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Economy of Panama vs Sudan compared: GDP & Debt

Updated on by Georank team

Panama has a GDP of $86.5B compared to $49.7B for Sudan, ranking 78/197 and 94/197 by economy size, respectively.

Panama has $49.6B in government debt (57.4% of GDP), compared to $130B (261.4% of GDP) in Sudan.

Panama vs Sudan GDP by year

Panama
Sudan
1x
Year GDP, current $
Panama Sudan
2024 $86,523,959,132 $49,672,435,513
2023 $83,812,155,244 $39,898,289,821
2022 $76,479,304,471 $51,666,875,363
2021 $67,396,392,506 $34,229,513,775
2020 $57,059,846,522 $27,034,593,750
2019 $69,778,991,193 $32,338,079,165
2018 $67,316,471,181 $32,333,780,383
2017 $64,327,688,826 $41,283,617,976
2016 $59,760,858,718 $42,630,376,000
2015 $55,767,806,073 $51,726,758,677
2014 $51,427,104,882 $49,516,748,618
2013 $46,949,496,479 $43,024,018,082
2012 $41,595,439,721 $37,632,919,967
2011 $35,687,738,252 $55,018,567,211
2010 $30,231,009,533 $58,962,978,034
2009 $27,791,215,547 $51,621,044,077
2008 $25,721,327,955 $64,833,083,257
2007 $21,717,433,808 $59,440,139,775
2006 $18,659,721,513 $45,263,831,634
2005 $16,623,906,739 $35,182,711,988
2004 $15,100,203,362 $26,646,007,251
2003 $13,603,456,003 $21,355,298,460
2002 $12,800,851,271 $18,137,128,388
2001 $12,252,906,341 $15,716,361,792
2000 $11,966,497,049 $12,257,299,147
1999 $11,660,704,777 $10,682,028,340
1998 $11,019,557,689 $11,250,221,537
1997 $10,058,854,386 $11,681,175,864
1996 $9,197,503,323 $9,018,300,725
1995 $9,573,813,700 $13,830,363,900
1994 $9,365,289,800 $12,793,794,737
1993 $8,782,585,400 $8,881,005,436
1992 $8,042,337,700 $7,031,933,492
1991 $7,074,675,500 $44,171,194,366
1990 $6,433,967,000 $33,641,222,222
1989 $5,918,469,800 $21,408,111,111
1988 $5,902,783,400 $14,372,555,556
1987 $6,827,665,300 $12,093,333,333
1986 $6,797,834,200 $10,092,200,000
1985 $6,541,517,100 $8,075,259,600
1984 $6,183,387,100 $10,447,615,385
1983 $5,923,755,900 $8,230,153,846
1982 $5,769,767,900 $8,732,542,274
1981 $5,222,421,500 $10,753,888,154
1980 $4,614,086,400 $8,951,800,000
1979 $3,704,551,600 $8,418,407,787
1978 $3,244,558,600 $8,128,719,315
1977 $2,738,261,900 $7,499,005,639
1976 $2,588,106,000 $6,013,210,816
1975 $2,435,304,100 $4,823,090,192
1974 $2,188,307,600 $3,958,931,660
1973 $1,913,793,400 $3,077,254,460
1972 $1,673,411,700 $2,483,055,722
1971 $1,523,917,200 $2,288,340,041
1970 $1,351,006,400 $2,100,229,759
1969 $1,221,305,700 $1,847,501,441
1968 $1,112,791,100 $1,677,771,401
1967 $1,034,376,400 $1,607,409,539
1966 $928,833,000 $1,484,491,676
1965 $852,485,300 $1,446,869,619
1964 $776,137,500 $1,388,282,600
1963 $722,784,500 $1,351,234,926
1962 $652,120,900 $1,328,259,625
1961 $599,026,300 $1,222,860,429
1960 $537,147,100 $1,126,364,162

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

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

GDP per capita in Panama vs Sudan by year

Panama
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
Sudan
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
Panama Sudan
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2024 $19,161 $41,369 $985 $2,116
2023 $18,797 $39,813 $797 $2,421
2022 $17,379 $36,333 $1,046 $3,355
2021 $15,510 $30,933 $712 $3,249
2020 $13,291 $27,017 $578 $3,349
2019 $16,478 $33,240 $710 $3,914
2018 $16,151 $32,464 $731 $4,199
2017 $15,695 $33,533 $967 $4,252
2016 $14,832 $30,277 $1,033 $4,470
2015 $14,083 $27,245 $1,292 $4,217
2014 $13,213 $24,376 $1,275 $4,261
2013 $12,273 $21,924 $1,139 $3,725
2012 $11,065 $19,473 $1,019 $3,710
2011 $9,662 $17,474 $1,522 $4,112
2010 $8,331 $15,573 $1,665 $3,806
2009 $7,797 $14,766 $1,493 $3,732
2008 $7,348 $14,705 $1,928 $3,938
2007 $6,318 $13,333 $1,814 $3,836
2006 $5,529 $11,685 $1,415 $3,637
2005 $5,018 $10,511 $1,125 $3,407
2004 $4,645 $9,592 $872 $3,215
2003 $4,265 $8,801 $714 $3,058
2002 $4,091 $8,370 $621 $2,898
2001 $3,992 $8,197 $551 $2,769
2000 $3,975 $8,097 $441 $2,616
1999 $3,950 $7,749 $394 $2,475
1998 $3,808 $7,408 $425 $2,428
1997 $3,546 $6,895 $453 $2,358
1996 $3,308 $6,421 $357 $2,006
1995 $3,514 $6,182 $561 $1,902
1994 $3,508 $6,073 $532 $1,805
1993 $3,358 $5,902 $379 $1,794
1992 $3,140 $5,582 $307 $1,710
1991 $2,821 $5,150 $1,966 $1,599
1990 $2,620 $4,651 $1,528 $1,468
1989 $2,462 - $992 -
1988 $2,509 - $680 -
1987 $2,966 - $584 -
1986 $3,019 - $497 -
1985 $2,972 - $406 -
1984 $2,875 - $534 -
1983 $2,819 - $431 -
1982 $2,811 - $472 -
1981 $2,605 - $605 -
1980 $2,357 - $525 -
1979 $1,938 - $515 -
1978 $1,738 - $518 -
1977 $1,503 - $497 -
1976 $1,457 - $413 -
1975 $1,406 - $343 -
1974 $1,296 - $291.5 -
1973 $1,164 - $235.8 -
1972 $1,046 - $198.2 -
1971 $979 - $189 -
1970 $893 - $179.6 -
1969 $830 - $163.5 -
1968 $778 - $153.7 -
1967 $745 - $152.4 -
1966 $689 - $145.6 -
1965 $651 - $146.8 -
1964 $611 - $145.7 -
1963 $587 - $146.6 -
1962 $546 - $148.9 -
1961 $516 - $141.6 -
1960 $477 - $134.7 -

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

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

Panama's GDP per capita is $19,161, ranking 60/197, compared to $985 in Sudan, ranking 179/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), Panama ranks 56th at $41,369, while Sudan ranks 185th at $2,116.

Economic indicators

Panama Sudan
Gross domestic product
$86.5B
2024
$49.7B
2024
GDP rank
78/197
2024
94/197
2024
GDP growth
2.75%
2023-2024
-14%
2023-2024
GDP per capita
$19,161
2024
$985
2024
GDP per capita rank
60/197
2024
179/197
2024
GDP per capita, PPP
$41,369
2024
$2,116
2024
GDP per capita PPP rank
56/197
2024
185/197
2024
Government debt
$49.6B
2024
$130B
2024
Debt-to-GDP ratio
57.4%
2024
261.4%
2024
Government debt per person
$10,995
2024
$2,574
2024
Government debt per person rank
51/185
2024
109/185
2024
Average annual personal income after taxes
$10,196
2026
$1,704
2026
Market capitalization of domestic companies
$18.3B
2024
n/a
Income share by richest 10%
37.6%
2024
27.8%
2014
Income share by poorest 10%
1.2%
2024
3.2%
2014
Government expenditure, % of GDP
23.1%
2024
6.39%
2024
Consumer prices inflation
0.69%
2023-2024
138.8%
2021-2022
Unemployment rate
8.61%
2024
7.53%
2022
Population
4642198
53335233

Spending and national debt comparison by year

Panama
Spending

Debt
Sudan
Spending

Debt
1x
Year % of GDP
Panama Sudan
Government spending Government debt Government spending Government debt
2024 23.1% 57.4% 6.39% 261.4%
2023 21.4% 51.2% 8.23% 259.9%
2022 21.3% 52.7% 17.9% 186.9%
2021 23.8% 54.4% 9.84% 189.6%
2020 27.5% 61.5% 10.9% 278.3%
2019 20.6% 39.8% 18.7% 216.5%
2018 21.8% 35.6% 16.8% 209.8%
2017 21.2% 33.6% 12.8% 149.5%
2016 21.3% 33.6% 9.98% 109.9%
2015 21.4% 34.2% 12.4% 93.2%
2014 23% 34.7% 13.5% 84.4%
2013 23.4% 33.7% 15.3% 105.8%
2012 22.8% 34% 16.5% 117.7%
2011 23.5% 35.6% 18.2% 78.1%
2010 24.2% 38.1% 17.4% 74.6%
2009 22.7% 39.1% 18.8% 71%
2008 22.7% 40% 19.7% 55.8%
2007 21.8% 47.4% 19.6% 53.7%
2006 21.9% 54.7% 18.8% 63.7%
2005 22.4% 59.3% 19.7% 75.5%
2004 23.3% 58.8% 16.5% 97.8%
2003 24.2% 56.5% 12.5% 117.4%
2002 23.5% 57% 10.5% 121.7%
2001 23.4% 57.8% 9.87% 125.6%
2000 22.8% 53.6% 10.4% 143.2%
1999 23% 55.1% 8.4% 160.5%
1998 23.4% 58.1% 7.79% 179.7%
1997 22.2% 60.2% 7.38% 167.7%
1996 21.5% 65% 9.31% 220.9%
1995 25.9% 76.6% 12.9% 239%
1994 25.2% 78.3% 19.6% 386%
1993 33.8% 83.6% 23.7% 285.9%
1992 27.8% 91.2% 50.4% 495%
1991 20.9% 103.7% 45.7% -
1990 41.5% 112.7% 31% -
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/sudan | CC BY

In 2024, Panama's government spending was $20B, accounting for 23.1% of its GDP, while Sudan spent $3.17B, or 6.39% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 57.4% in Panama and 261.4% in Sudan, ranking 88/185 and 1/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
Panama

Sudan
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
Panama Sudan
2024 -7.42% -3.46%
2023 -3.9% -3.7%
2022 -3.98% -2.15%
2021 -6.48% -0.29%
2020 -10.2% -6.03%
2019 -2.89% -10.8%
2018 -2.88% -7.92%
2017 -1.92% -6.07%
2016 -1.89% -3.92%
2015 -2.3% -3.87%
2014 -3.21% -4.72%
2013 -2.38% -5.76%
2012 -1.31% -7.37%
2011 -1.96% -2.33%
2010 -1.68% 0.11%
2009 -0.9% -3.8%
2008 0.37% 0.49%
2007 3.12% -2.84%
2006 0.51% -1.32%
2005 -2.21% -1.88%
2004 -4.33% 0.16%
2003 -2.27% 0.77%
2002 -0.96% -0.69%
2001 -0.42% -0.77%
2000 2.05% -0.7%
1999 -0.65% -0.8%
1998 -1.11% -0.56%
1997 1.24% -0.59%
1996 2.48% -2.61%
1995 2.3% -3.48%
1994 2.12% -3.03%
1993 -9.4% -8.04%
1992 -2.62% -24.5%
1991 -0.6% -26.5%
1990 -3.65% -16.2%
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/sudan | 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 Sudan's deficit of $1.72B, or 3.46% of GDP.

Over the past 35 years, Panama recorded a fiscal deficit in 27 of those years, while Sudan ran a deficit in 31 years. On average, Panama posted an annual deficit equal to 1.98% of GDP, compared to deficit of 4.72% of GDP for Sudan.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
Panama

Sudan
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
Panama Sudan
2024 0.69% -
2023 1.49% -
2022 2.86% 138.8%
2021 1.63% 359%
2020 -1.55% 163.3%
2019 -0.36% 51%
2018 0.76% 63.3%
2017 0.88% 32.4%
2016 0.74% 17.8%
2015 0.14% 16.9%
2014 2.63% 36.9%
2013 4.03% 36.5%
2012 5.7% 35.6%
2011 5.88% 18.1%
2010 3.49% 13%
2009 2.41% 11.3%
2008 8.76% 14.3%
2007 4.17% 14.8%
2006 2.46% 7.2%
2005 2.86% 8.51%
2004 0.47% 9.66%
2003 0.39% 6.49%
2002 1.01% 22.2%
2001 0.31% 1.94%
2000 1.5% 7.12%
1999 1.25% 17.2%
1998 0.56% 24.6%
1997 1.32% 47.2%

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

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

Over the past 26 years, Panama has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 2.09%, compared with 45.2% in Sudan. In 2022, inflation was 0.69% in Panama and 138.8% in Sudan.

Balance of trade

Panama Sudan
Current account balance
$1.67B
2024
-$4.44B
2022
Current account balance ranking
51/190
2024
165/190
2022
Current account balance, % of GDP
+1.93%
2024
-8.6%
2022
Goods imports
$25.1B
2024
$9.99B
2022
Goods exports
$19.1B
2024
$4.36B
2022
Service imports
$5.75B
2024
$1.59B
2022
Service exports
$18.3B
2024
$1.55B
2022
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
39.3%
2024
1.27%
2024
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
44.4%
2024
0.72%
2024

Economic freedom indices

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

Panama Sudan
Economic freedom 64.9 32.5
Economic freedom ranking 70/197 191/197
Property rights 56.7 6.5
Government integrity 37.4 13.8
Judicial effectiveness 49.6 2.4
Tax burden 86.1 84.7
Government spending 85.5 96.5
Fiscal health 51.8 64.6
Business freedom 72.6 27.3
Labor freedom 60.9 33.6
Monetary freedom 78.2 6.2
Trade freedom 80.2 29.6
Investment freedom 60 5
Financial freedom 60 20

Economic freedom comparison by year

Panama
Sudan
1x
Year Economic freedom index
Panama Sudan
2026 64.9 32.5
2025 65.5 35.3
2024 64.1 33.9
2023 63.8 32.8
2022 65.4 32
2021 66.2 39.1
2020 67.2 45
2019 67.2 47.7
2018 67 49.4
2017 66.3 48.8
2016 64.8 -
2015 64.1 -
2014 63.4 -
2013 62.5 -
2012 65.2 -
2011 64.9 -
2010 64.8 -
2009 64.7 -
2008 64.7 -
2007 64.6 -
2006 65.6 -
2005 64.3 -
2004 65.3 -
2003 68.4 -
2002 68.5 -
2001 70.6 -
2000 71.6 47.2
1999 72.6 39.6
1998 72.6 38.3
1997 72.4 39.9
1996 71.8 39.2
1995 71.6 39.4

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

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

The Economic Freedom Index for Panama is 64.9, ranking 70/197, compared to 32.5 for Sudan, ranking 191/197. The chart above displays a comparison of annual changes in economic freedom indexes.

Other economic metrics

Panama Sudan
Services, % of GDP
69.3%
2024
54.7%
2024
Industry, % of GDP
25.5%
2024
23.2%
2024
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
2.68%
2024
22.2%
2024
GNI, Atlas method
$81.3B
2024
$35.8B
2024
GNI per capita, PPP
$39,260
2024
$2,050
2024
Total reserves including gold
$6.86B
2024
$178M
2017
Total reserves ranking
88/177
2024
171/177
2017
Net foreign direct investment
-$2.38B
2024
-$574M
2022
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
$3.24B
2024
$548M
2023
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
$865M
2024
$0
2024
Servicing debt to the IMF, % of GNI n/a
0.42%
2024
Poverty at national poverty lines
21.7%
2023
46.5%
2020
Gross capital formation, % of GDP
33.5%
2024
2.89%
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/sudan | 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. United Nations | World Population Prospects (2026, retrieved 2026-03-10)
  7. LivingCost (2026, retrieved 2025-10-14)
  8. Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) (2020, retrieved 2026-02-20)

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.