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Economy of Panama vs Suriname compared: GDP & Debt

Updated on by Georank

Panama has a GDP of $90.5B compared to $4.52B for Suriname, ranking 82/197 and 165/197 by economy size, respectively.

Panama has $51.2B in government debt (56.6% of GDP), compared to $4.79B (105.8% of GDP) in Suriname.

Panama vs Suriname GDP by year

Panama
Suriname
1x
Year GDP, current $
Panama Suriname
2025 $90,462,600,000 $4,523,657,797
2024 $86,523,959,100 $4,416,775,113
2023 $83,812,155,200 $3,472,693,412
2022 $76,479,304,500 $3,791,603,200
2021 $67,396,392,500 $3,107,923,198
2020 $57,059,846,500 $2,911,807,496
2019 $69,778,991,200 $4,016,040,575
2018 $67,316,471,200 $3,996,198,867
2017 $64,327,688,800 $3,591,679,431
2016 $59,760,858,700 $3,317,421,648
2015 $55,767,806,100 $5,126,237,646
2014 $51,427,104,900 $5,240,606,061
2013 $46,949,496,500 $5,145,757,576
2012 $41,595,439,700 $4,980,000,000
2011 $35,687,738,300 $4,422,276,622
2010 $30,231,009,500 $4,368,370,998
2009 $27,791,215,500 $3,875,409,836
2008 $25,721,328,000 $3,532,969,035
2007 $21,717,433,800 $2,936,612,022
2006 $18,659,721,500 $2,626,380,435
2005 $16,623,906,700 $1,793,410,397
2004 $15,100,203,400 $1,484,092,538
2003 $13,603,456,000 $1,274,190,311
2002 $12,800,851,300 $1,093,574,468
2001 $12,252,906,300 $834,279,358
2000 $11,966,497,000 $947,671,970
1999 $11,660,704,800 $886,290,698
1998 $11,019,557,700 $1,110,850,000
1997 $10,058,854,400 $926,422,500
1996 $9,197,503,300 $861,372,806
1995 $9,573,813,700 $691,590,498
1994 $9,365,289,800 $605,492,537
1993 $8,782,585,400 $428,764,706
1992 $8,042,337,700 $404,600,000
1991 $7,074,675,500 $448,100,000
1990 $6,433,967,000 $388,400,000
1989 $5,918,469,800 $542,600,000
1988 $5,902,783,400 $1,161,000,000
1987 $6,827,665,300 $980,000,000
1986 $6,797,834,200 $891,000,000
1985 $6,541,517,100 $873,000,000
1984 $6,183,387,100 $864,000,000
1983 $5,923,755,900 $883,500,000
1982 $5,769,767,900 $915,000,000
1981 $5,222,421,500 $889,000,000
1980 $4,614,086,400 $795,000,000
1979 $3,704,551,600 $782,500,000
1978 $3,244,558,600 $735,500,000
1977 $2,738,261,900 $641,500,000
1976 $2,588,106,000 $505,500,000
1975 $2,435,304,100 $465,500,000
1974 $2,188,307,600 $409,850,000
1973 $1,913,793,400 $339,450,000
1972 $1,673,411,700 $311,950,000
1971 $1,523,917,200 $301,000,000
1970 $1,351,006,400 $274,900,000
1969 $1,221,305,700 $259,650,000
1968 $1,112,791,100 $241,350,000
1967 $1,034,376,400 $220,700,000
1966 $928,833,000 $190,350,000
1965 $852,485,300 $154,150,000
1964 $776,137,500 $134,400,000
1963 $722,784,500 $125,950,000
1962 $652,120,900 $116,150,000
1961 $599,026,300 $107,700,000
1960 $537,147,100 $99,650,000

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

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

GDP per capita in Panama vs Suriname by year

Panama
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
Suriname
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
Panama Suriname
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2025 $19,790 - $7,070 -
2024 $19,161 $41,369 $6,962 $21,801
2023 $18,797 $39,813 $5,522 $21,110
2022 $17,379 $36,333 $6,084 $20,079
2021 $15,510 $30,933 $5,030 $18,458
2020 $13,291 $27,017 $4,755 $16,947
2019 $16,478 $33,240 $6,630 $19,772
2018 $16,151 $32,464 $6,666 $17,855
2017 $15,695 $33,533 $6,050 $17,568
2016 $14,832 $30,277 $5,644 $14,475
2015 $14,083 $27,245 $8,814 $16,544
2014 $13,213 $24,376 $9,108 $16,598
2013 $12,273 $21,924 $9,043 $16,173
2012 $11,065 $19,473 $8,851 $15,185
2011 $9,662 $17,474 $7,950 $13,926
2010 $8,331 $15,573 $7,944 $13,039
2009 $7,797 $14,766 $7,130 $12,393
2008 $7,348 $14,705 $6,576 $12,097
2007 $6,318 $13,333 $5,530 $11,530
2006 $5,529 $11,685 $5,003 $10,803
2005 $5,018 $10,511 $3,453 $10,014
2004 $4,645 $9,592 $2,888 $9,389
2003 $4,265 $8,801 $2,516 $8,552
2002 $4,091 $8,370 $2,202 $8,046
2001 $3,992 $8,197 $1,715 $7,865
2000 $3,975 $8,097 $1,988 $7,535
1999 $3,950 $7,749 $1,898 $7,367
1998 $3,808 $7,408 $2,429 $7,521
1997 $3,546 $6,895 $2,068 $7,422
1996 $3,308 $6,421 $1,963 $7,048
1995 $3,514 $6,182 $1,610 $7,000
1994 $3,508 $6,073 $1,434 $6,973
1993 $3,358 $5,902 $1,022 $6,650
1992 $3,140 $5,582 $969 $6,992
1991 $2,821 $5,150 $1,080 $6,852
1990 $2,620 $4,651 $942 $6,493
1989 $2,462 - $1,329 -
1988 $2,509 - $2,886 -
1987 $2,966 - $2,469 -
1986 $3,019 - $2,271 -
1985 $2,972 - $2,256 -
1984 $2,875 - $2,261 -
1983 $2,819 - $2,333 -
1982 $2,811 - $2,430 -
1981 $2,605 - $2,368 -
1980 $2,357 - $2,118 -
1979 $1,938 - $2,072 -
1978 $1,738 - $1,928 -
1977 $1,503 - $1,666 -
1976 $1,457 - $1,302 -
1975 $1,406 - $1,190 -
1974 $1,296 - $1,041 -
1973 $1,164 - $858 -
1972 $1,046 - $785 -
1971 $979 - $768 -
1970 $893 - $724 -
1969 $830 - $708 -
1968 $778 - $681 -
1967 $745 - $644 -
1966 $689 - $575 -
1965 $651 - $482 -
1964 $611 - $435 -
1963 $587 - $424 -
1962 $546 - $409 -
1961 $516 - $395 -
1960 $477 - $378 -

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

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

Panama's GDP per capita is $19,790, ranking 62/197, compared to $7,070 in Suriname, ranking 104/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), Panama ranks 56th at $41,369, while Suriname ranks 89th at $21,801.

Economic indicators

Panama Suriname
Gross domestic product
$90.5B
2025
$4.52B
2025
GDP rank
82/197
2025
165/197
2025
GDP growth
4.35%
2024-2025
1.79%
2024-2025
GDP per capita
$19,790
2025
$7,070
2025
GDP per capita rank
62/197
2025
104/197
2025
GDP per capita, PPP
$41,369
2024
$21,801
2024
GDP per capita PPP rank
56/197
2024
89/197
2024
Government debt
$51.2B
2025
$4.79B
2025
Debt-to-GDP ratio
56.6%
2025
105.8%
2025
Government debt per person
$11,198
2025
$7,483
2025
Government debt per person rank
56/185
2025
69/185
2025
Average annual personal income after taxes
$11,056
2026
$3,363
2026
Market capitalization of domestic companies
$27.2B
2025
n/a
Income share by richest 10%
37.6%
2024
30.1%
2022
Income share by poorest 10%
1.2%
2024
2.2%
2022
Government expenditure, % of GDP
20.9%
2025
37.3%
2025
Consumer prices inflation
-0.19%
2024-2025
9.21%
2024-2025
Central bank interest rate n/a
10%
2013
Unemployment rate
8.31%
2025
7.92%
2016
Population
4654479
648096

Spending and national debt comparison by year

Panama
Spending

Debt
Suriname
Spending

Debt
1x
Year % of GDP
Panama Suriname
Government spending Government debt Government spending Government debt
2025 20.9% 56.6% 37.3% 105.8%
2024 23.1% 57.8% 29.3% 88%
2023 21.4% 54.4% 28.9% 97.7%
2022 21.3% 56.2% 28.2% 111.7%
2021 23.7% 58% 32% 115.8%
2020 27% 62.4% 30.2% 146.4%
2019 20.5% 42.5% 40.5% 84%
2018 21.7% 36.3% 29.5% 68.6%
2017 21.1% 34.3% 28.7% 73%
2016 21.3% 34% 27.9% 75.4%
2015 21.4% 34.1% 29.9% 41.2%
2014 22.9% 32.9% 25.2% 25.2%
2013 23.6% 30.8% 26.2% 27.9%
2012 23% 31.3% 25.1% 20.1%
2011 23.7% 35.9% 21% 18.7%
2010 24.4% 38.5% 21% 17.3%
2009 22.9% 39.5% 24% 14.6%
2008 23% 40.6% 20.5% 14.8%
2007 22.2% 48.2% 22.6% 16.4%
2006 22.4% 56.1% 22.2% 22.5%
2005 23.2% 61.5% 22.2% 27.1%
2004 24.4% 61.5% 20.8% 29.4%
2003 25.7% 59.9% 19.2% 31.5%
2002 25.1% 60.9% 22.2% 37.4%
2001 25.2% 62.1% 21.8% 37.2%
2000 24.7% 58% 24.4% 48.4%
1999 25.2% 60.4% 19.6% 32.3%
1998 25.9% 64.3% 30.3% 21.6%
1997 24.8% 67.3% 21.1% 16.8%
1996 24.3% 73.6% 21.4% 11.8%
1995 29.3% 86.7% 20.2% 16.3%
1994 28.5% 88.7% 19.8% 30.5%
1993 33.8% 83.6% 21.2% 51.1%
1992 27.8% 91.2% 24.4% 64.4%
1991 20.9% 103.7% 26.6% 75.7%
1990 41.5% 112.7% 22.7% 72.9%
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 (1990–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1960–1993, retrieved 2026-07-08).

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

In 2025, Panama's government spending was $18.9B, accounting for 20.9% of its GDP, while Suriname spent $1.69B, or 37.3% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 56.6% in Panama and 105.8% in Suriname, ranking 84/185 and 18/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
Panama

Suriname
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
Panama Suriname
2025 -3.67% -9.61%
2024 -6.23% -3.36%
2023 -3.9% -1.67%
2022 -3.98% -2.57%
2021 -6.45% -5.66%
2020 -9.68% -12%
2019 -2.74% -20.2%
2018 -2.76% -8.56%
2017 -1.8% -8.62%
2016 -1.76% -10.2%
2015 -2.17% -8.29%
2014 -3.04% -2.65%
2013 -2.4% -2.64%
2012 -1.32% -0.38%
2011 -1.97% 2.32%
2010 -1.69% -0.15%
2009 -0.91% 2.03%
2008 0.38% 2.39%
2007 3.17% 5.01%
2006 0.53% 0.59%
2005 -2.29% -3.39%
2004 -4.54% -1.2%
2003 -2.41% -0.11%
2002 -1.03% -3.3%
2001 -0.45% 3.49%
2000 2.22% -7.76%
1999 -0.71% -4.92%
1998 -1.23% -6.39%
1997 1.39% -0.32%
1996 2.81% 3.42%
1995 2.61% 1.17%
1994 2.4% -1.89%
1993 -9.4% -4.68%
1992 -2.62% -6.45%
1991 -0.6% -9.8%
1990 -3.65% -3.04%
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 (1990–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1946–1993, retrieved 2026-07-08).

GeoRank.org/economy/panama/suriname | 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 Suriname's deficit of $435M, or 9.61% of GDP.

Over the past 36 years, Panama recorded a fiscal deficit in 28 of those years, while Suriname ran a deficit in 28 years. On average, Panama posted an annual deficit equal to 1.94% of GDP, compared to deficit of 3.59% of GDP for Suriname.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
Panama

Suriname
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
Panama Suriname
2025 -0.19% 9.21%
2024 0.69% 16.2%
2023 1.49% 51.6%
2022 2.86% 52.4%
2021 1.63% 59.1%
2020 -1.55% 34.9%
2019 -0.36% -
2018 0.76% -
2017 0.88% 22%
2016 0.74% 55.4%
2015 0.14% 6.89%
2014 2.63% 3.38%
2013 4.03% 1.92%
2012 5.7% 5.01%
2011 5.88% 17.7%
2010 3.49% 6.94%
2009 2.41% -0.13%
2008 8.76% 14.7%
2007 4.17% 6.43%
2006 2.46% 11.3%
2005 2.86% 9.9%
2004 0.47% 9.99%
2003 0.39% 23%
2002 1.01% 15.5%
2001 0.31% 38.6%
2000 1.5% 59.4%
1999 1.25% 98.8%
1998 0.56% 19%
1997 1.32% 7.15%

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

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

Over the past 29 years, Panama has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 1.94%, compared with 24.3% in Suriname. In 2025, inflation was -0.19% in Panama and 9.21% in Suriname.

Top exports between countries

Panama
Export category Export value
Machinery & equipment $17.7M
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $8.4M
Textiles & consumer goods $2.57M
Chemicals & pharma $1.66M
Raw materials & minerals $1.32M
Metals $971K
Raw agricultural goods $123K
Miscellaneous $99K
Wood & paper products $98K
Animal & marine products $60K
Suriname
Export category Export value
Raw materials & minerals $8.11M
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $2.28M
Chemicals & pharma $102K
Textiles & consumer goods $84K
Machinery & equipment $66K
Wood & paper products $66K
Miscellaneous $39K
Metals $21K
Weapons & explosives $18K

Balance of trade

Panama Suriname
Current account balance
-$169M
2025
-$2.48B
2025
Current account balance ranking
91/190
2025
146/190
2025
Current account balance, % of GDP
-0.19%
2025
-54.9%
2025
Goods imports
$28.2B
2025
$1.91B
2025
Goods exports
$18.6B
2025
$2.97B
2025
Service imports
$5.91B
2025
$3.59B
2025
Service exports
$20.2B
2025
$218M
2025
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
39.3%
2024
38.4%
2010
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
44.4%
2024
52.5%
2010

Economic freedom indices

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

Panama Suriname
Economic freedom 64.9 53
Economic freedom ranking 70/197 143/197
Property rights 56.7 40.5
Government integrity 37.4 41
Judicial effectiveness 49.6 46.5
Tax burden 86.1 69.1
Government spending 85.5 74.3
Fiscal health 51.8 76.6
Business freedom 72.6 56.9
Labor freedom 60.9 69
Monetary freedom 78.2 56.4
Trade freedom 80.2 65.2
Investment freedom 60 20
Financial freedom 60 20

Economic freedom comparison by year

Panama
Suriname
1x
Year Economic freedom index
Panama Suriname
2026 64.9 53
2025 65.5 50.9
2024 64.1 46.7
2023 63.8 46.1
2022 65.4 48.1
2021 66.2 46.4
2020 67.2 49.5
2019 67.2 48.1
2018 67 48.1
2017 66.3 48
2016 64.8 53.8
2015 64.1 54.2
2014 63.4 54.2
2013 62.5 52
2012 65.2 52.6
2011 64.9 53.1
2010 64.8 52.5
2009 64.7 54.1
2008 64.7 54.3
2007 64.6 54.8
2006 65.6 55.1
2005 64.3 51.9
2004 65.3 47.9
2003 68.4 46.9
2002 68.5 48
2001 70.6 44.3
2000 71.6 45.8
1999 72.6 40.1
1998 72.6 39.9
1997 72.4 35.9
1996 71.8 36.7
1995 71.6 -

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

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

The Economic Freedom Index for Panama is 64.9, ranking 70/197, compared to 53 for Suriname, ranking 143/197. The chart above displays a comparison of annual changes in economic freedom indexes.

Other economic metrics

Panama Suriname
Services, % of GDP
70%
2025
50.8%
2024
Industry, % of GDP
24.9%
2025
35.1%
2024
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
2.62%
2025
6.77%
2024
GNI, Atlas method
$87.5B
2025
$3.93B
2025
GNI per capita, PPP
$41,770
2025
$21,000
2025
Total reserves including gold
$6.24B
2025
$1.62B
2025
Total reserves ranking
93/177
2025
132/177
2025
Net foreign direct investment
-$1.81B
2025
-$2.04B
2025
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
$2.09B
2024
$666M
2024
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
$84.3M
2024
-$9.05M
2024
Servicing debt to the IMF, % of GNI n/a
20.5%
2023
Poverty at national poverty lines
21.7%
2023
70%
2020
Gross capital formation, % of GDP
33.5%
2024
36.2%
2010

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/suriname | 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)
  9. Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) (2020, 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.