Economic freedom index
Panama Sierra Leone
2026 64.9 49.6
2025 65.5 48
2024 64.1 44.6
2023 63.8 50.2
2022 65.4 52
2021 66.2 51.7
2020 67.2 48
2019 67.2 47.5
2018 67 51.8
2017 66.3 52.6
2016 64.8 52.3
2015 64.1 51.7
2014 63.4 50.5
2013 62.5 48.3
2012 65.2 49.1
2011 64.9 49.6
2010 64.8 47.9
2009 64.7 47.8
2008 64.7 48.3
2007 64.6 47
2006 65.6 45.2
2005 64.3 44.8
2004 65.3 43.6
2003 68.4 42.2
2002 68.5 -
2001 70.6 -
2000 71.6 44.2
1999 72.6 47.2
1998 72.6 47.7
1997 72.4 45
1996 71.8 52.3
1995 71.6 49.8

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

GeoRank.org/economy/panama/sierra-leone | CC BY

The Economic Freedom Index for Panama is 64.9, ranking 70/197, compared to 49.6 for Sierra Leone, ranking 165/197. The chart above displays a comparison of annual changes in economic freedom indexes.

Other economic metrics

Panama Sierra Leone
Services, % of GDP
69.3%
2024
42.6%
2024
Industry, % of GDP
25.5%
2024
25.6%
2024
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
2.68%
2024
29.2%
2024
GNI, Atlas method
$81.3B
2024
$7.08B
2024
GNI per capita, PPP
$39,260
2024
$3,490
2024
Total reserves including gold
$6.86B
2024
$433M
2024
Total reserves ranking
88/177
2024
160/177
2024
Net foreign direct investment
-$2.38B
2024
-$241M
2023
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
$3.24B
2024
$122M
2024
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
$865M
2024
$0
2024
Servicing debt to the IMF, % of GNI n/a
2.22%
2024
Poverty at national poverty lines
21.7%
2023
56.8%
2018
Gross capital formation, % of GDP
33.5%
2024
20.5%
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/panama/sierra-leone | 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 (1994–2024, 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. United Nations | World Population Prospects (2026, retrieved 2026-03-10)
  7. 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.